Eggs finally!

Eggs finally!

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

My speckled sussex pullets have finally started laying at eight months old! I was starting to think they were never going to lay. My egg business will now be re-energized.

Ironically I was at dinner at Blue Hills at Stone Barns last Friday night and as a fifth course I was dramatically served a poached egg drizzled with something and presented in a big white ceramic bowl with the waiter whispering to me that the egg had been laid that day. When I broke down the cost of each course, I figured out that fresh egg was worth $25. I wish I had that kind of clientele!

Tuesday morning barn report

Still waiting on 4 does to kid.  Everyone went out today in the new goat pen (where last year’s pig pasture was) and are happily eating browse.  I put the new babies in together to bond and will return their mother’s to them late morning.  POG and Dreamer went out in a small pen to graze.  Farm work under control and the barn yard looks good.  Chicken house muck out is the next project to tackle.

Got my first zuchini out of the garden yesterday (which means there are probably six there today!).  Made a scrambled egg, onion, cheese and zucchini mixture for breakfast.  Mmmmm.  Lots to harvest today and lots of weeding.  Wineberries and blueberries are calling to me too.

Blueberry picking in Black Rock Forest

I am lucky enough to live next door to a nearly four thousand acre forest preserve that has a large number of high bush blueberries.  They ripen sometime in July, usually late July.  Word had filtered down to me that the blueberries were in so I hit the forest this evening to check out my favorite bushes.  I came home with over a gallon (bigger container next time!) and ate at least a quart while I was picking.  I picked over the berries at home and froze four quarts bags after feeding the children several bowls of fresh berries each.  The frozen berries will be used for pancakes, to top cereal, for blueberry pies, etc, etc.  There will be plenty of picking over the next two weeks. With future pickings, I’ll make fresh pies and jars and jars of jam.   I’ll post pictures from tonight soon.  The forest is a quiet peaceful place full of rock formations, conifers and lakes that reminds me of Maine.