Growing Up!

The little ones graduated to their new "mini" outdoor coop! Maybe because we have never had these deluxe accommodations before for the little ones, but I have never seen a chick sunbathe the way the older hens do. It was quite entertaining to watch. Of course, the photo doesn't quite capture how much they were enjoying the beautiful sunshine, but they were!

This Black Jersey Giant was really enjoying the rays since her feathers are coming in slower then all the other chicks!

Here is the Jersey Giant again, she is a week older with a few more feathers, but still just a lot of fuzz.

The Golden Laced Wyandottes starting to show their beautiful colors.

 The Buff Laced Polish are getting super fluffy heads and lots of feathers.

Here we have all 6 of the new chicks together enjoying some green grass.

In the midst of taking care of the chicks and chickens, I finally made a cookie recipe worth raving about and sharing. I hope to make it again this weekend and get some pictures taken so you can all share in some cookie bliss with me. It's so good. It's been worth the wait!

Mushrooms - The Wild Kind

It's almost that time of year again. That time of year where I must make the time to go strolling through the woods looking for the prime spot to find the incredible delectable morel. But, many times these walks do not lead me to any "edible" mushrooms. Last year I took pictures to share of the other types of mushrooms I found. Of course, I can't find all of these photo's now, but did find some to share.

Leading the photo show, is the top dog. The one. The only. The Morel.

This guy is not one I will sink my teeth into. 

Gyromitra Esculenta, I was shocked to learn that people do eat this.

Pheasant Back. While very edible, and enjoyed by many, I don't have the nerve. It breaks one my mushroom rule. 

1.) If Gram didn't pick it wild and eat it, I'm not going to either.

I really have no idea what these are besides pretty.

 These area a fairly common site for me. They remind me of jelly fish. 

Do you forage for any wild mushrooms? Where did you learn what's ok and what's not?

The Flock Grew

One sunny April day, after much discussion we decided that we would indeed get some new chicks this year! And, we were off to the store before we could change our minds!

We are only adding six, as that is all we have room for.  Buff Laced Polish, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Americana, and Black Jersey Giants are the beauties we selected, and they are all new breeds to our flock. 

We have them set up with their heat lamp, and they are happily staying in the basement until they get bigger. Then we will move them to phase 2 until they are ready to begin mingling with the big girls and boy. I am sooo excited to watch these little ones grow up. They should all be hens, except for two that we aren't sure. So, there is a little mystery left in the mix!

Having picked up the chicks the weekend after Easter, we were feeling all nice and springy. And then this happened. 

I know it will melt quickly, but this seems to have been such a long long winter already! 

I am anxious to get to the woods picking morels, and of course to get the garden going! 

Come on Mother Nature, lets get spring in full swing!!

Are you already planning or working on your gardens?

Sharing at:

Clever Chicks Blog Hop

Browned Butter Blondies

Truckin' Man is back to work already, thankfully a very short layoff this season. But, my break from packing lunches is over. Time to get that oven cranked up, and some tasty treats packed to keep him fueled up and trucking... Lol... That turned out a little funnier than I meant it too!

I know I was supposed to be sharing some cookie recipes, but for some reason cookies and I are having a rough go of it so far this year. Bars though? We are doing fabulous! So, onward to what is working for me!

I've been making these lovely chewy blondies for years, and they never let me down. With just a few ingredients, this is a recipe I can pull off in a pinch if I need something fast. Truth be told, I've even skipped browning the butter if I really needed to move fast! But the browned butter really adds that something special, so I do recommend taking the time to do that.

Browned Butter Blondies
1/2 cup butter
2 cups light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray, set aside.

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Stir often, until butter turns brown. It will turn brown after it has foamed, and it will turn a golden brown. Remove from heat immediately. Let set until butter has cooled to room temperature. Add brown sugar, stirring until blended.  Stir in eggs, mix well.  Add flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing just until combined.

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes, or when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Be careful to not overbake.

Enjoy!

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Meal Plan Monday