Really Fresh Eggs for Breakfast

Chicken coop for free range hens. 

One of our neighbors has two flocks of chickens for laying eggs.

Hens graze during the day inside fence.

She was out of town recently and she invited us to go over and gather some of the eggs.  We went over on Sunday and her house sitter let the chicken out into their pen where they graze during the day.  Alice and I went to the nests and gathered the eggs.  There were nine in all---four from Saturday and five from Sunday.

Four fresh eggs in the nest.

Nine freshly laid eggs.

I can only remember once gathering eggs when I was a small child and my grandmother had some laying hens.  So this was a new experience and a fun one.

On Monday morning we ate four of the eggs.  The yolks were so bright yellow because the chickens are free range and eat a lot of plants during the day.

The yolks are so bright yellow.

I scrambled the eggs in a bit of butter---no  garnishes of any kind---just pure scrambled eggs

Scrambled eggs.

We enjoyed the eggs with some Lunenburg pudding (the nearest thing they have here that resembles liver mush) and a fresh blueberry muffin made by our friend Michealette.  What a good breakfast.

Ready to eat.

My younger son upon seeing some of the photos asked if we could have a chicken coop at our house in Raleigh.  We could of course---one of close neighbors does.  So he said we've got to make that happen.  So once I get back to Raleigh I my end up with my very own chicken coop in the backyard. 

Alice Visits Maggie's Garden

Maggie in her garden.

Soon after we arrived at Marble Mountain, Maggie, a close neighbor, brought us a large bag of Swiss chard that she grew, and invited us to go over and see her garden.  Alice who is an avid gardener was eager to go and on Tuesday we visited.  Maggie*, with help from her husband Kit, has numerous raised beds in which she grows all kinds of vegetables.  It is an amazing garden.

Maggie and Alice in the garden.

Alice looking at the "Jack in the Beanstalk" beans.  A whole wall of beans.Those are some tall beans.

A fine bed of leeks.

Sweet potatoes.

Maggie says the whirligig helps to chase away the voles.

A lush bed of Swiss chard.

Alice, ever the gardener, could not resist pulling a few weeds out of the broccoli patch.

Turnips like the ones we grow in North Carolina.

Maggie also raises chicken and their eggs are so fresh and delicious.  And I love to hear the rooster crowing, but so far this summer I don't believe he has crowed.

She has two flocks of chickens.  This is a black variety she has.  The fresh eggs when we can get them are delicious.

Alice and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Maggie's wonderful garden. Fantastic job Maggie!

*Maggie and Kit moved here from Maryland.  They are here pretty much year round.

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo

Maggie's rooster and hens.

Maggie, our neighbor, has a rooster and a few hens, and we were delighted the other day to get a dozen fresh eggs.  An added benefit of these chickens is that in the mornings we can hear the rooster crowing, particularly when we are here in May before the trees leaf out.  Now that the leaves are out the trees seem to mute the sound of the rooster crowing.  I miss waking up to the rooster crowing.  Listen to this rooster crow (from You Tube---not Maggie's rooster).

Maggie keeps the hens in the pen because recently one of her hens was slaughtered by a mink.

The chicken coop and pen.

Kit, Maggie's husband, has built a little ladder for the hens to get into their nests.

Little ladder for hens to get into their nests.

We're looking forward to using these nice fresh eggs.

A dozen fresh eggs.

Last night I made an egg salad with these very fresh eggs.  It was so good.  There's really nothing like local fresh eggs.

Egg salad with fresh eggs, a little butter and a little mayo.

Made from Scratch: The Chicken in Art

The Cameron Village Regional Library in Raleigh has a current exhibit "Chicken in Art".  If you are in the area, it's a must see. 

Rooster and Hen by David Farrell, Westmoore Pottery.