Friday, April 12, 2013

Chickens at Last!

We are still in the cool front mode.  Temperature is around 35 this morning but will drop at sunrise.
I see another hard freeze is predicted in the midst of a very warm week next week!  Drat and drat!

I finally gave up on finding Sex Link chickens and bought 4 Buff Orpingtons that are just 7 months old.  A woman at Bolivar had them.  She also had some Light Brahmas that were just beautiful but don't lay as well as the Buffs.  It does have me wanting to get some variety just for fun.......DH will not be pleased if I do this.

I will take a picture when daylight hits.
Here they are.  They seem to be settling in.
Buff Orpington Pullet photo Buffsinglechicken_zps5604f54b.jpg
3 new Buffs photo Buffs3atoneendofpen_zpsddc69dc6.jpg

Cooking

I went back to the Bonnie Plants website to find the cookie recipes using lemon thyme.  I made them and clipped my new plant to get the l tablespoon.  We think they are super!

 shortbread with lemon thyme photo IMG_0114_zps3516cfa5.jpg

If time is short, you can bake the cookies immediately. However, placing the cookies in the freezer to firm before baking helps the cookies maintain a perfect shape as they bake. You can substitute chopped fresh rosemary or lavender for the lemon thyme.
Servings: 2 dozen
Ingredients
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon thyme leaves
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Combine flour, thyme leaves, and salt in a small bowl, and set aside.
Process butter and sugar in a food processor until smooth and well combined, stopping to scrape down sides. Add vanilla; process 15 seconds.
Add flour mixture; pulse 10 to 12 times until dough pulls away from sides of bowl and forms a ball.
Divide dough in half. Roll each half to ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface, adding just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking. Cut with a 2-inch cookie cutter, and place cookies 1 inch apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Place cookie sheets in freezer for 20 minutes or until cookies are firm to the touch.
Bake at 275 for 30 minutes or just until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

And I made my two loaves of honey whole wheat bread.

This time I remembered to seal them up while still slightly warm.  That is supposed to keep the bread more moist.....we will see.

Annies Honey Whole Wheat photo MybreadAnnieHoneyWholeWheat_zps0c21a855.jpg

I am cleaning the back porch today....planning to move the plant light stand out to the Milk Parlor for when they work on the bathroom (no sign of them yet).

8 comments:

  1. Oh, I do love those Buffs. My friend used to have chickens and the buffs were just the nicest of the lot - so homey and the calmest of his chickens. Hope they give you lots of eggs and congrats not having to wait long to get them.

    Another 3/4" of rain this morning giving us 3.25" from Walda. Creeks are overflowing and the grass is taking off.

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    1. At least we are starting out this spring much wetter! Of course, I may never get any garden in at this rate.

      The hens are laying....they are still the smaller pullet eggs now.

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  2. I've never seen the Buff Orpingtons...but they sure are pretty! They look a lot like my Red Sex Links, only a bit lighter in color. I hope they do well for you! The weather here has also been up and down...we had three days this week over 80 degrees, and now it's colder this weekend. Guess I can't be putting away the quilted flannels quite yet!

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    Replies
    1. The Sex Links are what I wanted. I still have three left from the marauder. I love how they sing and are so gentle. The Buffs are gentle but don't sing as much.

      It is 36° here this morning. We are expecting a nice warmup by Sunday.

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  3. I love Buffs..they are so golden in color and I think are just nice chickens.. that is if you think chickens can be nice.. The neighbor gal has these chickens and they are so pretty walking when walking around.. I buy eggs from her and I love eggs that not store bought. They look like healthy eggs.. and they taste so good..
    Hope you get some warmer weather.. It's so cold and windy here in Iowa.. 37 degrees tonight with a chance of snow tomorrow.. Yikes..
    Have a tiggeriffic day~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)

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    Replies
    1. It is still cold here too. I have had the Buffs before and still have one older hen left.

      Hope the snow doesn't amount to much.....it is
      Spring!

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  4. Hi Glenda,
    I don't know anything about chickens, but those sure are beauties! I hope you get lots of good eggs from them. I see you've been busy baking again! I wish spring would get here to stay. I didn't know it was cold in your parts, too. We're supposed to get up to 61 tomorrow, but the rest of the week's highs, I'm thinking are only in the 40s or so, and there is another chance of snow.

    Thanks for identifying my blooms.

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  5. I don't suppose it would work for you to put two of those cookies in an envelope and mail to me (joke). I think I'll try them making my own using Rosemary, haven't any lemon thyme. They just look so tasty; the bread looks tasty too.

    I think we need to get Chickens too. Need to make a stout coop first.

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