Gretchen...aka Bubbles

Bubbles has a new name and shall now be known as Gretchen! She's a Lakenvelder, a German breed and I really wanted a name to suit her heritage. Crazy, I know.

They are enjoying a spell of free range time in the flower garden and where the compost pile used to be. Finding fat, juicy worms is delightful. Crazy, I know!

Me and Lucy, my big girl.

Jonathan and Buttercup. (See her cup shaped comb?) We celebrated his birthday last week with a trip to Orlando. He knew we were going on the trip but didn't know that we were flying, his 1st trip on a plane! We surprised him the morning we left and got the biggest kick out of his reaction to it all. Fun for him AND for us! Hollywood Studios was the fav and we could've done both days there. Disney was good too and glad we did it but going back to a park again, Hollywood Studios will be the place, for sure.

Can't believe Jonathan is 10! Crazy, I know!

Chicks in the City

This was taken on Saturday and is our first egg!

Here are my new girls. They've been here almost a week now and I'm having so much fun watching there goings on and listening to their sounds. So far we've gotten 3 eggs, all from Lucy, the biggest hen. She's an Athen's Rare Breed. I actually witnessed one of the eggs as it was being laid and that was pretty cool! The coop is in place but still needs a bit more work and I'll be posting pictures as soon as it's complete. The other two ladies are Bubbles, a Lakenvelder and Buttercup, her name and breed. (Newsflash!!! Soon after I wrote this one of the smaller girls laid their 1st egg, didn't want to be outdone, I guess.)

Lucy has been my layer. She's a sweet girl who is easy to hold, fun to watch and can really kick up the dirt. They've had a hay day scratching around where my compost bin used to be!

Bubbles is a Lakenvelder and boy does she make a racket when you pick her up. Missing some feathers but hoping she'll start filling in soon.

Buttercup. See her comb? It's a cupshaped crown with a complete circle of medium sized regular points. Not too crazy about being picked up (yet) but a very pretty bird!

Chicken & Blueberry Muffins

This treasury has expired but I REALLY loved all these items & wanted to go ahead & post. Some of these items, like BELLACOSAART piece, Hank the Rooster, I've used before because I just LOVE it so. I just purchased a print of this great painting...can't wait!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day & I'd made homemade blueberry muffins for the kids & Jonathan's teacher. These are super easy & so much better than even the best muffin mix. I used a can of blueberries, well drained. There's just the right amount of sweetness. If you you fresh or frozen be sure to sweeten first. I've also given variations for Apple Cinnamon & Banana Nut muffins. With this basic recipe you can add your favorite ingredients, toppings, etc....(chocolate chips are good too!)

Sweet Best-Ever Muffins

1 ¾ C all-purpose flour
½ C sugar
2 ½ t baking powder *
¾ t salt
1 egg, beaten
¾ C milk *
1/3 C oil

* To substitute buttermilk, reduce baking powder to 1 t and add ¼ t baking soda.

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; make a well in the center. Combine egg, milk and oil; add all at once to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened (do not over mix). Fill muffin pans which have been either papered or greased 2/3 full. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Use this basic recipe to create your own wonderful sweet muffins. Toss in some fruit, alter liquid or dress up the tops.

• Blueberry Muffins

Prepare Sweet Muffin recipe; add fresh, frozen or a drained can of blueberries to the batter. You may need to add a bit more sugar if using fresh or frozen depending on how sweet you want the muffins. Bake 20-25 minutes.

• Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Prepare Sweet Muffin recipe adding 1t ground cinnamon in with the dry ingredients. Mix as directed then carefully fold 1 cup finely chopped apple, ½ cup finely chopped pecans, ½ cup chopped dates, optional.

• Banana-Nut Muffins
  

Prepare Sweet Muffin recipe; add a ripe, mashed banana to the milk, egg and oil mixture. Add ½ cup finely chopped pecans to the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes.