Fresh Egg “Pro” Tips The Bloom Factor: If they’re relatively clean, remember that the natural “bloom” (the protective coating) keeps them fresh on the counter for quite a while. No need to refrigerate right away unless you’ve already washed them. The Water Test: If you ever lose track of which eggs are the newest, the Read More …
Author: mcnealulm
XMas Tree Chicken Bedding
Upcycling a Christmas tree as coop bedding is a clever way to provide extra insulation and enrichment for a flock. Pine and fir needles are naturally absorbent and can help manage odors in the coop, while the branches create great perching spots and “boredom busters” for chickens to peck at when they are spending more Read More …
Our Mr. Stacky Vertical Garden Experiment
One of my core philosophies here is to try a new thing every season. It keeps us learning, keeps the garden adaptable, and, most importantly, keeps us one step ahead of our five feathered garden “inspectors.” This year, we’re taking our planting to new heights, literally, with a 5-piece Mr. Stacky vertical unit. Here is Read More …
Prelude to an Afternoon of A Chicken
Claude was a very famous composer who lived in a house filled with velvet shadows and heavy silence. Everyone expected him to write grand music about the crashing sea or the drifting clouds. But on this morning, Claude sat at his piano with a heavy sigh. His music felt stuck, like a rainy day that Read More …
The Vanilla Fugue
In the heart of a town called Leipzig, there lived a man named Papa Bach. His house was never quiet. It hummed with the sound of “clink-clank-clunk” from the kitchen and “do-re-mi” from the parlor. Papa Bach was a man of music, and his head was always full of golden notes and silver rhythms. But Read More …
The Ultimate Farm-to-Table Vanilla Bean Custard
My obsession with real frozen custard started with a friend from Wisconsin, the undisputed capital of dairy. But it wasn’t until I started raising my own chickens that this recipe truly leveled up. There is nothing quite like using fresh-gathered backyard eggs to create a custard that is impossibly creamy and naturally golden. If you’ve Read More …
Silky Homemade Vanilla Gelato (Egg-Free)
There is something magical about authentic gelato. It’s denser, smoother, and more intense than standard ice cream. This specific recipe uses the Sicilian Method, utilizing a cornstarch slurry instead of eggs. The result? A velvety texture that melts perfectly on the tongue without the “heavy” feeling of traditional custard. ⏱️ The Details Prep time: 20 Read More …