Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The Sunny Side

August 25, 2008 marks a momentous occasion...I got my first egg from my chickens! I have been diligently checking the nest boxes since the chooks turned 16 weeks old. Now, at 19 weeks, one of them has produced her first egg. It was a fluke that I even checked before I left for work. I normally don't do that. Here it is next to one of the store bought eggs in the fridge. Isn't it pretty? It's perfectly smooth.

Finding the first egg was so exciting that I literally ran into the house.

"Guys! Guys! Come look! Our first egg!" I let each of the boys hold it in their hands to experience it for themselves. Jim held it up next to a store bought white egg and compared them. I marveled at this little treasure.

I was so sure one of the boys would find the first egg, but as luck would have it, it was me. I got such a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, a feeling that can only be felt by raising your own food and seeing the fruits of your labors come to light. Self-sufficiency is so gratifying.

Eggs symbolize many things. Eggs are a promise for the future. Eggs are full of hope. This little egg lifted my spirits and carried me through a long night at work. And when I came home this morning I fried my little egg in pure butter and ate it on a piece of buttered toast. Well, I did give Jim one little bite and he tried to snatch the rest from me, but I wasn't sharing! It was delicious!

Life is good!

10 comments:

  1. I was very excited when our chickens laid their first egg. Now you will be checking for eggs constantly! Our record is 29 eggs in one day. They are so tasty, I do not think I could go back to store bought. ~Kim

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  2. Yay, Amy! You win the First Oggs contest! I'm so jealous! I'm glad they gave you a lift. Goldie's still hanging out on the nest so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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  3. I always loved gathering eggs at my Grandmothers farm. I even loved cleaning out the coop! We would grade, candle and crate them for sale at the local grocery. Love your blog!

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  4. Yay, Amy! Congratulations. Welcome to the very special chicken-laying-egg-club (CLEC for short)! Isn't it the most wonderful feeling to find these little presents?!! I'm smiling big for you this morning!
    (I've got some begawking going on outside my window right now - almost time to go check the nest boxes!) :-) :-) :-)

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  5. Yea!!! You must have been so shocked to see that egg sitting there! The color is so beautiful. It sounds quite tasty to fry it ini butter and then put it on buttered toast. I will do the same with my first one in honor of your glorious victory!!!!

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  6. Aww this is so sweet... and very well written Amy!
    I'm so happy that you've finally seeing all your time and hard work raising your chooks pay off!!

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  7. Oh that egg looks yummy! I am addicted to free range eggs, and get them from a friend who raises her chickens with lots of love-just like yours...

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  8. Yay! Yay yay... ya-yay yay! (doing jig while stamping feet and clapping hands) :)

    That little eggs looks AWESOME. Wow... I'm with Don... frying my first one in butter in honor of your victory! I'll have to think about the sharing part though... hehe.

    I'm very happy for you! Hope many more are to follow!

    Ron

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  9. Oh my...the memory of my very first fresh egg!!! You expressed it perfectly!!! And the buttered toast with an egg fried in butter...oh my goodness...a heavenly treat!!! I just love your blog!

    Juri

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  10. Kim, you're right. I check for eggs every 5 minutes when I'm home!!! 29 eggs in one day is a lot of eggs! Wow, that's one big frittata.

    Susan, your girls will be laying very soon, and then your Goldie will lay about a dozen a day. So look out!

    Pudgeduck, what is it about sticking your hand in a nest and feeling for that perfect, smooth little object? It's pure magic I tell ya!

    Danni, thank you!!! I'm so thrilled to finally be getting eggs. It's like Christmas in the chicken coop.

    Don, it was a big surprise to find the first egg. My dad got me hooked on eating fried eggs on toast. It's my favorite breakfast!

    Paula, thank you. It is great to be getting eggs after such a (seemingly) long wait! I just wish I could figure out who's doing the laying! I need a hen cam!

    Mare, free range eggs taste worlds better than factory eggs. That bright orange yolk is so rich and tasty! And yes, I do love my chooks!

    Ron, I can't wait to read your post about your first egg when it arrives! I know it'll be a fun one to read.

    Juri, thanks for stopping by. The first egg is something I won't forget. Isn't it funny how something so little can bring so much joy?

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