There is something so special about picking up a warm egg in a cold barn on a snowy morning in December. I can’t even describe it. It’s almost a spiritual experience for me.
Country Threads Chicken Scratch
Farm life
There is something so special about picking up a warm egg in a cold barn on a snowy morning in December. I can’t even describe it. It’s almost a spiritual experience for me.
Ahh–my husband, the chicken farmer, would agree:) Nice to think about, Mary. Thanks. PS They had 37,000 chickens!!
The simple joys in life, warms the heart.
Love to hear about your “farm” moments. They are so far from my suburban lifestyle in Southern California, but there is a longing for many of your fun experiences. I would love to collect eggs, I don’t think I have even been within 10 ft of a chicken in my life! I am so sorry for the loss of your goat, I would be crying my heart out! My dogs fill my life so much that the thought of them not being by my side, fills me with sadness. May the LORD of All fill your coming weeks with His love, joy and His expected return!!! Carolyn Barnett
A beautiful picture in the red glove. A season of life.
Your blog and photo this morning makes me all warm and fuzzy!! I’ve never experienced gathering eggs in cold weather OR warm, but somehow I still understand what you’re saying. Thanks.
😉
We have a bronze turkey that is 4 years old. She was crippled as a baby and I butchered all the turkeys except her. Because of her size, she spends a lot of time sitting in one place. When she sees me, she chirps and hobbles over to say hello. I hold her chest with one hand (that supports her weight), and stoke her neck and back with the other hand. Amazing how the very simple things in life can give so much pleasure.
Patty – that’s a lucky turkey!
Love this, Mary; have a great day!
Beautiful perfect gift!
I am the occasional “lurker” here and so enjoy your posts when I pop in – today’s is so very touching and really says it all. Your beautiful egg photo caused me to write this, hope you don’t mind.
I recently lost my entire flock to a dog who had been stalking my birds for over a year and he finally found a way in when my own dogs were away, as were we. The new gates were no match to a 80+ lb. pit bull who was determined to reach the flock. My young, gorgeous Rhode Island rooster, Al ‘Capon’, was found in the midst of a group of hens who he died trying to protect. One of my 3 prized momma (setting hen) hens died next to a newborn chick that was not hers. (Last year, I lost my 18-yr. old rooster, Pretty Boy Floyd, to old-age blindness, senility, and the swimming pool – he is still missed dearly, even his surprise ‘what for’ rare attacks when I failed to respect his majesty’s dignity.)
Out of 14 birds, one young hen survived the attack by hiding – truly a miracle! I’ve found a new rooster, now to get more setters and layers and restart the flock before he wears the lone hen out. And restart the new rooster’s “obedience” lessons so we can have some respect on both sides, lol!
All creatures, great and small – we are so fortunate to be able to share our lives with them. God bless you! And, thank you.
Georgia – it makes my heart hurt to imagine the dog attack on your beautiful chickens! I am so very sorry for your loss!
Oh goodness, that must have been a heart breaking day for you. I have tears in my eyes reading your story. Mary, look what you’ve created, a community of people who don’t know one another but feel one another’s pain and joy.
And what beautiful eggs they are. What a nice experience, we city folk will never know
Blessings are being sent to you.Thank for sharing.
When I was a child, my grandmother had a chicken coop. I loved visiting the chickens and checking their cubbies for eggs!
Very awesome indeed!🐓🐓🐓❤️
The feeling is “hygge”!
Ahhh, that’s sweet, Mary! Looks like you’ll be able to experience it in the snow for many days now!
Seeing the eggs brought back many memories for me. In his later years my dad raised show chickens for a hobby. They were Buff Wyandotte Bantams. We lived in a small town and he had 2 chicken coops in the back yard. When my son and daughter were little, they loved to help grandpa collect the eggs from the “fussy little mother hen.” They still talk about those days and they are 45 and almost 43.
Those also look like beautiful eggs. Not sure if I related this story before or not. when I was three I used to go out and find quacky’s egg who was a free range duck, bring it in and Mom would cook it for my breakfast. Fast forward 50 years and I was reminising with my Mom about Quacky and her egg. “Oh, didn’t I ever tell you?” WHAT??? “Quacky was a male we had hen that layed jumbo eggs and you just thought it was the duck” What a realism after all those years. “Gee, Mom what other lies have you told me over the years? Is Dad my REAL dad?’ At that she wasn’t very happy and , “You were so gaulable we thought you wouldn’t ewat an egg from any other source and YES, You Dad is your REAL Dad” then we had a good laugh, Gosh I miss that woman. Thank you for sharing stories that I have often shared with others and MERRY CHRISTMAS///
Angie – I am laughing! What a sweet childhood story!
Thank you for sharing Nature’s Beauty with us. Sometimes we forget to see the Beauty in everyday life.
I too picked up warm eggs during my childhood.
I love reading your farm posts. I grew up in Nora Springs but have lived in Pittsburgh for 45 years. Reading about your life in Iowa is a little way I can keep in touch with my Iowa roots. I used to gather eggs with my grandmother so I know the feeling well.
I had that feeling over and over; guess that’s why I enjoyed gathering the eggs each day. That was years ago…in another lifetime…and now it is quilts, which is another effort I absolutely LOVE.
I remember that feeling well from my farmgirl days. Thanks for the reminder!!
I have that warm fuzzy feeling twice a day. People who do not have country running in their veins dont understand.
Have you ever found a frozen egg? We did several times during the winter. Just bring them inside and into the fridge they go and get used asap.
I have three rescued chickens from the local Humane Society, two I bought and a beautiful rooster who was supposed to be a hen! I get so excited everytime when I collect the three or four eggs that have been layed! My hubby thinks it is funny that I still get so excited, but yes, Mary, it is a special feeling! Thanks for sharing a simple pleasure…
I agree. It is a very moving experience. I do not have chickens although I hope to have them soon but I gather them for my neighbor sometimes. The other time I have that feeling of receiving a gift is gardening for food. It amazes me that I can bend down and pick a piece of spinach or lettuce and eat it right there and I did not have to exchange money for it. I hate money. I wish our world bartered in a different way. Silly me I know.
Oh I totally agree. A special gift indeed. Hopefully all your animals are keeping warm. I can remember having to have heat lamps on our piglets. Hope you have a great holiday season!
I was asked by a friend to take care of her brand new young flock that hadn’t even started to lay yet while they were away for two weeks. Imagine my joy when the second day I went there was one beautiful precious still warm egg. I cradled it in my hand and felt all the feelings expressed by everyone here. I carefully put it in the cup holder of my car and carried it home. The next day there were two eggs just as precious, one for each cup holder. By the end of the two weeks I needed a basket to carry all the warm little treasures home. They became a regular supply of fresh valuable food for many families. I always looked forward to helping out as the flock grew and flourished. C
Cindy – I would be just as excited as you! How fun!