I've gussied up the site here with the addition of "Foods that are in Season in New York" which will change monthly, and... we finally have some music and videos! So kick back, listen to some Grateful Dead, and enjoy reading about the truly wonderful world of being self-sufficient!

 It's mid-January and snowing...a perfect time to begin planning for spring! There are baby chicks to order and plans to be made for the new vegetable and herb gardens. This year we are expanding the gardens to include a larger variety of everything. If all works out well, (and I'm sure it will) there may be a vegetable stand in the front yard and fresh eggs for sale. Starting a new flock of chickens is always an exciting endeavor; disinfecting the chicken chateau, rebuilding any nesting boxes that have seen better days, painting the exterior, and the best part? Going to the post office on delivery day to pick up a large, peeping box of baby chicks...even the employees at the post office get a kick out of it! This year we have three different breeds up for consideration; Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, and Speckled Sussex. All of these are fine , hardy breeds that are suited for our climate here in the Great Northeast. All three breeds are brown egg layers which is a must simply because I have(for some unknown reason) a rather intense dislike for white eggs. There is an on going debate on whether brown eggs are healthier for you than white eggs. Nobody seems to know for sure, but fresh home raised eggs, no matter what the color, are healthier for you than store bought that have been produced in filthy, overcrowded industrial warehouses.
  Buff Orpingtons have always been my favorite breed of chickens for a few reasons. They are very productive egg layers, the hens are good sitters if you are interested in hatching some, their temperament is very sweet, both hens and roosters alike, the roosters are very attentive to the hens, and they have the most beautiful soft, golden plumage!

Rhode Island Reds are also a hardy bird, and it is said "that no other bird lays more eggs", I can't attest to that, but they surely do lay a lot of eggs. They have a beautiful dark, rusty red plumage and even the little chicks could be referred to as "gingers" as they already exhibit a paler version of the coloring that they will soon develop.

The Speckled Sussex is a breed that I have only raised once, but it's a very nice bird of good temperament. They were developed and bred in England over 100 years ago and have gained popularity over here in America. A lovely bird with mahogany red feathers tipped with black and white, hence the term "speckled."

Brown eggs are not simply all brown, they come in beautiful shades of tan, sepia, chocolate, dark beige, and occasionally you'll get one that has almost a sage green/brown color to it. Brown eggs are never boring!

If you dye brown eggs for Easter, you will see the most beautiful, vibrant jewel tone colors appear...

...you certainly don't get that result with white eggs! Look for a tutorial next month for dying eggs using natural ingredients.