It’s been a while since I posted. I’ve been wanting to get pictures of the pups to show how big they are getting, but for some reason the only time I think about the camera is when they are sleeping. I’ll work on that this week. In the meantime, I’ve heard from enough of you to know that I should bring you up to date on what’s been happening on the homestead.
We took the pups to the vet for booster shots this afternoon. Dolly is now 20 pounds, and Diesel is 18! Not bad for a little runt. He’s really catching up with Dolly. These little puppies are a source of constant joy to us. It’s hard to be in a bad mood around them. Diesel and Dolly can make everything all better.
And I really needed Diesel and Dolly last night. I went out to candle the eggs under my second broody and I dropped one and cracked it. And it bled. And I cried. I am so upset with myself. I just can’t tell you how badly I feel. I’m not touching those eggs again. But on an up-note, I do believe the three eggs I candled before that were all fertile and filled with baby chick beginnings. They were mostly dark as I peered through them. I guess we’ll know in about two more weeks…..
Bernie found a nest in the far corner of the garage with fifteen eggs in it. Sneaky little hens. Most of the eggs had frozen and cracked. I’m pretty sure they’ve got another nest somewhere. Ten eggs a day just doesn’t add up when I’ve got 20 hens. I guess I’m going to have to do a little chicken stalking and find their secret hiding place.
Bernie somehow managed to hurt his shoulder. He actually injured it several months ago, but it’s gotten worse over time and it’s now to the point where he can hardly sleep through the night. I believe I can count on one hand the number of times he’s been to the doctor in the past 10 years for any type of illness or injury, but he actually agreed to go to one about his shoulder. And he was referred to an orthopedic specialist. His appointment is next week. In the meantime, he hasn’t really been able to do a whole lot, and he’s actually doing more than he probably should. He’s still chopping, splitting, and stacking wood several times a week. We kind of underestimated how much wood it was going to take to get us through the winter. This is the first winter we’ve had our wood burning stove and heated exclusively with it. The good news is that the wood is free. The bad news is that it takes A LOT of wood to get through a winter! Especially when the weather has been so unusually cold for so incredibly long. But have no fear. My man can handle it. With one arm tied behind his back – or flopping uselessly by his side.
In closing, I’m going to include a recipe for a Chicken Potato Bake that is super fast and super good. I found it one evening when I just could not think of what to fix for supper and I decided to search for something quick and easy. This one fit the bill. The original recipe wasn’t quite creamy enough for us, so I modified it a bit. I’m sure a lot of you I-Always-Make-Everything-from-Scratch people will get the shivers reading this, but hey – sometimes a person just feels a little lazy and wants a calorie laden meal for comfort. This is the meal for that person. And it only takes about ten minutes to assemble.
Chicken Potato Bake
Ingredients:
1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg, beaten
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts halved
1/2 package frozen potatoes O’Brian, thawed (about 12 ounces)
10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cup grated Pepper Jack cheese
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper on plate.
Place egg in small shallow bowl; beat well.
In a medium sized bowl, combine potatoes, soup, milk, sour cream, and Pepper Jack cheese; mix well. Pour into a 13×9″ glass baking dish or something similar.
One at a time, dip the smooth side of a chicken breast in egg, then in bread crumb mixture to coat. Place, coated side up, on the potato mixture. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
Bake for 45 – 60 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and potato mixture is bubbling and brown around the edges.
Bee Free,
Penny
Tags: egg hiding chickens
Sorry to hear about hubby’s shoulder. Tell him we wish him a speedy recovery.
I am so pleased the pups are doing well. I sure miss them. I got a call from one of the adopters of one of their siblings. She was the one I had that was named Lillian. They have to give her up. They are relocating due to work, and can’t take her. So if someone out there wants a super sweet sibling to your guys give me a yell. We will be headed to Northern VA March 14th…so we can deliver if anyone wants to apply to adopt her.
Take care, and bless you for giving the pups a great home. I know they have it made.
Betty Sue
Betty Sue! So good to hear from you. I’m so sad that one of Diesel and Dolly’s siblings needs a new home. I will definitely let you know if I find anyone looking for a pup. If Lillian is anything like our two, I’m sure she has a great disposition and is extremely loving. Diesel and Dolly are the sweetest little babies and just live to be loved on.
I also want to tell you that they are turning out to be great little watch dogs. They are not big on barking (thankfully) – but if they hear a noise that is out of the norm for them, they both perk up and bark. I know that if they are barking, something has alerted them. Of course, it always turns out to be nothing but the wind blowing something around or a cat making noise in some other part of the house, but it’s a good feeling to know that they are learning to be protective and will let us know if there ever IS anything to worry about!
You are doing such a wonderful job at rescuing and finding homes for all those precious dogs. There is a special place in heaven for you.
Take care,
Penny
Ohhhh, Penny. I am so sorry to hear about your little egg. Im sure you did cry. I bet that I would have, too. Hopefully in a couple weeks you will have a few chicks jumping around there! Hearing those cheep cheeps again.
Oh NO. I hope Bernie is feeling better soon. My husband doesnt seem to like visiting the dr either…..
Sneaky chickens. huh? Ive been reading lots about this happening.
How are the saddles working out for you?
Penny, sorry about the egg drop. I bet that was a real disappointment. It’s amazing how attached you can get to those chickens and their not-even-born offspring, isn’t it? You are doing the best you can, so keep your chin up.
That’s a bummer about Bernie’s shoulder. Sounds like both of our men are under the weather these days. They’re strong, and they’ll bounce back, but it’s not the same without them up and around, is it?
Best of luck on the homestead. I can’t wait to be in your shoes one day!
Lilla
I still can hardly bare to think about dropping that egg. I can’t tell you how sick I was, and still am, over that. I feel so bad.
Frugalmom – the saddles are working out great! They stay on really well and the girls either don’t notice them, or don’t mind them at all. I am 100% satisfied and wish I had done it sooner.
Lilla – Yep, it’s tough not having them up and around. I’d rather be the injured/sick one – it’s just sad seeing him not quite up to par. Plus he tends to whine about it a lot
But I’m hoping the specialists can get him squared away quickly.