I remembered that I neglected to tell the entire story about the other day when Morgan cooked and she set off the fire alarm. When I walked into the house, which was a cloud of smoke, the bathroom floor was covered in towels and Morgan was holding a carton of broken eggs along with the fire alarm she’d ripped off the wall. She told me the toilet was stopped up–so she flushed it. I explained to her that that was exactly the wrong thing to do. Meanwhile, she’d dropped the carton of eggs when she’d taken it out of the refrigerator. I told her I would solve the bathroom problem while she went out to collect fresh eggs. Most of the time, Morgan finds the chickens annoying and she’s not too interested in them, but she needed eggs for the batter for her deep-fried stuffed jalapenos. I advised her on a couple of good spots to look for eggs and said, “It’s a lot faster than going to the store. Chickens are handy, aren’t they?”
I solved all her problems then went back to the studio to check on the apple butter I was simmering. When I came back, Morgan said, “How bad is it if you forgot to wash the eggs before you used them?”
Hmmm.
I said, “Did they look pretty clean when you picked them up, or were they dirty?”
“They looked clean.”
I told her it was okay. There were stuffed jalapenos involved.
Next time she’s cooking, I think I better stay in the house!
P.S. There is just ONE spot left for next Saturday’s cheesemaking and soapmaking workshop. (Saturday, November 3, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) We’ll have eggs and sausage with fresh fruit and apple butter muffins for breakfast then make queso fresco and get it in the press. We’ll take a farm tour and visit with Glory Bee and take her to the milking parlor to talk about where milk comes from–and everyone will get to handle her a little bit. We’ll go back to the studio to make fresh mozzarella and everyone will top their own individual pizza for lunch with their own cheese and choice of other toppings. Along with pizza, we’ll have salad with a homemade artichoke dressing then dig into some really awesome pie (with either homemade ice cream or homemade whipped cream, I haven’t decided yet.) The afternoon will be all about making soap that you’ll take home with you. You’ll do everything from measuring, stirring, cooking, and molding, to choosing your own additives and fragrance.
I’m already lining things up.
We’ll also unmold the queso fresco to taste at the end of the day. An editor from Savor! West Virginia will be here to cover the day for an upcoming issue. If you’re interested in snagging the last spot for this fun-packed day, email me at [email protected].
mintamichelle says:
This sounds so great! I wish I could come. Someday….At least we get to see the pics!
California Girl
:happyflower:
On October 26, 2012 at 10:53 am
Leck Kill Farm says:
As someone who didn’t learn the most basic of kitchen skills until I was in my mid-20s, I can relate to Morgan’s “struggles.” Keep at it Morgan!
How in the world can chickens annoy someone? Chickens are awesome, I wish I lived on a farm.
On October 26, 2012 at 11:10 am
emmachisett says:
I so fondly remember the days when my parents kept chickens here…I loved the gorgeous golden fresh eggs all season but not the slaughter in the fall…but all part of farm life, yes?! Gosh, I wish I lived closer to you to be able to partake in your workshops! There is no one around here (North-Central Alberta, Canada) who has your knowledge, energy, humor or enthusiasm and generous spirit. You truly are one-of-a-kind! Love to read of your doings on the net. Thank you, Suzanne.
On October 26, 2012 at 11:24 am
brookdale says:
Morgan, good for you to cook supper! I’ll bet it was delicious, even if you did drop the eggs. (Been there, done that!) You’ll laugh about that evening later on in your life, even though it wasn’t funny at the time.
Suzanne, I wish I could come to the workshop! Sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck! Looking forward to seeing the pics and reading all about it.
On October 26, 2012 at 11:44 am
jodiezoeller says:
Glad everything ended well. Thank goodness for fresh eggs from the chickens! I would love to be able to have home grown eggs. Chickens aren’t even allowed in my suburb. Good luck with the workshop it sounds like it will be great. I also wish I lived closer so I could learn to make candles, but I’m over here in Texas.
On October 26, 2012 at 12:32 pm
DancesInGarden says:
I only wash the eggs from my chickens if they look particularly dirty. Usually they are pretty clean though, unless it is rainy and the chickens get muddy feet. Now, if they are POOPY, then that is a different story.
I’m thinking any bacteria that might have made it into the batter would be pretty dead after being deep fried anyway :yes:
On October 26, 2012 at 12:46 pm
wannabeafarmgirl says:
Wish I could attend too…Sigh…Stuck in the city
On October 26, 2012 at 7:28 pm
jamitysmom says:
Boy, I would love to be there for the workshop too! Brookdale, I hope you are thinking of going to the retreat next year, I will be happy to drive! Wish I lived close enough to attend the weekend workshops though (sigh)…
On October 27, 2012 at 1:45 pm
wtrmllngirl says:
That reminds me! I have a friend who has chickens, goats, and pigs, and recently I took my young son to visit her. She let him help her pick the eggs out of the nests, which he thought was the bee’s knees, but had him put a couple back. When I asked her about it she said that those eggs were fake, put there so the chickens would keep laying eggs in the same spot! I thought that was really weird, but then my mom said HER mom did the same thing. Wish I could have chickens too, they seem like fun characters to have around.
On October 28, 2012 at 5:58 pm