Coffee Effects 101

 I recently began drinking coffee.  8 ounces, brewed and then chilled in the refrigerator for 24 hours, mixed with caramel macchiato creamer from Aldi, 6 ice cubes, and whipped topping.  

All of those things cost about $6/week, and if I go to Stewarts shops and grab me a cold brew (essentially the same thing, but with way more ice), I'd spend $4.50 for one drink.  

The savings are incredible.  I've only just begun this coffee enjoyment. About 2 weeks to be exact.  But something I've noticed now is that my morning starts well, and by about 9am, I have a headache until I begin the coffee.  

I've never experienced this before, and so I've decided coffee must not be for me if it means I will need to religiously drink it once per day by 9am in order to avoid a headache.  

How do people do it?  Do you become immune to headaches after several months? 

Totally just rambling here.  

Hope you all are well and are staying healthy, wealthy and wise, to quote Benjamin Franklin. 

Next time I'll try to include some pictures!

Ordinary Life is Extraordinary!

 It wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't randomly pop back onto my blog after a whole year hiatus and announce "I'm backkkkkkkkkk and I'm going to be better about keeping up with my blog!"😏

But then you'd all (those of you who are still around!) would roll your eyes, and say "yeah sure, we've heard that before!"

And you would be right.  

I've been busy in life.  Busy cleaning, busy making meals, washing the dishes, cleaning up chronically, wiping tears from crying kids, picking vegetables in the garden, enjoying playing card games, all the normal daily things!  Some days they feel long, some days I marvel at how fast it's all going by. 

But the truth is, my life is extraordinary while I do completely ordinary things.  

I walked outside this morning at 5:12am and looked up to see the moon aligned with four planets!  How beautiful. In the distance, I can see the horizon lightening with the light of day. 

God is good to give us completely ordinary things every day.  In a few moments, I will finish my morning reading and then hop in the vehicle to drive to my completely ordinary job and then drive home to make an ordinary lunch for my family.  

But just because it's ordinary doesn't mean it isn't ALSO extraordinary!

It's all in your perspective.  Think about the many ways in which your ordinary life is absolutely abundantly extraordinary today, and revel in that like I am.

The Free Finds

I’ve been a thrifty person since my second year of college. Why did it suddenly start my second year of college? 

Well, I recall being a shopaholic as a teen and into my early college years. I found tremendous pleasure in browsing the aisles in stores like Ross dress for less, Kohls, and TJMaxx. I would hang out for hours on Saturday evenings just picking out random stuff I didn’t need and buying another pair of classic black pumps when I already had 4. I also loved EBay and constantly was buying new used cameras and bling bling high heels because they were my obsession. 

I recall when I went to Santa Clara California for my freshman year of college, I continued these habits, except for now I was shopping needlessly at Trader Joe’s and Savers whenever I could find another person to drive me there. I wasn’t just a completely selfish and ungenerous person though. I also loaned enormous amounts of money to my then boyfriend (not wise) and gave large amounts to my bus captain leader for him to pay for the many promotions they’d do. I also bought very extravagant gifts for people I barely knew (another thing that was unwise).

I remember receiving my first overdrawn notice from my bank and being horrified that I had negative 23 cents to my name. 

I remember crying because I had to stop giving away large sums of cash to my bus leader.

I also remember going through my closet and feeling sick as I added up how much money I’d spent on clothes I never wore because it wasn’t comfortable. 

I went scorched earth on changing my ways. I looked for a job and found none…I stopped going to stores and if my friends would ask, I’d make excuses. I made myself so busy studying and going running that I would never have a reason to do fun things because fun things cost money. 

I went so far as to not go on college activities because of the pittance they would have cost me. 

In my second year of school and at a new college, I recall seeing my book list of required books and being SHOCKED that I would have to buy a book that cost $189 and another sight reading book that was $139! 

“I refuse.” I said to myself. 

I scoured the online rental prices and found the $189 book for $30 for a semester rental. I refused to buy the $139 book and (I’m embarrassed to say) never once studied for a single quiz, assignment or lesson in my four semesters of that class. 

I searched through the dormitory free boxes and did my “free shopping”. The exhilaration was still there, but without the pain of the negative bank account. 

I’m a very different person now from my 19 year old self. But I’m also that same person. 

Now I scour the bargain “fill-a shopping basket for $2” section of the Vermont discount store for deals. I browse on Facebook marketplace for free finds.

My thriftiness is intense… but I still have the urge sometimes to buy something I don’t need. I have to remind myself often that things are meaningless in the grand scheme of things. 

If I have things, it will be because they were free. 

I found myself last week, browsing the community Facebook page when I saw this photo. 

 

There were two chairs, with pillows included for free alongside the road just 2 miles from me. I’ve been wanting to get living room furniture EXACTLY like this. I’ve been looking and searching for my deal furniture for over 4 years. Everytime, the price is way too high. 

I got so excited. Like a little kid going to pick up their Christmas presents! 

I loaded all  the kids in Dan’s truck, rushed down the road, and found that the chairs had already been taken by another thrifter like myself. 

I can’t express the disappointment I had that evening, coming back home with the girls, who were just as excited as I was….(did you know that excitement is contagious?) 

I had to preach a mini sermon to myself later that night. Contentment is not found in a new set of living room chairs, or black pumps, or EVEN in scoring an amazing deal on Facebook marketplace. Contentment comes from thankfulness: Being thankful that I have a couch already!

Simple lesson. Easy lesson. But one I need every day. Being thrifty isn’t bad. But being a miser is. Getting excited about little things isn’t bad, but being discontent with the little things I already have is. 

There has to be a balance in all of these things. It’s a balance I’m still learning.

The end

Eliza and the Apple Doughnut

 Once upon a time, I went to the grocery store for milk.  While I was there, the doughnuts caught my eye and I asked my girls which kinds they would choose.  

"I'd like the chocolate glaze!" said Gwendolyn

"mmmm, the long creme filled one!" Lucie exclaimed, jumping up and down. 

"Apple!" Eliza said emphatically.  

I was skeptical. 

"Are you sure you don't want the chocolate covered one with pink sprinkles?" I asked.

Eliza looked through the glass case.  

"No, I want the apple one!"

We left the store with our milk and our precious box of doughnuts.  At home, after eating our lunch, the girls each got their doughnuts.  

As I was washing the dishes, I heard "Mommy! Mommy, my doughnut is filled with ewwy stuff! I don't like this!"  

I turned around to see Eliza picking out all of the apple filling that was in her doughnut.  

The End.

Life got away from me

 The beauty of blogging is that rather than being an instantaneous thing that doesn't require much thought, blogging takes intentionality and sitting down and organization.  

That sounds like something I clearly struggle with sometimes :)  This can clearly be noted by seeing when my last blog post was.  

Life as of late since my last post:

In May we celebrated lots of birthdays and had one big party for the kiddos.  It was a lovely time with those who love our kids. We also had a revival meeting at church and had an evangelist in for that.  Lots of preparations, and inviting happened.  Then I also planted our garden.  Dan wasn't able to get the tractor started to plow up the ground, so I used just the rototiller.  This resulted in the rototiller belt burning up three different times.  The ground never did get a thorough tilling, so this summer we've had groundhogs, rabbits and mice making homes in our garden.  That's uncalled for in my opinion, so I've decided we'll never do that again.  

But since there's no point in crying over spilled milk, I've made do with the holey garden and I've gotten good at stomping on the groundhogs home.  Throughout June, Dan has been working very hard on the property and fixing the farmhouse.  I did my routine cleaning of houses, gardening and raising the kids.  

July was when we celebrated Dan's birthday at Applebees.  The power went off as soon as our meal arrived at the table and we ate in darkness while there was a tornado outside and trees everywhere were down.  We were hoping the meal would be free then, but because they actually served us the food, we still had to pay full price.  No discount for eating in the dark.  

At the end of the month we went to the Northeast Vision Summit again in New Jersery.  It's always a great time and we come home thoroughly encouraged.  Saw friends, spent time talking with others who are in the ministry, and our girls loved their classes....well, all except Clara.  She was so ready to be out of the nursery.  :) 

When we arrived home and promptly came down with a viral flu of sorts.  It wasn't fun for about 2 weeks while we kept thinking we were done with it and then the next kid would get sick.  The garden produced lots of squash and zucchini in August and Cantaloupe.  Unfortunately, the rabbits chomped off 2 plantings worth of green beans, so we haven't harvested a single one of them.  We've gotten 4 very large cabbages though and several pickings worth of broccoli. The red raspberries have also been wonderful this late summer/fall. 

My father-in-law came to stay for 2 weeks. and help Dan at the farmhouse.  They accomplished much and the girls enjoyed spending time with Papa so much.  SO far in September, we've been doing school now for several weeks, gone on two field trips (I'm determined to get several in before the snow flies), and am finishing up the garden escapades. 

I'm canning the last of the tomato sauce I've made from the garden harvest and then it'll be on to making applesauce from drops at the local orchard.  It's been a good, busy summer.  I'm sad to see summer ending, but I'm also ready for slower days and less stuff to make my schedule full.  

How has your summer been?    

Next post will include photos. 

Vacation 2024 in the Books!

 Good morning!  I am determined to stay semi up-to-date with my blog for a few months at least.  :)  So here is update number one!  This past month, we were able to go on our family vacation for the year.  We usually go in the fall, October....but since that is a month that usually has lots of church events and plus, the start of hunting season, we decided to do earlier in the year.  

We decided to keep closer to home this year, and went to New Hampshire which is roughly a 3 hour drive.  We were able to hike mountains, spend time at the lake, and also take a day trip to Maine! 

My 3 little hikers.

The Lakes region of NH is beautiful!

Dan and the girls, building a sandcastle on the lake beach right near where we were staying.

The girls absolutely LOVED swimming at the pool at the resort where we stayed.  I'm thinking swimming lessons are in order!

On our way out of town one day, we stopped at the Kellerhaus, which is a neat, candy/ice cream shop.  Apparently the oldest in NH.  The ice cream was good! ALbeit , very overpriced.  :) 

The Ocean.  In the very far distance, you can see Goat Island and the lighthouse there.

Another day, another castle built.  Of course this was more authentic because it could be decorated with seashells since we were at the OCEAN in Maine.

The best kinds of messages in the sand.

The cutest Clarabelle!

Nubble Lighthouse

Endicott Rock where there are inscriptions from the 1600's

Downtown Laconia.

We all voted this years vacation as one of our absolute favorites so far.  We also spent one day just relaxing, and one day exploring antique shops and a few thrift stores.  I made almost every meal (except one) at our resort kitchen and so we were able to save a lot of money.  

It was a good week!

Baby was born.....A long time ago :)

Life has flown by and I thought of my blog yesterday and recalled that the last time I posted, I said that I was due to have my fourth baby GIRL.  That little girl has since joined our family (I should HOPE SO! 😁)  and we love her so much!

She was born the end of October and we named her Clarabelle.

The girls love her and so do we.

I'm going to slowly begin updating my blog.  It may take me quite a few weeks to catch back up, but we'll do it!  Hang with me folks!  Those of you who have continued following my blog despite my neglect for it deserve some prize.  Drop a comment below if you are still following!  

You'll Never Believe it!!!!

 

I apologize for the terrible video quality.  Perhaps you are still able to see from it though, that we are indeed having................

ANOTHER GIRL!!!!!!

Baby #4

 

We announced to the rest of the world several weeks ago that we are expecting our 4th baby the end of this year! 

We are quite excited, as you can see from this photo of the kids. 

On Sunday, we will be sharing the fun news of whether we'll be adding another girl to the tribe, or if we'll switch things up with a boy.  That gives me a very good reason to need to update my blog again on Sunday!  So stay tuned for the new update.  :-) 

Fun PA Trip

 

Well, I figured since it has been a very long time, that it was finally time to update my blog.  The good old blog!  One thing is for sure: if anyone should chance upon my blog after a 4 month hiatus like I have had, they will not sit around waiting for my NEXT post.  It could be tomorrow, it could be 2 years from now....who knows?  

Anyway.  We took a lovely little trip down to PA this past week just for a few nights (3 to be exact).  I wanted the girls to be able to go to Knoebels Grove once this summer, and the rest of our summer and fall is filling up and looking like it'll be very busy.  So I quickly planned this little getaway.  We left NY Sunday afternoon and made it down to PA to a place called Pine Grove to spend the night.  It was a fun little spot, semi-exotic (for us at least), since it was on an old airfield.  The Hangar was nearby and there was an older airplane model sitting out in the field.  The place we stayed in had a loft that was perfect for Gwen and Lucie to sleep in.  They loved it so much.  When they saw the loft with it's ladder to climb up, Gwen said "Now we're just like Laura and Mary (Ingalls), because they always climb a ladder to their beds too!" 

Monday morning, I made breakfast and Dan and Gwen tried out the jacuzzi, though Gwen claimed it was too hot after dipping just her toe in.  We packed up and left, heading for Hershey's Chocolate world.  We rode the free tour ride twice and then headed for Lancaster area.  The only thing I REALLY wanted to go to in Lancaster was to Shady Maple Smorgasbord (where we had our wedding reception).  We stopped at a huge playground and the kids played for an hour or so, then we got to Shady Maple, where I really enjoyed eating.  

When we finished, we headed back to Selinsgrove, where we would spend the next two nights.  We were staying at a lovely Bed and Breakfast where there was a pond and lovely walking trails.  We took a walk, the girls went wading in the pond, and we played a few rousing rounds of hide and go seek before retiring for the night.  

Tuesday morning, we ate the delicious breakfast that was prepared by our hostess, and I packed up our cooler of picnic lunch and we headed for Knoebels. 

I had already purchased our tickets online (buy one get one free) and so we got to start riding rides pretty quickly after getting there. 

Just a few pictures of some of our favorites. 

Eliza, standing in front of the fudge shop. 

It was a fun day, and one the girls will talk about for awhile.  

On our way back to the bed and breakfast, we stopped at Hoss's to eat and I discovered that Eliza had a tick on her upper leg.  It must have gotten on her during our walk or hide and seek the previous evening.  THANKFULLY, Dan is skilled at removing ticks fully without leaving the head and such.  After that, it was a nice dinner.  

Wednesday morning, we packed up the van, ate the last breakfast of our stay, and said our goodbyes.  We drove straight back to NY and were home in time for me to teach the ladies Bible Study at church and for my husband to have a counseling meeting with someone that evening.  

It was a fun trip, but it's also good to be home.  

Okay, I'm determined to not be such a stranger this summer.  I'm recently a HUGE fan of writing to-do lists and my days have been extremely productive of late.  Perhaps I will add "edit blog" to my lists to ensure that 4-month gaps in posts are not the norm.  

February comes to a close.

I'm back after taking a few months break from posting!  My January has been all about catching up on cleaning, organizing my schedule and my house, and teaching the children.  I have taken seriously my decision to not eat out but once a month.  And last week, I enjoyed going to a diner with my family for the first time since Mid-December.  

 I hope all of my readers are doing well and having a safe and healthy winter.  

Family year-end update

Here is a Shedd family year end update to catch you all up on the many months of sparce (or no) posting! 

 Dear friends and family,                                                                                                                    

We hope this Christmas greeting finds you well and excited to celebrate Jesus’ birth in a few short weeks.    As is probably true for many of you, 2022 has been a busy, fun, and also crazy year for us.  In March, we re-homed our German Shepherd (Chula) to my parents’ home in PA.  I simply wasn’t able to take her for walks like she needed, and she needed more freedom to run around.  She is happy, healthy, and THRIVING living on my parents 5 acres. Plus, I think my dad kind of spoils her 😊 

In March, Dan began building a tiny cabin on our “farm”.  

In April we had a renewal conference at church on a Saturday thru Wednesday.  Included in those nights were a men’s night, teen night, and regular services as well.  It was a blessing.  At the end of April, I fell down our library steps (how embarrassing), and didn’t even look around to see if anyone had noticed!  I never went to the doctor, but I couldn’t put any weight on it for over a week.  It still bothers me when it’s cold and rainy.  We went that week for a few days on an anniversary trip with the kiddos.  I hobbled about on crutches and Dan even pushed me around in a wheelchair at Aldi.  Nothing like being reminded that our vows were “in sickness and in health”.  

In May, we did all of our garden planting.  I expanded the garden by about 8 feet this year in order to plant potatoes.  Because we re-homed Chula though, the rabbits and deer went to town on our garden.  In spite of that, we had a great green bean crop, corn, and cantaloupe.  Cucumbers, squash and zucchini, watermelon, carrots, onions, and basil, dill, thyme, and parsley did awesome.  The potatoes were pretty small (probably due to the deer chomping off the flowering tops of the plants in late July), but still tasty! We got some baby chicks as well in May and began raising them out.   Dan completed the tiny cabin and we furnished it, he made an outhouse with composting toilet etc., and then we began renting it out as a short-term rental.  Mostly to city folks who wanted a weekend to “rough it” with no electricity.  

In June, July and August, I kept busy with gardening, managing and cleaning the short-term rental we have, and also was faithfully going running every day.  We went to a conference in NJ in July and returned home refreshed and ready to win some battles for Christ.  It was right after that that we experienced one of the hardest blows in ministry we’ve experienced so far.  Through it all, God has been good though, and we know that God has a plan and a purpose in what He allows.  

Progress on the farm has come along steadily, and though Dan is working solo, he has finished working on the barn roof, re-doing the whole back of the barn, and also, fixing the holes in the house roof(which is slate).  He is now beginning the arduous task of gutting the house.  One friend came over to see the house and skeptically said “I don’t know…I’d probably bulldoze this place and start from the ground up.”  However, I love the history of the place.  It was built in 1810 and while it needs tons (TONS) of work, I believe it will be worth the hassle of fixing.

In September, we did something crazy…and bought 6 pigs- 1 sow and 5 piglets.  The sow we butchered right away.  Now we have been enjoying sausage and hams.  We sold 1 piglet, and still have 4.  

Gwen (4) LOVES school, writing, learning to spell words, and leads her sisters in singing all the time.  She plays the piano quite well for her age, and I’ve already told her that if she keeps it up, she’ll take my spot as church pianist.  😊 She is also very motivated to learn the piano “to proficiency” so that she can begin the violin and trumpet.  Gwen is in kindergarten.

Lucie (3) loves to help with things.  She gets very excited when Dan takes her to work.  She likes to help wash eggs, and make scrambled eggs for breakfast.  Both girls are learning to fold and put away their whole load of laundry.  Lucie also loves school and has already finished 2 sets of preschool books, and is currently in her 3rd.   

Eliza (18 months) is our “joy bell”.  She is happy almost all the time, and we love hearing her say words.  Her favorite words are “candy”, “crackers”, “soup”, and “mommy”.  

We were able to take a trip to Georgia to see family right after Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day, we stopped for a night at my parents’ and then had a lovely meal with them.  In our journeying, we toured the Mayfield Dairy, the Jamestown settlement, and visited the church in MD where we worked for 2 years while newlyweds.  Dan was given the opportunity to preach in Spanish at the church plant he assisted in while in his late teens/early 20’s.  

In our church, I have been leading a ladies Bible study now every Wednesday.  We’ve studied verse-by-verse through Galatians, Ephesians, 1 and 2nd Thessalonians, Colossians, and James so far.  It has been such a learning time for all of us, and I love seeing the ladies’ grow in their faith.  I am also currently meeting with 3 different women throughout the week for personal discipleship (a 26-week course).  Dan is currently meeting with 1 man.  

We set up a booth in Granville for our annual tree lighting.  We gave out brownies and hot cider.  It was a great outreach opportunity.  Many people were thankful for both as well as the tracts we were giving out.  We are participating in the Granville lighted tractor parade on the 9th as well.  Dan will be building a float and decking it out all week in preparation for that.  Gwendolyn and Lucie are both playing the piano in my piano students’ Christmas recital on the 10th.  They don’t know it yet, but I’ve gotten them and myself tickets to go see the Nutcracker that evening after the recital.  I think they will enjoy that.  On the 11th, Gwen will be an angel and Lucie will be a shepherd in the church’s Christmas program.

  Dan got his first deer two weeks ago.  We did the whole thing into steaks this time.  We discovered that our creek at “the farm” has a beaver dam in it.  Thankfully, a trapper pointed it out to us and asked if he could trap our beaver for us.  We agreed.  

In June, I was asked to accompany the Granville Area Chorus for their summer concert at the park while their pianist was recovering from an injury.  It was mostly showtunes and patriotic songs, and I had fun with that.  In September I was asked to be the permanent accompanist, so I accepted.  Our Christmas concert is coming up in a few weeks.  We are doing a few of the songs from Handel’s Messiah…and those have required more practicing than I’ve been used to.  Very good for me! 

Well, I had better sign off and let you get back to your Christmas traditions, whatever they may be.  As for me, I’ll need to crack the whip if I expect to have the house decorated before Christmas.  Please have a wonderful Christmas with your family or friends, and don’t forget the real reason why we celebrate this time of the year!  

Much love, 

The Shedd’s 

Grandma's Angel

 As a young person, between 10-13 yrs of age, I have vivid memories of going with my grandma to help her at craft shows.

Grandma was a true artisan and could make doilies, table runners, quilts, angels, dolls… (you name it!). When she needed help setting up the stand, I would accompany her to different high schools and help out.

I recall setting up the booth in such a way that during “dead” times, I could hide under the table amongst the boxes and make fun forts.

I would help set out the Christmas angels and there were tiny baby ones, skinny ones, ones with poofy “robes”, ones with pointy wings, ones with rounded wings…. And this one always was my favorite. The wide, bell skirt was always perfect, and I loved the delicacy of the wings. I remember saying to Grandma one day at the West York HS craft show “Grandma, someday if you don’t sell this angel today, I want to buy her!”

Grandma laughed and said “Virginia, some day you can HAVE her. I have too much junk.”

That’s how Grandma always was. She never indicated that she thought what she did was talented, beautiful, or delicious (she was also an amazing cook).

Well, time went by and I graduated college, got married, and two years ago, I went to visit Grandma when I was in Pennsylvania. She told me she wanted me to follow her upstairs. There, in the room I used to stay in when I’d sleep over at her house, she had boxes of her crafts that were left from the craft sales. She had stopped doing them long before.

She told me that I was the last grandchild to be given the opportunity to look thru everything and pick out anything I wanted.

I picked out snowflakes, Christmas bells, doilies, and potholders. She reached over the bed and pulled out the last box and said “I don’t know if you even want one of these angels, but if you can use them…”

There was my beautiful angel I always said I’d buy.

I told Grandma about that, and she laughed, made the clicking noise she always made, and said “Well, looks like she’s yours.”

I miss Grandma. I love that her handiwork is all over my house so I easily am reminded of her generous nature and hard work.

Gardening 2022

Gardens are fascinating things.  They are so much work and maintenance, but the satisfaction of growing your own food is unbeatable. 

You know you've become a boring adult when you have more photos of your garden than anything else on your phone except kids. 

We expanded the garden this year by about 8 feet to accommodate the bag of potatoes that had some seriously long eyes. I've never tried planting potatoes before.  Unfortunately, many of them got chomped pretty good by deer when they were flowering...so we will see if they produce or not. 

Planting our yearly batch of sunflowers.  About half of them also got chomped. 

We did black plastic this year for the zucchini and squash, cantalope and watermelon, and the cucumbers, basil, thyme, and parsley. 

Beans and Peas.  Obviously, these are old photos. 

There are few things more beautiful than new life springing up. 

Our first potato plant.

Since these photos were taken, I have picked and canned quite a few beans, froze a bunch of peas, and dried lots of basil.  We just started picking cucumbers and we ate two for lunch.  As per our normal summers, we are overrun with zucchini, so we give a bunch away to anyone who will take it at church each week.  haha. 

I love gardening!!!!

Chicks

We've had 15 hens who were laying eggs consistently since 2020.  In the early Spring though, we began getting about 5 eggs each day.  That was also when the stores were experiencing a shortage of eggs, so we had lots of customers stopping at the house for eggs randomly.  We were having to turn them away because we didn't have enough for everyone.  We stopped eating eggs, and I stopped baking anything containing eggs.

One day, I was cleaning and Dan came home with 15 chicks from Tractor Supply.  He told me that he walked in, offered to take 15 of them for $1 each, and the manager agreed!  

There are some barred rocks and some Isa Browns.  

This is only the second flock we've raised out.  The hens we currently have we bought as ready-to-lay pullets.  We decided it was worth it to not have to hassle with chicks and feeding chicks.  

But this time, I'm keeping track, and so far, they've only cost us $40.

They got their cute little feathers.  Unfortunately, the littlest chick just died two days ago.  :(

I started taking them outside to get fresh air in the daytimes.

And this is them now.  We put them in our old, moveable cage which Dan made 5 years ago.  It still works!  Turns out, our hens aren't done for after all!  I started really picking grass to feed them 3 times a day, I feed them any and all weeds from the garden, and also switched their feed to laying mash instead of the crumble or cracked corn.  Now they are giving us about 11 eggs a day.  Two of the hens were very broody, so we shipped them off to the farm.  They lived there for about 3 weeks until they disappeared.  

I don't love chickens...but I love eggs.  So it's worth it to have a couple chickens to get eggs every day and not have to worry about egg shortages and such.  

Hope you all are doing good!