Sunday, June 28, 2009

Dreaming of Chicken (Coops)

It's been an exhausting week. I have so much to tell you. Thanks for hanging in there while I was off galavanting. I'm planning some delicious fare this week that includes the use of my new grill, beautiful berries and lucious chocolate. Please stay tuned, but right now I need your help. I've fallen in love. Goofy in love. With chickens. Or with the idea of having chickens. Rhode Island Reds. Cochins, Brahmas, Ameraucanas, Crested Polish, I love them all!

I attended a seminar last week which has kindled my inner farmer and now I can't think of anything but chickens. And eggs. Blue, tan, ivory, white, and green eggs. It was a fantastic course explaining all the things you need to know to have 3 or 4 or 20 chickens in your back yard. I sat there with an ear to ear grin. Hey, I only want 3 - that shouldn't cause too much of a stir in the neighborhood, should it?

But here's where I need your help. When I called Fred after the seminar, he answered the phone like this: 'Hi Hun, if you bring home any chickens, I'm going to divorce you.'

Well. Gee. There goes my little dream of collecting fresh eggs every morning. Chicken lovers unite! Call Fred right now and cast your vote.

I also met up with my friend Lacey at the Downtown Farmers Market. But, uh oh, what's that a photo of? I guess I'll be saying goodbye to an old friend in my cup cabinet. Fred's rules about my little obsession till applies.

There are all sorts of wonderful vendors at the market. Dolcetti Gelato is one of my favorites. Lacey hadn't tried it before. We shared a cup, choosing pistachio and fresh banana. Wow. Really, really good choices. She's hooked. On the gelato and the farmers market. Sorry Jeff. I'll return her at the end of the summer.

We also shared a delish pesto, veggie sandwich. I bought a jar of this fresh pesto so I can make this for Fred at home. A grilled piece of whole wheat breaded spread with pesto, then covered with sauteed zucchini and onions, fresh roma tomatoes and sprouts. Heeeaaalllthy!

And finally, I can't wait to share this with you. What's in this box? A little taste of Chicago!

Stay tuned.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

a friend of mine had about 5 or 6 chickens in his suburban backyard. He had to clean it often from what I remember due to the smell, but I would assume just 2 or 3 wouldn't be as smelly.

They were fun and the free eggs were awesome.

Chickens rule.

Liz Schubert said...

Allison, thanks for reading and for the comment. I had 8 rabbits at one point in my yard back in Illinois. I would say the chickens can't be as bad as they were, especially if its just 3. I am sure that's why most regulations say the coop has to be 50 from any residence - yours or your neighbors. Plus the straw/poop combo should make great winter dressings for my flower beds!

Brooke Maggio said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brooke Maggio said...

Hey if its a dream to you and you cannot stop thinking of it!!! GO FOR IT!!! as long as you care for them, if you have the space then you should have as many chickens as you want!! besides thats what i call completely organic eggs!!! (sorry dad this one is for LIZARD!!)

Kristin said...

Please tell me there's not a chicken in that box!

Liz Schubert said...

A chicken from Chicago????

Anonymous said...

I just remembered, he did use chicken poo as fertilizer. See, another bonus! He loved those chickens.

He had a pimped out chicken coup, which I would highly recommend. I wish I had a picture of it, but it was so that the poo would fall to the bottom and they weren't walking in it all day. He also let them roam free, but for too long b/c one went *missin'*

:::looks up at sky and eyes hawk::::