Chalazea

"What the heck is that?"

"Whats' that white stringy stuff." 

"There's a string in my yolk. is that normal?"

and my favorite response:

"No, your egg isn't starting to form a chick."

I get these types of questions all the time. Even from people that are long-time fresh market egg buyers. I'm talking about the Chalazea. It's a tiny string that you will see when an egg truly is farm fresh -  no more then 2 days old fresh.

The Chalazea holds the yolk to the shell when it is first formed in the chicken. As the days progress the chalazea disappears.  It does not indicate its any better or worse then a 5 day old egg. But, it does indicate that egg was just laid within the last couple of days.

These two photos were taken by me right before I had breakfast. The eggs were collected last night. Laid yesterday.  It's a phenomenon that many don't get to see, or even know about. Store bought eggs you'll never see this... Some farms that hold eggs till the greenmarket day might lose it by then.
Because it disappears so soon after they lay the egg. But, if you order eggs and its timed right, this is what you will see in some of my eggs.

It's perfectly normal.

Pretty cool, huh?


Here is a good link on Eggs 101 and what else you might see.

http://www.eggs.ca/eggs101/view/4/introduction-to-the-egg

That time of year....

New soap packaging. It's about time. 

This time last year, 4 goats were still in milk.... This year 1. Last year at this time, all the honey I could gather and sell. This year none. Last year late October, eggs were plenty. As weather changes.... nothing for over a month.

Could be me... Most likely it's just what it is. Life. Weather. Animals. Ages. Farming. Nothing is ever the same every year. The only constant in farming is change.

It is helpful to learn other farms are facing the same challenges. No one it seems in my area pulled honey this last flow. Good to know. Many chickens in the area aren't laying. And so on..

To help get me thru this downtime, luckily, I have other options for income..

I have 'soap. note cards and art for sale.'

I also have a 'Zazzle' page where t-shirts, pillows, mugs, banners, posters, stickers - can be great stocking stuffers. There is some fun stuff up on that site. If you want something but don't see it, email me and I'll create it.

And, if in the future you hear of someone needing 'design' work, pass my name on.

I love what has been created here. Proud of it. And the passion I have for the goats is immeasurable.  But, sometimes the art and design need to step up and get us thru.

Remember to support your farmers this holiday season. Buy local. Buy hand crafted, artisan and made with love products.

Note cards. New design for Bee lovers.

Artwork for sale 8x10 aprox. size.

Always busy here even if I'm not milking. Making signs for next year.

Swanky!

Farm to table events are just awesome! They give the chefs the ability to showcase the farms produce. Farmers get their food in front of the customer. And I get to go to them as either a vendor, guest, or helper. I by far like being a vendor at these events best. I bring the kids and it's so funny to watch all these grownups acting like kids themselves. I also do the email blast and menu designs for each event. I love when I can take both my talent and my passion and put them together.

Here are some photos from the most recent Swank Table event. www.swankspecialtyproduc.com #swanktable.

Libby Volges is an amazing food photographer. Check out www.libbyvision.com

I've been invited back for the next event. I bring the kids and art, soap, etc. It's a fun evening. 

Come see me if you go to the next one Le Grande Aioli.