How long will fresh chicken eggs keep?

I'm starting to think that maybe I should have named my blog something different....like "The life of a chicken farmer" or "My 10 Chicks and my kids too"

One of the most popular questions I have had so far is - "how long does a farm fresh egg keep for?" So I did a search and found the results very interesting!!

This is taken from Answers.com

• Farmers have 30 days from the day an egg is laid to get it to stores. Then, the stores have another 30 days to sell the eggs. The USDA recommends a maximum of 5 weeks in your refrigerator before you discard your eggs. What does this all boil down to? On April 1, you could be eating an egg that was laid on Christmas.
• Eggs last about 4-5 weeks in your refrigerator. If you don't know how long the egg has been in the refrigerator, fill a cup with water (enough to cover the egg), and put the egg in the cup. If the egg sinks to the bottom, it is still good to eat; if the egg floats, however, it is bad and should be discarded.
• Many eggs in the U.S. get to market within a few days of laying. If there is a USDA shield on the carton, it must have at least a Julian pack date. A use-by is not required, but if used, it must not be more than 45 days from packing. If the eggs are not distributed interstate, state laws will apply and are variable.
  

#22 On My Bucket List = Completed

 #22 on my bucket list was to improve the look of my blog. Well......it's improved!!!! I LOVE IT!!! I feel like the new design is more "me"! When I originally added this to the list, I had every intention of doing the improvements myself. But it proved to be too difficult for me - I don't understand html code etc.

So??!! What do you think? Do you like it??

I want to thank PIP Designs! She was very speedy and precise in her design. I didn't have to change a thing!!!

LOTS of Eggs! And things that kids say...

Yesterday I got 6 eggs from my chickens and today I got 9! WOW!!! I'm so happy that they are laying and that I have gotten them to this point. It feels really rewarding!!!! Don't forget to keep those egg recipes coming....I have a feeling that I'm really going to need them.

We went to my Mother's to hand out for a bit tonight. On the way home I pointed out the beautiful, almost full Moon. It is at this point that Eian proceeded to tell JJ NOT to look directly at it or she would turn into a Werewolf. Of course, this freaks JJ out and bit and she asks me if it is true  - which I respond no...it isn't true. Eian yells back that it is and I said that I have been looking at moons for a very long time and I have never turned into a werewolf. He said it had to be true because it's a "legend" - his definition of a legend = a old story that is true.

1/21 My daily contest/giveaway entries - you can enter too :)

• I've entered to win a $100 Gift Certificate to ShopBop.com - for more information and details be sure to check out "Pink Dandy Chatter" - this ends on: 2/6/11
• One person will receive an Xtrema 9" Flair Non-Stick Skillet. (ARV $100) from "The Thrifty Things" blog. This ends on 2/4/11 
• One lucky reader of "3 Princes and A Princess 2" will win there very own EgroMotion Whirl Mouse (RV50$) This ends on: 2/6/11
  

Quick Chicken Cacciatore

Source: The Pampered Chef Main Dishes - Recipes at the Heart of Every Meal - page 21 -

1 package (10.5) ounces frozen fat-free breaded chicken breast patties, partially thawed
1 medium green bell pepper
4 ounces mushrooms, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
8 ounces uncooked linguine
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces) Italian-seasoned diced tomatoes, undrained
1 garlic clove, pressed
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Cut chicken patties into 3/4 inch strips and bell pepper into thin strips. Slice mushrooms and chop onion
2. Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and keep warm
3. Meanwhile, heat skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Lightly spray with olive oil. Add chicken patty strips; cook 5 minutes turning frequently.
4. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, mushrooms, onion and garlic. Bring to a boil; cover. Reduce heat; simmer 8-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve over hot linguine; Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired. 

serves 4

I'm giving this recipe a: 

I didn't have Italian style tomatoes, so I just added some Italian seasoning to the skillet. I also didn't have enough liquid to bring the dish to a boil. But my family loved it (especially my husband). This is certainly a keeper and I will be making it again!!

Mega Swag Bucks Day!!!!

It is once again... "MEGA Swag Bucks Day!" I love Swag Bucks!

Remember it takes just 450 SB to earn a $5 Amazon e-Gift Card or 1300 SB to score a $10 Star Bucks Gift Card and it takes just 2350.

Swag Bucks was just featured in the last month's edition of Woman's Day Magazine as one of the 12 ways to earn money from home!

I have been using Swag Bucks for over a year and I have scored SO many free gift cards!

So start searching and let me know if you score any Big Bucks.

Happy Searching!

Egg Recipes!!! I need help!!

I saw this on a new "chicken farmer" friends blog and I hope she doesn't mind that I'm stealing it!! With 10 chickens I could be looking at 10 eggs at day - that is 70 eggs a week or possibly 240 eggs a MONTH!!!! So lets start a collection of recipes using multiple eggs - like 4 or more!!!! Send me your favorites!!!! How many recipes do you think we could get in a year??