I can’t express how relieved I am that winter is finally behind us—well, except for that inevitable random frost in April we all know is coming. Cold weather just makes everything harder. Feeding the animals, keeping firewood dry and chopped, even a simple trip to gather supplies feels like a marathon. This past season, I focused on indoor projects to keep busy. Between canning, dehydrating, making soap, and endless cleaning, my free time filled up fast. I didn’t quite make it to learning how to quilt or knit, but there’s always next winter!
Our little homestead has grown over the past few months. We recently added three Polish chicks to our flock. I’ll admit—I picked the breed entirely because of how adorable they look with their unique plumage.
Speaking of chickens, our original flock is now producing eggs faster than I ever expected. I’ve had to get creative with ways to use them. Pickled eggs, quiches, breakfast casseroles, and even dehydrated eggs have become regular staples in our kitchen. At first, I wasn’t sure I’d like pickled eggs, but after making my own, I’m hooked! They’re perfect for egg salad, chopped into tuna or green salads, or used anywhere you’d normally add a boiled egg. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile—you can adjust the recipe to make them spicy, sweet, or stick to a classic dill flavor. Personally, I start with a basic dill recipe and tweak it as I go. There’s something so satisfying about using homegrown eggs, dill, and onions from your own garden.
With Easter just around the corner, I decided to try something a bit different—naturally dyeing my eggs using ingredients from my pantry and garden. Beet juice, onion skins, coffee, turmeric, and even carrot tops can create stunning, natural colors for Easter eggs.
The process is simple:
- Combine water, vinegar, and your chosen dye ingredient (like beet juice or onion skins) in a pot. Bring it to a boil.
- Once the mixture is ready, remove any solids, such as onion skins or carrot scraps, and carefully add your eggs.
- Boil the eggs as you normally would.
- When the eggs are hard-boiled and fully saturated with color, remove them and set them on a drying rack to cool for about 15 minutes.
- For a polished, shiny finish, rub a little olive oil on each egg.
The results are beautiful and uniquely yours—not to mention, it feels great to use simple, natural ingredients you already have on hand. Whether it’s homemade pickled eggs or vibrantly dyed Easter eggs, working with what you’ve grown and gathered adds an extra layer of joy to the process.
By Ryanne Harper
