In a small coop in our backyard, we have two chickens: Lotus and Miss Moneyhenny. I say a small coop, but in reality, the coop is nicely proportioned but the chickens, who have just hit six months old, are the size of cows.*
Lotus and/or Miss Moneyhenny, but most likely both, have just started showing their appreciation for the palatial living quarters, fine food and top-notch beverages we provide to them by producing eggs.
And these eggs are magnificent. Although mostly around 48 grams (though one 81 gram monster had two yolks) they are delicious, with a very delicate white and a very tasty yolk.
They sit in our small vegetable garden, which is in between seasons at the moment, though a Sri Lankan Spinach vine is producing like mad.
We also have plenty of oranges ripening on our rather odd orange tree – it sees to be several varieties grafted together, and produces two crops a year of about 4 varieties in total. These will of course end up as orange peel in our Lady Devotea blend. As does lavender from our herb garden.
We grow rosemary, oregano and thyme which all go into our Tea Salts range, which are only available at local markets around headquarters at this time.
We also have a stack more herbs. Lady Devotea is a keen herb gardener – in fact a keen gardener all round – and so there is always plenty of lovely green bits to go into meals.
It occurs to me that quite a lot of our tea friends are also into a little bit of home produce.
Baking a nice loaf of herb bread and serving perfectly fresh eggs with it is a pleasure to some; whereas others might see it as a chore. Tea friends tend to fall into the former category.
It’s not just about freshness and quality, it’s about an unbroken chain of behaviour stretching back over the eons.
It’s the same when you brew a cuppa, properly. You are stretching your life backwards, incorporating all the events that have been shared over a nicely brewed cuppa, and all the events that lead to it being available.
You are one with history, and part of history.
*admittedly very small cows
Absolutely lovely post Robert, your words made me happy :)herbs, chooks, home baked bread, tea and friends what more could one ask for?
By the way did you happen to see my tweet a few weeks ago about the five yolker surprise I received on my birthday.
Came out of the size of egg one would expect a double yolk. Unbelievable, alas no photo but as breakfast was at my parents that day they got to see it.
I envy anyone that can grow (and maintain) anything. The only thing I can fatten is my cat. So far that’s going swimmingly.
When we sit and share a cup in the upcoming weeks another chapter of history will be recorded or a novel written.
Agreed; baking bread is never a chore – it’s a pleasure. As is brewing up our loose leaf tea. Your back garden sounds idyllic. Wouldn’t mind trying one of those fresh eggs.
I am always amazed by your personal approach to the tea world from starts that are not always clearly tea related.
Perhaps next time I drink a cup of tea, I will see myself as a part of a bigger chain of events or I will pause for a second, wonder why I am making that and drink my tea.
Who knows?
I envy anyone that can raise chickens or grow anything. The only thing I can grow is a conscience.