OK. Perhaps I should have made it more clear: The fine creek sand that I used was not cold. It was fresh from the creek, but I did mix it with HOT water. I simply used it like sandpaper. I scrubbed about 12 eggs that way. I do NOT use that method any more. I do NOT use cold water in any part of my cleaning process, and I don't soak the eggs. I pour hot water over them in a wire basket, but I don't soak them. My birds are housed at night in a predator-proof coop with nest boxes lined with straw. They lay eggs in these boxes before I release them, and I have never had one laid on the ground. If an egg looked like a dirt clod I wouldn't use it. My ducks spend the day along our rocky, clean, cold, spring-fed, fast-moving mountain creek. My birds are mostly Welsh Harlequins imported directly from Holderreads Waterfowl Farm. I chose them for their egg-laying ability, which is reportedly equal to or better than a good chicken. I've had dozens of eggs so far even in fall/winter, and they taste great. I realize that as ducks (and chickens) age, their egg production decreases. I will deal with that later. I don't have the info in front of me now, but as I remember it, The North Carolina Egg Law applies its stricter rules for those selling over 30 dozen eggs per week. I will not ever come close to that, but if I did, my eggs are still cleaned in compliance with the law. I've been in contact with the NC agricultural authorities to be sure. I started this whole endeavor as a fun hobby to do with my young daughters, and I will sell at most a few dozen eggs a week at a local tailgate market. I'm not a commercial grower, just a stay-at-home-mom trying to reconnect with her farm roots. I appreciate where you're coming from, and I can see that you have valuable information, but I really don't need someone implying that duck eggs are "bad" just because they come from ducks. They're not. I'm trying to sell a quality product here, and this is simply meant to be a fun, educational bonding experience with my kids.

Sandy, Yes, it's been really cool here and rainy. About 1 out of every 7-10 days is nice. Really yucky spring, and so I can see why I'm not seeing much action in the way of butterflies. I didn't discard the eggs, although at this point I have very little hope of them amounting to anything considering that they were laid over two weeks ago. The Monarch eggs are outside on potted tropical milkweed plants on the porch, so they're not in the warm. I brought in several Black Swallowtail eggs when she laid them on the 11th, so it's been 6 days for them now and they still didn't hatch. They're in the laundry room, which is warmer than outside but cooler than the rest of the downstairs. I still have hopes for them. I can see that the eggs have gotten to be a darker color than what they were when I brought them in. Kind of off the subject but do your false nettle plants kind of look sickly for awhile after you plant them? The ones that I started from cuttings that I took last year really look pitiful. I hope that they make it. They really looked nice insider here over the winter but they sure don't now. I don't think any Red Admirals would want to lay eggs on that unsubstantial foliage. The FN plants that are in the milk jugs from winter sowing are just teeny tiny little plants, which makes me wonder if they'll even get big enough this year at all to plant outside in the ground. I don't think they're any higher than the white part of my fingernails (and I keep my nails short!). I might end up bringing the plants inside over the winter if they don't step it up. My cardinal flower plants look the same...very tiny. I'm glad that I started some NJ tea bushes inside this year so that I might be able to get some more of those planted this year. I think only one made it over the winter that I started last year. Those were wintersown. NJ tea grows really slowly, so I'm thinking it might be best to have them going inside to give them a head start. The ones I planted outside last year were only about an inch high. Sorry that was off the subject. I'm thinking of the slow-growing plants that I have. Cathy

Oh my, Aloha - 20 nests?! I've wondered if we might get them in our attic, too, as late last summer a piece of our vinyl siding fell off of the roof edge. We haven't put it back on yet as it's all the way to the top and we'll need a really tall ladder to get up there. We may have to hire someone for that job - neither one of us wants to, or should be, on a ladder that tall! I know what you mean, Skybird, about seeing old nests around and yet still see the wasps. Maybe they were their old nests?! I don't know. And I also thought that one fake nest looked like a chinese lantern - it's the same kind of fabric and wire frame. Also, you can't see it in the pic, but it has a hole in the side so it looks like a nest of sorts. But I kinda of wonder if the wasps would just go inside of it and make a nest of their own there! I know they did that in the bird houses I put up along our fence for decoration - I had to plug up the holes so they wouldn't do that any more. So I couldn't resist making my own version of the fake wasp nest, just to see if the concept would work. I recycled/upcycled items I had around the house already to make it - took two 5" peat pots and placed them together at the large end, then slipped a plastic mesh wrap (that they put over the glass bottle of wine I bought at Total Beverage) over them to hold them together, then glued the seam. I spray painted it black, but didn't like the looks of it. So I covered it all with paper mache, I then spray painted it black with a little gray. Now, it's not any prettier than the waspinator, and maybe even a bit uglier, but didn't really cost me anything to make! Maybe this is close enough in shape to fool the foolish wasps - we'll see! If it does, I'll make some more!! Here's my recycled/upcycled wasp nest decoy:

Funky, I am not only thrilled for you, but I LOVE your choices! It is just gorgeous. And, is it me, or are those ceilings also singing praises for what you've picked? They are in perfect harmony. I think they really bring out what your grandfather did . . .the ceilings really have a place of honor! Re: built-ins not MCM? You mean the style you are picking or in general? I have seen both in person and on Houzz (same floor plan!) ONE built-in bookcase, to the right of the FP. Not sure if that counts . . .but it was done at least occasionally. I think you can make them feel MCM, depending on how you do it. I am always a sucker for bookcases, but built-ins esp! Congrats . . .you've won the battle of paint . . .oh, dreaded paint! People say it's so "easy" to repaint, but geesh, not for me! It always gets vetoed around here. (I am living with my less-than-perfect brown!)