Well, that figures, we had one heck of a time finding a freezer when we needed on. Every place has to order it, they don't keep them in stock. Heck, the local Tractor Supply didn't even have pig panels, they order them when people need them. Well, if you need to repair a pig pen, you'd better not wait 3 days for pig panels, sheesh!

You'll like the Cuckoo Marans, I think. Dark chocolate colored eggs, and the birds are flightly and are relatively social. Nothing like the Buff Orpingtons, though. I have one that runs to greet me when I open the coop door each day, and is under foot all the time, wanting to be petted and to have a treat. She's like a puppy, silly bird. Your timing is better than mine, I didn't think it over and took a batch of chicks in June. That meant they were old enough to lay in November, just when it was cold and dark, so that delayed egg production for a couple of months. You'd think I'd know better...

So, whatcha making for the bake sale?

Annie

I believe it with the freezer....three years ago when I replaced mine (my faithful Kelvinator of 40 years), Sears had to order a manual defrost and their appliance sales clerk learned something new that day - she didn't know freezers came any way but self defrosting.

I don't have chickens so had to look up Cuckoo Maran....very pretty coloring. A friend of mine keeps a flock of assorted 'girls' and shares the eggs...she dropped off 18 this morning so I've been thinking what I can make to make best use of them too. My fav of her flock (pets with benefits) is a little white poufy thing called a Frizzle (if I'm spelling that right). Shaggy, silly looking bird, lays little eggs but very dependable.

I wish my Buff Orpingtons were social but they are timid and are a real pain to herd back into the run when given free time. The Marans are on my wish list of birds I would like when we somebody get a bigger coop but DH wants Dorkings. I hope you have fun with your baking.

On the baking agenda are cinnamon rolls, a couple of types of fruit breads, a couple of coffee cakes, Spanish Bar cakes made in mini loaf pans for convenience, dark chocolate amaretto bundt cake, two types of Rice Krispie treats, stick pretzels dipped in an icing then decorated with sprinkles, no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies and peanut butter buddies for the puppies. I try to do the fruit breads in both regular loaf pans and the mini loaf pans to cater to the widows and widowers or people who just want to buy a little bit of several things. Plan to do the cinnamon rolls in family size and maybe plop some individual ones in the little pot pie pans. This is my goal.

Joann had the 18 cell miniature loaf pan 50% off this past week at $12+. I really shouldn't have, but did buy one.

Well, the Marans are a little more confident in themselves, it seems, and the poor Buffs are pretty timid. Noisy little things, but they are calming down and I'm working on getting them use to me. I love peeking in at them and seeing them falling asleep standing up or drilling their beaks into their crumble. Niece an her two kids are coming down to see them Sunday. I will still try to get a couple of Black Copper Marans, hopefully already laying and some Buckeyes to start breeding. There will be too many eggs for me so I will donate them each week to St. Vincent de Paul to distribute to those who go there for food. It will be nice to be able to help others in another way.

May be dumb question, but WHY would you NOT want a self-defrosting freezer?

klseiverd, the fluctuating temps in self defrosting as it goes through its cycles doesn't maintain the quality of food frozen long term as well as steady 0 degrees, no variations. It's all about the food, not the convenience.

So disgusted with Lowes. Yesterday I was at the one in Columbus, IN and there were two employees at the work station in appliances when I went in. I made a quick scan of the freezers on display and went back to the work station only to find it empty. No employees in sight for the longest time. Eventually two young men were looking for a fridge and managed to get the older man employee but he couldn't even tell me if he had the one manual defrosting small freezer in back stock. I didn't want the smaller one anyway. Today I stopped in the Lowes in Franklin, IN and the same problem. Two employees at the work station as I went in the appliance section. When I turned around to ask them about a manual defrosting freezer, they were no where to be seen. After waiting a short while I just gave up and left. My friend who is a teller at my bank said this was normal operating procedure at Lowes. If employees see you enter their section, they disappear and good luck on finding any of them to help you. I guess she and her friends have complained multiple times to the store managers to no avail.

Madonna

Madonna, that's horrible. Here the employees at Lowe's do everything they can to be helpful, the problem is that nothing is ever in stock. They have display models but always have to order the item. So, if your hot water heater blows up, or your stove stops heating or your freezer quits, they can get you anything you want. In 10 days to 3 weeks. Tile for the floor? They'll have four boxes, but you'll need ten. Same ordering system. I hate it, and all the big box stores seem to do it now.

Annie