MEMORIES OF BABY CHICKS

My granddaughter has been sending us pictures of the baby chicks her broody Mother Hen has hatched. This reminds me of the days my dad picked up a box of 100 baby chickens at the post office each year. These yellow balls of peeping puff fascinated us children, and we looked forward each spring when Father ordered the babies to add to the flock.

In addition to operating a dairy farm, Father and Mother raised chickens and sold eggs to stores and individual customers. All too soon, these little birds lost their fluff and grew into larger chicks.

Chicks at the Post Office

Have you ever stopped by your local post office and heard baby chicks in spring? I was surprised one day, a few years ago, to hear peeping coming from the back area the post office.

The other day, I asked the postmaster of our little rural post office if chicks still were sent through the mail these days. He informed me that they had had a box of them arrive just the week before.

Muffins for Breakfast – A recipe that rings memories

BANANA MUFFIN VARIATION (with Chocolate Chips) – This was one of my grandchildren’s favorites when they lived with us.

Beat 1 egg and stir in 1/3-cup milk and 1/4-cup margarine. Add 1 cup mashed bananas. Then stir in sifted ingredients (2 cups all purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 1/1/2 teaspoon salt) with 1/3-cup brown sugar. Stir only until ingredients are mixed; batter may be somewhat lumpy. Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (more if you like).

Fill paper lined or greased muffin cups about 3/4 full. Bake at 375 degrees F. until golden, about 20 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

(Mary Emma Allen researches and writes from her woodland NH home.)

Author