An Eggstraordinarily Sentimental Souvenir

When our flock laid their first little eggs, we were so amazed and pleased that we preserved the first two from each, as mementos. Maybe it’s a little silly, but hey, if you’ve never seen a chicken lay an egg—or held a heavy, just-laid, smooth warm egg in your hand—you’re happy to have a reminder of your first experiences of both.

We took the little eggs, blew out their contents, carefully rinsed and dried the shells, and packed them in bubble wrap. There they sat, swaddled and invisible, for months. Finally I thought, What’s the point of this when none of us can see them? So now they’re on display.

The four brown eggs in front were laid yesterday. Who knew that eggs get bigger along with the hen?