Hello Friends,
Spring has truly sprung here at Plum Lake Event & Equestrian Center and Eggs & Such – A Farm! The hens are laying like crazy, the pastures are greening up, and – big news – we welcomed a beautiful colt to the farm on April 5! There’s nothing like the sight of new life to make you feel the wonder of the season. And with Easter just around the corner, I’m turning my attention to one of my favorite spring traditions: dyeing eggs. If you’re like me, you love the colorful creativity of it – but maybe you’ve also wondered about those chemical tablets and whether they belong on something you’re planning to eat.
Why Natural Dyes?
Natural dyes will not degrade these beautiful eggs. Our hens are pampered and receive a top-of-the-line feed, free of anything artificial, so that you can enjoy our eggs knowing that they are full of nutrition. Natural dyes are made from food-based ingredients – think beets, blueberries, turmeric, coffee. They’re safe, subtle, and oh-so-satisfying. Plus, making your own dyes is like doing a little farm kitchen science experiment – fun for kids, grandkids, and kids-at-heart (like me).
What You’ll Need:
- Distilled white vinegar (helps the color stick)
- Natural dye ingredients (see list below!)
- Water and saucepans for simmering
- A big spoon and some time to let those beauties soak up the color
Dye Recipes
Here are a few colors you can make right from the fridge and pantry:
How To Dye Naturally:
1. Boil your eggs and let them cool.
2. Simmer your dye ingredients in water for about 15 – 30 minutes, depending on how bold you want the color.
3. Strain the dye liquid into a jar or cup and let it cool.
4. Stir in a spoonful of vinegar.
5. Gently lower your eggs into the dye and let them soak – anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight in the fridge for deeper hues.
6. Dry on a cooling rack or paper towel, and admire your farmhouse masterpieces!
Natural, not Neon:
Natural dyes create more earthy, speckled tones – don’t expect neon! Think botanical chic, not Barbie Dream Egg. If you want patterns, wrap the egg in onion skins or tie on a leaf with pantyhose before dyeing. And yes – you can eat them! Just make sure to keep them chilled and don’t leave them out more than 2 hours at room temp.
I love that our naturally dyed eggs are as wholesome as the hens who laid them. Whether you’re tucking them into a basket, hiding them in the hay for an egg hunt, or slicing them into an egg salad, you can feel good knowing exactly what went into making them beautiful.
Eggs & Such Eggs can be reserved for pick-up here:
https://eggsandsuch-afarm.com/rsvp-eggs/
Before I sign off, let me remind you of what’s ahead on the farm schedule:
Friday, May 16 – Janet Bowen will lead our next Wine, Women & Horses workshop: Balance & Bliss.
Without balance—mentally, physically, and emotionally—it’s virtually impossible to be blissful: happy in the present and looking forward to the future. This reflects in all areas of our lives, including our work with horses. In this first of a 3-part series, Janet will explore how we lose balance, focus, and bliss—and what options are available to help us find them again!
Food and beverages will be served. The all-inclusive fee is $25 at the door or $20 in advance.
Register here and we’ll send you a payment link:
https://forms.gle/WJMtMryWFMMG5z5x5
What do you do when you have a child who longs for a horse, but you don’t live on a farm or have any horse experience? Our Summer Horse Camp for kids has grown into a wonderful local resource for families with “horse crazy” kids. My Barn Manager, Penny Whalgren—who was once a horse-crazy kid herself and literally walked across town to care for a horse—is our Lead Summer Counselor for Horse Camp and Fun! We’ve expanded to offer three sessions, as our campers keep coming back for more.
Here’s the 2025 camp schedule:
Morning Session – Class 1.0 (Basics & Beyond):
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Covers the basics of horse handling and care. This class is required before advancing to higher levels.
Camp Class 1.0: July 14–17
Camp Class 1.0: August 11–14
Afternoon Session – Class 2.0 (Beyond Basics & More):
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Reviews fundamentals and introduces mounted work based on the camper’s skill level.
Camp Class 2.0: July 14–17
Camp Class 2.0: August 11–14
Weekend Session – Class 3.0 (Let’s Get In-Depth):
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
A comprehensive review of all levels to assess readiness for group mounted work.
Camp Class 3.0: July 18–20
Camp Class 3.0: August 15–17
We’d love it if you’d share this information with your friends or a “summer-only” neighbor who might not know this is available. Here is a link to share: https://plumlakeequestriancenter.com/summer-horse-camp/
Enjoy your spring chores—and have a joy-filled Easter.
Egg-stra love,
Debra Stephenson
Owner, Eggs & Such – A Farm 🐓🥚🌷
Plum Lake Event & Equestrian Center
8177 Plum Lake Station Road
Sayner, WI