Why am I here?. That is what the header ‘ABOUT’ is asking me to explain. Well, I want to join the chorus of players out there who are calling out and saying “Relax. Life can be simple” There is so much we actually do not need. So much in our lives now that we cannot do without, that were luxuries 20 years ago, 15 years ago, 10 years ago. So much food that is cluttering up our arteries and making us ill. So many additives that are not even FOOD! So much food that is not even FOOD! So much noise chattering in our brains. So many images confusing our cognitive processes. Medications that are panaceas for the doctor!!. So many science experiments infiltrating our fields and refrigerators.
It is insidious. It is very very scary every time we raise our heads and actually focus on it. But enough of the calling out. Enough of the ducking heads. Lets do it. So that is why I have begun this series of work. To show us that we can do it. We can live simply. That small is OK. That gentle is good. That kind is the most underrated quality in a person. That clean food you grow yourself and cook for yourself is amazing. That good sparkling healthy tastes on our plates shared with the family around the table every single night should be normal .
And all this woven in with developing a sustainable farm to feed ourselves with out here in the Midwest of America, some stories of growing up on a beach in New Zealand and the food we ate as kids. Because life is just like that!
cecilia
I like your thinking
Look forward to keeping up with your work. Great header photo, too!
Thank you. We have ‘ The Simplicity of Life ‘in common. Though I only have 3 cows and two of those are only calves!! Keep in touch. c
What a great philosophy. I love having a garden and cooking, so a lot of this hits home for me.
I like your philosophy too! Simple and kind, the word are so small, but yet they mean so much.
Thank you and welcome.
Hi Ceciliag.
I sympathize with your thoughts, and will follow your blog.
Excellent. Welcome aboard! c
Just found your blog, and hurrah!! Let’s hear it for a simpler life.
Don’t ya love it. Less is Best! c
Okay I started with a couple at the beginning and you have me hooked! I want to be you, well in the man way. I want to visit (probably not too far from you) and do what you do for a day, maybe more. You so make me want a small farm. If my wife reads this she will too! It’s a dream we have talked about ever so often.
I plan to build a chicken coop and possibly have bees too. Unfortunately our lot isn’t big enough for other animals but that would be a start! You have me dreaming again!
Oh, we do have a garden, just didn’t do enough this year. We have raspberries, zucchini, two kinds of lettuce, cucumbers, sunflowers, asparagus and corn, but the squirrels usually get that. For some reason I didn’t get around to planting tomatoes, peppers onions and beans, usually I do.
I have more reading to catch up with and maybe comment or ask questions! Welcome to America and especially the midwest it is a great place!
Welcome Harold. if you do stuff with wood you are half way there. Making a chicken coop and getting some bees should keep you busy for a bit. Tell me about your grape tomato. Are those the really small ones. i have been looking for a really tiny tomato to go into salads whole. I kn ow what you mean about fresh tomatoes. We just do into eat them in the winter. i cannot bear it. See you soon c
Yes they are small like a grape and great in salads. Cherry tomatoes are a bit larger, but with a big mouth like mine, I pop them in whole to feel the burst!
Thanks for dropping by my site.
Hi Cecilia
If you have room for one more guest viewer I’d be happy to join. Your preference of the simple haven’t influenced your blogging. That’s good!
Welcome, welcome, always room for one more chair at my table!! c
Small is not only OK..it is wonderful and comforting..
Great philosophy Cecilia..
you are right food doctor, and also manageable .. mostly, thanks for dropping by c
Cecilia, thanks for stopping by my blog, and welcome to the blog-verse from another newbie! I hope you’re having as much fun ‘out here’ as I am. Love your attitude. I’m a gradual-convert (I’m sure you can tell from my blog), but learning along the way lots of great ways that simplifying can, contrary to what the inexperienced might guess, ADD to life. I envy the chicken and bee-keeping, but will have to find safe ways if I’m to do that here in north Texas where we’re setting records for ongoing heat. Got to protect those great creatures properly, so I’m studying up.
Meanwhile, enjoying your writing and your exquisite photography and all. Glad to “meet” you!
Pop in anytime Kathryn, and I will be sure to keep up to date on your goings on. Have fun. c
Way to go!!! Excellet phylosophy!!
Thank you ambrosia.. I will pop over and see you again soon!..
Love the blog, especially your photography! I’m looking forward to perusing some of your older posts. Cheers!
Go for it glutton, let me know what you think.. go.. um bears?
Hello Cecelia – I’m so glad you stopped by my blog because that led me to yours!!!
I love your philosophy about living simply, not always possible in this modern world but I feed my soul with frequent trips ‘off the grid’, cooking and camping without power or modern conveniences. I so enjoyed your writing, will be back often
Lovely to see you.. I don’t often camp i have to admit.. I am very fond of flushing toilets!!! c
Well that sounds good enough to me Cecilia
lol Have a great weekend…
and I bet that you are pleased that this comment
is extremely brief
Androgoth
hullo Androgoth, lovely to see you over here on the bright side! I shall nosey about your site and I am not afraid of skeletons so i may even enjoy myself and please write as much as you like.. c!!
Your food and pictures and excellent. Way to go!
Thank you and that is high praise as you take the most beautiful pictures. You all have certainly raised the bar on me!! c
Pingback: Busy times, good times! | ministate of mind
I love your blog and have now subscribed to it. I totally agree with your philosophy about food, too much non-food in our food. Eating healthy is simple. I really liked your dad’s blog today too. His way of doing things reminds me of my father in law who is an engineer. Everything has to have measurements and be precise. Love it. Keep the great stuff coming I look forward to reading more from you.
Oh welcome and thank you.. and you are so right.. a healthy life style is so simple and so logical really.. see you again soon.. c
Cecliag – Hello! You had me at FOOD….. any blog that features anything at all to do with FOOD…is A-OK in my book. So, a New Zealand Gal living in the Midwest….. that must be quite a change from home huh?
I have bookmarked ya and will be back. Have a wonderful day 
Why yes it is quite a change, a profound change actually but all is good, I have a wonderful ability to have fun just about anywhere! c
Dear Cecilia, how beautiful is your approach to life and words! Yes, I love simplicity too, having grown up in cities all my life… I like opportunities to escape, to be simple, to dwell on the things that really matter.
Thanks for finding my blog – now I have found yours. Am bookmarking it
Great to see you Mel, Simple is Best and often easiest too. Even in the city! c
What a wonderful blog! Had I not left a little note on Just a Smidgen’s blog, I wouldn’t have found you. Enjoyed every bit of it and will look forward to getting your posts via email. Have a great day!
Thank you, i look forward to seeing you again too !! c
What a pleasant surprise! Stumbled upon “The Wild Pomegranate,” made an impulsive comment, and shortly thereafter, stimulated by your comment on the “CiderPress” blog, was prompted to take a look at “The Kitchens Garden!”
And what do I find? Well…we’re doing much the same thing as you (and for all the same reasons) in Oregon. We began about three years ago with animals first (Goats for milk and cheese, sheep for wool, ducks for eggs, and geese for ‘guard duty’ and background music. But only this spring did we begin some serious gardening. And are just now getting ready to begin experimenting with what we can grow this winter in the 80′ greenhouse extension that I’m adding to the south-facing side of our house. (It will also include a space for conducting some experiments in aeroponics…which is something I’m really looking forward to.)
Anyway, we clearly have much to learn about gardening and preserving food, etc., so I’m very happy to see that you not only have much the same interest…but also have a good deal more experience than we. On top of that, you are clearly (and very pleasantly) literate! So…I’ll begin by reading everything you’ve posted thus far…and will look forward to reading all that you wish to share in future. And, of course, am hopeful that you’ll be willing to answer an occasional question about how you do this or that in the days ahead.
Again…it is a genuine surprise and pleasure to have made contact!
William Lawson & Family
Well hullo. How fantastic. i shall zip over and see what you are up to.. an 80′ greenhouse i am about to choke with envy or is that straight out jealousy!! ok.. off to see what you are up to and maybe leave a comment with you there.. c
Amazing pics and great philosophy…
Similiar to yours I believe, sisters from across the ocean.. c
The following comment is meant for your post “Why can’t a Guy buy a Girl a Drink?” but for some reason the comment space on that page isn’t displaying on my browser. So…maybe you can move it there…or delete it. (Whichever seems most appropriate.)
As I was reading this I was reminded of “Being Noticed.” I wonder why?
Fantastic! From one midwesterner to another, I love this message in your blog
I look forward to more…
Hi Joy, there is more!! Lovely to meet you! c
nice blog!!!
fantastic pics…
Thank you! c
I hope that you are having a nice weekend Cecilia
Androgoth Xx
I am having a very lazy weekend so far Andro!! c
Just discovered your blog and I’m going to have to return in the future! We’ve been doing the ‘small’ thing for almost nine years now, with several adaptations along the way. I have to agree, it’s such a joy knowing exactly what you’re eating – not to mention the wonderful, unadulterated flavour of your own produce!
Christine
Hullo Christine and welcome, I shall pop over and see what you are doing and YES, food you grow yourself is fantastic.. dying to know what your adaptations are! c
Hello
I am so glad i am following your Blog.. I found out that I have to be on gluten free diet
any ideas ..
I’m so glad to have found you. I want to build the same sort of life you describe. IT CAN BE DONE!
Welcome! It most definitely can be done, just heaps of ME-Power! c
Love your blog Cecilia, I like the way you think – less is definitely better, and natural is the way to go!
I found you through rumpydog’s blog by the way! Are you the Miss C who took in Mary’s Cat?
yes i am that Miss C, how lovely, I have to race over and look (I just got up) lovely to meet you .. welcome.. c
Pingback: I WISH I HAD SAID THAT!! | bridgesburning
It’s almost 1:00 AM and I’m headed for bed, but you’ve got my attention. I’ll be back to read more here when I’m awake.
Looking forward to seeing you again. Ni Night!
I guess that it took almost three weeks for me to become awake enough to come back and read your blog. But now I have, and I’m very glad that I did. I’m following your blog now. People like you and your true talent for writing just doesn’t come along everyday.
Thank you Chris that is such a kind thing to say, my pages are diverse but i am always well entertained writing them! c
Cecil, thank you for stopping by LeToonz and sharing a “Like.” My Ah-Ha character and the rest of the LeToonz Gang appreciated the hello, as do I
Celi, stumbled across this one http://wherestherain.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/161/ and feel like your blog could cheer her. Check it out and see if you could give her a word of encouragement.
okey dokey!! c
Ain’t done NZ or America yet… ;(
Guess I’m not multi national enough.
NZ next then!! c
I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award
http://pursuitofhappieness.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/nominated-for-the-versatile-blogger-award/
It’s been a pleasure reading you and I appreciate all the support you have given me on my blog.
-Sush (pursuitofhappieness)
Thank you Sush, you are awesome!! c
http://photographyofnia.com/2011/12/26/it-is-great-honor/
Dear Cecilia, you are one of my beautiful blogger friends. And a Candle Lighter in my world… Thank you for being YOU and being there. Blessing and Happiness, with my love, nia
Waves of love to you and yours in Istanbul.. take care.. c
I love your photos! What kind of camera do you use?
I look forward to reading more…
Best wishes for the new year
Hi Siobhan, I checked out your blog.. Have you got your road back yet?..c
Great blog.
Thank you Stephen! c
ceciliag..thank you for giving me your blog address. I love it!!
Connie at the P.O.
Excellent and welcome connie.. So good to see you here.. c
What a wonderful site!
I followed you back from a comment you made on Margie’s blog and am so glad I did. I love the Coyote post and was entranced by some of your flower photos with bees. I’m very much missing the garden right now; looking forward to spring. I grew up on a small organic farm in Pennsylvania in the 60′s – cats and dogs, chickens and ducks, but no bigger farm animals.The local/sustainability movement is very strong here, still lots of small family farms in the area and an active farmstand community. Looking forward to exploring your blog more!
Pingback: The Red Educational Shoe Award
Thanks for signing up to my blog! Looking forward to reading your tales of food in the Midwest. I spent two years in Kansas City, and have yet to find barbeque to match!
Hi Marianna and welcome.. c
Hi c. Please forgive me for touching on open wound. The pain was not intended.
You’ll know what I’m talking about. feel free to delete this, just wanted to say, Sorry. t.
That is fine Ted, i know you well enough to know that you appreciate honesty, it is just that adoption is hard, hard, hard too.. on everyone. This is forgotton when people write those slogans.. c
You are an incredible blogger so I am very happy to award you a package of blog awards
Come check them out here: http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/finally-back/
Congrats!
Choc Chip Uru
Well, I’m glad you found me because your blog will be some great reading!
Cecilia,
I’ve nominated you for The Beautiful Blogger Award. Your blog has inspired me and opened my heart and mind to a life beyond my ordinary. I thank you, Nikki
Nikki how wonderful .. thank you, I must pop over and see your blog.. how lovely.. c
HI there – I just stumbled on your blog because of reading Camerols…his suggestion. I too keep bees…I read your tale of the large hive disappearing….odd but I suppose that’s life with bees. I’ve been a beekeeper for a little over a year…wondering when that day might come…hopoing it doesn’t. I have 8 hives, I live in Texas. Nice to meet you and I’ll be back. Love all your animals and your way of thinking about how and what we eat!
Wonderful to see you Linda and welcome.. yes the hive was a blow.. such a mystery.. we will be checking the other hives on the weekend! Any input would be welcome. I am also learning on the job! c
I just wanted to pop over and tell you how much I loved what you wrote on Lyla’s post about her mother. Your comments were so heartfelt, comforting and kind – I can only imagine that’s who you are : ) It jumped right off the page.
Have a Beautiful day!
Lisa
Hullo Lisa, thank you, sometimes it is hard knowing what to say, but worse to say nothing.. I hope it helped i shall pop in now and then and see what else she is up to, such a burden for anyone.. c
We think alot alike. You have a lovely blog – I’m enjoying reading through.
I have done it….read every one of your posts from the begining. Much learned. Many laughts. We have our own little farm purchased 16 months ago and working our way through it. No animals yet, but I am growing friuts and veggies and even wheat for those I love. It’s a good start.
Yes indeed….Love grows Love.
You are brilliant! I am so impressed. Thank you for reading. You will love your little farmy.. I am looking forward to hearing about your adventures!
I nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award. The rules for acceptance can be found in my blog at http://sturner2.net/2012/06/05/beautiful-blogger-award/
Thank you for presenting your beauty for us to share.
ST2
Cecelia, my dear. It is discovering a blog like this that makes a shining moment in my day. I adore your writing. I love your fat little pig and pompous rooster. Virginia
It is wonderful to welcome you to the farmy, we will be around for a while.. lovely to meet you! c
Love the intro to your blog. Amen to the calling out. Thanks for the wonderful inspiring posts.
Allow me to join your hundreds of followers! Your blog entries are superb.
Fantastic inspiration for where I would like to be oneday – back to my Tasmanian roots
By the way, you may know (or not) of the Gourmet Farmer (a bloke who moved to Tasmania to do more or less what you are doing…a TV show I also enjoy watching – http://www.sbs.com.au/food/blog/111942/Gourmet-Farmer/ ). Just a point of interest, really. Thanks so much for visiting my blog 
Hi Celi! Just nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. Here’s the link: http://karistaskitchen.com/2012/08/10/strawberries-romanoff-and-two-very-belated-thank-yous/
My dear Miss c, it is Fall and that means it is time for blog awards, and I have nominated you for The Sunshine Award – stop by today’s post to see what that means, and know always how much I love your words. And I still have that jar of Marmite for you – I’m just a total sludge about going to the post office.
Thank you for commenting on Kaffee Und Kuchen. I was very happy to find THREE new comments last night when I woke up in a haze and checked my phone. Your blog is beautiful and inspiring – I would love to be self-sufficient, but it’s hard for a student :/
Thank you for sharing your life with us
This has to be one of the best ‘About’ pages i’ve read. Like so many others I connect with your philosophy. It’s worth noting though that when things appear simple it’s usually down to a lot of hard work – as I’m finding out myself. Thank you for sharing.
I guess we don’t mind the hard work then you and I!! Welcome to the farmy Darren.. c
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
it is a lovely blog.. welcome to the farmy! c
Hi Cecilia,
Thank you for stopping by our blog and liking my pumpkin soup post! Greatly appreciated.
I like your support for sustainable food: have you ever checked out the Slow Food association at http://www.slowfoodusa.org/? They have several US chapters and you might be interested in what they do. Just an idea!
Take care,
Francesca
Pingback: Hands up who loves Cows ? | Promenade Plantings
Pingback: Pottering and pootling and photographing the allotment | Promenade Plantings
Hello I just stumbled across your blog, lovely. I’m also a Londoner who has roamed to greener pastures. Though you are probably far more industrious than me, I just wander and think
…but I’ve put in the time with the digging believe me!
Good Morning sarah and welcome.. welcome to the farmy.. there is nothing like digging, it sounds like you are one of us!! c
Pingback: The weekly view…… | Promenade Plantings
Very true comments..
I’ve nominated you for the Liebster award :
http://thehealthyepicurean.eu/2012/11/27/liebster-award/
Oh Thank you, that is so cool, I hope you don’t mind if I cannot play right now, things are a bit hectic, but i am so grateful that you nominated me! c
Thank you for dropping by and the “like.” I followed it back to here. I love what you are about. It’s been about 15 years since I gave up eating anything with any chemicals in it. As you might deduce that means I cook from scratch. The very last of our tomatoes are ripe on our draining board. I had hoped we would still have some until Christmas, but not this year. Cheers!
Shez, welcome and fantastic that you gave up chemicals.. it is not so hard is it! I am thrilled to have found you. You and I have a lot in common, I think! c
Hard? Not as long as you shop the edges, buy fresh and like to cook. Given the chance I would live very close to the land. And yes, I am sure we have a lot in common, although you may not be as eccentric (a description I prefer to nuts) as me.
So glad you visited my photography bog, Ceci. I am making a conscious effort to return to the simple, uncluttered life I remember as a kid growing up in a modest home in a small midwest community. Can appreciate your conviction.
It is easy to have an easier life, so glad you popped over, your images are lovely.. c
Hi -:)!
Glad to have found you! I am a Croatian woman living in NZ for over 18 years … amazing place!
Have a Marry Christmas!
Daniela of the Lantern Post!
I look forward to your posts every day, and particularly enjoy Ton-ton (I hope I got the name right?) sightings – there was a while when he was sneaking into nearly all of your pictures, and it was like a ‘where’s waldo’ game
As a hat-tip and a thanks for the pleasure you bring me, I nominated you for a blog of the year star: http://trophos.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/further-award-sharings/
(Also, I’m selfishly glad you’re home from NZ because I missed the daily view
)
I think I need you now! I was sent to you after my last blogabout my need for simple…perhaps your blog will guide me on my quest.
Beautiful photos, Cecilia. I look forward to seeing what you do next, and thank you for visiting my blog and for the like.
you are very welcome .. see you again soon.. c
Good luck with it all, sounds fine to me, just keep blogging please.
Very nice blog, Cecilia!!! Love the pictures…
Hi, just wanted to let you know that i nominated your blog for a “Family of Bloggers” award and it is totally okay if you choose not to play. Cheers! Nancy
Hi Cecelia, I have followed your blog for a while and wondered if you were interested in submitting a post to a new event called Our Growing Edge. The event aims to compile a monthly snapshot as to what bloggers are doing in terms of new challenges with food. This monthly event aims to connect and inspire us to try new things.
A growing edge is the part of us that is still learning and experimenting. It’s the part that you regularly grow and improve, be it from real passion or a conscious effort.
I hope you can make it. More info can be found here: http://bunnyeatsdesign.com/our-growing-edge/
Cecilia, I am not sure if you “accept” awards. However, I just wanted to let you know I nominated you for 2. The Very Inspiring Blogger and One Lovely Blog Awards. To find out more you can go to my post for today and check it out. Thanks for being such a wonderful Blogger.
I am so grateful that you should nominate me .. thank you so much, but as you can imagine I am swamped at the moment though.. I so wish i could come out out and play! have a brilliant day and thank you so much! c
Pingback: Awards and Acknowledgements « Laura's Mess
Hi Cecilia… I’ve nominated you for an award entitled ‘Best Moment’! I didn’t even know it existed til my nomination a couple of days ago… but I really felt that ‘The Kitchen’s Garden’, with your beautiful writing and snapshots of life’s moments, suited it completely. If you’d like to take a look, the nomination is right here: http://laurasmess.me/2013/03/15/awards-and-acknowledgements/
Thank you Laura, what a treat in the hectidness of life at the moment.. which moment did you think was best? I shall pop over to see.. c
Hi Cecilia,
This is to let you know that I’m nominating you for a “Very Inspiring Blogger Award”
http://beyondprague.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/beyond-prague-at-three-months-old-an-award-to-show-for-it/
Your message of healthier eating and simpler living is very inspiring indeed.
Hi. Serendipity must be in the air today. I was sitting out on our porch this lovely spring morning sipping coffee and thinking “what a peaceful, calm, enjoyable day.” I particularly loved watching the birds come and go from the feeder. Then I stumbled on your blog about simple, gentle living. It was perfect for my mood! I have enjoyed looking at all the farm pictures and imagining how rewarding it must be to be so close to nature, in so many ways, every day.
Looking forward to following you.
Good morning Al and thank you, i am doing exactly the same thing now, drinking coffee, still in my filthy farm clothes with hands that are seriously questionable as to cleanliness, watching the birds in the maple trees. Lovely to meet you and thank you much for joining the fellowship of the farmy! c
Good evening! How are you? You know me as “Granny.” The business that owned that blog was sold, which was the kick in the behind I needed to turn my attention to artwork. I looked forward to returning here as myself, through my own blog and had to say hello before I browse around to catch up with the adventures of the Farmy. It’s good to be back. Wishing you a sunny month of May. ~ PS MacMurray
Granny there you are!! Excellent. Do I call you PS now? i shall come over and visit tomorrow and see your art work.. wonderful and thank you for your kind comments about Mia, it will all work out one way or the other, life is like that.. c
PS it is, or MacMurray, or both, or Paschal… Whatever you prefer, Thank you.
Hello! Thank you for your blog ‘like’! I never cease to be amazed and gratified by the way people find their way to me. I have enjoyed looking at all your lovely pictures. I’ll drop by again.
good morning christina, lovely to see you in the comments!