Did you ever see that movie Dusk ’til Dawn. Well, a day on the sustainable, self sufficient, old fashioned farm is Nothing LIKE that!!!
It starts at dawn. John leaves for work in the dark at 5am. I talk to you guys and catch up with my messages until the sun comes up. I make bread and drink coffee. I watch the sunrise from my front porch.
After I put the sour dough by the fire to rise for the day, I rug up and go outside. I open the barn up, then the dogs and I go for a walk and check out the perimeter. 
Walking the fences.
I feed the cats, the dogs and the chickens. Then the dogs and cats and the chickens and I feed the sheep and the cows. I puddle about and do the mornings chores. Houdini is already out with her babies. Somebody is just not paying attention to her lessons.
Have you met White Cat yet? He is a long haired Himalayan who thinks he is a barn cat, so he has to be shaved two or three times a year! The mess this cat gets into is pathetic. Today he is looking quite respectable. A ridiculous cat to have in the country. Not my fault – he was here before me. White cat and The Big Dog are the original animals.
Just when you thought it was safe. Daisy is watching.
The chooks are thrilled that the corn has been harvested. Good pickin’s for a chook out there. I never lock them up now. Not until next spring when we plant again. They take themselves in to roost at night.
This morning I am mowing and weeding the asparagus. Later in the afternoon I feed out again – hay and beet shreds with eggs and garlic. Baby Bobby and Queenie have their own wheelbarrow but Bobby likes to eat with Mama. Hairy McLairy has a thing or two to say about that but always loses. The Bobby is growing.
Mary’s cat is wondering.. is it wine o’clock yet? He whines. No, Not yet.
I shoveled manure for the compost piles on and off today but have spared you the images. There is a lot of winterising to do. Preparing the barn for the animals and preparing everything else for the freeze that will come. Bringing in all the big pots. Daisy watches.
And my hose has finally given up the ghost so I have started carrying buckets of water to the troughs today. It is not shopping week so we make do.
The sun goes down as I am out there finishing up. John will not be home for an hour or so yet. So c’mon Kitty, must be time for a wee drinkie before making a lamb curry for dinner. The bread is on its second rise. We can sit on the verandah and watch the sun go down.
After dinner I will put the sourdough loaf in the oven to cook. TonTon and I will go out with the torch and check that everyone is where they are meant to be. Then we tuck the Big Dog up in his blankets for the night. He sleeps in the barn and likes to be covered up completely, even his head, he will tuck his head under as I arrange the blankets and stays like that until I open the barn up again in the morning.
Many years ago, John found Big Dog beaten and wired by the neck to a fence, at a construction site, almost strangled. Just a pup. This must have been over ten years ago. Now he sleeps on a fleece of sheeps wool no less. The Big Dog loathes having his photo taken. He hates the camera, and gives me the most baleful look before he turns his tail and lopes off. He thinks dogs that sleep inside are sissys and refuses to come in except when a really nasty storm is coming, then he will condescend to go into the basement, that is how we know it is going to be bad.
And so another day .. yesterday.. gently passes.
c
This page is dedicated to our Mum on All Souls day. Her name was Mary.
The Kitchen's Garden 
99 responses to “Farm Days from Dawn to Dusk”
What a lovely day, Cecilia…well, minus scooping up the manure ;). Crazy how you have time for all of that work AND blogging. Very impressive! Your animals are adorable. I particularly love Daisy!
Daisy (who is munching on a pumpkin as we speak) is quite the pet. Thanks caroline.. it is a busy time.. c
Daisy is a gorgeous creature, thank you for the wonderful pictures Cecilia!
-Sush
Hi Sush, I think that these animals (except for big dog )of course, have started to pose for the camera! c
What a lovely story, c, it reminded me of a children’s book… you should write one of those as well while you’re at it.. the kids would adore it. Your dog… broke my heart and I’m so glad he found you to love:)
Big Dog has a dogs life out here, nothing but lolling about and lazily chasing a rabbit every now and then! What a great idea a childrens book would be.. about a little farm, will you paint the cover for me?.. c
Hmmm, I could try….:)
But I think Kathryn (below) is much more talented at that sort of thing…
Everyone has a talent! And they are all different thank goodness or none of us would ever write or paint or garden or anything.. ! You have a wonderful sense of colour and composition – I see it in your pages! c
Once more you astound me with your poetic eye for finding the beauty in every day’s doings, creatures and loves. As much as I know a mere 24 hours of farming would utterly do in a weenie like me, you make me think I’d adore farm life! Dangerous woman, you. And you’re certainly well stocked (pun intended) with fabulous animal companions, from the chooks on up the ladder. With the marvelous Big Dog and TonTon keeping order and Daisy keeping a curious eye on all, it’s no wonder everybody keeps focused on his, her or its role in the day! Love it. You are simply marvelous, my dear.
It is the small things that i cannot get enough of, i could fill pages with them.. you would adore farm life! It is actually a pretty cool time.. And thankfully the day i chose for a dawn to dusk was uneventful… c
Lovely that you dedicated it to your mum. And you make me smile – your words give a picture of a happy, idyllic day swanning around with rosy cheeks and smelling of apple blosom (well, you know what I mean!). The reality is long, hard working and exhausting days – and you still find time to write so beautifully and share all these wonderful things with us. PS. One of my dogs is totally camera shy too – she runs when she sees the camera. Very strange!
Thank you Tanya, Mum would have loved it that I finally found where I was supposed to BE. It is busy and I am always behind but the peace out here is lovely. I wonder why some dogs hate cameras- very strange indeed.. c
Your posts are so special, and I look forward to them so much. I can only say thank you, Celi, for writing them.
Oh Ms Misk, I love writing them and I LOVE the chats afterward. this is agreat way to get to know similiar minded people! mercy I cannot spell now, is it wine o’clock yet? c
You take me away to another life all together! I’d love to spend a few days in your shoes! I even do the manure!!
Would you darlin?. Well i will book you in.. the best time is mid winter then it is frozen solid and we just toss them like bricks out the door!! brilliant c
The sheer size of the landscape is dreamy, thank you for the photos and a wonderful image of your day
It is huge out here. I grew up by the sea, as you know and at night looking out the window is like looking across the bay.. so restful to the eye..c
Ah, maybe that’s what I’m seeing from your never ending landscapes 🙂
Hello Mother – Amazing photos as always, loving the 50mm. Hey I’m growing a MOstache for the month of MOvember to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer if you want to donate a couple dollars, here’s the link – http://mobro.co/SamBuys
Looking forward to tomorrows post!
Senior Son
Hello darling, Excellent that you have popped in to visit and with such a worthwhile cause though I have to say: a MOUSTACHE!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!! But if you are game I am and I shall go and investigate the site! Great to get out there and get involved though darling..At least you have not shaved your head.. That would have been too much for your old Ma.. very cool… Thank you darling, hey pop in again and let us know how it is going. c
It sounds like a busy day but a very rewarding one. I think my hubby is turning our small section in Muriwai into a lifestyle block (well small square). We have cats, pond with fish, dovecote and the patch for the cooks is being prepared and beehive is not too far away. God help our neighbours, we will have to keep them sweet with honey and eggs!
It does not have to be big to be productive though, Miss Pudding, you must be having a great time. A dovecote sounds marvellous. Peacocks are next on my list to acquire! I desperately want a peacock! And bees are fantastic to have. Get italians if you can- they are SO gentle and they do well in NZ.. c
The sunrise and sunset photos look absolutely breathtaking.
Amazing aren’t they and one is from the East side of the house and the other from the West! Such a view.. c
Thanks for sharing your day. It sounds so much like ours are/have been. We don’t have the variety or quantity of critters you do, but the chores sound real similar. I’m up at 5 and usually the work ends about 9-9:30 at night. Still, I wouldn’t trade it for living in town. 🙂
PS- Have you ever seen a video series about Wingfield Farm? It’s a Canadian show, and from your lifestyle and humor, I think you would really enjoy them. Google ‘Walt Wingfield’ for more.
Thank you ted, i will do that, maybe I can get them on Netflix. I love the dawn don’t you? Best time of the day.. c
A day in the life of Celi. I used to wonder if farming life was lonely, but how can it be with all those wonderful animals to keep you company! ooh, and that’s one scary looking cat! 🙂
I am sure we never get intruders because that cat is sat on the mat! And yes celia, I am alone for hours and hours each day but it does not feel alone. Although when I get a visitor or someone calls I talk their ear right OFF! c
What an idyllic life Cecilia! Love the pictures as always and of course Daisy is the star in my book. 😉
You love daisy don’t you! Just wait until Queenie Wineti grows out of her grubby stage she will steal you too! c
I loved learning a bit more about life on your farm. I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a farm and live a more sustainable and self-sufficient life, and I bow to you guys for doing it and living it…right down to the fuel in your car! I know it’s hard work and long days, and the payoff must be tenfold. I, too, do not know how you find the time to do all you’re doing, but I’m glad your blogging about it! I raise a toast to you at wine o’clock!
Yes WINE O’CLOCK looks to be about NOW, i am a bit behind on my barn chores so i pour a wee drop into a mason jar with a lid and just sit it on a fence post for a sip as i go past!! We are very lucky to be ABLE to live like this. having a wee bit of land is such magic.. c