When I have family working with me. 
I get to lie under the cherry tree. 
And watch all the things going on around me.
And wonder why I did not take up Poetry.
Not exactly Chekhov. But he wasn’t a poet either. 
The objective of Cai’s training is to locate people who have been buried under the snow. His reward after a training session is a play with his toy. Training sessions are very short and intensive. One of the skills he is learning is to locate a buried scrap of clothing and pull on it. Indicating to his handler that he has found a person. Pretty cool stuff.
He thought Daisy was scary.. 
(this shot taken by my beautiful visitor on her cellphone) and has decided to give her a wide berth.
Today we are going to get serious about the farm work. We will pull up the last of the hay bales. We need to split some of the wood for the winter and start the stacking. Hang a few gates in the barn and if there is any time left we will run an electric fence. Having family to work with me really does make a huge difference.
Good morning. My son went shopping in the freezer and last night we had lamb with vegetables from the garden and tonight we are going to have pork ribs cooked in a home made barbecue sauce. Both easy meals. All food that we have grown on the farm. So feeding this to my family is pure joy and deeply satisfying. This is what we are about. Simple really.
Have a lovely day.
celi
Ps. What I was writing this time last year. We missed out on a great wee story yesterday (because I was.. um, tired) about my stay on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. If you do get time to read about My Italian Housekeeper, I would love to hear if you think it should go in The Stories Book.
Coyotes and Wild Dogs in the Moonlight was written on this day a year ago. It is a Farmy Book story for sure. I think most of you have read this one already. It was a wild night. We have not heard much from the coyotes this summer. I don’t know why.
You will have noticed that, though I am reading all your messages, I am not answering. This is just for while I have company. After my company has gone (Friday) I will be back in the Comments Lounge with you again. Just like normal. I love our conversations in there. See you tomorrow.
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
37 responses to “Under the cherry tree”
Again I smile at you cooking for your son. A definite treat for both of you! Lovely photos again, today. And I went to the “Italian Housekeeper” and really enjoyed that slice of story. I’d vote yes for including it. I think the observation that food is indeed the universal language is a key component for making it such a treasured memory, but it gives a bit of insight into you, too. Big paraphrase here, but the comment you make about coming into living your own life and not being driven by other outside motivators is such an important observation. And it speaks to everyone in one way or another, Celi! It is a rich and colorful story. I’m so glad I read it. I only know you, of course, through the farmy, and this was another whole picture of you that adds even more color…not that I ever think of you as need more to be fully YOU! Ha! Debra
Sooo glad you are having a chance to lie under a cherry tree, Celi.
Wonderful pictures, Celi. Hope that head is all better now.
Despite being scared of Daisy Cai looks like he is enjoying his farmy holiday, and Ton Ton looks like he’s enjoying the company 🙂 Love the cherry tree photo. I have a similar favourite spot under our back Jacaranda tree, and photo. My Italian Housekeeper would be great for The Stories Book. Ditto Coyotes and Wild Dogs in the Moonlight for Farmy Stories.
Enjoy your cherry tree musings! 🙂
[…] Cecilia of the kitchen’s garden […]
I forgot to say that the Italian Housekeeper–is a keeper.
Also a keeper, coyotes and dogs in the moonlight. Stunning pictures of the corn caves!
It must be very gratifying to serve your visiting family food solely grown and raised on the farmy. And I’m sure they appreciate the hard work that brought that food to the table. Continued good times, Celi.
What a fantastic dog! Such committment!
“Simple”……….you said it!
Enjoy your visit Celi!
It’s like entering a new world of love and sweetness, reading and seeing your animals and birds, and dogs, and family, cherries and all, thank you Celi
Would be interesting to get Cai’s point of view on all the proceedings! What a pity . . . .
Beautiful dog and how cool is it that he’s being trained to save people’s lives!? Enjoy your time with family, even though we think we are so self-sufficient it’s nice to have the reminder of what it’s like to get a little help!
🙂 April
Lying under the cherry tree while you enjoy the support of family – how perfect after so much hard work. It seems no time at all since you were fainting with the heat, and now you are thinking ahead to winter. See you in the comments lounge soon!
This is such a lovely post, full of the contentment of a house full of welcome guests. Thank you for letting us enjoy it all along with you!
Celi,
I loved reading about your shopping in the freezer and garden for supper. I feel your pride because we’ve been having potatoes and beans and yummy tomato salads from my own garden with raspberries and blueberries for desert lately. It’s just a small Vancouver garden but boy am I proud.
🙂