Yesterday, I had just started my photographs for the day when I was told that a little mother that I knew had to go into the hospital leaving 6 little children (one a newborn) and their dad at home.
So I began the meals on wheels starting with home made pizza for lunch (I had just finished another batch of pizza bianca so there was plenty) and from then on the day turned a little bit busy. Camera House and The Writing has had to sit in the back seat for a bit.
I kept one very small round bale of the wet hay. I had the men push it into the barn where I tore it apart, salted the big swathes of hay and hung it all over the barn to dry. This is a short sentence for quite a big job. All the animals are loving the wet hay though. The pigs usually eat hay like reluctant 10 year olds eating brussel sprouts, but when I threw them some wet hay they gobbled it up – which is good as this needs to be eaten pronto.
We have very high winds forecast here for today, so last night after I had fed the children their dinner, (Home made, home grown meat loaf with some of mamas home made ketchup, sweet potato and potato mash with garlic and piles of peas, I do love feeding children good food) I went out to batten down the hatches and shift the sheep in so they could come into the barn if they chose. Mama chose! At least it was warm.
The night was a little wild, the bad weather comes in later today, they say. Maybe they are wrong.
Such a short visit today but it is always lovely to sit down for a chat with you. No matter how fleeting.
Have a lovely day.
your friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
71 responses to “Meals on Wheels”
That was a very generous thing to do. I suspect a good community is something else you have. I’m very lucky to have wonderful neighbours here on the fringe of Melbourne. We’re not quite country but I’m trying to grow at least some of our own produce as well. Nice to meet you Celi. 🙂
Good morning. Strangely there is not a community feeling down here in the country. I have seldom felt it anyway. People are expected to fend for themselves, defend themselves, in a solitary way, etc. ‘The right to defend myself’ is a sentence i hear frequently which is a clear indication of peoples isolation. But there are a number of individuals who are very kind and supportive of me and my goings on, so maybe these things just take a very long time. Excellent that you are growing food. Even a little makes a big difference I think!.. c
Oh. 😦 I guess I was projecting your kindness onto the community at large. Here in Warrandyte I’ve found a sense of community I never felt when I lived in the suburbs of Melbourne. But as you say, perhaps community is something that has to grow. I truly hope it does grow for you.
And yes, I’m far from self sufficient, but my aim for this year is to be able to source all my salads and soup vegetable from the garden over summer. I have a heap of young fruit trees as well but unfortunately the birds and possums pinch the fruit before it can even ripen. May try to net my favourite fruit trees this summer. Wish me luck. 🙂
That was so good of you to take the 6 babes and their Dad under your culinary wing. I don’t know anything about farming or feeding animals…can you tell me. Was salting the hay to dry it out faster? Or because the animals need the salt? Or to make the hay more yummy so they’d eat it fast? And if you give them salted hay, do you diminish salt in some other part of their diet? The kitty is growing…he still has the face of a child who had a difficult babyhood. I wonder if he’ll carry that little vulnerable look with him his whole life long?
The salt is stock salt that they need as part of their diet. And if sprinkled lightly on the hay it does help it dry and not heat up and ferment. Though this is pretty wet hay so feeding it out fast is the best option! morning charlotte. c
hard work, yes, spreading hay. but the animals appreciate it.
you fed lots of souls….
[that marmalade. he’s got my heart!]
Knee deep in souls.. c
Oh dear, speedy recovery to little mama. No doubt your and your neighbour’s help saved the day for her husband. It’s lovely to be part of a caring community, and, no matter how much I like being Canadian, that sense of belonging to a loving community is one thing I find so extremely endearing about all my visits to America and about my American friends. Love the photo of Boo the Bad and Marmy. I think that wrinkled eyebrow expression on Boo of, “kids, can’t live with them and can’t put them back in the box”, says it all and possibly has earned Boo some brownie points. 🙂 Oh, the other day someone was walking a Boo past me and I thought of you and thought of how much Boo has grown. It hardly seems like it since I see him every day. 🙂
Actually Veronica there was only an aunt helping out though her mother is rushing back from florida, but this was only the first day that the childrens mother was in the hospital so maybe people did not know what had happened. But I was a little surprised at the lack of help the family had. Still the kids have a very capable Dad. As to our big Boo, I am becoming more and more convinced that he is a cross with something leggy! He is getting a bit too big.. c
Amongst the numerous other jobs you have to do on the farmy, you found the time to feed these children and their dad. Thank you for stepping in and being a good neighbour.; but then, I would expect nothing less of you Celi. At least they had some good, healthy tucker today!
Nothing like a good feed of meatloaf! ..morning Barb.. c
Generous. kind hearted and caring..if only there were more people like you in this world it would be a much nicer place to live
You are too kind, I am sure they will be inundated with meals and help when it is discovered that they are in crisis. c
Yes maybe but not many people would immediately do what you have done
n
you brought to mind,Maxine, a lady who lived down the road,when i was young
she was always the first one to help,and organize in case of an emergeny, or death in community
my dad was badly injured in several west virginia coal mine accidents
Maxine would be at our house as soon as she heard, would give mom her car to get to hospital, and have supper ready when we got home from school, and stay as long as needed
her kindness to many has never been forgotten
she was a good woman, I love hearing those kinds of stories.. take care ron.. c
You are so much to so many—-four legged and two legged friends alike. You are spreading your love everywhere you go. I found it interesting that your experience in the country is that it is a fend for yourself lifestyle with little community. i think it is difficult for others to open up to strangers sometimes even if they are as lovely as you. I also believe you take little steps and change happens. You, my friend, are taking BIG steps. Good on ya. And thanks for the Marmalade pics—I love that kitty!
Walking upside down the length of the couch is a new trick, we will need to trim his nails often i think!! c
We had a Siamese who pulled himself across the carpet via the couch. We didn’t realize what he was doing until the couch upholstery started showing the wear!
Hi my big hearted friend! Way to go with your meals on wheels. Next to a nice hot cup of tea, food will boost the saddest of hearts and show how much others care. I am sure the six kiddies will have lots of tales to tell Mama when she gets back from the hospital.
Hope you survive the wind today, good job you got your hay sorted or it could be spread all over the county! Take it easy and have a great Sunday!
Talk of a chance of tornadoes has just entered our local forecast they tell me, later this afternoon, so i have plenty of time to get the battery charged on the camera!! c
Good on you for doing what needed to be done, c. Thumbs up.
Everyone single person who reads our blogs would do the same thing.. and it may be a long haul.. c
You are adding jewels to your crown by the way you reach out to help those who need a little help! God is watching, C. Not only do you smile with your lips and eyes, you smile with your heart!
Little Marmalade is getting so big and he will always be a sweet little cutie-pie kitty!!
God morning marcia, my mother talks about the jewels in her crown too, such a cool expression..c
Good morning Cecilia.
There are some gifts that cost nothing. Caring and stepping in calmed Dad and the children. I am sure that Mom will feel so much better knowing that you were there. Good that help is on the way via family.
Glad the animals are all snug. pencilfox said it for me. Marmalade has my heart and Boo, also.
Stay dry!.
It is a confusing time for everyone when am mother drops out of the picture hopefully it will not be for long.. c
Love the pictures of the kitty with his dog.
Morning darling, I must pop over to your place today and see what you are cooking. c
Outstanding – they should put you in charge of the world food bank 😉
wouldn’t we have fun with that!! bacon and egg pies today! c
You are a saint 🙂
Short, but just as sweet, Celi. Sometimes life asks us questions that require urgent answers! Hope the mum in question, and the family are ok?
That little lion of yours is growing fast.