Yesterday was one of those pot lid days. You know the ones. When the clouds hang heavy and grey right above your head.. all day long.. but nothing terribly much happens in the meterological arena, just a lot of pot lid above your head. 
It was cold but not too cold. Windy but no more than the usual. The morning was very icy, I got out the Swedish sprigged boots so my jetlagged bum did not hit the ground.
Here is Lady Astor. She has a rather a horsey look I think. Her belt is very wide and her hocks are white. She is a gentle soul. Not at all as radical as her namesake. But still moves with dignity and breeding. A lovely cow. 
Sheila bit my hand yesterday. Through my gloves. Drew blood actually, just a little, she was quite snarly. I think she got a fright when I appeared instead of Jake. She does not like change. She settled back down immediately. But it is a good reminder that these big animals need quiet slow movements – they can be dangerous. 
Good morning. I was asked last week, by someone with a vested interest in the answer (more on that soon), what was my favourite post. As opposed to The Most Read post which is this one. (all about steaming eggs!). So here is a question for you. Maybe you can help me. Which is YOUR favourite post? What pops into your mind first. From any year.. I need help .. I simply cannot make up my mind.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend back home on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
110 responses to “Lady Astor”
On your banner photo today, can you please tell me whose farm is whose?
Also that pot lid description of the day rates as exceptionally creative and spot on understandable.
To the right of Lady Astor’s head is the white barn, that is my barn across the way where the calves are.. to the right of her is the crib on the same property – mine also . To her left is a collection of old buildings that belong to another branch of the family. I have only met them once or twice though, they both work off the property and are very busy. Does that help?.. c
Yes, thank you.
You may think me maudlin, but I loved (in a tearful, tearful way) the posts that followed the life and death of Mama Sheep and Daisy this year. It’s easy to love the posts about new piglets and kittens and nanny dogs. I was touched that you so eloquently and carefully took us along on their last journeys. Many folks think livestock owners are heartless in regards putting down the larger beasts in our care.
Oh carla, yes those were as hard to write as they were to read but they are honest.. losing the big animals is hard for sure.. c
Goodness, hope your bite is better…naughty Sheila. My favorite post is the one with Nanny Boo and the lamb. Sorry can’t remember the babe’s name. Enjoy being back home…
Marcel, those are special aren’t they.. Boo Nanny is a card for sure.. c
Perhaps Sheila slept badly and had a piggie nightmare. I can’t find the post, but the first one that came to mind was the story of your children when you were in NZ. Sops was a toddler and the boys were climbing the tree after a day at the beach and disaster was narrowly escaped. You were talking to your dear friend on the phone and making quiche. Have a good day, C.
Oh yes, that was a wonderful memory.. was is kids and balls? I will try to find it.. thank you kim.. my sister LOVED her knickers bag by the way.. she thinks we should market them to the NZ army! c
Like Kim, I love the posts from your childhood and young mother years in New Zealand. The one where your brothers eyelashes and eyebrows were flash burned away while you and your siblings were getting ready for school. The one where your brother rode the bike with no brakes down the hill and straight into the ocean. And the sad but loving ones about you sinking into the laundry basket with the sheet over your head, and then looking up to find your baby boys dancing in mud puddles with their clothes on their heads. And of course the one with you rolling on the floor in the dressing room laughing maniacally with your Mom as your toddler crawled off, much to the dismay of the salesgirl. You’ve had such an interesting life Celi, with so many trails and tribulations that you have overcome, and fascinating experiences, all over the world! I will be the first to buy your memoir when you finish it!!! xoxoxo
Goodness, you remember more of them than i do. maybe I should try and gather them all together.. all the links in one post or something.. they would make for interesting reading again.. c
Yes! And order them in a memoir like style, so that when you are ready and have time (yuck yuck) you can go back and more easily craft your memoir. I just know that will happen someday! xo
Maybe you need to move slowly but make more noise when you visit Sheila first thing in the mornings. I know well those pot lid days we had more than our share of them recently. At least the couple of days of snow, things were brighter even if it quickly turned to slushy ice. Take care and stay warm.
we have lots of ice here at the moment so i am moving slowly in sprigs! Hope you are too, i live in terror of your slipping on your back step in your part of the UK that is Irish.. so you be careful too.. c
Worry not, my back door is LOCKED and will stay that way until Spring. My bins are at the side of the bungalow so I use the front door when I need to go outside.
I was most touched by your story of giving birth and giving up your first child. You painted a vivid picture of the nuns and your surroundings. Sad…very sad.
and wonderful too.. he is a lovely boy.. Actually Pat that is the story i should write.. it is etched into my brain.. every scent, every image.. etched. c
Oh dear, how many of us hasn’t pulled a “Sheila” every now and then when in a bit of a snarl? You know your girl… her temperament and her ways. She truly adores you. It’s difficult to pick a favorite post. I love the farmy photos but mostly I love the way your words lilt me with story or thought, and my favorites are the one where you reach the very depths of my soul. For that reason I choose, https://thekitchensgarden.com/2013/12/24/it-is-the-time-of-year-for-christmas-revelry-if-you-want-to/. It probably won’t be anyone else’s favorite, but it’s mine. Your words gently coaxed years of my patching, reapairing and fiddling with my ineptness at handling the holidays, and put it into perspective. Your’s was the voice that reached out and made it “ok” to be different. I love all of your posts, Celi. You help us all see it’s “ok” to be however we need to be with the happiness-es, the disappointments, failures, and the challenges of every day life. Your gift with words and expression is exemplary and fitting. It’s why we all come back for more each day. You are real life happening, with compassion and kindness. And I think the animals make it easier for us to relate to… we’re not so different from them, you know!
Oh Lori, thank you darling. That post is close to my heart too. You always say the kindest things.. take care honey.. c
Yes, I think that’s my favorite also, It makes me feel not so guilty about wishing it was over before it even gets here.
That’s my pick also. (Although there’s another one lingering in the back of my mind – I commented something to the effect that you had just written your into/chapter to the new collection. If I get time I’ll try to skim back and find which one that was)
There’s something that flows from your farmy posts. Something organic and timeless. Farms bring people back basics of life – what is important, involving the relationships between mankind and the earth as well as the compact between domesticated animals and farmers – it’s all so much closer to instinctively readers recognize as what real life is – far from the artificial “life” man has created with business, houses, and four closed walls.
Take care, walk slowly on icy grounds, stay warm, and forgive the animals now grouchy to show they missed you!
I do agree whole-heartedly about farm life… and I think you are correct about Sheila too. 🙂
I am walking slowly on the ice.. but thrilled to be back with my flocks and herds.. it has been a superb day out of the walls, Mouse! c
Oh SHEILA!!!! I am shocked, but you have such an understanding way with your animals great and small, it’s wonderful. She’s lucky you are so patient. I think my favorite post of your has got to be the early posts about your Sheila trials. You explain her personality so well but also as it was becoming obvious that she wasn’t getting bred, but how you loved her anyhow, I really appreciated you explaining your thoughts.
I do Love that big fat pig.. she is most happy today, the sun is out and I fed them in the field so she was out for a while.. she loves to get out into the fields.. c
Oh – to choose just one? I am such a lover of the silly Boo, I would have to pick one of his. Maybe the one when the kittens were all over him, or the day he came to live with you. Or maybe Marcel and Boo. But that is the photography that makes me giggle or sigh.
Of course I love the poetry in your writing so there are so many. The sad ones of when Mamma died….. Or Kuppa…. Heart wrenching but beautiful prose. Big Dogs tribute was so beautiful also. Your most recent post about leaving your family was beautiful also.
I’m just no help here, as I love all your posts and pictures. Good Luck.
OH – The Christmas Owl was good too. See – it’s like picking your favorite child – how will your ever choose?
We should definitely get another blue peacock this spring.. do you think? I miss Kupa’s colour in the gardens.. c
Oh yes, that would be fabulous to have another blue, but would he and Gadot be able to get along? With another rooster? Is a male Peacock called a rooster?
So many of your posts resonate with me. My favorite one is Flux, half way to somewhere …..
Oh yes, that one is for us travellers.. c
Impossible to choose, though I do keep NiNi, Mama on my current email list to reread. And the saddest photo ever was to me Boo standing guard over the covered body of Big Old Dog. I was neve able to download it properly, but it is seared in my memory. And the whole sequence of caring for Kupa in your bathroom.
On another subject, Equuslover says she loves Lady Astor’s looks.
I saw that shot of Big Dog again today as i was searching the posts.. so sad.. but good too.. you know what I mean.. I do miss mama, she was such a good sheep.. do you have this sun today equus? it is lovely out there.. c
Too many to choose one favorite, but one of my favorites is https://thekitchensgarden.com/2014/02/22/are-you-my-mother-some-sweetness/ when Boo Nanny took on Marcel. I also loved the first time he showed himself as a nanny…I think that was with Marmalade? Welcome, Lady Astor!
Yes that was marmalade, when she came home in a little box.. Lady Astor is standing out in the field taking the air, warming in that cold sun, she is such an architectural cow!.. c
Celi, my favorite post is the one about the job you had at the old folks home and the “midnight teas.”
I still think of our naughty midnight teas.. and their giggles at breaking the rules.. c
My favourite post is so unlikely to be yours! It is the story of your visit to live with the nuns-about your granny sending you her ring in secret, and being on the plane in the white dress. I totally know about being in a balloon beyond myself and that story gave me great comfort. I am sorry I am not a help with your decision!
Not that unlikely Leah, I remember biting that man like it was yesterday, but I cannot find that post.. I need to remember the tags or the title.. any ideas?.. I should have everything more organised!! .. you have been a great help.. never doubt your input.. it is good.. c