If I get back to the farm after a days work at the mill –
– in time to see the animals, my favorite part of the evening is tucking Wai and Tima into bed at night. It is always dark in the barn by then and I have to turn the light on but the only movements they make are to burrow deeper into the straw in anticipation and grunt softly in thanks as I cover them totally in about a foot of straw then lay the pig blankets on top. We have lots of pig blankets passed down from Sheila.
It was raining ice when I first awoke this morning so I thought I had better get some New Years wishes out to you in case the ice brings down the power lines.
The animals and birds won’t be coming too far out of the barns today – it is nasty out there.
The windows are covered in ice. It is dark and gloomy in the house. I can’t see out the windows which exacerbates the cocoon feeling we all learnt in 2020: hunkering down, waiting it out.
Do you remember that year when we had an ice storm and the ice built up so thickly on the wires that the weight pulled miles of power poles down. We lost power for 6 days. Another reason for me wanting to get my New Years wishes out to you early! Though I think it might warm up a touch later on today then the rain will just be rain.
Thankfully we are not milking and have no animals or birds that need warm lights so if the power goes out everyone will be ok.
If we have all been cocooned for so long what will we look like when we emerge – large dusty moths or vibrant little worker butterflies. I think I will emerge as a large angry shark. Especially if vaccines expire before even getting out of their boxes. I will be a large angry shark and just swim home. Have lunch with my daughter in Melbourne on the way past- she always has the best lunches.
There is no ice on the trees yet. But this is a dreadful day. Wind and ice. Blowing ice and 29F ( minus 2). At least it is not too cold.
I move around the mill a lot. Here is my kit. The lap top slides right in there – perfect.
Masks up people! Eat real food and drink lots of good water.
We still have a ways to go.
In case you are looking for one – here is an exceptional focaccia recipe.
It is in my bread blog over at Janie’s Mill. I am addicted! You can make it with any medium protein flour if you don’t have any Janies Mill flour in your fridge.
I am going to toast some focaccia right now to go with a fried egg for my breakfast this morning. The ducks are only laying one egg a day in the winter and the chooks about four – but that is fine because with all the restaurant scraps these eggs are exceptional!
As are you.
Happy New Year.
Cecilia
The Kitchen's Garden 
62 responses to “Happy New Year Everyone”
I think that the weather system is moving this way, we are in for snow and freezing rain tomorrow. I will be cocooning too. Stay safe and I hope you get that vaccine in your arm soon!
I am not sure when I will be eligible nor how to sign up for it. There does not seem to be any directions. I need to get my mother-in-law in first – but once I get mine I will wait the required time then go out to California and see my son. I can’t wait!
Happy New Year! So glad we made it this far. I’m hopeful that this year is going to be much, much better, and that you’ll be able to visit home again soon.
Hullo Charlotte lovely! I am pinning my hopes on the second half of the year. This constant anxiety is wearing on the whole population- it is like a universal down grade. But it is easier to pick out our happy moments. Take care!
Happy New Year. The images of those ice=coated windows made me shiver! Seeing your post, I recalled that a year ago we had planned to visit New Zealand about this time – and then the world changed. Let’s all hope for those vaccines to put an end to hunkering down – sometime in 2021!
Hi Eric, New Zealand borders will be locked down for a while yet. But let’s hope you can get over there in another year or so. Me too!!
Happy New Year! I’m hopeful for a much better year!!!
Hope springs eternal! Thankfully!
Happy New Year, Cecilia. I wish I could send you some of my North Florida day. It looks rainy and 60 degrees, I am guessing. I hope the ice does not stay around too long for you. Connie B https://www.wisdomforpennies.com
The trees are icing up now which is not a good sign. But if we get a sunrise tomorrow it will be beautiful – in the last bad ice storm the limbs on our big tree got so heavy they broke off. The lawn was a litter of branches. Hopefully it does not get that bad. 60 sounds just lovely.
Always so glad to see a post from you. Keep taking good care of yourself so that as soon as it’s safe and possible, you can go to see your family. Happy New Year.
I really should not complain – I have a good job and a warm home. Many have less. But – yes- I am taking great care to stay well.
In winter 1973-1974 Waco in Central TX had 6 ice storms. Most of the city lost power during 2 of them. 30,000 Households and all of Downtown businesses were without power for 72 hrs. I pray you don’t have that. Happy New Year from smalltown Texas.
The 70’s had some wild weather. We had big snowstorms here in 1977 when I was here. But I hate ice the most. 6 ice storms in one winter in Texas sounds outrageous.
Pouring rain & the wind is blowing it sideways here in Asheville, but the temperature is well above freezing, so our windows are rain spattered but not iced. Happy & safe & a much better New Year to all of you there at the farm & to everyone in this fellowship around the world. I am waiting for the annual New Year’s Day concert from Vienna at 11 a.m. on NPR. Some of you may be going to listen & clap along too. Cheers to all of us who’ve made it through 2020, battered but still standing.
Yes! Battered but still standing! Well said!
Yes, a new year and hopefully many new and wonderful things to come for our world!!! Sending you and all the Fellowship of the Farmy virtual hugs and the best wishes for the New Year!!! xoxoxoxo
For you too Diane! Lots of virtual hugs!
Your post is a wonderful beginning for 2021! Fingers crossed your frzing rain will go to snow or just rain quickly. In CO we are 15F but no new snow so far this year 🙂
It is a bit of a wintry mix today – the wind is wild and probably the worst of it.
A universal downgrade, what a great way to describe 2020 ( you are so good with words) . Let’s hope that we get upgraded in 2021 .
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year. We were blissfully unaware at this time last year!! Who would have thought that we would all be happily wearing masks and smiling with our eyes!
Indeed!
Yes we are getting a bit of sleet too. It warms me so to know that Tima and Wai continue to receive their snuggling and cozy treatment and that they grunt in appreciation. The size and scope of the mill astonishes me! I had NO idea it was on such a large scale. I don’t know exactly what I pictured, but it wasn’t that! Amazing place!
I sure hope 2021 is a whole lot better than 2020 and that you get the vaccine for your mother-in-law and John and yourself quickly. We (old folks) have not heard a thing. We only know health care workers are getting theirs, which is absolutely right.
Just so happy to hear from you, Cecilia! I guess we have to accept January weather since December was pretty mild, or at least snow and iceless. Happy New Year!
Hopefully they start with the old folks soon – John ( of course) is one of those who will never have the vaccine. He thinks it is all some kind of communist plot! But MIL and I sure will – if only so we can travel again!
Happy New Year to the Fellowship! Ice on the windows…brrrrrr. Maybe try contacting your local health department or county seat. The roll out has been less than informative. Texas has a decent map of providers, but I couldn’t find anything like that for Illinois. In Texas, they are giving the vaccine to age 65+ now, so maybe Illinois is too. Good luck and stay safe!
You would think that had long enough to plan this!
We have branches coming down now and the power is off so soon I will be off the line completely!
Happy New Year!
And HNY for you too! Best wishes!
Happy New Year! It is so good to hear from you. It’s probably very difficult for you to get home before dark these days, but we are gaining minutes every day, so there is that to look forward to. So glad that Tima and WaiWai still look forward to being tucked in. I have no idea when my husband and I will get our vaccines, our state keeps getting less in the shipments than they are told they will be getting each week, but I think that is happening in many states. It will get here, i just hope it will be sooner rather than later! Love to you and the Farmy
I hear you! Have a lovely restful day!