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”
So nice to read one of your posts again! Missed you…a lot. Happy New Year all!
I am here! Just a little bit miserable – like we all are/ I hate to spread misery
Hi Celi, I’m sending you warm greetings from NZ to your tough life in the cocoon. I think of how the British hunkered down during the war, and discovered resilience they didn’t know they had. What was the term now – oh yes, the Blitz. You are in your own Blitz. This too will pass. Hang on in there, and thank goodness you are no longer milking or having to keep animals extra warm.
I agree that life is easier without the farming. I certainly could not farm and work as well. And we can only be grateful that we are not being routinely bombed – that makes all our complaints look quite pathetic!
A much Happier New Year to the whole Fellowship. Celi, I had to laugh. For all the years I’ve followed you, photos of you have been as rare as hen’s teeth. Now, we are treated to not one but TWO photos of our friend and mentor and inspirer at the same time. Looking good, girl… This year, I turn 60, and we had/have plans to gather in NSW for a big celebration with friends and family. It’s looking less and less likely as NSW is experiencing a sharp uptick in cases and they’re having trouble tracing because of the massively irresponsible behaviour of just a few. I’m hoping this is not an omen for the year ahead.
Finally, let me send you some Wet season warmth; 80°F at 7am, very high humidity, lots of rain and thunderstorms on the way. There’s a beautiful monsoon front across PNG and the Solomons. Stay well and safe, Miss C. Love from tropical North Queensland xxx
I know! I have been so quiet for so long that a couple of shots ( taken by myself with the timer on my phone) seemed quite appropriate. Take care now! Once more into the breech!
And may I follow up Kate’s good wishes with those equal in warmth from summery, showery NSW thankfully with nary a bushfire in sight ! Great to hear from you . . . and your two wonderful photos caused a smile on my face also ! I have not uttered the three usual words used at the beginning of a year . . . methinks we have quite a time to go to be ‘happy’ . . . . but I wish you health and daily satisfaction in what you do and patience and a sense of acceptance that this too will pass . . . the sun will in its own time come out to make matters ‘normal’ again. As Kate has stated the majority here are furious that a few thru’ selfish lack of understanding have managed to spoil our wonderful achievements against the monster. However I feel this country has never been as warmly united before . . . most of us agreeing with a late vaccine deployment here waiting for the variants to come off the ’emergency use’ status. Don’t think we will be travelling the world awhile but so much innovative is happening here we mostly wait in peace. Best to you . . . selfishly I am glad the temperatures here are in their high 20-s . . . keep well . . .
Peaceful waiting sounds just charming! Certainly not the American Way. Good old Aussie has done so well.
Happy New Year. A delicious way to start the new year. I can see how beautiful the bread looks, and it makes my mouth water! You paint such a vivid picture of all the animals (and people), all hunkered down. I’m looking forward to spring and putting this past year into the history books. Thank you Celi for the lovely intro to 2021.
I have no idea what it next now though it is hard to keep my seat through all this. My fight and flight mode is turning to flight!
Happy New Year, everyone! So nice to see from all of you again! Last night, at midnight, my hub came from the back of the house to the front, sweeping with my broom as he came through, asked our grandson to open the front door quickly and, with a mighty flourish, swept the old year out and let the new one enter our home. It came in warm and happy, with a small joyous family to greet it! Ceci, thank you for the wonderful photos and imagery through your words and photos! It was wonderful being able step outside of my home and visit with you and the farmy family around the world! Greeting to you all!!!!
Greeting to you and all those brooms too!
I too wish you well in the new year. hugs from Arizona !
Hugs To Arizona! Take good care!
Happy New Year Celi! We were there in the Midwest when that horrible ice storm hit years ago. It was just before Christmas and even in a small town we were without power for two days and nights and then suddenly on Christmas Eve the power returned! We hunkered down and toasted hot dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace at my parents’ house. We made newspaper logs from stacks of old papers and in between eating and rolling papers, we played Monopoly. It was actually a fun-ish time. I think you should use that stunning new black and blonde photo of yourself for a new profile photo! It’s so striking. xxx
It was wild! That storm. And of course I was booked to fly out to NZ right in the middle of it! What a mess.
Happy New Year. We have fared ok here in our regional part of Australia… but I worry for our more populated areas but more so for those overseas. All I can say is I hope is gets better. Take care ♡
Yes! I hope so too! I am not sure if I can do a Round Three stuck out here on the wrong side of the world!
Happy new year Celi and the fellowship of the farmy. Here’s to health and happiness!
Happy New Year, Janet!!
Happy New Year, Celi and to all the Fellowship.
I’m hoping this will be a significantly better year for everyone.
We had rain then snow yesterday but the hill was already well coated from a couple days before and so slick no one can get up it even with 4-wheel drive. I so want to live somewhere the land is flatter and somewhere not as cold in the winters.
All the best to everyone.
That hill of yours is such a trial!! Take care!
awesome photo of you; a keeper! hugs and love to all
Great to hear from you! Take care!
Notifications aren’t working again. Happy New Year to you and yours. I love how you go cover the pigs before you call it a night yourself. Working in the mill has to be better than crowded places like grocery stores. I rarely leave the house anymore. If I had your weather, I probably wouldn’t get out of bed. We’ve had lots of rain but it’s warmer than yours. Keep staying well and HAPPY!
May 2021 bring a steady and smooth path toward more community and compassion.
Over the summer, I gave up trying to find a sourdough recipe my kids would eat. But winter is such a baking season I’ve headed back into instant yeast and am wondering if they’d like focaccia. Today is buttermilk scones first.
Do the ducks mind the cold much?
Happy New Year to you too. Hope that nasty weather doesn’t last long. It’s been rather nice here although overcast like most January’s.