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I am Cecilia. A New Zealander who farms in Illinois.

My farms are organic and regenerative and full of stories. I have been writing here about environmentally sustainable farming and food and travel since 2011.

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LATEST POSTS


  • Light

    Light

    You remember that my Dad always said that “where there is light there is a photograph.” Godot says, where there is light there is warmth. And whenever I turn the big overhead light on in the barn  – within minutes Godot is perched under it. Tui had a turn too. I did not have my…

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  • Lifting Gloom

    Lifting Gloom

    For the last few days we have had good big periods of sun.  Vitamin D is flooding back into our systems.  All the animals lounge in the delicious sunlight. Soaking it up. Like yellow flowers. Though a good number stare through the window (where I am cooking for dinner guests) saying –  Now? Are you…

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  • The Christmas cow

    The Christmas cow

    No, not Elsie.  Our darling head tossing Elsie. She is not the Christmas Cow. (John asked why she is still  wearing her halter – I still cannot get too close to her, so until she is quite calm with me, I need to be able to have that halter.) There is another cow coming. Another…

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  • Boxing Day

    Boxing Day

    Though Poppy did get some Christmas left overs her manners leave a lot to be desired.  This is her latest trick. To rear up and plant her feet straight on top of the gate or fence snorting and shrieking and drooling. Not a pretty look HopandPop Poppy. She does not stand like that for long so…

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  • Party Hats

    Party Hats

    Merry Christmas, Mad. Says Sheila. Sorry the  Santa Hat is purple but it was a last minute aquisition. What about me? Says Timatanga Moana.  (Who wants everything that anybody else has.)  Where is MY hat? Here you are then. A Christmas party hat for Tima. Bet you wish you had never asked for a party hat.…

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  • Christmas Eve/Day

    Christmas Eve/Day

    Because Christmas is not polite enough to fall on the same day of the week each year,  I am Always mixed up. I need continuity. Without a TV or radio to remind me of the day – a muddle happens. Two of my children are on my side of the globe but three of my…

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