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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


  • Drinking from Puddles and making Sauerkraut with Whey

    Puddles are superior drinking water evidently. John is a great believer in fermented foods – most especially sauerkraut (he is of German extraction – the extraction being way way back in the mists of time).  Live foods are incredibly food for the gut and therefore the general well being of the consumer. Pasteurised and ultra…

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  • Rain.. Yay.. Blink.. Oh.. Was that IT?!!

    Even in the depths of winter farmers long for moisture falling on the fields. We received a little shine from the heavens and should be grateful. But I am greedy.  My fields and gardens even in their winter slumber are greedy. I wanted RAIN! Lots of rain.  But we did get a shower or two…

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  • The lovely tiredness that comes from good hard work

    I am not used to working so hard anymore, my body has gone into winter mode but this brief respite from the cold  must not be wasted. So I shoveled the proverbial almost all day yesterday. A new pile of compost was started. And the others were turned over.  And any areas that might have…

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  • A Tiny Thaw that Melted the Daily View

    Get down off that wardrobe Thing One and go outside, it is a lovely day.  Did Miss c make you go outside too? I am just watching The View melt. Did I miss something? No, we are watching The Thaw Tui. You can join us. Is it thaw time?  No. It is just a thawy…

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  • Chooks are very strict Babysitters

    This is a scene I happen upon quite often lately. The chooks put the kittens down for their afternoon nap then slowly surround them.  Babysitting. These two sister chickens are always the closest to the kittens. You may remember them from the spring when they were job sharing one small chick, who they eventually lost.…

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  • Onion Jam and Carrot Cake

    I spent some time with my mother’s recipe book yesterday,  which looks suspicously like my own. I thought I might try her custard recipe,  (eggs you see!) but I understand now why she always ended up making it from the Edmonds Instant Custard packet. I cannot work out her recipe for Elaine’s custard either.  I…

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