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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


  • Herding Pigs. I mean the PIGS were doing the herding!

    As I was admiring the flowers in my garden.  I noticed Mama laying about in the sun, but not looking quite right. On closer inspection she has a lesion above her hoof.  I needed to bring her into the barn for some attention.  So after the milking I led them all in. It is easier…

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  • Time for milking

    At milking time, Daisy sees TonTon appear in the field and then walks to the gate and up into the yards. For a little munch. She hears the pump go on and off as I rinse the lines and the bucket and comes to her door to watch. She is very calm, and just chews…

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  • Shooting Wide – Uncut

    In the film industry if you are working on a low budget film (which we often were) you would often shoot really tight.  Using only a small space.  Then you did not need to dress too big an area. Thereby cutting down on your expenses. For a while now I have been shooting really tight on…

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  • How to make Celi’s Sweet Chilli Sauce

    Look at those beautiful grapes, if I could make a wine that tasted just like these grapes I would be thrilled, and look at my beautiful flower, eaten by the bad bugs.  But still beautiful. Thing Two asks that no-one notice the little drop of milk on his nose.  He is trying so hard for…

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  • Easy Apple Butter Ice-cream

    Something bright and sweet just for you and I.  And a thank you for yesterdays tremendous response in the Lounge of Comments.  When we were little and living by the beach, and before our Mum became ill,  we used to have what Mum called a family hug. There were eight of us and we would…

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  • Being a stranger in a strange land, carrying a little bit of home in my pocket.

    Do you ever feel like laying your head flat on the table and just bawling. Just close your eyes and lay the whole side of your face onto the table and cry. Not where people can see you. Not as an exhibition. Maybe, when you are alone in the kitchen cleaning up after the dinner…

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