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Hans Jorgensen's avatar

So fun to see Boo. I'm glad Ton is doing better. I can hear your concern for the farm in IL, and it's great seeing your writing space. Since you're in our tomorrow, prepare the way :)

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Garden Bliss's avatar

I’m appreciating your thoughts and enjoying your delicious recipe.

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

Yay! My work here is done!! 😇

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Diane's avatar

So good to see pics from the Farmy. No doubt you must be missing all, and especially Boo. Can you notice him aging? We are certainly seeing it in our blue heeler, Dolly. But she still chases squirrels as though she were a puppy, but then limps up and down the stairs. No doubt you are worried with the news and the craziness happening in the US. As horrible as it sounds, you have a big advantage in that you are white. And speak English. The situation here is sick. I'll leave it at that. Sending you big hugs and positive thoughts.

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

Boo is getting fatter while i am away. And still hunts - maybe he is getting greyer?

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

I hate that I have that advantage as an immigrant - you know? But you are right. I hope to be ok getting in but it is sick. Dangerous and sick. I will see if they do screw with habeous corpus before I decide. That discussion is really frightening.

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Anna's avatar

Thank you for this post. I've been thinking of posting my own recipe even though that's not my central focus. But, I think it would be fun! 😍 I have thr challenge of photography and food styling. But, hey — why not! 😂

You offer a good example. I don't think I can get this elaborate. I also don't own a farm or chickens, pigs or sheep. So, there's that! But, I do have a small vegetable garden. We also get delivery of CSA. I'm looking forward to fresh produce throughout the summer. ☀️

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

A CSA box is an awesome choice. You could definitely post your recipes - I would read them for sure!

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Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thanks for this, Celi! I am definitely going to try this one. I love reading about your farm life.

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Juliet Batten's avatar

So poignant.

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

Morning Juliet!

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Andy Randall (Andrea)'s avatar

I miss the farmy so much, so l can’t imagine what it must be like for you. As a mofher of five l do understand precisely why you are where you are though. Love and loyalty ah?

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Mad Dog's avatar

Boo is your dog - I remember you buying him.

Plant some lovage - it's like celery, but better (incredible). Amazing in salads and stocks, not to mention perenial. You only need one plant to florish, but don't put it in a raised bed.

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

Lovage ~ I have never grown it. I will find a plant thank you - and not in a raised bed? Invasive?

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Mad Dog's avatar

You can buy seeds quite cheeply and the plants can grow quite large. I thought mine had died in October, but they have come back double the size this spring! They are not like mint, but they can grow to 7 feet tall!

Phillips of Bristol use to make a Lovage alcoholic cordial, which was very popular in in Cornwall as a mixer for Rum and Brandy. Sadly the company was purchased and the cordial is no more, though I have found a recipe...

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

OK - I have done some research and it will be great here - than you - plus I LOVE the height! I have a spot. And just one - yes? in this little garden. I really want to grow borage too - talking of ‘ages - I loved it in our Illinois garden - we had it for a few years when my gardens were big. They get pretty big too! OOPS! 😂

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Mad Dog's avatar

Last year I grew 4 plants, 3 on the balcony in pots and 1 went into the raised beds. It was easy to grow and is perenial. I was surprised when they all died in October. However, they all burst out of semingly dead ground in the spring and the one in the raised bed seems to be unstoppable! My father had borage - it's fanastic in cocktails and Pimms!

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Patricia Solari's avatar

I love seeing Boo too! My husband fondly remembers him and how they sat on the couch together, Boo getting a good old petting. I think, if I remember right, a chin rub too--as if he were a cat!!

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Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

Oh yes!! He is like a cat!!

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Eha Carr's avatar

Lordie - had to close the computer for a minute and my rather long-winded letter to you had disappeared! So > patience and let's go again > I do get a smile on my face when I 'return' from screen 'overseas' to have one of your 'reports' to read! So > back to Illinois to places visited so many times to see that wonderful pic of Boo and what else is happening . . . then to return to Victoria to see a recipe to be put aside also > dill is the herb most often used in Northern Europe and thus a huge favourite !!! And agree with Mad- I love lovage too and it does grow easily. Hoping for a good fine weekend for you so you can walk and photograph your neighbourhood kangas and send us photos also . . . best . . .

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