Today I am grateful for... watching the sun rise

Most people hate winter because it's cold and often inclement, but that's exactly why I love it. I love to rug up in front of the fire and eat lots of yummy comfort food. I love that when I get up in the morning, my view is of fog rolling across the paddocks and a winter sun rising. I love getting dressed in soft wool jumpers and oversized coats. Most of all, I love snuggling under the doona with my warm as toast little man and giving him eskimo and butterfly kisses.

This morning, I love that we got a little visit from our neighbours, and despite the freezing cold underfoot I creeped out to say hello.

I hope you too are having a day to be grateful for. I am playing along with Maxabella Loves, come along and join in the fun!

Celebrating 100!

Well look at that! A Country Wife has reached a very magical milestone - 100 gorgeous followers! Thank you so so much to everyone who joins me here each week to share in my life and love of the country. I can't believe how much my life has changed since joining the blogging world. Inspired by so many of you, my inner creativity has bloomed and I literally bounce out of bed each day (okay, well most days!). A Country Wife has been the start of so many special friendships and such an exciting future.

I thought as a little tribute to the number 100, I'd share some 'top 100' trivia with you.

1. The most beautiful woman of all time is Audrey Hepburn, followed by Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but you have no arguments from me.
2. According to IMBd, the most handsome man in Hollywood is Jonathan Rhys Meyers, followed by Brad Pitt and Jude Law. No surprises then that Jude Law is welcome to park his slippers under my bed any time he likes!
3. The number 1 box office film of all time is Avatar (2009), yet I won't mention that I'm actually still to see it *blush*! When adjusted for inflation, the top film of all time is Gone With the Wind (1939). Goes to show you can't beat the golden oldies.
4. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002) is the number 1 worst movie of all time. I guess it's just as well I've never heard of it!
5. The most popular dog breed of all time is the Labrador Retriever. Oh absolutely, who can resist a cuddle with a big fluffy bear?
6. The most popular girls name of all time is Mary, whilst the most popular boys name is James. Now doesn't that give new meaning to 'biblical proportions'?
7. According to Forbes Magazine, the worlds richest person is Carlos Slim who boasts a mere $74 billion fortune. He trumps Mr Gates for the second year running, of whom has a lowly $56 billion to his name. So tell me, what on earth does one do with that sort of money?
8. Perhaps they buy a few of these. At a recommend retail price of $1 700 000, the Bugatti Veyron is the worlds most expensive car. 
9. If you're looking for a career change, now is the time to become a software architect. It is the top ranking job in the US according to level of pay, growth prospects, stress levels, security, flexibility, satisfaction and benefit to society. And here I thought being a mum would have trumped the list!
10. And finally, a top 100 list dedicated to... blogging of course! With an impressive daily traffic count of 820 000, or 24 million people a month, Digg is the most successful blog of all time. So what does it mean that I've never heard of it?  Political ticker CNN and the The Huffington Post follow behind with 303 000 and 283 000 viewers each day. Blogging really is a technical revolution!

So while I doubt my life will ever reach a top 100 list, I'm just super chuffed that I've reached 100. I can't wait to see what the next 100 followers will bring xxx

I heart the handmade community

So much blogging to catch up on! Soooo many things to say, I didn't realise just how much I'd missed my little blog until I'm now starting to write again. To make it easy, I thought I'd start with a tribute to some delightful handmade businesses and the beautiful girls behind them. Some I knew before the creation of Miss Goodie Two Shoes and have been blessed with getting to know them better, others have welcomed me to the handmade community with open arms and have been an amazing inspiration and given me endless support. Most of all, each and every one of these girls creates the most divine handmade goodies!

So without any further to do.......!

In the first spot is a gorgeous girl that I have previously blogged about, but who needs another mention simply because her artwork is the most gorgeous I have seen. Jess from Art Candy creates the most beautiful canvas boards and prints, I have a twelve strong collection of her artwork, and I'm still greedy for more!

The second lovely lady I'd like to introduce you to is Alana from Yumminess textiles. She creates the most beautiful ruffles and coordinating outfits, and never ceases to make me smile with her cheeky sense of humour. I was lucky enough to snap up four pairs of her divine ruffles during her last market night, and I'm counting down the days until I can buy more!

While on the subject of ruffles, I must pay mention to the divine Lisa Lou from Little Lou Lou - Handmade children's fashion & gifts. She recently opened an online store amid a frenzy of excited ruffle fanatics and is responsible for my ruffle obsession!

A final mention for the week is my beautiful friend Kate from MISS KIKI of Cherry Blossom Lane. She gives life to the cutest little cloth dolls who are just bursting with personality. My favourite little girls are from her recent 'English Cottage' collection, and I'm pleased as punched to say we now own a little Miss of our own.

I have so many more businesses I'd like to mention, so I'll be back again next week with another sneak peek of some handmade beauties and the gorgeous girls I'm so lucky to now call my friends xxx

A Country Wife returns... with her Miss Goodie Two Shoes

My poor neglected little blog. Ever since the creation of Miss Goodie Two Shoes I haven't had a chance to relax with a cuppa and visit my friends in blogland. Now when I jump on to the computer it's to update my business page, answer queries and a long list of emails, and catch up with the goings on of all my fellow businesses. I am loving every minute of my new life and feel so blessed that I am creating treasured friends for little girls and boys.

I do miss blogging though. After all it was the gorgeous girls amongst us who inspired me to channel my creative side. I made an early decision not to post about Miss Goodie Two Shoes as I wanted to stay true to the reasons for developing A Country Wife. But sadly that has meant a complete lull in blogging! I've done some reflecting and have decided my blog should embrace this new chapter of my life, and share the excitement with you all.

Here we have the latest of my precious girls

Looking forward to catching up with you all again! xxxx