When I read a blog, I imagine what the author is like based on what I know about them; their words and pictures. But of course, blogs don’t tell everything about a person. In fact they tell you very little. So today I thought I would share a few things about myself that you probably don’t know:
I talk to myself – quite often. Sometimes I’m imagining a conversation, while at other times I am sorting out something in my head. Country Boy often catches me in conversation and laughs at me. I maintain that when I start surprising myself with my answers, then I will worry.
I’m naturally introverted. I hate meeting lots of new people at once. Going into a room full of strangers is hard work. I’m better than I used to be, but I would never say I am excited to meet new people. Moving here was hard because I didn’t know many people at all. A common misconception is that because I’m a teacher, I’m outgoing, and wouldn’t get stressed about public speaking – this is not true!
I’m not always happy-go-lucky. Life is not all rainbows and unicorns. I know that I am super lucky to be where I am. I have a great husband, and great kids. I put on a good show. I doesn’t mean that life is always great though. Sometimes life is just tough. Whether it be a situation at work, or just feeling overwhelmed with the amount of responsibility that I carry, or being tired and frustrated with the kids. It can get to me. Yes I’m good at coping, and yes I put my head down and keep ploughing on, but that doesn’t get rid of the fact that it is hard! And sometime I snap and get cranky! I wish I didn’t, but I’m telling truths today!
I like to be punctual. In fact I consider it rude to be late without either phoning ahead or having a good reason (ie flat tire/ medical emergency). If you have told someone that you will be somewhere, then don’t turn up or let them know you will be late in advance, you are basically saying to them “I am more important than you, so you can just wait until I am ready”. Of course things popup unexpectedly, but have the courtesy to call ahead if you will be late… Just sayin’!
I buy the same lunch everyday. That is right – Every. Single. Day. In fact the staff at work have a running joke about my gourmet chicken rolls. The school canteen makes them fresh daily, they are full of salad, and tasty. In a life which is full of decisions about food and cooking food, this is one less! In holidays, I stand at the fridge and wonder what to have before making vegemite toast.
I’m not an outdoorsy type of person. I guess with the whole farm thing going on, a lot of people think I would be a lover of the great outdoors. I am coming around slowly, but I still love to curl up with a book, or make something much more than playing around outdoors. Having said that, in Spring and Autumn, when the weather is gorgeous, I love taking the camera out to snap some pictures.
I don’t watch the news or current affairs on tv. I’m not naive. I know that there is a lot of bad/ scary/ horrific things happening in the world. The 24 hour news cycle makes sure that it is all delivered to us almost as it happens. It’s just that I don’t want those things in my head all the time (and I don’t want my kids to have to see them either). It is too easy to loose faith in humanity, and forget that there are lots of good things happening in the world too. After all good news isn’t really news at all any more. Instead I listen to the radio on the way to work, and read the news online.
So there you go: seven things you didn’t know. Of course there is lots more you don’t know about me, but I will keep that for another time!
We are so alike in many ways Jo – especially the news turning off. I have been attacked on so may occasions by people for not watching the news and it isnt because I am turning a blind eye – I just cant get the images out of my head. Lovely to get to know you better hun and ahem I was the crankiest mum i the world this morning xx
Ha! They are pretty good, but to be honest, lunch is not something that is on my radar. I usually gulp it down between playground duties, or lesson plans etc. It is nice to not have to make a decision!
I don't think I could eat the same thing everyday, they must be fantastic rolls! Otherwise I am very similar to what you have shared xx
The news is pretty horrible these days, I often have tears in my eyes from the things that humans do to each other. I am an introvert by nature and being punctual is a country thing. Thanks for sharing more about yourself.
BBBBBRRRRRRR!!!!!!
I must admit, I did the same thing a couple of sundays ago – although we were on a weekend away so it was a bit novel. The frost over the paddocks was wonderful, but my photos were nowhere near as good as these. T x
Love the toasted marshmallows that go with a bonfire.
Ha! Not sure I'm perfect, but we do love to have guests.
Too cool 🙂
I start planning next year's garden in the middle of the current summer!! 🙂 It's always a struggle to plant the right amount but not too much, trying to take into consideration that you'll lose some plants. I think next year I'm going to try cucamelons and a few different varieties of winter squash.
Yes, i just did our big Diggers seed purchase. We hope to grow a good crop of tomatoes for passata too!
Great photos, and nice to see a few raindrops too. Extending the garden is a bit exciting, I am doing the same too, just got it ploughed yesterday.
we also plan our summer garden in winter, dreaming of all the summer goodies in winter makes for a good afternoon.
It will be worth all the hard work when you reap the rewards. I will come back to this post for tips when we do our own orchard after our tree change. Hope the bird netting set up goes well.
Just such stunning photos, I know your country life has many challenges, but what an awesome job you are doing x
Thanks Rae! This kind of thing is definitely the fun part of our life!
Fab idea. Those bubbles are HUGE!
your photos are always amazing and draw me right in. Looks like some cozy time spent together!!
Lovely photos. Looks cosy and happy.
Very cosy, I am about to sit down with the latest Country Style, I see you have one in your pile x
Thanks Staci! It is lovely to be inside in the warmth
I am so not a winter person but you make it sound almost enticing. I think you could perhaps sell ice to an eskimo too xx
It's a glass of wine and birthday cake for me! All the while in my comfy trackies – BLISS!
I'm not a winter person either, though I am coming around to it a little more. It does help that the farm isn't so busy at this time of year. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are always hectic with gardens, harvests and animals.
sounds heavenly!
If I meet someone I know I avoid at all costs looking in their trolley so I won't be tempted to judge xx
how lovely and cosy 🙂 I enjoy cooking more in winter. We had a beef and veggie pie with potato and greens tonight, it was really comfort eating and so satisfying
Love it:) Hey we're reading the Hobbit too!
Absolutely! Nothing more to do on such cold days. We're loving our books!
How awesome dad reading The Hobbit, this is one of my hubby's fav books ever, he can't wait to read it to our three!
My hubby can't wait to read Isla the Hobbit. Glad to see your all cozy and love your magazine collection.
Take over central here!! ha ha.. Good morning to you and what a lovely surprise to read this morning. Thank you very much Jo, and in good company amongst all the other lovely blogs including yours. Im off to check out Hugo and Elsa now. Have a great week. x
Shady Baker is a wonderful blog http://shadybaker.blogspot.com
Love it – will be sharing lovely lady xx
Will have to check it out!
You're welcome!
Wow, what a lovely surprise! Thanks so much for the mention Jo, made my day 🙂 Off to check out The Windmill Paddock now…Mel x
I love reading every one of your posts, I would love to live on the land with a big veggie patch. Reading is my escape from my little 2 bed unit in the hussle and bussle of the Gold Coast. Keep up the good work
Thanks Lisa!
Hi Jo, I really enjoy your blog, I love your photos and like reading about how different but yet similar our lives are. If you feel like reading about my little slice of suburbia come visit me at http://www.suburbansonnet.blogspot.com (now back after a bit of a hiatus)
I hope you keep blogging. I enjoy seeing the goings on and ventures on your farm and I love your photos. You give me good ideas for our own little plot here in the backyard; chook pending. While its fun and you are enjoying it, why the hell not.
Wow! Thanks for following along!
Hi I am a big fan of A Year In My Garden. Jools the lady who writes the blog is from the Southern Highlands and does amazing photography.
Will definitely be looking up that one!
Jo
Love Mel's blog:) read alot of country living blogs, guess cause I'm a country girl too. Sharing some here for you
Country ones
http://gooseberryjamman.blogspot.com/
and some Outback ones
http://cattle-kids-chaos.blogspot.com/
http://mcarthurverandah.blogspot.com/
http://thequietlifeqld.blogspot.com/
http://shadybaker.blogspot.com/
And that's the best reason to keep doing it Jo! x
Any little boy would be thrilled with a cake like that – its so clever! I always made my girls their cakes but only decorated them nicely – usually pretty pink for girls with icing flowers and cachous etc. I was never into creating masterpieces. I think Brianna wants a Dolly Varden cake (with a Barbie sticking out of it) for her 21st this year because she missed out! I don't have any guilt as there are plenty of mums who just buy a choc mudcake from Woolworths and that's it!
I had a dolly varden once when I was a kid.
That's a massive project x
your cake looks great, i hope Toby had a wonderful birthday. yes i have made too many fancy cakes to count, trains, characters from tv shows and movies. im glad my boys are grown and now the cakes are a lot easier. i had to laugh when you said he wanted a "bommy knocker" cake, one of my sons want one of those but it wasnt a wrecking ball it was one of those metal balls with spikes on a chain and a wooden handle.
One of mine is asking for a 'Frozen' cake and the other Barbie! I have to think of something simple but looks like I've slaved for days! This cake looks awesome, and not too difficult, I am wishing one of them was a boy!
you guys did a great job, that netting is awful to work with but it does a great job. the birds get more of our fruit than we get, its the cockatoos that do the most damage, they are at the fruit before its nowhere near ready.
What about a marshmallow snowman, and a heap of white coconut snow everywhere! If you're up for a bit more trouble, you could use white chocolate to pipe a whole lot of white snowflakes to stick all over it too!
Ha! Love it. Did you make it???
Hey, they are some good ideas. Thank you 🙂
yeah i made it just like all the other imposable cakes, it always seems like a good idea at the time until something goes wrong and your fixing it 5 mins before it goes out.
Thanks Janine!
Thanks Lisa!
Oooh, I've been wanting to get a letter punch set. It's been bitterly cold here, the beanies and coats have been out and I have never used my scarves as much. Your blog design looks great 🙂
There is always something to keep us busy! A bathroom reno sounds exciting though!
What a beautiful taking stock. I grew up in the country and I really crave the sun-winter is too cold for me. Love your header, I think I may have told you that already but it looks great.
Hope your voice comes back soon! Blog redesign is lovely.
Just clicked over from a link Lisa shared- loved what I've read so far 🙂
I got the punches off ebay – they weren't expensive at all.
I feel like I've missed WAY too many of your posts lately:( I've loved being back here, catching up. everything's looking so lovely, Jo. Wow, the orchard's netted? Exciting. And a little birthday boy has had a gorgy looking birthday cake too:) Hoping you're well, Jo and that I won't be away from here for this long again:) xx
Adorable!! What a great idea – you are so creative. 🙂
The picture of the star picket shows just how much frost! brrrr
I'm right there with you on many things. I am not a teacher, but used to be in childcare, currently a stay at home mum, but when I was working I had to put on a brave face everyday, talking to parents and staff and the kids…I don't do public speaking!!!! I avoid all forms of news unless I walk into the room when hubby watching it. Nothing nice ever happens, sick of all the negativity in the world. Thank you so much for sharing! I try to have something new everyday for lunch tho….I get bored too easily if I don't…but if its something really yummy I might have it twice in a row.
i am the same as you with the first four and the last one i dont ever watch the news on tv, on line or the radio, if there is something i need to know my husband will tell me . I find the news to be too graphic they dont need to show all the footage that they do.
Wow, I could have written this word for word, right down to being a teacher but also an introvert not good at public speaking! I don't live on a farm but have moved out of the city to a regional town where I know very few people – that has been really tough especially as I don't currently worth either.
There is one part I don't share, the buying the same lunch thing. When I was last teaching (a year ago now) the canteen was terrible, so I brought the same lunch everyday from home!
I've been loving your blog by the way.
I don't know if it is that I am super tired but reading your taking stock post relaxed me. Your life in the country, described in a few dot points, sounds blissful. With three kids, I bet it is a little rowdier in real life though. V.
Such great tips! So true about feeding the kids every 2 hours to maintain happiness levels and love your comment about including the adults in playtime. Definitely helps rebalance a situation and everyone gets the benefits 🙂
This is an incredibly useful and interesting post. You sound like the perfect host.
Nothing I love more than being snug and warm inside sharing a book with the little ones too.
Bet the students LOVE a voiceless teacher! July? I'm just relieved I made it through July… winter blues get to me. But not yet! Yay!
I want to agree with everyone else. Your blog design is lovely and so true to who you are and what your blog about.
My July was lovely but is sadly over and I'm now in the midst of a bathroom renovation and Semester 2 work for my Masters (and kids and work and all the other stuff that makes up my life!)