Country Living

Hooray! After months of indecision, consternation and long evening talks, we have decided that now is the time to move out the city and into the country.

I grew up a country girl and although I love the speed and convenience of city life, Martha needs and deserves to have some of the space and greenery that I got to use and enjoy as a child.

And we're very excited for ourselves too!

The English countryside is, in my own small opinion, the most beautiful in the world and once there I can't wait to dive in and partake of some country pleasures and pursuits. Nothing too muddy mind you. I never was one for stomping about in rain and dirt. ;-)

No, my thoughts are turning more towards those lovely cosy projects that lend themselves so well to crisp Autumn evenings and long winter nights.

Here are a few brimming ideas on my country to-do list:

1. Make jam. There's no reason why this can't be done in the city and I have on a few occasions, done so, but home-made jam made with locally grown, organic strawberries is definitely all the sweeter in the country.

2. Learn how to sew - properly. My sewing skills are seriously lacking. But with fewer distractions and hopefully some help with Martha (my family will be living close by) I might just find time to take a sewing class or two and really learn how to make my own clothes.

3. Quilting. My mother is a quilting extraordinaire. She's relatively new to it but has picked it up with ferocious skill and speed. She's gainfully asked if I would like her to make me one. Well, no need to ask! I look forward to many an hour spent watching and learning.

4. Gardening. With any luck, I'll be able to get my mitts just a tad grubby in our very own patch of land. No more will my herbs be confined to pots. It's real soil and earth from now on! And who knows, if I get lucky, I might just get a crop of onions going too.

5. And perhaps best of all, I'll be able to read Country Living, no sense of irony required!

It's back to the country we go!