About Me

My name is Jo. I'm married to the Country Boy, and we have 3 kids. After living my entire life in the Blue Mountains (just outside of Sydney, Australia), we have moved to the family farm where my husband grew up. When we first arrived, we thought we would take a year out to try a new life. Since then I have got a job, and it looks like we are here to stay. I am a city wife, living the country life.

I'm not much of a country girl, but I'm learning. Slowly. Mostly through trial and error. 

The Country Boy and I met at University. He first bought me to see the farm in 1996. We spent lots of weekends and holidays here, but I always knew he wanted to move back when the time was right. In 2010 I suggested we move here for 12 months to give country living a go, and at the end of 2011 we finally did. Moving here was a chance to see if there was a better way to live. More space for the kids, a large vegetable garden, home grown food, time spent together as a family without the distractions of city life.

Our kids, and Country Boy love our new life, and can't imagine going back. I am more mixed up with my feelings. I love the way we are able to focus on the simple things in life, but I do miss friends and family. A lot.

So this is our life… so far.

I teach Food Technology and Hospitality at the school in our local town. I love cooking and creating new recipes, but I get sick of making dinner every night. I read a lot, and although I wish I had read all the classics, the truth is I mainly read chic lit. I take way too many photos, and there is always plenty to photograph around the farm. I love to go to garage sales, but there isn't much opportunity out here, so I always have a look when I visit the mountains -  I get a bit of a high when I find a good bargain!

Country Boy is a stay at home dad, and also helps his father around the farm; fortunately the two are compatible. He is an awesome father, my best friend, a gifted gardener, and a man of few words - though what he does say is always worth listening to. He is always prepared to do the right thing, even when it isn't easy or popular. I love that he writes letter to politicians about issues that are important to him. He enjoys playing computer games and cooking desserts. I call him the Country Boy because that's what he is.

Hannah is 8 years old and is both grown up and a little girl at the same time. She loves to dance, read and create things. She leads her siblings in all kinds of escapades. Hannah finds crowds and people she doesn't know a bit hard to cope with at times, but around friends and family she is outgoing and has a wicked sense of humour.

Meghann is 5 years old and is a bundle of energy. She is kind and easy going, and she rarely stops chattering. Meghann loves play outside and help around the farm. She is obsessed with Lego, dinosaurs, and the moon. When she grows up she wants to be a palaeontologist (if she can learn to pronounce it).

Toby is 2 years old and is the icing on the cake of our family. He is full of mischief and energy, and wants to go everywhere with Country Boy. He loves tractors, motorbikes, and trucks, which luckily, we have plenty of on the farm.

Together we are 'living the dream".... what ever that is.