Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I was so glad for the weekend to arrive as I was working late a lot of the nights this week- it's a long day at work from 9:00am until after 9:00pm and as I commute I wasn't home until almost 11:00pm some of the nights. It was nice today to catch up on housework and go for a nice long walk around the farm. The morning was lovely, we even had some bright blue skies... Below are some photographs from the farm... Enjoy the rest of your weekend..

Hope you had a lovely weekend. It's a long weekend here and the weather is lovely and mild so it makes it even better. Last weekend I found a little kitten abandoned at the entrance to the farm. While there are several farm cats, they are all wild and the kittens can never be caught as they are so wild but this wee kitten was a little pet. Only that it was crying loudly I wouldn't have seen it. I don't know how anyone can be so cruel as to dump a wee kitten out at the side of the road. It appeared to have some blood around its mouth. Anyways, the story is pretty obvious- I took the kitten up to the farm as I couldn't leave it. I didn't think my husband would want another kitten but he didn't want to get her a new home yet as she is probably too young. I have named the kitten Millie- if it's a girl short for Mildred and if it is a boy short for Milford....
Welcome to the Farm Millie

Well Summer is well and truly over now and Autumn has set in. The evenings are much shorter & it  is getting darker much quicker. This Summer I spent a lot of time in my garden and set a lot of flowers. This weekend I hope to set some bulbs for Spring time.

This year we visited the Tullamore Show and the National Ploughing Championships, both of which were great days out. I took note of all the home grown produce at both events. Tullamore Show is Ireland's largest one day agricultural show and country lifestyle event with approximately 60,000 visitors and over 1,000 competitions taking place. This year the weather was great on the day and I really enjoyed all of the show marquees- there was one for home baking, flowers, poultry, photography and craft. There are all types of animals- cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and rare breeds along with exhibitions and trade stands.

This week myself and my husband visited the annual National Ploughing Championships which is a three day event. We went for the first day of the event. It is Europe's largest outdoor exhibition and agricultural trade show. Different types of ploughing takes place and judging takes place each day. This year 283,000 people visited the event over the three days. It was extremely well organised and there is so much to see and do. For anyone interested in agriculture it is a great day out... Below are just some photographs I took of vegetables and flowers from the two events.

I know I posted already about the Tullamore Show, but I had such a good day and saw so much that I will have to share a few posts of my photographs from the day. Below are pygmy goats which were adorable, I wanted to bring them all home with me. They look like they are lots of fun and really energetic.

Hello everyone. The weather has just been wonderful this weekend and to top it all off, we got an extra long weekend with the bank holiday and I am taking tomorrow off too. At last sunshine has arrived, the countryside is turning a lovely colour of green, the grass is growing and the flowers are beginning to blossom. I love this time of year and try to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Here are a few photographs of my walk around the farm this morning. These photographs were taken from one of my favourite places on the farm where there is no one in sight and only the sound of the bird song.

I have featured a few posts already about Autumn time setting in and how the weather had turned really cold, well it is the total opposite now. Autumn has turned out to be lovely and warm with sunshine and no rain. I mowed the lawn yesterday evening after work. I don't think it will need to be mowed much more now as there isn't as much growth. My Gladioli are in full blown again this year, they seem to be the one flower that does well for me. I picked a lot of hydrangea from my mother's garden and have dried it out. I love putting it around my home over the winter months. It dries really well and keeps its colour. I just cut the flowers off, put them in a vase of water and do not re-water them at all, the water will dry up and the flowers will too! Very simple. Hydrangeas are one of my favourite flowers and my dear grandmother had a garden full of them- they were so pretty and remind me of my childhood. I have set one hydrangea in our garden but as the garden has not yet established itself, I have no blooms yet- perhaps next year...

The countryside looks so pretty at this time of year with all the beautiful autumn leaves and berries. Do you like Autumn? What is your favourite flower?

Today I got some exciting news when I was notified by a friend that my blog was shortlisted for the Blog Awards Ireland 2014 Best Personal Blog. I am really delighted that someone has recognized my blog and thought it worthy enough of being shortlisted. I have been blogging since 2009 and since then have seen many bloggers come and go. I have seen blogs develop, re-design and more and more commercial blogs emerging. Twitter, Instagram and Bloglovin were not around back then as far I was aware. I didn't even know what a blog was, until one day I was reading a UK interior design magazine and came across a few recommendations for blogs to visit. I was curious to see what a blog was and from then I set out on my own blogging journey. A lot of things have happened in my life since then, I have changed job twice, built a new home in the country and even got myself a husband.

At the beginning I wasn't sure what to blog about, I didn't have a digital camera and hadn't a clue how to follow other blogs. Over time I found my niche and what I love most- All things nice from my everyday country life.... I am a true home bird and love nothing more than life in the Irish countryside and I hope that my blog reflects my love of all things country.

I won a place on Holly Becker's Blogging Your Way e-course earlier this year and this really helped me to re-design and update my blog, so I must thank Holly from Decor8. Her blog was one of the first I saw and to this day, it is still my inspiration. I know my blog is still not perfect but I try to make it as professional as I can with what I learn online from other bloggers and you tube.

Through my blog IKEA also contacted me to feature my home on their IKEA Live Magazine, I was really delighted with this as I love interior design and was very proud that they wanted to feature my new home on their online magazine.

Blogging has allowed me to network with other bloggers from all over the world, make new online friends and share my life in rural Ireland with everyone who wishes to read along. The Blog Awards is a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the wealth and diversity of blogs from Ireland and the Irish all across the world. There are some amazing blogs on the shortlist and to all of those that have made the shortlist in the Blog Awards I wish you well.  And finally to those that visit my blog, comment or follow along thank you for taking the time and interest in All things nice...

I know some of you are already married and others may not have any interest in marriage, but all you single ladies out there looking for a husband, would you marry a farmer? Well, be honest now, would you?

Do you like country life, perhaps you like animals and nature or would you like to put your wellies to good use? If the answer is yes, then the farmer is for you!

Lorna Sixsmith has provided us all with a witty account of the Irish Farmer as the ideal husband in her book Would You Marry a Farmer? When Lorna posted this question on her blog, she got a phenomenal response and since then she has gone on to write the book. I really enjoyed this book and so much of it is true. The illustrations are cute too. I have already married a farmer so I know first hand what it is like and I wouldn't change it for the world! Thanks Lorna for the great read. The book is available online from Lorna's website Irish Farmerette.

Hope you all had a nice Easter and relaxing break. I enjoyed my time with family. The weather was lovely here in Ireland which was great as everyone was out and about. We went shopping and visited Lough Key Forest Park. I picked up a few country style items for my home- as you all know I like to keep it country! 

The china mug is from the Katie Alice Collection, it is really pretty "Have a cup of tea and fly away with me.." The Katie Alice Collection has some really nice vintage inspired china and homeware.

The image in the middle is my new mat for my hallway- how cute is it! I bought it in Vobe Interiors based in Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim, Ireland but the good news is they have an online shop too for any of you further afield. 

Here are some inspirational interiors I took from my pinterest page- Interiors I like with a little hint of country to them from wood and stone to sheep inspired decor. 

The first image is from Baobab Interiors. I love the use of the wood and steel, it is quirky, contemporary and also warm and inviting. 

{Source: Baobab Interiors}

How about this cute country cottage look with the stone and wood. This is really pretty and homely looking. 

{Source: Houzz}

The image below is from Citizens of Fashion. It is from interior designer Dephine Krakoff's sophisticated New York townhouse that she shares with her designer husband, Reed Krakoff and their children. I love the sheep! 

{Source: The Citizens of Fashion}

Which is your favorite, which home inspires you?

Hello Everyone! As some of you already know, I was really lucky to win a place on the Blogging your Way e-course by Holly from Decor8. I enrolled yesterday, so I am looking forward to starting it on Monday. It is a long weekend here in Ireland for Easter and I get an extra day off work too which is good. The weather is fabulous here with the sun shining. Yesterday I was out and about, below are some photographs from my day. Have you any nice plans for Easter?

Images from top left; new dresser in my living room with some small decorations for Easter, view over the lake from the farm, rolled field, primroses on my kitchen table.

Hello everyone, have you any nice plans for the weekend? I am busy these days with work and I am also doing a short course too. It takes a while for me to get use to doing 'homework' or 'assignments' when it is years since I was at college. It is important for us all to up skill ourselves though! Here are a few images and items which may be of interest to you this weekend.

1. The Wild Atlantic Way (WAW), If you haven't heard about it yet, you will! And you will have to check it out! It is said to be one of the most exciting touring routes in the world, covering 2,500 km along the west coast of Ireland. It will offer memories of a lifetime. So check it out on Tourism Ireland website for further details. It has not yet been officially launched and as far as I am aware there will be website for it too. You will hear and see lots of things about it where ever you are in the world! 

 {Images: Tourism Ireland and the two bottom corner images are my own}

2. Lambing and Calving Season: again I'm sure you all know that the Farm is brimming with life now with Spring in full swing. I love the wee baby animals and here are a selection of my images of the farm. All the calves are ours and the lambs and pony are our neighbours- I took a few photographs from across the fence. Bet you wish you were a farmer's wife when you look at these images :)

{All images my own}

Hello everyone, it's the weekend again, the weeks just seem to be flying by. What horrible weather we have had this week, rain, sleet, snow and high winds. It has been a week for staying indoors. But alas I woke this morning to sunshine, yes sunshine! At last, Spring may be on its way. The bulbs I planted in my garden are popping their heads out. I may do some Spring cleaning today but first I thought I'd share with you some lovely items from Cath Kidston which I have my eye on. I am loving crochet these days and as always anything nature themed like this beautiful bird wallpaper. I love baby blues, pinks and pastel greens. Have you any nice plans for this weekend?

Hello everyone, it's the weekend again :) The weeks are flying by, I'm on a half day from work today. The weather is awful today, raining all day but you can't beat an afternoon at the fire, drinking tea and blogging. Have you any nice plans for the weekend? Below are some images from around the farm last weekend.

Greetings everyone. It's hard to believe that it is almost the end of September already, where is the time going? The weather was lovely here this weekend. I tidied up the house yesterday and put out some of the Autumn accessories, however I feel like I still want lots of bright accessories around the home to brighten the place up. I was taking a look at Not on the High Street and came across these lovely items below which I would love in my home... For those of you who are not familiar with Not on the High Street you really got to visit the site, it is well worth it! Full of unique creative businesses.

All images from Not on the High Street

My parents were visiting friends in Holland this week and my mother came across the Riverdale Brand. I had never heard of it before, but now I love it! There are only one or two stockists in Ireland but you can check them out online. With Riverdale home accessories, it’s easy to create a new mood for your interior again and again. Make it warm and cosy in the winter, and fresh and airy in the summer, That way, your home will always be in fashion! Here are some Autumnal ideas for your home.

{All images from Riverdale}

It's the weekend already.. How the weeks are flying by. Have you any nice plans for this weekend? It's a quiet Saturday night in for me, drinking tea at the fire watching TV. Sorry I don't have a more interesting post for you, but the weather is very dull so it is difficult to get any nice photographs. Happy Weekend to you all...

Are you all set for Easter this weekend? I get an extra long weekend off work this weekend and want to spend some time with family and friends. I started to add some Spring time colours and flowers into my home last weekend to brighten the place up. The weather is extremely cold these days, but thank goodness we have no snow. Do you decorate your home for Easter

All images my own

The weather is cold here in Ireland and it was quite foggy this morning, but the sun is beginning to break through the clouds. I went out for my usual walk this morning. I love the fresh crisp country air and the feeling of warmth when I come back into the house, it is almost like a warm hug welcoming me home :)

 

For Christmas, my husband bought me a surprise. I wondered for a long time as to what it might be... I knew it wouldn't be clothes as he isn't into picking out clothes for me. My mind was racing wondering what could it be... He mentioned that he bought my present online and that it was being delivered by courier, but I still didn't know what it was... Then Christmas morning I got up and opened my big surprise- Yes... Hunter Wellingtons! I was admiring them all year when I saw them in magazines and was always complaining about cold feed in my cheap €10.00 wellies. So now I have all the comfort coupled with the style for practical use on the farm. The cows are calving again now for the Spring so I will be busy in the evenings when I return from my day job... So now at least I will look trendy on the farm and one thing is for sure my husband will spot me in the dark, I won't need to hear a hi vis vest now with the my neon pink hunters!