Listography - 5 Things I Would Like For Valentine's Day

I am linking up again with Kate from Kate Takes 5 for her Listography link up.  This week the topic is "5 Things I Would Like For Valentine's Day".

I must admit I have struggled with this one - mainly because I will be surprised if I get anything for Valentine's Day!  The Farmer and I don't make a huge deal of it.  I will be lucky if I get a card and some flowers. To be honest I won't be upset if even that is not forthcoming....

Anyway - in a perfect world, this is what I would like.

1.  For The Farmer To Remember Valentine's Day.

Whether he does or doesn't will largely be up to me.  After being married for several years I have decided that it is useless expecting the male of the outfit to remember important anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day etc.  Basically, as the wife/female partner, it is your job to remind him.  Constantly.  I have discovered lots of ways to do this. Emails, notes and other hints that aren't subtle at all tend to work best.

In the words of Jilly Cooper

"The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness, can be trained to do most things."

So ladies - train your man well.

2.  Flowers

I am not fussy.  A bunch picked from the garden would be perfect.

Lovely Nanna Flowers

3.  A Bottle Of Champagne

Actually it doesn't even have to be the French stuff (although I wouldn't say no).  A bottle of good Australian Sparkling would do the trick.

Sparkling Bubbly

4.  For Someone Else To Cook Dinner

A meal cooked by anyone else would hit the spot.

5.  Bling

While this is very unlikely to come my way for Valentine's Day, I definitely wouldn't complain....  (Actually I shouldn't complain anyway because The Farmer has been very generous in the jewellery giving department over the years.  Darling, on the off chance you are reading this, I appreciate it.)

Things I Wish I Could Do

I am joining in with Kate over at Kate Takes 5 again this week for her Listography link up.  Her topic for the week is 5 Things I Wish I Could Do.

I have given this a lot of thought... Or at least 10 minutes worth of thought over a cup of coffee.

Here is my list.

1. Make scones

Boring I know, but I fail the scone making test regularly.  It is made more frustrating by the fact that I can actually cook pretty much anything else.  I do something to scones that makes them flat and horrible.  I have changed recipes many times, tried different techniques and still failed.  I even mucked up the CWA's packet version.  Friendly Nannas have tried to teach me to no avail.  When it comes to scones, quite simply I suck.

Even The CWA Failed Me

* For my non Australian readers The CWA stands for The Country Women's Association.  They are the country-Nanna-uber-baking goddesses.  If they can't help, I am beyond redemption.

2.  Parallel Park Our Huge, Dusty, Bull Barred 4WD in The City

When I drive to Perth I really struggle to parallel/reverse park our vehicle.  How shameful.  It even has reversing cameras.  I would love to do it because I think it would be handy and very impressive.  I also wouldn't have to hike for miles to get to appointments in inner city suburbs.

3.  Fly A Helicopter

This would just be a super cool, very useful skill to have.  It would also make The Farmer incredibly jealous because he is dying to learn how to fly one.

I Could Do This Instead Of The Contracting Man

4.  Paint/Draw

I don't have the urge to be crafty at all, but I would love to have some serious painting/drawing talent.  Then I would be able to capture some of the gorgeous images I see around The Farm in a way that doesn't involve a Canon Ixus.

5.  Ride A Two Wheeler Motor Bike

I am not the most coordinated of people and lack balance.  The Farmer is too scared to let me ride a Two Wheel Motor Bike.  I am only allowed to ride a 4WD bike, very slowly.  He kind of has a point as I have had a few machinery issues which I won't go into now, but you could read about if you click here.

The Top 5 Places I have Visited, aka Listography

Once again I have decided to take part in "Listography" over at Kate Takes 5.  This week I am supposed to make a list of the top 5 places I have visited.

Just a quick warning, this post is pretty light on in the photo department.  Not because I didn't take lots of photos but simply because most of my travelling was done pre-kids.  Which means pre-digital photos so this leaves me imageless...

So here they are, in no particular order, some of my favourite places.

1. Venice

I adored Venice.  I have been fortunate enough to go twice, although it was winter both times.  Apparently this improves the experiences because there is no horrible rotting smell.  I just loved it. The Farmer and I arrived on a foggy night and wandered out into the deserted streets to find it looking like a movie set.  Admittedly a movie set for Dracula or the like.  We made it to our pensione which was in a converted barracks, without getting our blood sucked.  And then had one of the best meals of our life at a nearby cafe which managed to be touristless and had no menu, just a special of the day.

2.  Buenos Aires

I found all of Argentina to be absolutely amazing.  Buenos Aires in particular got me because it looked so European but you knew, without question, the whole time that you were definitely not in Europe!  Plus the antique shopping was astounding.  We went to whole shops devoted to just chandeliers, or my favourite, just stone angels and gargoyles.

Buenos Aires

3. Ireland

I have put all of Ireland in this category because it was a fantastic experience all around.  Even if it was winter and it rained.  Constantly.  I was 22 and travelling with a couple of girl friends.  I studied in Dublin for a little while and spent the rest of the time being rolled (OK carried at times) out of pubs, full of Guinness.  In between drinking and studying I did see a lot of the country too and loved the people and places.

4.  New York

Some days I think God meant me to live in New York. Which is odd seeing as I wound up on an Australian wheat and sheep farm.  I was only there for a weekend.  The Farmer and I had left our kids with my parents in Australia (bad Mummy, I know...!) and were travelling and did a weekend stopover with his brother and wife (who live there).  It was  -11 degrees celsius and just two days after the emergency landing of the plane into The Hudson.  I can vividly remember there being 10cm thick ice on the sides of the river and thinking how cold it must have been for the passengers who had to get in the water.

The weather did not deter us.  I just rugged up in a "sleeping bag with arms" type arrangement I had borrowed from my sister-in-law and got on with it.  I loved every aspect of New York.

Snow In Central Park( -11 Degrees And Crazy Person Still Jogging)

5. Queensland

The Farmer and I spent our honeymoon in Ports Douglas and I loved it.  As a teenager my own family flew into Cairns, hired a car, and spent a month driving down to Brisbane.  Queensland is an absolutely stunning place.  I have thought often over the years that if I wasn't in WA, it is where I would choose to live.  So people, after the floods are cleaned up, I suggest you book a trip!  And spend lots of lovely money to help them get going again (which won't take long knowing Queenslanders...)

My Top 5 Dinner Party Guests

Kate over at Kate Takes 5 has another idea for her Listography link up.  She is suggesting people come up with their Top 5 Dinner Party Guests.

Well Kate, given that I seem to be sorely lacking in the inspiration department, this was a welcome idea for a post over here at Life In The Country.

So, moving right along, here is my list.

My Top 5 Dinner Party Guests

1.  Meryl Streep

Love, love, love her.  The woman can act.  Seriously.  She seems to have resisted the temptation to jump on the plastic surgery/cookie cutter beauty wagon.  She is ageing with grace and style.  I also think she doesn't take herself too seriously (or she would never have done "Mamma Mia").  Meryl - on the infinitesimal chance you are reading this - YOU ROCK!

2.  Russell Crowe

He's a real man. I've seen Gladiator.  He can act too.  I am just not the sort of girl who likes pretty boy girly swots.  So Russell, you're in.

3.  Tim Winton

One of my all time favourite authors.  He is Western Australian as well.  He writes incredible novels and has the most amazing ability to evoke a sense of place. Like me he is in love with the sea.  I think he might be on the shy side, but that's OK, I think the other guests would be pretty chatty.

4. Jilly Cooper

Another of my favourite authors (I have varied taste). I think she would be brilliant company, good fun and potentially hilarious.

5.  The Farmer

Someone needs to open the bottles of wine and keep the glasses topped up. Besides, I quite like him...

I Think A Few Of These Would Be In Order