The spark that lights my fire every day is my boutique online mailorder business. It ticks the best box of all – I love what I do. These are my stories about my adventures in business. The people I meet. The customers I serve. Quirky tales about my products. And my enchanting lifestyle on my remote property in rural Australia with my dogsx3, my partner Victor and my rambling country garden under my beautiful BIG sky.

This morning in the paddocks, everywhere I look there are kangaroos boxing.

I am awash with opportunity.

A quick spin of the dial on my camera and I capture on video a pair sparring.

There is nothing more awesome than watching them box.

And is a treat reserved solely for those of us lucky enough to live on extensive acreage.

Spend the next 60 seconds with me viewing a boxing match that goes for 3 rounds.

No one gets hurt.

And there is no winner or loser.

Put your headphones on to listen to the choral group, ‘Birdland’.

This Ironing Diva loves sharing her Wild Blue Yonder with you.

Join me next time?

Tell me what you think.

Your comments are always welcome.

Your stories, thoughts, experiences add to the fabric of the conversation.

And I acknowledge your comment with a reply.

All the best,

Carol

Every morning I post a photo of my Wild Blue Yonder on Ironing Diva at Google+. Go peek at my world.

Supporting links to websites.

Photos are courtesy of Ironing Diva and taken on her rural property in the beautiful Central Tablelands of NSW Australia.

When I’m not out in the paddocks in the morning photographing my beautiful Wild Blue Yonder, I’m the purveyor of the one of the world’s finest ironing board covers, The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover. And 5 other beautifully designed items of excellence. You can read all about them at my website, InterfaceAustralia. The home of Simple Solutions For Difficult Problems!

And made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability. They put their heart and soul into everything they do. And it shows.

Every product is a joy to use. I guarantee it.

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I’m one lucky Ironing Diva.

I live in a part of the world that gives me nothing short of spectacular sun rises on an almost regular basis.

I mean gobsmackingly beautiful.

Australia has some of the brightest light on earth.

And an angle of the sun that makes for extravagant light shows in the sky.

Most of the time.

From January to mid March of this year, after 16 years of severe drought, my rural patch finally receives an unexpected windfall.

Of rain.

In massive deluges.

One right after another.

On a daily basis.

The thunder and lightning shows rumble overhead.

The sky darkens to almost black.

And the unmistakable sound of rain thumping on the tin roof of my farmhouse becomes a constant companion.

Day after day.

Which means . . .

. . . that . . .

I’ve now moved out of the Saudi Arabian desert.

And like Dorothy in the Wizard Of Oz, I’ve moved into another land that looks very much like the emerald green, verdant lushness of Ireland.

But everything has a price.

The daily rainfall brings with it unrelenting grey skies.

So much so, it occurs to me that my part of Oz could be the first western country in the world where its citizens become affected by rickets through lack of sunshine!

But events have endings.

The deluge of rain stops.

And one morning, out in the paddocks with my camera in tow, as you do when you’re me and post a photo online every day to my friends of what’s happening in my world, I witness something quite beautiful and sublime.

It’s the sun rising.

Not with its usual drum roll.

But simply gentle rays of light rolling across the landscape.

Like rivers of gold.

Casting shadows of bronze from the nooks and crannies in the hills.

And turning plumes of tall flowering grass into glittering jewels.

I am smitten.

I hope you will be too.

Put your headphones on for a few minutes and enjoy ‘The Sun Rises’.

This Ironing Diva loves sharing her adventures in her Wild Blue Yonder with you.

Join me next time?

Tell me what you think.

Your comments are always welcome.

Your stories, thoughts, experiences add to the fabric of the conversation.

And I acknowledge your comment with a reply.

All the best,

Carol

Every morning I post a photo of my Wild Blue Yonder on Ironing Diva at Google+. Go peek at my world.

Supporting links to websites.

Photos are courtesy of Ironing Diva and taken on her rural property in the beautiful Central Tablelands of NSW Australia.

Photo 1 is a spectacular sunrise two days ago.

Photo 2 is rain dripping off the branch of a She Oak in my garden during the massive rainfall.

Photo 3 is a soft sunrise in the paddocks.

Magix Slideshow Maker 2 was used to create the slideshow. It’s a Freeware program.

When I’m not out in the paddocks in the morning photographing my beautiful Wild Blue Yonder, I’m the purveyor of the one of the world’s finest ironing board covers, The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover. And 5 other beautifully designed items of excellence. You can read all about them at my website, InterfaceAustralia. The home of Simple Solutions For Difficult Problems!

And made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability. They put their heart and soul into everything they do. And it shows.

Every product is a joy to use. I guarantee it.

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One of the most charming and captivating episodes in my life in the bush has been being befriended by a very cheeky and cute as a button young fox.

I call her ‘Foxy Lady’.

John, my high school classmate and long time friend in America, is the inspiration for her name. Across the miles and with the help of cyberspace, he saw her photo and remarked she was one very foxy lady.

‘Foxy Lady’ and I have been friends for quite a few weeks.

Meeting in the paddocks at first light.

When I indulge in the transformation of my Wild Blue Yonder from severe drought affected paddocks to a beautiful, lush landscape gratis of the recent massive rainfalls.

And photograph what I see.

So I can post a daily picture online, for my friends to see, of why a city girl who started life in New York City is now besotted with her rural life in the beautiful Central Tablelands of NSW Australia.

And on this particular morning ‘Foxy Lady’ is more captivating than ever.

Coming right up to me.

Bringing me sticks.

And when she wanders off for a minute or two, coming back to find me.

To keep an eye on me.

And she is only tooooooo happy to pose for the camera.

When I walk back to the BIG gate.

That leads to the walking track to my farmhouse that’s between two rows of poplars.

She patiently waits for me while I finish taking photos of the hills.

And when I take too long, she jumps on top of the gate post. To get my attention. And hurry me along.

When we finally pass through the gate . . .

. . . she walks in front of me.

Straight up to the side gate to my garden.

Where we bid adieu.

Put your headphones on and enjoy the slideshow ‘One Very Foxy Lady’.

This Ironing Diva loves sharing her adventures in her Wild Blue Yonder with you.

Join me next time?

Tell me what you think.

Your comments are always welcome.

Your stories, thoughts, experiences add to the fabric of the conversation.

And I acknowledge your comment with a reply.

All the best,

Carol

Every morning I post a photo of my Wild Blue Yonder on Ironing Diva at Google+. Go peek at my world.

Supporting links to websites.

Photos are courtesy of Ironing Diva and taken on her rural property in the beautiful Central Tablelands of NSW.

Magix Slideshow Maker 2 was used to create the slideshow. It’s a Freeware program.

When I’m not out in the paddocks in the morning photographing my beautiful Wild Blue Yonder, I’m the purveyor of the one of the world’s finest ironing board covers, The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover. And 5 other beautifully designed items of excellence. You can read all about them at my website, InterfaceAustralia. The home of Simple Solutions For Difficult Problems!

And made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability. They put their heart and soul into everything they do. And it shows.

Every product is a joy to use. I guarantee it.

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I LOVE my rural property in the hills of the beautiful Central Tablelands of NSW Australia.

Where I live.

And thrive!

And also run my world wide design and online mailorder business.

I love my lifestyle so much, I go out every morning at first light to take photos of my Wild Blue Yonder.

So I can share my world . . .

. . . with your world.

I’m a typical paparazzi.

I zero in on the unusual.

The beautiful.

The interesting.

And the unsuspecting!

My camera is a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ150 Super Zoom, so I’m always prepared for the unexpected.

In my Wild Blue Yonder, the wildlife doesn’t stand still.

So I have to be quick!

Every morning is different.

And this morning is no exception.

In the distance, I can’t help but be enraptured and captivated by a young joey, a kangaroo still living in its mother’s pouch, jumping out, skipping about at lightning speed, and running back to his mum for safety.

Just like any child.

This little joey skips and runs and finally comes to a halt by ducking between his mum’s legs

Standing in the safety of his mum’s arms, the little joey peeks into the wild blue yonder.

I wonder what he sees?

And what he thinks of what he sees?

He’s had his view of his world. And decides he might like it better in the safety of his mum’s pouch.

He’s a bit tired from his skipping and hijinks.

And that is a verrrrrry big wild blue yonder out there!

His mama gives him a helping hand.

Nope!

He’s changed his mind.

He’s definitely not ready to hop into his mum’s pouch.

There’s a bit more sight seeing to do.

Hmmmmm!

Has he changed his mind yet again?

Yes! He has.

It’s time, Mama, he says, for a little rest.

And there’s no place like his mum’s pouch when you’re a tired joey.

He’s hopped into the snug pouch of his mum.

You can see she’s carrying his weight as her pouch is slung so low, it’s almost touching the ground.

Baby is on board! You can just see him peeping out of his mum’s pouch.

Mum slaps her hands together. “Finally. I have him nailed down in one spot”!

A last minute check to make sure ‘Baby On Board’ is safely tucked in.

They have been known to fall out!

Mum and Dad have a quiet word to each other about the trials of being parents to young children.

And Mum and ‘Baby On Board’ are ready for take-off.

Fasten your seat belt, ‘Little Joey’.

There could be turbulence ahead!

Enjoy the ride.

This Ironing Diva loves sharing her world with you.

Join me next time?

Your comments are always welcome.

Your stories, thoughts, experiences add to the fabric of the conversation.

And I acknowledge your comment with a reply.

All the best,

Carol

Photos are courtesy of Ironing Diva and taken on her rural property in the beautiful Central Tablelands of NSW Australia.

Go peek at the worldwide business I run from my rural property.

Every product is a joy to use. And made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability. They put their heart and soul into everything they do. And it shows.

Simple Solutions For Difficult Problems at InterfaceAustralia

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Follow the noise and I always find a family of Kookaburras.

Or Black Cockatoos.

Or those dizzy Pink Galahs.

They share traits in common.

They’re noisy.

Happy.

And always make me laugh.

This Sunday morning at first light in my rural patch, it was a family of Black Cockatoos camping out sky high in the bare branches of an ancient eucalyptus tree.

Chattering and shouting as if they’ve not a care in the world.

I had to smile when I saw them. They so reminded me of party goers reluctant to go home. Having one last hoorah before the sun fully rises.

If this was the city, they would be arrested for noise pollution!

A small bird on the lowest branch on the right seems unperturbed at sharing its tree with these raucous giants.

After photographing, I notice they linger in the tree.

So I turn the video on.

It’s 19 seconds of riotous, piercing sound that makes me smile.

It’s so quiet in my rural patch, my camera picks up a conversation between my neighbours down my dirt road from me!

Enjoy!

Black Cockatoos are daily visitors to my rambling country garden. The ripening pine cones on my pine trees are their big attraction.

It’s a treat to be able to photograph them out in the open like this.

This Ironing Diva loves sharing the simple things with you.

Join me next time?

Tell me what you think.

Your comments are always welcome.

Your stories, thoughts, experiences add to the fabric of the conversation.

And I acknowledge your comment with a reply.

All the best,

Carol

Supporting links to websites.

Photos are courtesy of Ironing Diva and taken on her rural property in the beautiful Central Tablelands of NSW.

Photo 1 is a family of raucous Black Cockatoos in an ancient eucalyptus tree across my dirt road.

Photo 2 is a little bird unperturbed at sharing its tree with the rowdy cockatoos.

If you take the time to look your best and love using beautiful products, I invite you to visit Simple Solutions For Difficult Problems at InterfaceAustralia to view my product range. These are practical, every day, useful products designed with flair, gorgeous to look at, simply wonderful to use and guaranteed to WOW! you with their ingenuity.

As they have for over 250,000 men and women around the world.

Designed in Australia by my partner, Victor Pleshev, who is an architect. With my input, of course!

And made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability. They put their heart and soul into everything they do. And it shows.

The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover is loved around the world because it never moves on your board.

Classic Log Lugger keeps you and your home squeaky clean and woodchip free when bringing your firewood inside.

Roadworks Apron is so big, it covers all of me. And you too! And everyone in your family. Why spoil your clothes when you can cover up in something this gorgeous?

Mr Chin’s Laundry Bag is a beautiful way to store and carry your laundry. And so perfect for tucking into your luggage when seeing the world!

Travel Bug Shoe Bags keep your shoes from causing mayhem in your luggage. Collette Dinnigan gowns and unrestrained Louboutin shoes are not good luggage mates.

Sweet Shoo Fragrance Sachet is intensely fragrant with a spicy mixture of cedar and Victor’s secret potion of essential oils. Once you have one, you’ll want more.

We chose the following products because they resonate with us. And discovered our customers love them too. And because they are not only made in Australia, but are of superb quality.

Kanimbla Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made from olives grown in the organic olive groves of the Kieran family in Mudgee NSW. It’s a family affair. Andrew, Rachel and their three young children lead an envious and charmed life amongst their olive groves.

And the Brass Bristle Brush with its wooden handle is the BEST tool we’ve ever used for getting rid of pet hair on upholstery, drapes, car seats, et al. It’s made in Australia. And this small family company is a delight to be associated with. I love them because they’ve resisted the pressure to be ‘Made In China’.

Every product is a joy to use. I guarantee it.

I have strong opinions that my business should be run for the benefit of you. You might like to listen to them here. I think you would enjoy starting at May 2009.

On 30th March 2011, I was interviewed on BlogTalkRadio by Tony Gambone about Building An International Business From The Ashes Of A Recession. Click this link to listen. Enjoy!

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