Rick Rutherford's Country

<body bgcolor="#ffffff" link="#666600" vlink="#666600" alink="#666600" leftmargin="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" topmargin="0"> <div align="center"> <p class="body"></p> <div align="left"> <p class="body" style="margin-top:0;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #FF0000;">Welcome dear friends ...<br> - <br> There are many experiences in life where we have cause to stop and take stock. I can certainly say that the launch of my new magazine ? and particularly the response of hundreds upon hundreds of followers who have made contact with words of encouragement and support ? has been one such experience. The feedback has been overwhelming. So much so that it has taken more than a week to answer all the letters, emails and faxes alone ? time which was originally allocated to restocking the www.rickrutherford.com shop.<br>  <br> Now I stumble over boxes and piles of product every time I open the studio door as thousands of dollars worth of new, imported, vintage and other wonderful wares waits to be photographed and loaded onto the site. For all the avid shoppers out there who have been regularly checking back to see what's new on the ?shelves', the wait will not be long as the third issue of Rick Rutherford's Country is just about to leave for post-production and printing (to be on sale nationally in late July) so I'll then have time to fill the online store with the widest array of the most gorgeous goodies.<br>  <br> -But back to the magazine. I can't thank all my thousands of wonderful followers enough for the love and support shown to me and my work since the launch of the first issue in late March. The sales figures are now in and my new publisher is thrilled ? so much so that I have already been asked to look at producing a series of specials ? focused on different aspects of country living ? under the banner. And to facilitate this, as well as to firm up the potential of the magazine for sale offshore, particularly in America ? we have modified the name of the title, to now be known exclusively as Rick Rutherford's Country. The change has occurred with the publication of the second edition which has just gone on sale and will be available nationally up until the end of July.<br>  <br> -I am so thrilled with this second edition as it features the most gorgeous country wedding; a special profile on Australia's oldest-surviving colonial inn which is now owned and operated by the National Trust; an exclusive look at primitives in all their ragged, grungy glory; and a host of other special features, not to mention a round-up of beautiful country properties and profiles ? from the east coast to the west. One very special story in the issue is that of Di Kendall (pictured here with me on the day we photographed her gorgeous ?Retro Country' home), the decorating of her house being intimately connected with her journey of repair and healing. The issue also includes a great look at decorating the country bathroom (see the Decorating Inspirations department of the website here for a peek) and mouth-watering winter cuisine sure to whet everyone's appetite.<br>  <br> It continues to be a delight, and an honour, to venture into the homes, and connect with the hearts, of so many wonderful people who have so generously offered to share where they live with fellow readers ? their homes being showcased within the pages of Rick Rutherford's Country. Recently I met one gorgeous couple whose house, and life story, moved me so much that it has been included as a major piece within the third edition, as well as being the focus of my Foreword for the issue. It is these relationships, and depth of sharing, which makes the whole process of doing what I do so worthwhile ? despite there never being quite enough time to do everything I want (including getting all that product into the online shop!)<br>  <br> And of course the other great delight, as I have already mentioned, is the honour of receiving the feedback and written responses of hundreds upon hundreds of loyal readers. Although it is to be featured in the third edition of Rick Rutherford's Country, I just couldn't resist the opportunity here of including part of a poem penned by one such reader ? Mary Beness ? in response to the first edition of the magazine. Mary wrote:<br>  <br> I sit to have a cup of tea<br> And read a while,<br> Just you and me.<br> Time just flies as you impart<br> Your treasured stories,<br> Heart to heart ?<br>  <br> You share with me<br> The old, the new<br> The joy that comes from a love so true.<br> And, as you bare your country soul,<br> I realise ?<br> My tea's gone cold.<br>  <br> It is so wonderful to have the opportunity to share ? both through Rick Rutherford's Country and through the website here ? and I thank you all for your continued love and support as you have welcomed me home ? into your own homes, and your hearts.<br>  <br> With love<br> Rick<br>   </span></i></b></span></p> </div> </div> </body>