Latest news with #countrylife
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Carrie Underwood fully embraces traditional country living on her Tennessee farm
Carrie Underwood is embracing life as a country girl. When the country superstar isn't performing or working as a judge on "American Idol," she spends time at her family farm just outside Nashville. There, Underwood and husband Mike Fisher and their two sons, Isaiah and Jacob, practice homesteading. Underwood grows produce and raises livestock, and she has been dabbling in canning foods and crocheting clothing, all seemingly part of her move to live a simpler life. Earlier this month, she shared photos of tomatoes and peaches she'd grown. In June, she shared a post about an experience she had tending to her sheep. The "Before He Cheats" singer explained that, at the time, she'd gone to her orchard to feed some of her animals, and while she was checking on her fruit, she got the idea to pray. "I love praying out loud in the orchard…it's so beautiful and peaceful," she wrote. "I was about 15 seconds into my chat when I was surprised by a snake in the blueberry bush. Just a rat snake…nothing dangerous. But he was there…JUST as I began to pray. It obviously made me think…about God…about the devil. "The devil is always there…watching…lurking…even when we feel at our closest with God. Being a Christian isn't a free ticket out of trouble. The world is full of evil…BUT God is with us. The snake and I kept our eyes on each other…but I got what I came for, finished my prayer and went about my morning…having faith that Mr. Snakey and the devil will both be moving along…out of my orchard and out of my way!" Just before sharing her experience with the snake, Underwood detailed an experience she had canning, writing, "Canning is the perfect way to make use of everything and save myself some time later on when I need a quick meal!" She prepared soup and pot pie filling, then made some filling for cobblers. She admitted she "tried to do something with all the plums we've got growing here." And while she wasn't sure if she made "jam or plum butter or some sort of sauce out of it," she looked on the bright side, writing, "I'll figure out something to do with it! I feel accomplished!!! Yay me!" Underwood got her start in the music industry by competing on (and ultimately winning) season four of "American Idol," and she made news when she made the decision to return as a judge for season 23, which aired earlier this year. She found a way to tie in the new gig with her life on the farm, naming a lamb that was born the same day as the season finale of the show Jamal after winner Jamal Roberts. The "American Idol" set got another glimpse of Underwood's homesteading life during a taping in May when the singer arrived to work in a shirt she'd crocheted herself featuring tomato designs. In 2023, Underwood did a collaboration with Epic Gardening, a gardening brand with a YouTube channel. The team behind the brand traveled to her farm to help her build one of her greenhouses. There, she explained that as soon as she and Fisher moved to their home outside Nashville, they started working on the garden. But, in 2020, when the pandemic hit, they were able to really get something major started. "I love the heat here in Tennessee, and it just made me happy to, you know, grow something from nothing," she said. "It feels like little miracles every time I get something." In a 2023 episode of "The Dr. Josh Axe Show," she said that, with the farm, her ultimate goal was to no longer have to purchase any food from a store. At that point, she was still working toward the goal, admitting her children made it a bit more difficult, but added, "I love that our meals, especially dinner, it's like you look on our plate and everything on our plates is something that either came from the garden or my husband's a hunter, you know. The meat is something that he got. "We eat what we have. We eat seasonally. It all tastes delicious because it's food." Another important part to her, she explained, was that her home doesn't produce any food waste. Anything her family doesn't use either goes to her chicken coop or to compost, and they use it in another way. "It's fun," she said. "You know you're doing something good for you. It feels good to physically do all of these things."
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'We came here for our escape and things went wrong': How couple's dream of a quieter life that featured on Escape To The Country descended into tragedy
It was meant to be a fresh start in the idyllic Norfolk countryside for Emma Izzard – a new chapter filled with clean air, peaceful days and hope for the future. But the charity worker who once appeared on the BBC 's Escape to the Country in pursuit of that dream has tragically died, after a secret battle with alcoholism spiralled beyond her control. Emma, 53, featured on the popular property show in 2021 alongside her then partner, Kym Lofthouse, as the pair searched for a 'slower pace of life' away from the hustle of their home in Luton. Guided by presenter Ginny Buckley, the couple were filmed touring charming homes dotted across Norfolk – eventually settling in the market town of North Walsham. Though they later separated, the two women remained close. An inquest last week at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard how Emma's promising new life soon began to unravel. Behind closed doors, she was struggling with alcohol addiction – a fight that intensified following a devastating personal blow. Speaking at her home in a village outside North Walsham, Kym Lofthouse reflected on the painful irony of Emma's broken dream, telling MailOnline: 'We came here for our escape and things went wrong.' It had been an exciting time when the couple decided to go on TV to find their new home in the country. Kym, a former soldier who went to school in Suffolk, had Tweeted in September 2020: 'It's a wrap! Filming complete and what an amazing few days working with the Escape to the Country team'. But last week she chronicled Emma's tragic demise before the coroner. '[Emma's] alcohol levels increased when her mother was taken to hospital in July 2022, and she thought she was going to lose her,' she told the hearing, according to The Eastern Daily Press. 'After six months of secret drinking, she wanted to stop but couldn't get the help required quickly enough and began drinking again.' Despite multiple attempts at rehab, the court was told, Emma relapsed each time. 'Emma did not want to drink but it had taken a strong hold of her,' Ms Lofthouse added. And her mother, who had died shortly before Miss Izzard's own passing, struggled with mental ill health – something Miss Izzard supported her with. Miss Lofthouse added: 'Emma had a very strong bond with her mother. 'Emma lived with her for many years and continued to look after her even when she did move out.' On 19 November last year, Emma was rushed by ambulance to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after she began vomiting blood at her home. The following day, she suffered a cardiac arrest during a medical procedure known as a gastroscopy. Doctors were unable to save her. Her cause of death was recorded as an oesophageal and variceal bleed, with alcohol-related liver disease. Coroner Johanna Thompson concluded that Ms Izzard's death was alcohol-related, noting a 'history of excess alcohol consumption'. She said the 53-year-old had presented to hospital with 'symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal' and, despite best efforts, her condition could not be reversed. Tragically, the court also heard how Emma's father – who died when she was still a teenager – had also struggled with alcoholism, casting a long shadow over her life. When the couple first moved to Norfolk, Emma's Facebook posts were full of enthusiasm over the new life they had found, and she changed her profile photo to one of her standing, arms aloft on a paddle board. On her 50th birthday in July 2021, she posted: 'Wow what an amazing couple of weeks celebrating my 50th. Thank you for all my FB messages and to all my lovely friends who travelled to Norfolk to help me celebrate, ❤️ߒ?❤️It's been the best. 'Looking forward to more friends coming to celebrate over the next month. How long can I drag this out for Kym Lofthouse.' And in September of that year, she told how the pair had 'christened the new kayaks today in the beautiful Norfolk sunshine. Loved every minute of it.' After their amicable separation, Emma remained in North Walsham and bought a modest semi-detached home on a quiet housing estate. Neighbours recalled a woman determined to rebuild her life. Mark Sowerbutts, 66, who moved into the same street just a week before Emma, told the Mail: 'I remember when she moved in. She gave me a potted history of what had happened. 'She said she had split up with her partner, quite amicably.' Mr Sowerbutts said Emma threw herself into getting the house set up. 'She was just 100 per cent getting moved in here and getting things sorted out. 'She seemed totally gung-ho about getting things organised,' he said. 'She had bought a BBQ and I helped her bring it around.' He also recalled a woman who appeared cheerful and upbeat – and gave no indication of the demons she was battling privately. 'She never gave the impression she had alcohol problems,' he said. 'She moved here from somewhere local. She seemed fairly cheerful. She was getting really into the swing of things. 'It was quite a shock [to find out she'd died]. She seemed to be getting on with her life fairly well, so it was a shock.' Mr Sowerbutts also described a regular visitor to the home – a woman believed to be Kym – who would arrive periodically with a dog the pair still shared. 'A woman used to come and visit her. She used to say they had shared ownership of a dog and periodically the woman would come and bring the dog and the dog would stay a day or two,' he added. But behind the façade of a new beginning, Emma's struggles persisted – worsened by grief, isolation, and a battle for support that came too late.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'We came here for our escape and things went wrong': How couple's dream of a quieter life that featured on Escape To The Country descended into tragedy
It was meant to be a fresh start in the idyllic Norfolk countryside for Emma Izzard – a new chapter filled with clean air, peaceful days and hope for the future. But the charity worker who once appeared on the BBC 's Escape to the Country in pursuit of that dream has tragically died, after a secret battle with alcoholism spiralled beyond her control. Emma, 53, featured on the popular property show in 2021 alongside her then partner, Kym Lofthouse, as the pair searched for a 'slower pace of life' away from the hustle of their home in Luton. Guided by presenter Ginny Buckley, the couple were filmed touring charming homes dotted across Norfolk – eventually settling in the market town of North Walsham. Though they later separated, the two women remained close. An inquest last week at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard how Emma's promising new life soon began to unravel. Behind closed doors, she was struggling with alcohol addiction – a fight that intensified following a devastating personal blow. Speaking at her home in a village outside North Walsham, Kym Lofthouse reflected on the painful irony of Emma's broken dream, telling MailOnline: 'We came here for our escape and things went wrong.' It had been an exciting time when the couple decided to go on TV to find their new home in the country. Kym, a former soldier who went to school in Suffolk, had Tweeted in September 2020: 'It's a wrap! Filming complete and what an amazing few days working with the Escape to the Country team'. But last week she chronicled Emma's tragic demise before the coroner. '[Emma's] alcohol levels increased when her mother was taken to hospital in July 2022, and she thought she was going to lose her,' she told the hearing, according to The Eastern Daily Press. 'After six months of secret drinking, she wanted to stop but couldn't get the help required quickly enough and began drinking again.' Despite multiple attempts at rehab, the court was told, Emma relapsed each time. 'Emma did not want to drink but it had taken a strong hold of her,' Ms Lofthouse added. And her mother, who had died shortly before Miss Izzard's own passing, struggled with mental ill health – something Miss Izzard supported her with. Miss Lofthouse added: 'Emma had a very strong bond with her mother. 'Emma lived with her for many years and continued to look after her even when she did move out.' On 19 November last year, Emma was rushed by ambulance to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after she began vomiting blood at her home. The following day, she suffered a cardiac arrest during a medical procedure known as a gastroscopy. Doctors were unable to save her. Her cause of death was recorded as an oesophageal and variceal bleed, with alcohol-related liver disease. Coroner Johanna Thompson concluded that Ms Izzard's death was alcohol-related, noting a 'history of excess alcohol consumption'. She said the 53-year-old had presented to hospital with 'symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal' and, despite best efforts, her condition could not be reversed. Tragically, the court also heard how Emma's father – who died when she was still a teenager – had also struggled with alcoholism, casting a long shadow over her life. When the couple first moved to Norfolk, Emma's Facebook posts were full of enthusiasm over the new life they had found, and she changed her profile photo to one of her standing, arms aloft on a paddle board. On her 50th birthday in July 2021, she posted: 'Wow what an amazing couple of weeks celebrating my 50th. Thank you for all my FB messages and to all my lovely friends who travelled to Norfolk to help me celebrate, ❤️ߒ?❤️It's been the best. 'Looking forward to more friends coming to celebrate over the next month. How long can I drag this out for Kym Lofthouse.' And in September of that year, she told how the pair had 'christened the new kayaks today in the beautiful Norfolk sunshine. Loved every minute of it.' After their amicable separation, Emma remained in North Walsham and bought a modest semi-detached home on a quiet housing estate. Neighbours recalled a woman determined to rebuild her life. Mark Sowerbutts, 66, who moved into the same street just a week before Emma, told the Mail: 'I remember when she moved in. She gave me a potted history of what had happened. 'She said she had split up with her partner, quite amicably.' Mr Sowerbutts said Emma threw herself into getting the house set up. 'She was just 100 per cent getting moved in here and getting things sorted out. 'She seemed totally gung-ho about getting things organised,' he said. 'She had bought a BBQ and I helped her bring it around.' He also recalled a woman who appeared cheerful and upbeat – and gave no indication of the demons she was battling privately. 'She never gave the impression she had alcohol problems,' he said. 'She moved here from somewhere local. She seemed fairly cheerful. She was getting really into the swing of things. 'It was quite a shock [to find out she'd died]. She seemed to be getting on with her life fairly well, so it was a shock.' Mr Sowerbutts also described a regular visitor to the home – a woman believed to be Kym – who would arrive periodically with a dog the pair still shared. 'A woman used to come and visit her. She used to say they had shared ownership of a dog and periodically the woman would come and bring the dog and the dog would stay a day or two,' he added. But behind the façade of a new beginning, Emma's struggles persisted – worsened by grief, isolation, and a battle for support that came too late.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I vowed not to be lonely when I moved to a small town and got better at making friends. At 40, I haven't stopped growing my circle.
I'm 40, and I'll never stop making new friends. I have friends of all ages and with different interests, and I cherish them all. I've realized that authenticity is the key to forming genuine relationships. At 40, I have a beautiful circle of friends who range in age from their early 30s to 97, and I don't feel like I'll ever be done making new connections. Meeting new people and being exposed to different viewpoints and experiences is something I live for. Maybe it's the journalist in me, but I've always been interested in other people's stories. I enjoy nothing more than getting to know someone and seeing what I can learn from them. Looking back, I wasn't always like this. In high school, I was a bit of a loner. I had one close friend whom I tended to stick with. Later, in college, I made a small group of girlfriends whom I adored, but I was never rolling in it in terms of friendships. Living and working overseas in my 20s helped build my confidence in meeting new people. I interacted with travelers from all over the globe and quickly learned how to find common ground with people from different walks of life. But I think the real turning point was moving from Melbourne, Australia, to country Victoria three years ago. The town where we live has a population of less than 3,000 people, and I vowed not to be lonely after relocating to such a small community. So, I made it my mission to put myself out there. Whenever I met someone I had something in common with, I'd initiate a catch-up. Even if I didn't have much in common with them, if I thought they could be fun or interesting, I'd put the offer on the table. "Hey, would you like to go for a coffee or a hike?" I'd ask. Internally, often those earlier fears of mine would emerge. What if they thought I was weird or too forthcoming? However, more often than not, I found their answer was resoundingly 'yes.' With time, I became more blatant about it. I remember meeting one of my husband's clients and instantly feeling a connection with his wife. "I really like you," I said. "Let's be friends." She laughed, and that was it. We've been buddies ever since. Most of my friendships are with other parents from the school or daycare community — having that common denominator of kids makes it easy to build rapport. But I also have friends outside that group. I have friends I hike or travel with, and I have single and child-free friends who are in a completely different phase of life. As my friendship circle has grown, I try to remember to foster my old friendships, too. I have some special long-time friends who mean the world to me, and I regularly check in on them. Sometimes, we'll talk for hours over the phone, and it feels like no time has passed between catch-ups. One thing I've realized is that authenticity is key to forming genuine connections. If you don't let down your walls, it's harder to connect with others on a deeper level. In that spirit, earlier this year I decided to do something a little out there. I hosted a ladies' night at my place and called it 'Dessert with a side of woo-woo.' I wasn't sure how it would go, and I know that some of the women who were invited were wondering what the hell was in store for them. On the big night, I asked everyone to select a talking point card from a jar. The questions ranged from playful to really deep, and sometimes painful. There were tears and plenty of laughter. Later that night, we all made dream boards with our goals and aspirations for the year. Afterward, many of the women told me how much the evening had meant to them. I think people are frequently sick of the small talk and are seeking deeper, more meaningful conversations that are raw and real. I know that making friends isn't easy for everyone — I used to feel that way, too. But if you are open to it, I challenge you to put yourself out there and ask the question. "How about a coffee?" You might be pleasantly surprised, just as I was. Read the original article on Business Insider
Gizmodo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Download FarmVille 2: Country Escape (free) for Windows, Android, APK and iOS
By playing FarmVille 2: Country Escape, you can live the quiet life of a country farmer on your device. This is like the old FarmVille you know and love, except it offers you even more freedom and space. You receive land and the ability to change it any way you prefer. Crop planting, animal rearing, managing goods, and constructing your farm result in the birth of a little village. You are free to enjoy peacefulness in the game, yet it never drags you down and encourages you to set your own pace along the journey. Even though the approach is easy to follow, it gains a lot of meaning as time goes by. Not every action makes points, such as harvesting wheat or milking cows. You must gather supplies, organize your orders and little by little you can add more parts of the factory and new possibilities. All the planting and decisions you make are part of a growing and trading process. You get rewarded each time you come back, interact, and focus on making the relationship last. You can spend as much time as you like without running out of excitement. Your farm is how you play it and however much time you spend, you can always see what's up in the game. It feels relaxing to enter a situation where I have a job to do and can contribute. FarmVille 2: Country Escape allows you to experience that sensation. You deliver a seed, add water and after some time, it blossoms. Once you have chickens, you collect their eggs, cook them into pies, and the people in your town rush to purchase them. Every step you take seems meaningful and with time, your farm gradually becomes much bigger. A plot of land begins with simple dirt and ends up full of trees, barns, fences, and vibrant features. It starts out simple and simply gets more interesting as it becomes deeper. Still, expanding your farm isn't the only thing that keeps the game captivating. Things remain attractive as the game offers short missions and time-limited activities. You'll sometimes find visitors, grab instant rewards, and these days, new themes change how the game is played. There is always a variety of things to do. You will solve various small tasks, meet new people, and be able to join a co-op to talk and trade with others. You might not feel like you're in a crowd, but this element does add a friendly atmosphere to the game. Others can help you with your crop. Because the game has a community, it provides an advantage. It also helps the game not waste your time. Drop by now and then to fertilize your soil, collect resources from your animals, water your crops, and set your pies in the oven. You can also invest an hour changing the way your town looks, upgrading your storage, or joining in events. The game never gets upset if you stop playing, and it is ready with new activities when you return. If you prefer playing games that are light-hearted but still give you objectives, it perfectly balances things. The art used is soft, bright, and attractive. Things are stress-free and competitions are not intense; instead, you'll always find a calm task and lovely rewards. It helps you to relax. You might choose FarmVille 2: Country Escape to pass the day's end or just because you need calm, as you'll always find a way to continue progressing in the game. It encourages you to know that small moves can become amazing when given time and attention. FarmVille 2: Country Escape is available to play for free after downloading it. In-app purchases are available, but you really don't have to spend extra cash to continue making progress. Playing for free is as rewarding as paying for the game. The game can be played on both Android devices and iPhones. Just get it from either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, and it should operate smoothly on your phone or tablet. You can play the game on any device since it's both high quality and easy on your CPU. When you link the app to your Google account, you can use this feature to continue your game wherever you play. If FarmVille 2: Country Escape has become your favorite way to build and grow something peaceful and lovely over time, you'll probably like a few other games that give that same comforting vibe. There's a good reason why Hay Day is one of the leading farming games available today. It brings joy, and energy, and packs lots of warm moments you'll enjoy. Crop farming, raising animals, baking, and trading with your community are things you do. The routine is solid, but that's good since visiting your trader or feeding the cows usually encourages return visits. Everything about the game is delightful and you won't ever feel stressed as you play. If you'd prefer a quiet, considered experience with a bit of learning along the way, Spring Valley is what you need. This project is mostly about sharing stories. There's more to Spring Valley than farming and collecting—you also restore a valley, solve light puzzles, and meet characters with their own tales. Just like FarmVille 2, it offers a relaxing, steady game, but now there's a hint of suspense. It is best when you play quietly and seeing your actions make a difference isn't instant. Then comes Township, where farming is made even bigger. You're doing the usual farming, but you are now handling production, filling trains, building the zoo, and transforming your small town into a bustling city. It's ideal for people who appreciate managing a lot of systems and interconnections. There isn't a lot to remember. You decide when to learn and that combination keeps you from quitting.
