So often life changes in a second.
That was certainly the case for well-known Blue Mountains identity Rick Rutherford who ran his popular Christmas shop in Lawson until recently.
On December 30 last year, while stowing away Christmas decorations from his much-loved Rick Rutherford’s Country Memorabilia and Collectables store, Mr Rutherford fell from the top rung of an attic ladder, shattering his left leg.
He underwent hours of emergency surgery and has since endured many months of rehabilitation. Due to the accident, he could no longer operate his renowned Lawson store and tearooms, and made the decision to close in early February and put the building on the market.
Then he took the opportunity of repair and rest to return to what he knows best … writing.
The former editor of Australian Country Collections and author of a range of specialty works, including his own Christmas book, Mr Rutherford focused on self-publishing his next coffee-table work – a retrospective on the celebration of the festive season at his beautiful Mountains home Wroxton.
Filled with pages of inspirational ideas, seasonal quotes, curios and breathtaking imagery, it’s a salute to Christmas and a celebration of family, friends and all this is important and enduring in life.
“I’m so thrilled with the new book and honestly think it’s the best thing I’ve ever produced. It’s a return to the wonderful sentiments and style of my old magazine, plus is an extension of all that I showcased during the time I had the Lawson gallery, especially during the magical Christmas season.
“It’s full of special revelations, sentiments and memories and is designed to be a true keepsake to be treasured for years to come,” he added.
To order a copy of the 144 page hardcover book, A Christmas Memory … Wroxton Revisited phone 0419 977 758 or email rickrutherford@iprimus.com.au. It will also be available at the two mega ‘Wroxton’ (Lawson) garage sales planned to take place on September 29 and November 3, to be announced in the classified pages of The Gazette.
