This weeks post begins with a huge thank you to all those who suggested names for my beautiful Shepherds Hut, both through the blog and during countless conversations with me. You’ve all been very kind and patient even though I must have bored you all senseless.
I am pleased to announce that my Shepherds Hut has been aptly named Belle. Not only is the name festive, the dictionary suggests Belle to be ‘beautiful’ and since she is, that will be her name. Now when the family need to find me, they will find me over at Belle’s.
It seemed quite odd writing about a Christmas present in last weeks post whilst we’re currently enjoying a beautiful warm summer. It is of course now I am able to fully appreciate this special gift and enjoy wonderful views like this whilst I write my blog.
Back in March we were blessed with a hot weekend which by chance was the day work started to build Belle. Before then, there was much ground work to carry out. And for that task we were not quite so lucky with the weather. These two not so brilliant photos, show where we chose to position Belle and since there was no hard standing, we spent several days putting one in. By the way, in the photo below right, please meet our overly pampered liver spot Dalmatian, Spencer. He is often referred to as The Spotty One. It is likely you will see a fair bit of him on my blog. He is always there, by my side, my very loyal and affectionate companion. A bit about The Spotty One… he is not number 5 in the home as he should be, he is number 1. He has two beds of his own and moves between them often, leaving us unable to get rid of the least used. Aside from this sleeping arrangement he favours Little Miss’ bed, where I said he would never be allowed. He also moults. A lot.
It took two wonderful carpenters (Dan and Lewis, thank you both so much!) and Mr M of course, two very long days to put together my Shepherds Hut. My job was to supply countless mugs of tea, cakes and ice creams and at the end of the second day, well deserved ice-cold beers
Last week I promised to tell you why I was the lucky recipient of a present like no other. Like many, I have always dreamed of a place in the garden to call my own. As a child I recall my younger sister and I would spend many warm and happy summer days in the family shed pretending we were part of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. We’d take our lemon curd sandwiches, bar of chocolate and bottles of pop and spend hours not noticing the overhead cobwebs whilst we aimed to solve the latest crime. Our children too have been lucky to have had loft spaces and sheds converted into Legoland and bubble gum pink chill out zones and sleepover spots as they’ve grown up. And once our son had outgrown the garden shed, it became my hideaway cum craft room cum potting shed. In fact my private Pinterest page held for quite some time, a photo of my dream Shepherds Hut.
It was a while back when we decided our next home would be our biggest home renovation so far. I have also decided it will be our last … we’ll see. Historically our renovations have been recorded at best in a scrap-book with a few photo albums chucked in for good measure. This time we agreed a more cohesive, technical approach was called for. I recall well the moment I said out loud “let’s write a blog! After all everyone’s doing it, so it must be easy.” It was agreed that I, with no technical nohow whatsoever, would write this blog (and by the way, it’s not easy) and of course I would need a place to write and create. I had thought the dining table would suffice, luckily for me Mr M did not. He’s had quite enough of endless pieces of vintage material, bits of ribbon and countless beautiful note books left lying around. He wants them all in one place. And it’s here in that one place, I can be creative. I can experiment without judgement and I can achieve many dreams. That’s why I got this special Shepherds Hut. It was Oscar Wilde who once said “you can’t use up creativity….the more you use, the more you have.” Lucky me that I get to see if that’s true over at Belle’s.
Our neighbour has put in a cherry and a damson and was singing their praises. Cherry Brandy sounds a lovely thought, I made sloe gin this year from the hedgerows and it was so good it never made it to ‘gift’ stage! We’ve got two figs as well and are hoping for great things from them this year other wise their days are numbered too!x
Oh no! Or should that be oh dear/deer! My pear tree didn’t last long and I replaced it with a bramley thinking it was the wind as ive heard they don’t do well in windy locations but venturing out this year ive notice the bramley is sitting in a puddle so that may have been the cause 🙁. You should get a cherry. They are quick to grow and fruit (if you get there before the birds!) We made cherry brandy for Christmas this year x
Oh I just love that you are catching up Elizabeth, it will also remind me to show more recent posts. The first fruiting year the deer got in and ate the crab apples and last year we had a few apples, still no pears though. We have to be patient for those gardens which we aspire to have I think!x
Sorry late comment coming in but I’m reading blog from beginning haha. The view over the fields from Belle is to die for 😍. I have an ugly building in view from my summer house so we planted a mini orchard too. I’m very impatient waiting for them to grow and look like the beautiful established trees in the open gardens I visit. Looking forward to reading the next installment, bye for now Elizabeth x
Welcome Charlotte… your comment was a big surprise when I logged in this morning, thank you so much for taking the time. As a fellow blogger you’ll know how lovely surprises like this are! Renovating is a long haul and I’m so grateful for Belle. This is one of many renovation’s we’ve done however we have yet to master speed or less pain!x
The Shepherds Hut is gorgeous. I wish I’d had a beautiful retreat like this to escape to and write when I started renovating my current home. For me the renovations were a long haul, but worth it in the end. I am sure your journey will be quicker and less painful. Good luck.
Thank you Michelle! I’ll call them soon!x
Loving your blog Hels and the shepherds hut is rather lovely too ! Crying out for 25 beautiful homes…..xx
So you should be Little Miss… thank you!x
Dear Janey, You are quite simply the best x
OOOOO so excited about the name! X
What a stunning beautifully written blog, very moving, am so enjoying meeting the white wood and linen crew and look forward to receiving the email to tell me there’s an update on your lovely family and life.