And the Rain it Raineth Every Day

Where is the scorching summer that we were promised/threatened with? The last two months have seen almost continuous wet weather here at autumn Cottage – though we have not suffered anything like the deluge that the northern parts of Britain have experienced over the last week.

Nevertheless, it has been wet enough to prevent any really extensive work in the garden (I have managed a few sessions of weeding, but in this warm, wet weather it is a battle between me and the weeds – and I know who is winning!

So today, I put my other summer plans into motion. I have had a "lull" in running writing and craft workshops ever since I started the MA course at Winchester University, but have missed them – and particularly the participants - very much. So I had marked these three months of June, July and August for more course preparation – and part of that entails preparation of the Garden Studio for the more messy creative activities (such as collage and miniature-making) that are part of some of my courses. (The purely written sessions take place indoors, in the "Sunroom")

For the last year, the old garage, now the Garden Studio has, to be honest, become a chaotic repository for my growing collection of dollshouses, boxes and boxes of old books, plus an ever enlarging pile of magazines for collage use. This week, all that has changed – and within a couple of weeks, I hope to see the re-emergence of the studio as a welcoming space for new workshops in the autumn.

But first, more mayhem, as books were sold, old dollshouses sorted and discarded (I promise you, only the worst, really decrepit, and frankly, never worth the space of storing them). I have taken all day to sort out the chaos there, listening to the rain pitter-pattering on the roof, and battling with the humidity. Alec has been my right hand man, taking loads of rubbish to the council rubbish dump – items not even worth offering on the Newbury branch of FreeCycle.

The final effort of the afternoon was to re-site the architects plan table – heavy and awkward, but accomplished in fifteen minutes with a bit of forward planning and two pairs of hands. Above is the interior chaos that existed at the start of the day - watch this space to see the re-emergence of the Studio as a welcoming space inviting creativity. I'll be working on both inside and out - including a new window and patio door to let in the light, and a shady patio garden where workshop attendees can sip a cup of tea - or something stronger. Here are the "before" photos - go on, use your imagination!

Comments

[Julie Fredericksen]

Hello,

I have been lurking about your blog and just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy it. After Daisy's death you are one of my few links left to lovely England (my adopted home in my heart).

Julie

[Ann]

The paint job is fabulous, however. I'm sorry about the rain. I don't usually like lots of rain much, but we've got such a drought here on the Plateau of Tennessee! Several days of intermittent showers have greened the lawns and plumped the tomatoes nicely. I know you -- sooner or later you'll dawn a mac of some sort and get out among those weeks -- you're hardier than I am!

[Pauline]

And we would "love" some of that delicious rain right now and the heat here is keeping me from the weeds which are winning the battle here as well. Just a note to tell you that the color of your cottage is my favorite color of yellow. Perfect. Also love the planned additions to your garden studio, and I am picturing a lovely window box under that side window.

[Britt-Arnhild]

How charming. This will be great.
remind me I must soon put England and Autumn Cottage on top of my list of places to visit.

[Carol]

I stumbled across your blog today - very, very nice. Enjoyable. You reside in a beautiful place.

[krissie]

oh roz - how exciting!!!! Imaginations running wild.....update us soon with progress please!

[Rosemary]

We are also fighting a losing battle with the rain and weeds here in Norfolk,even the vegetables don't seem to like so much water.The runner beans which are supposed to love moisture are looking sad,the potatoes have got blight and the courgettes and squashes are not growing at all.