A new plan for the garden

A new plan for the garden

Contemplating the new pond! The magic begins… I am making my planting plans. I was determined to turn over a new leaf this year and make sure I am better organised. It’s almost March as I write, and there is no sign of this working yet. Life seems as hectic as...
When my book arrived – the first time!

When my book arrived – the first time!

I was telling a friend about the saga of my book Following a Thread arriving and ended the sentence with “you couldn’t write it!”. I will tell you what happened… All sorts of not-so-glamorous things go on behind the scenes of creating a book. As I have written over 20...
Hussifs without headaches…

Hussifs without headaches…

I wanted to tell you all about the Hussif * I created in 2024 as a homework project for guests attending Mrs Parkman’s Academy of Needlework in October 2025. The intention was that the guest would receive their pattern and instructions by email and work the counted...
Back in the saddle

Back in the saddle

I do not mean that literally as, although I have aways fancied riding, I am now too much of a coward. Everyone falls off their horse, and the injuries vary but at my age I think that gardening is quite dangerous enough. I think my bones are made of concrete or similar...

A big decision in the garden

The time has come for change in my garden. During some of the high winds, and with the drought during the summer, I have lost my laburnum tree planted the year we moved into Pinks Barn. It just keeled over. And the self-seeded cherry tree overhanging the greenhouse...
The wet cement sky…

The wet cement sky…

Is it me or are our UK winters getting longer and greyer? I look out of my workroom window, and I almost feel that I am seeing things in black and white – or even sepia.  As a result, I am striking back with stuff to cheer us up… Last month I had the most...