That there is the sound of the metaphorical bomb that has gone off in our garden this last week.
I love our little garden. It's not big but it is a little haven of outdoor peace where I like to sit in the summer with my knitting; watch the children play, swing and bounce; have campouts; eat al fresco; tend my veggies and just enjoy this corner of the earth that smiles on me.
When we first put in our raised beds and started a vegetable garden in 2009 it used to look like this…
There was lots of lush, green growth
a pretty herb wall
a swing and climbing frame for the children
(from 2007 when Amy was a lot shorter than me and Toby refused to wear trousers!)
and a little shed where I liked to do my planting and pottering
Today it looks a bit different. A bit like a bomb went off, hence the KABOOM!
The climbing frame and swings have gone because they are really no longer safe for Toby now he is so big and swings so high. The raised beds are being moved and the shed is being dismantled and recycled.
Lots of big changes and lots of hard work for H but hopefully it will be worth it because thanks to the generous donations and fundraising of family and friends who have raised a lot of money for us we will be putting in a garden respite room. This will give Amy a space for doing homework or seeing friends out of earshot of Toby's meltdowns; a quiet, almost outdoor space for Toby to come on rainy days; a place for H or I to take it in turns to have a night off from Toby duty and just a little place to escape from intense situations for a short time.
We've also got Toby a lovely new swing seat that gently sways instead of heartstopping mega swinging! I'm so looking forward to it all being done and hoping that it will make the big difference to family life that we think it might. But for now there is a lot of digging and hard work ahead and I'm so grateful that H is great with things like this.
By the way thanks so much for all of the comments on the previous post. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on being a homebody, or not being one as the case may be.
Oh and if anyone sees Spring please could they send it in this direction as H needs some warm dry weather to get the concrete to set!
Have a good week where you are and thanks for dropping in x
little cotton rabbits 
What a wonderful opportunity to make a new space for you all to enjoy. An extra room is always a bonus and I’ m sure that it being in the garden will make it restful and peaceful. I hope that Spring will come soon so you can get things started. xxx
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How wonderful, and how exciting for all of you! We could certainly do with a dose of full-on spring…here’s hoping! x
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Oh a room at the end of the garden sounds blissful. If I had one I would be in it right now escaping the chaos that is the house. And I think we’re all in need of that warm dry weather – fingers crossed it arrives soon.
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Your respite room sounds like it will benefit everybody, what a good idea. Your garden plans have reminded me that I have small plans for a small area of my garden -must remind Charlie.
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What a wonderful idea, I have everything crossed so that the weather behaves itself and the work can be done!
Even the name ‘garden room’ sounds relaxing, I hope it is everything you wish it to be and much more! 🙂
There is a little bit of sunshine here this morning, so I’m sending it you way.
Happy Tuesday Julie,
V xxx
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What a brilliant idea – a place a refuge for any of you, when you need it. I hope H gets lots of decent weather so you can have it finished really soon!
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What a lovely opportunity for extra room, but a little sad that you have had to sacrifice your bloved garden. It did look so beautiful in the pictures, and it was obvious how much you all enjoyed your time in it. But, it will be a very good change and one that everyone can enjoy. Hope everything goes according to plan with the work – good luck x
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Sounds like a brilliant plan Julie… (but gosh your garden looked so beautiful with all those vegetables. Ours is normally a scrappy football/rugby/hockey field)
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Such exciting news, Julie! We built a garden room a couple of years ago and it really does add a whole new dimension to life. We even have barbecues on the less lovely summer days (plenty of those!) and sit inside the open french doors on a rug. But most of the time it’s my studio, my little creative space at the bottom of the garden. You and your bunnies are going to love it! I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for some fine weather for you. xxxx
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Julie this sounds WONDERFUL!!! What a great idea! Gardens have to change with changing times and needs, and although it’s very brave thing to do I’m sure everyone will love it. Like Lindsay I’m keeping fingers crossed for good weather. J xxx
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Oh I’m sure it will certainly be worth it. Sometimes change is good, but I so understand how it is when you love something just the way it is – I’m sure this will be super fabulous and a most wonderful space.
Nina x
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I wish I could send you a little bit of Spring, but there’s none to spare around here. We’re getting about 25 cm of snow today! The kids seem excited at least, asking to play outside, and build a snow Kipper (the dog). Your little garden makes me wish mine would thaw sooner. My yard isn’t much bigger than yours, but with a hill in the middle, it makes it hard to use the space as efficiently as you’re able to. I put the strawberries, herbs, and veggies up against the south side of the house where it gets sunny and hot. But the lower bit of garden has always been an afterthought. Hopefully this year we can build a little patio, and buy a shelter, so we can sit outside and avoid the mosquitoes.
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I wish I’d thought of a quiet room when my autistic son was young, it would have spared my other son’s blushes when he appeared naked in his room in front of teenage girls and boys. .
Spring is on it’s way, here in South West France, it’s been a grey, cold winter, but yesterday, the swallows started to return and they wouldn’t do that unless the weather was improving.
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Oh wow — a new adventure for your little family. Will all the moving be done in time for you to have your little garden beds planted? Or maybe not this year? Your garden was beautiful before — I’m sure it will be gorgeous once again. Sending warm weather wishes your way!
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I’ve always loved seeing your garden. Can’t wait to see the new!! I’m sure it will be wonderful. Can’t send you warm weather I’m afraid…….we’re in the middle of yet another snowstorm! Sigh……maybe in a few weeks………
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Kaboom indeed! I hope your new space brings good things to you all. I had a little summerhouse built last Autumn(sounds grand, but it’s really a just a corner sheltered spot to sit & knit) and I can’t wait to use it. Like you, a burst of Spring is needed here and I hope some comes your way very soon to assist H in his work. I’ll look forward to seeing your photos of how your plans progress.
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That is going to be wonderful. I’m looking forward to seeing the new additions and improvements.
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The plans sound wonderful…”a garden room”! I look forward to seeing pics as it progresses. In the meantime, I hope all is well. Spring will eventually arrive… 😉
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What wonderful respite this will bring you all – I hope summer is a special time, we may have to forget spring with all the work you have to do – take care Sue x
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Oh that is going to be wonderful – a special wee place — I am sure everyone is going to really enjoy it.
Love Leanne
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How exciting! Best to do it all now while everyone’s garden looks a mess – I’ve not seen Spring either, so can’t help you there. In fact, I can hear thunder coming our way…sigh.
Can’t wait to see all the changes when they are done – it will be fantastic!
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it sounds like a wonderful space you are building, fingers crossed for some fine spring weather for the construction. x
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Oh the garden room sounds absolutely perfect! What a super idea. Can’t wait to see it as it takes shape. I would send you some warm dry weather if I could, but all is cold and rainy round these parts too–sigh. K x
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Sounds good,everyone deserves a bit of me time. Hope the weather starts to pick up soon as I need to get things done in my garden also. Good luck with your project x
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Your plans sound like a breath of fresh air, you can always still have pots, but a lovely space for all to enjoy in different ways,sounds just right, hope your weather improves to move the project forward.
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It will be worth all the upset, Im looking forward to seeing it finished and in use, ali
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So exciting. Looking forward to after pictures:)
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Oh my goodness!!! I have so loved and coveted your back yard and garden area since the first day I laid eyes on it! I think perhaps I shall love and covet your new area of respite when it is done too!
When ever I do a project it always looks way worse before I’m finished. It’s trying to keep my sanity while the mayhem is going in the hopes that the project will miraculously be finished in double time. It’s a race between my sanity and the finishing of the project I think sometimes. 🙂
A respite spot will be glorious for you. I would try to send spring your way but it appears that the spring we had…….. has up and left us too!
BTW, my husband is having a jolly time driving there in the UK. Driving a stick shift with his left hand, driving on the other side of the road, and trying to figure out the multiple round abouts. 🙂 He said he got lost the first day but somehow miraculously made it back to his hotel. He figures by the end of the week he just may perhaps be able to manage driving over there without too much trouble. At one point he got onto a toll road by mistake 🙂 and had to beg his way off without paying which they let him.
He writes home to me and tells me of his adventures and I write back to him sweet and encouraging words all the while I’m giggling at the imaginings of what he is going through!! 😀
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Our garden looks very similar at the moment. The grass is so boggy its like a penalty box on a football pitch. I love your garden, it was here that I first saw your veg boxes, I managed to find them on the internet, and now have four (so easy to look after).
I am now looking forward to seeing your developments, and how generous people are. We finally took down the trampoline last year, and hopefully we shall have a small summerhouse in its place.
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I just wish we had a garden to do something with. I’m sure it’s going to be great for you all and you must be very proud of H for being able to do it. Didn’t you have chickens too or am I thinking of someone else? You will have to keep us updated with the progress. Oh and I am most definitely a homebody , I very rarely go anywhere x
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Sounds like you have an exciting project ahead of you! Some of Spring has been on the Isle of Skye today. The sun has been shining and it’s been dry, but definitely not warm! We arrived here yesterday to a beautiful array of daffodils lining part of the bank on our driveway. Hopefully some warm dry weather will be with you soon to assist you.
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That does sound exciting and with the prospect of giving you more space to spread out. Look forward to seeing how it progresses.
Spring is a very long way from here too. A brief ray of sunshine encouraging me to go out, only to be battered by hail and then rain. If I had it better I’d happily share!
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That sounds absolutely marvelous! What lovely friends you have 🙂
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I’m sure your new garden world is going to give you all moments of joy and quietness that you all deserve.
Can’t wait to see how your new garden develops. Bring on the sunshine. Where i live in Austria we had more snow today….boy oh boy its enough. The birds are chirping in the morning so that’s a good sign. Although there still too much snow on the ground to see the spring flowers. None of them dare pop their little heads out!
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SO excited for you and I am hoping you will share photos of the progress along the way.:o) It seems like what you had has served you all well and what you are planning will go far to serve you in the future since the children have grown and needs have changed.
I chuckled at Toby’s picture. I am sure it was a little more than stressful at the time, but now serves as a reminder that the saying “This too shall pass” must be true. I am fairly certain that I have seen him in pants since 2007. :o) Hope he loves the new swing!
I don’t think I responded to your previous post, but I am truly a homebody as well. I understand where you are coming from. I would much rather be peacfully knitting, cooking for my family, reading or watching movies than going to a party. It was not always that way. But needs do change. I have a friend who says that you really have to respect and appreciate people who know their limits. I think she is right. It is good to know youself and do what is right for you.
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Got a brief glimpse of spring, sunny afternoon with our grandson in a garden not too far from you. Snow arrived two days later. Home briefly before we move south to be with our glorious grandson, snow, rain, but so many signs of spring. May your garden flourish, your family be full of joy and your respite as a family be calm and sustaining. Thank you Julie for sharing. It has meant the world. X
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I am glad you are all able to have a room of your own. Such a small thing but such a big one too. I hope it provides the respite and peace each of you needs. Wishing you much joy with it all and hopes that the plans don’t take too long to reach fulfilment.
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if you find spring can you send it my way too please!!!
Nikki x
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Good luck to you on your project.
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All sounds wonderful and sending the warm and dry that
has been here for months to help you.
Look forward to seeing this space completed ☺
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Fantastic. I am so, so pleased for you.
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Desejo boa sorte com as obras!
Desejo também um bom tempo cheio de sol… já conversei com ele aqui e pedi para dar um passeio por aí.
Um abraço!
Egléa
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Wonderful idea for you all, I know how needful it is to get away just for a while. So glad you have an accomplished and willing husband who loves you all enough to do his share, such a blessing. Look forward to seeing progress when the weather allows. Best wishes as always
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How exciting this must be for you Julie – it sounds like a great idea (despite the hard work for H!) I hope it goes smoothly and enhances all your lives. x
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Oh Julie this sounds fantastic and I’m sure it is going to make a tremendous difference to you all. I can’t wait to see the pictures of the finished project. Not much spring my way today unfortunately just more of that stupid white stuff.
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Can’t wait to see the transformation.
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I am nominating you for an Inspirational Blogger Award, Julie. Sure you have many, but I pay it forward to you – thanks for your blogging, I love to read it, my nomination is here….don’t feel obliged to follow ALL the rules, just wanted to pass on my admiration and respect
http://cottonhappy.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/an-award/
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What wonderful changes. It’s great to have a vision and see it come to fruition. Such dreams are a godsend, and their manifestation makes the difference between really living and just existing.
God bless you and your family!
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Fantastic for you all. You deserve it! I love reading your blog you are an inspiration to many. Keep it up. x x
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My sympathies re. the upheaval … the upstairs of my house looks like a bomb site and ours is a much smaller project than yours. So chuffed for you though that the kindness of those who care means you can have your much needed respite space 🙂
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What a wonderful idea! Your garden room sounds perfect, especially for the stage your family has reached now, and it will be worth all the hard work. I look forward to seeing the progress….I do love projects like this. Sending warm and sunny wishes!
Helen x
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What a lovely change though! I love the raised beds and the green, but a property is put into your hands by heaven as if it were clay – it can be what is needed, what will bless, what will please the eye and lighten the heart. It will be wonderful out there! I’m excited to see how it turns out. G will groan with H – lots of work. But it’s a good kind of work, isn’t it? Creating something new? Tell him I said so. I’m sure he’ll be impressed.
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I just discovered your blog. My friend also has an autistic son, he is 35 now. he cannot talk only cry very loud. Every day he is in a center for autistics, so every morning and evening my friend drives 20 km to and from the center, because she wants him home for the night !!!!
Do you already know when there will be new bunnies available? And I also would love to have the patterN . I just finished the bear from ‘zij maakt het’. A Dutch designer, maybe you already know her, her patterns are also in English.
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Your garden did look wonderful but I am sure what is to come will look just as good and maybe better…look forward to seeing the finished project
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It looks like you have a way with green space, so the garden reno should be wonderful.
Spring is lurking about here but not quite willing to be seen as yet.
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I’m new to your blog but so enjoying it. Your little yard looks adorable. I can hardly imagine dismantling it. You must have great plans.
– The Tablescaper
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Oh well, spring is missing here too, and this should be sunny Italy!
It keeps on raining and blowing cold winds… just my camellias seem not to bother as they are in full bloom and soaked wet 😦
Italian hugs (abbracci)
Gallina
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The room sounds lovely. It’s sad to move on sometimes (I’ve read your most recent post) but it sounds like this will be a beautiful thing to look forward to.
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Still searching for spring! 🙂
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When I went back to visit my native Berlin after World War II, I noticed that the only thing I really remembered from my childhood Berlin days is the shoe store.
http://funds2orgs.com/
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