Remodeling House

Feeling like I am in a fairy tale, the English countryside is this beautiful.
It's a chilly, damp, early spring with fresh crisp green everywhere, which magically highlights the stone in this ancient village.

Old Sherborne Castle's original owner was Sir Walter Raleigh, damaged by Cromwell's men and later destroyed by Parliament, it's stark beauty is hauntingly surreal
Sir Raleigh built a new home now known as Sherborne Castle. The Digby family currently resides here since their ancestors purchased it in the 1760's. Portions of the castle are open to the public
For a great non-fiction read. The story of Jane Digby;  a woman born to excessive wealth and privilege who abandons everything; her family, wealth and strict social protocol of the era for fearless adventure and a 'scandalous' romance. Her story would shock today's society.
Let's go........
My eyes are drawn to the architecture, the small details of paint colors, the shape of an exterior lamp, ancient building materials, and on and on is where my focus lies.
Most of the in-town structures were constructed from the 1300 to 1600's. If we took away the new window and the gutter, this home would appear as it has for centuries. Even a small sampling of the original roof remains
The patterns, particularly the top ridge, the columns and the high gloss door
A less threatening pattern at the top. Take note of the window mullions, hand cut stone.
Carved stone entrance pediment with columns....centuries old. Love to stand back and imagine all those that passed
I am usually here in late summer when flowers are everywhere. The beauty of this time of year is the rich honey colored stones stark beauty, unadorned, brings the structures to center stage
Love this, lose the single shrub
"The Doors of Sherborne".........could sound like an old book title.........the stories of what lies beyond
PERFECTION! Take a good look at this OIL based paint, it is practically mirror like. In the US the ban on oil based paints has taken off and is official in most states. It's fumes are considered hazardous and a minor pollutant. This makes me crazy; oil paint? What about cigarettes?!
contemplating a smuggling ring.....are you in?
Many doors have the wooden piece at the base to deflect water and I am liking it. Love the glass, it adds light while lending privacy.........."quite clevah" as the British would say

Ever have coffee from a 'French Press?' Forgot how completely easy this is to make and the coffee is rich and creamy, will be pulling mine back out when I get home
A medieval entrance to the main streets of town. Legend has it that the "most despicable of criminals" were hung from this spot. Look at all the yummy architectural details beyond
Door to a school from the 1300's
Charming Tudor with original lead windows. From age, they are a bit crooked but that just adds to it's charm! Love the national save and preserve mentality.

This centerpiece of the market began as a monk's wash center......remember, all and anyone affiliated with the church, had the dough
Notice the carved stone vault ceiling?
Love the story of this stunning building. Built in 1440 and signed off by Henry VIII, it's use today is as originally intended, an 'Almshouse' for the elderly and the poor of town. If selected they will have free care by turning over their few worldly possessions. Currently run by private charities.
Let's go in........I knocked on the entrance door and the head matron, effusively apologetic, asked if i would "be so kind to come with notice and she would be happy to take me around." She wanted to tidy a bit first.........And by and large that gracious and kind demeanor permeates the culture
Stunning isn't it? Look at the tile flooring, red and black squares, yes original and intact
Remember the Digby's? No, they do not own this pub. However, they were and are so influential the name appears everywhere.
Note the sign saying "free house?" This means they are not beholden to any one brewery and can sell any beer they choose. Increasingly becoming rare as it is a more costly alternative
Crazy for the framing used on most signage

A tomato isn't an herb, but I've used more than my fair share of these red juicy globes to flavor and beautify everything from soups to appetizers. If you have an herb garden, chances are that there is going to be a tomato garden on your property this summer too. I won't repeat any basic planting instructions here because you can find them on almost any gardening site. I will offer a few quick

The first two days of March have been rather pleasant, bright and sunny but a little colder.  We have experienced a good amount of snow accumulation this year.  Overall the temperatures haven't been too cold.  I don't think we have even had a bitterly cold spell this year which is nice given the rising home heating costs.  It will soon be time to turn my attention to this year's gardens,

Our

One catalog I forgot to include in my last post is for Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. They sell seeds online and have an interesting site you should take a few minutes to explore: The Jefferson Monticello

I visited Monticello a few years ago. It was overcast and drizzling, but the grounds were still beautiful. The house itself is a must see (especially the conservatory) if you're ever near

Spring is making a comeback. There may still be some snowy days with flurries and a precipitous dip in the overnight temperatures. There may be a few setbacks to more welcoming outdoor weather -- but I can smell the change. You know, that fresh, light  smell with a hint of sunshine in it that says winter is on the way out. Last weekend I was outside checking to see if the catnip made it through

So, off it is to the charming village of Sherborne England, south of London, in what is known as "Thomas Hardy Country" of thatched cottages, castle ruins, medieval squares and an abundance of charm.

My long held dream of writing a book is finally here.  Failure looms, trying.......well, what is there to lose other than the "what if's"



 I also need the time to reflect, to quiet my mind, to think........2010 was unlike any other. I embrace the thought of solitude.
 But, at night? First things first, I must become acquainted with the local pub. Traveling solo is a license to stretch beyond your comfort zone and usually the rewards are memory making
I say I won't, after all my new Sketchers are coming with me, but the local tea shops have scones with clotted cream. Have you ever had the real clotted cream, from Devon? OMG!
 Dearest friends, Sylvia and Joe are allowing me the use of the cottage on their grounds for 5 weeks! My gratitude is unending
(Dear Father Time....... please go slowly)
   
OH NO..............Not again!
I can feel him practically breathing down my neck, we'll be so much closer......All I have to do is.....
bring 'Pride and Predjudice'




Or write about      My own Mr. Darcy      But since I will be attempting non-fiction the fates are against me.
I love the differences between our two countries and the similarities, we do after all speak the same language........sort of.......
Having been many times and having taken numerous small groups over the years visiting gardens and antiquing, I have learned so much; and often the hard way

ME:     "oh what a charming plant what is it?"
CLERK  "mind your own business!"  was the sharp retort
ME      "I am sorry, you must have misunderstood. I was inquiring on the plant name"
CLERK   "mind your own business!" in a stronger tone
ME:     "I uh, well I uh only...."
CLERK:   "Oh it's been so long since an American asked.......bending over laughing.....that is what the plant is called here!"
Note to anyone interested, we refer to it as 'Baby Tears'. Helxine is the botanical name
MY FRIEND ANGELA:   "yes let's cross the lane and see the old house, I have a key" "just wait a moment while I get a torch"
ME:  "Isn't that dangerous, a bit overkill?" thinking to myself, this is a very old building
Note: torch = flashlight

On our very first visit, in our typical travel fashion, Steve and I rented a car and headed south without a care, nor a reservation. "Let's see what we find along the way!" was our mantra. Add jet lag and a learning curve..........driving on the other side of the road. As we headed deeper into the countryside warning signs became increasingly dire


LORRY CROSSING

MIND THE LORRY'S

then the ominous DANGER; LORRY'S AHEAD!

What kind of an animal is this?! How big are they???


Note; Lorry = Truck    



ME to STEVE; "How odd, this village is posting signs about a BOOT sale in this field tomorrow". "And with such fanfare!, balloons, signs everywhere......it's july how many boots can people have to sell?!"
Note;  Boot = Trunk, as in "Come, open your trunk and sell from it!"


One of the joys of the countryside and it's major past time is garden visiting. Large public gardens that once surrounded a castle and moat, a Duke's Estate, you name it...... But, I will tell you that the very best are the deeply rural private gardens. A perfect way to engage with the locals and their customs. Every proper garden open for visitors offers tea and cakes for sale. Naturally there are no strip malls (thankfully) nor many spots to pop in and grab a water for MILES. And very unlike the locals, I dislike tea, immensely.


It was hot and I was terribly thirsty

ME   "Do you possibly offer a beverage other than tea?"
TEA ATTENDANT:  "Squash"
ME    "Did you say Squash, as in juice?"
T. ATTENDANT;  "yes mam, I did"
ME:  "Then squash it is", ever so meekly
T. ATTENDANT;  "There you are, do enjoy!"
ME......wait this is...... o r a n g e  juice, freshly "squashed"

I adore the British; their quirky sense of humor, "proper" mannerisms, yes...the food, their history, gardens, architecture, antiques, decor.....ALL   
Stay tuned, life is an adventure and I will take you with me, vicariously.




Of course! The perfect pillow
Anything I should look for over there while shopping? Do tell!

A note to my clients.........I will still be working, but that part did not make for a good story........know to contact me any time; debra@scentimentalgardens.com

The last couple of days have been on the mild side very much welcomed from the previous week of cold temperatures and blizzard conditions.  My husband was at Home Hardware to pick up more salt for the driveway.  He brought home the spring edition of Home at Home, an idea magazine put out by Home Hardware.  There's always great ideas in the magazine as well as instructions on how to complete the