Well, I’m no celebrity, but I’m out of the Jungle and have returned, in one piece (I think), to my Summerhouse. At last I can begin to catch up on all those long-overdue blog posts!
Many moons ago, lovely and talented Jo, accomplished author, wonderful friend to me and writers everywhere, tagged me for My Workspace Blog Hop. I’m excited to take part, thanks so much Jo, and many congratulations too! Jo has recently published her latest book, Echoes of Narcissus in the Gardens of Delight (which I seriously can’t wait to read).
Having a workspace (other than the kitchen table), much less an office, seemed a distant reality for years: we never seemed to have the room and I didn’t even have a computer of my own until recently. We shared the ‘communal computer’ tucked away in a corner at the top of the stairs, which, as the (three) kids grew up, caused more arguments than shopping for a TV on Black Friday.
Thankfully, those days are behind us.
As a child, I spent long hours playing inside the summerhouse at the end of my grandparents’ garden: lost in a world of make-believe, I loved pretending it was my own little house. So many happy memories of summer afternoons sitting with my grandparents in garden chairs on its little wooden porch drinking tea and eating fairy cakes…
I longed for a summerhouse of my own, but I had to wait a long time. My dream came true at last when, three years ago, Hubby built one for me in our back garden:
Summerhouse in Snow
(c) Sherri Matthews 2013
Soon enough, it became a wonderfully peaceful and distraction-free setting for my writing and from there, came the idea for the name of this blog. What better way to share the view with you, dear friends, no matter the weather (or mood) than from my Summerhouse?
The view isn’t at its best at the moment (dirty windows from the rain for one thing, and no snow this year for another), but I look forward to sharing a prettier, brighter view with you when my spring bulbs burst into bloom.
A hint of a view…
(c) Sherri Matthews
I had to stop using my Summerhouse for a while last year due to internet issues and problems with my old laptop, so I tapped away in the living room, sitting on the sofa with my laptop on my, well, lap.
This was fine except I was working and living in the same space, day in, day out. For months. Stir crazy? You bet. Now, even though only feet apart, I can divide my time more efficiently between work and home, separating the two, which helps tremendously.
Here’s the view of the inside of my Summerhouse, my workspace sanctuary:
There are few bits-and-bobs hanging around, reminders of holidays and travels
from years gone by:
Mobiles, chimes, bunting…yes, I love all that!
(c) Sherri Matthews 2015
There’s also a bookcase for ‘stuff’ and a couple of important books. You might notice the electric fan heater which keeps the chill out on bitter winter days…
(c) Sherri Matthews 2015
It might be small, but there’s plenty of room for all; no matter how cold it is outside, you will always find a warm welcome at my Summerhouse.
Welcome To The Summerhouse! (c) Sherri Matthews 2015
My friend Steven calls it ‘The Summerhouse of Secrets’. Perhaps not so secret now… ? Hopefully I’ve managed to keep some mystery…
Speaking of visitors, thank you so much to Merryn, Sarah and Andy for dropping by with some lovely, shiny awards to jazz up the place:
Merryn, a new blogging friend, left a sweet message on my ‘About’ page to let me know that she had nominated me for The Liebster Award. Do visit her over at her lovely blog, Humble Heart Scribbles.
Sarah so kindly nominated me for One Lovely Blog Award. Some of you already know Sarah from her ‘One Lovely Blog’ Sarah Potter Writes where she shares her poignant, humourous and insightful thoughts through her beautiful poetry, flash fiction and photos.
Andy is also known by a few of you. A great thrill and honour when he invited me into his WordPress Family Award. He is a blessing to all who know him over at his blog christiangrandfather where he shares delightful stories of a life well lived.
Finally, I need to tag a few of you for the blog hop, but remember, there is no obligation whatsoever. I always find it so difficult knowing who to tag, but here is one lovely crew, all lovely blogging friends whom I’m delighted to introduce:
Yvette of Priorhouse Blog
Sarah of Lemon Shark
Hugh of Hugh’s Views & News
Pauline of The Contended Crafter
Kath of Minuscule Moments of Inspiration
Norah of Norah Colvin
Now I’m off to get some more writing done. You know where I’ll be and remember, the kettle is always simmering. And you never know, there might even be a bottle of bubbly chilling on ice. Any excuse. Wait? Is that a pop I hear?
Have a great weekend and see you soon! Love Sherri x
A View From My Summerhouse 
Your office is just as gorgeous as you Sherri! I love all the bits and bobs – I’ve also got a couple of fairies floating about – although I wasn’t brave enough to leave them in my pic. Hopefully your laptop is behaving now so you can scribble away in your Summerhouse of Secrets. HUGS! XXXX
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You beat me to it Jo, was about to come over and say, at last, the blog hop post is up!!! Haha…well, you caught that fairy 🙂 It’s nice having a space for it all! Things are much better thanks…and I definitley plan to get down to the serious business of serious scribbling now! Thanks again Jo for tagging me, I’ve had a lot of fun with with this and loads of hugs right back to you 🙂 xxxxxxxx
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What a lovely little summerhouse!
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Thanks Sue, pop over any time 🙂
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Wow, Sherri, your husband did a great job building your summerhouse! I love the walls, it looks so cozy. I always enjoy seeing people’s work spaces. Now I’ll have a perfect picture of you as you bombard me with your funny email faces. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us! Enjoy your weekend. xoxo
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Haha…well, it’s serious business inside the Summerhouse of Secrets Jill 😉 Hubby will be thrilled to know that when I tell him! Thank you! You have a great weekend too, you and DFD 🙂 xoxo
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I Love your Summerhouse. It’s funky and fun, like you. Thank you for sharing. Hugs to you friend.
Love,
E
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Oh I love that… ‘funky and fun’! You’ve just made me feel ten years younger, thanks so much Elizabeth 🙂 It’s great having you come by and visit…much love and hugs to too sweet friend 🙂
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Hey Sherri!! What a fantastic summerhouse! A beautiful space to create your lovely posts!
Thanks so much for showing me around, i feel honoured! 🙂
It’s great to have you back here too, i’ve missed your love filled posts which always bless everyone who reads them!. 🙂
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Ahh…it’s always so lovely to ‘see’ you again Steve, I’ve been checking in on you too, I hope I haven’t missed your posts? My emails have been a bit messed up but I’m hoping it has been resolved now so I can keep on top of things. I’m coming through the mire and getting back to those love-filled posts, LOL 😀 Have a great weekend my friend, blessings to you and your lovely Sarah 🙂
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An absolutely enchanting space! Lucky you, Sherri. I love it. Sigh. ❤
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Thankfully the rain doesn’t leak through, LOL! We lost the roof once during some bad storms. Thankfully no further disasters, and that little fan heater does wonders. Glad you get to share it with me Tess 🙂 ❤
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I think it’s precious. ❤ ❤
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Thank you Tess… ❤ ❤ ❤
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What a dream office you have, Sherri. It’s like a thoroughly feminine and prettified version of Roald Dahl’s rather spartan writing shed at the bottom of his garden where he penned his many famous works. Of course, unlike you, he didn’t write on a computer but in a notepad, and had no telephone to distract him! It’s very important for writers to have a working space that is just theirs. I have a place that I call “my office” (although my dog thinks of it as “our office”). Like your summerhouse, it has a wonderful view over the garden, where all sorts of wonderful birds visit.
Thank you for your thanks re the award, and linking back to my blog. My pleasure of course, Sherri, as you do have “One Lovely Blog” 🙂 xxxxxxx
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Haha…I didn’t know that Roald Dahl wrote in a shed! I bet it was so peaceful there 🙂 How lovely that you have a view of your garden and your birds Sarah. The ‘view’ from inside isn’t very good in this photo, but I can see through the middle of the trellis and the bush to the tree below where all our feeders are hung, where our birds congregate. Including my robin! The garden is terraced so the main part is lower down from my summerhouse. It is so important to have our own workspace isn’t it? I don’t take my phone in with me, that is the one thing I don’t do. But I do have internet out there 🙂
Ahh…well, you are most welcome dear Sarah, I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t pass the award on (time constraints) but I did want to make sure to thank you publicly and link back to you as you deserve. . And coming up soon, your 777 hop post 🙂 Have a lovely weekend 🙂 xxxxxxxx
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My garden is terraced both in the front and back garden. The front one is quite steep with 15 steps up to our house and with a wonderful view over the rooftops to the sea from upstairs. The back one has a high rockery outside the kitchen window, so that we have a wonderfully flowery view in the spring and summer. Then the garden slopes upwards from the top of the rockery, which means that the old apple tree at the end of the garden is level with my office window, sight-wise. At the moment, I can see two beautiful bullfinches in the tree. My robin likes the small rowan tree nearer to my window and two woodpigeons have been busy courting in the ivy on my fence. The blue tits have been very busy in the last few weeks feasting upon the seeds in the old man’s beard on the other side of the garden. There’s also a shy wren that visits often, plus a mistlethrush and Mr & Mrs Blackbird. My dog makes sure the cats stay away, so the birds are happy, especially as she knows not to chase birds. Often, on a summer’s evening, she will sit in the middle of the garden watching the blackbird or jackdaws on the roof. She loves it when the blackbirds or robin are singing.
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Your garden sounds absolutely lovely Sarah. I’m interested you mention a mistlethrush as I caught sight of one literlly in the the last couple of days, the first time everI had to keep looking as I couldn’t quite believe it. Got the bird book and binoculors out and everything! It was at the feeder, same with the blackbirds (Mr & Mrs also!) but Hubby said that blackbirds are known to bully mistlethrush’s. Robin likes to hop about around my bench and up in the acer tree, waiting to flit up to the feeders when the blue tits appear. I’ve got a lovely pair of great tits – sorry, couldn’t resisit, but it’s all true! – and coal tits too, all of which Robin likes to chase off. We get starlings sometimes and also a pigeon. Such a sweet scene with your dog. And to have a view of the sea from upstairs too…I want to live where you live 🙂
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I dream of having a space where I can retreat to, far away from cries of “Where’s my shirt?” or “what’s for tea?” I fantasise of a little hut somewhere on a cliff in the west country over-looking the sea. It has a log fire and a sofa and a desk with superfast broadband. I’d exile myself there for six months, live on salad and see what transpired.
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Oh Jenny, your fantasy sounds positively idyllic. You would emerge with a novel, super relaxed and super trim. Sounds like the perfect life to me…when you move, let me know. I’ll come over for a cuppa 🙂 Have a great weekend Jenny, hope things are levelling out for you. And keep that fantasy alive 🙂
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What a lovely place to be creative, Sherri. Love all the memorabilia hanging around, and your ‘Welcome’ sign is gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing your summer view. 🙂 Congrats on your well deserved awards. xx
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So glad you enjoyed the ‘view’ Sylvia, and all my memorabilia 🙂 My mum gave me the ‘welcome’ sign. I like to have a sea-going theme, makes me imagine that I’m in a little beach hut by the sea 🙂 Thanks so much…hope things are going well with your rather busy time, will be over to see what you are up to 🙂 xx
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How lovely to have a space like that. I used to have a wendy house in my childhood, which my dad built for me. I loved that wendy house. I understand why you yearned for your summerhouse. How great to get a little insight, though 🙂
Hahaha, I was going to mention Steven if you didn’t! Oh, he’ll probably come up with some remark or excuse or something… I am sure he’ll still insist on calling it the Summerhouse of Secrets, despite this. You know what he’s like 😉
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Oh Jenny Jen Jen, you don’t know how much I absolutely longed for a Wendy house, I wanted one so badly! I’ve always been obsessed with little wooden huts,beach huts, summerhouses, sheds, Wendy houses! How wonderful for you, I bet you had such joy and happy days playing inside it. Haha…well, I had to mention Steven didn’t I? I hope that the mystery hasn’t been destroyed. But then I didn’t show everything. Who knows what is yet to be discovered! Hope your week has been a better one for you, and that you have a lovely weekend 🙂 xx
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Remarks? Excuses? Have I become that predictable?
You mentioned wendy houses, I used to want one of those. I hasten to add this was when I was about three, not eighteen or something like you’re probably picturing… indeed, I used to enjoy going to DIY stores and garden centres so I could run and hide myself away in the sheds and summerhouses…
Sherri, I am rather jealous of your summerhouse, but then you have probably known that for years now. Looks like the perfect getaway pad. The snowy photograph is wonderful!
And, of course, it’s still the Summerhouse of Secrets to me. We clearly did not see the sophisticated AUTOMATIC LOCK-IN system, nor can we see anywhere the boxes of Citrus Polos we stashed in there years ago when Sherri wasn’t looking. Lots of secrets remain!
Seems your prediction was correct, Jenona… well, wouldn’t want to disappoint, eh? You should be a fortune teller like your auntie, or whoever on earth it was.
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Me too JG! I used to love hiding in sheds and summerhouses! And yes, you are right…I didn’t reveal all…and my lips are sealed as to what happened to those boxes of Citrus Polos…
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Absolutely lovely, Sherri, to have that special place to retreat to. I can imagine how you feel when you go to that place that captures your memories of long ago with your grandparents. I know that feeling.
For me, it’s been the kitchen table, although I’m finding with it being in the middle of things I have a harder time splitting off and getting away for some alone time. Your little summerhouse is perfect.
I may need to dream up something like that, too — who knows? Never thought of my working space quite like that before — hmmmm. Thank you, Sherri. I love how real you are and your creative spirit. 🙂
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Ahh…what a lovely thing to say Pat, you’ve really touched me 🙂 I know what you mean about having your table in the middle of things, that’s how I felt with sitting in the living room with my laptop. I found that I was spending entire days there, in the same space, same four walls! Getting out in my summerhouse helps make the transition to having that little space where I can be alone and I hadn’t realised just how important that is. It doesn’t really matter where that ‘space’ is, it can be anywhere, but the key is knowing that there, you have peace and uninterrupted time. Your kitchen table is so warm and welcoming and you give it up to share so willingly and tenderly to those of us who adore visiting you. But, yes, I can quite understand that you would like to have a separate working space. I hope this has inspired you my friend…I look forward to hearing more on what developments may come out of this for you! So lovely to hear from you, I hope you are keeping warm and safe in your beautiful, snow-capped home, and I hope you have a beautiful weekend 🙂
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Thank you, Sherri. I can relate to what you’re saying. Sometimes, I do spend a lot of time in the same spot only with distractions and interruptions by being in the center of things. TV comes on and meals come around and I find that I’m not quite ready to put my laptop away.
I can see where having a special place to go would shift gears to a different frame of mind. Still, inspiration is there in the midst of it all.
Appreciate your kind words and we’re having a heatwave. Denver was in the ’70’s today. Can you believe it!. 🙂
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Wow, that’s unbelieveably hot for this time of year! It’s bitterly cold here but no snow 😉
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I would love a summerhouse – though I suspect the OH would commandeer it for his music studio – in the meantime I shall have to share yours. I’ll bring my own glass 😀
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I had a shed once that I loved but my ex used it for his dirt bike 👿 Oh Jude, I know how much you want one and I’m confident that you will have your very own summerhouse when you finally find your ‘dream’ home. And no musical instruments allowed!! But yes, absolutely, you can share my summerhouse anytime you want. Hold that glass up, I’m pouring now…cheers 😀 xx
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Cheers Sherri!
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😀
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Hi Sherri – thank you so much for the shout out, I’m honoured that you would include me in your list of writers! It’s a huge compliment 🙂
I love your summerhouse! I love that little wind chime with the heart [I’m a sucker for wind chimes.] Despite my own gorgeous art room I have an on-going fantasy of an outside room, preferably with a view of the ocean, at the bottom of the garden, where I go to paint. It is generally a huge room though, with lots of room to spread out in, many work benches for all the different mediums and projects and a day bed for just dreaming if I want! It’s good to have a dream don’t you think? 🙂
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You are more than welcome Pauline! I thought of you and your wonderful artwork and thought how wonderful it would be to see your ‘workspace’ 🙂 I have serveral windchimes hanging in the Summerhouse, the big, Indonesian wooden one hangs outside in the summer and makes a lovely, calming clonking sound when the warm air breezes through it. I adore wind chimes too, ever since I lived in California, I just love the sound of them 🙂 Oh Pauline, your fantasy is similar to mine. I love my Summerhouse, and I keep it with a sea-going theme as I like to imagine that I’m by the sea, but it is lovely to overlook the garden and keep an eye on the birds, including Sweet Robin 🙂 Oh yes, we need to keep our dreams alive, that is for sure. It’s what keeps us going, absolutely 🙂
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How wonderful of you to share your ‘behind the scenes’ photos with us Sherri! It looks like you have a lovely setup for your writing surrounded by items that are meaningful to you. I never knew the meaning behind your blog, but now it all makes sense! I look forward to seeing the changes that spring brings, blossoming flowers and all!
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Ahh…so I did reveal a little secret then! So glad to have you visit my Summerhouse Heather, you bring smiles to my day, and thank you, and yes, I can’t wait for when those bulbs spring forth! 🙂
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Your summer house looks so nice and it is important to have a separate work space when you work from home. I’ve got an office in our house here in Scotland and I’m loving it. Thanks for sharing your office with us 🙂
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Thanks Rachel, glad you enjoyed the ‘grand tour’ and good to hear you have your own workspace too 🙂
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How lovely, Sherri! Your own little hiding place. I love how comfy and bright it looks with all your nice decorative touches. I would love a place like that where I could do my crafts and dance without anybody watching. Hee,hee. Have yourself a wonderful weekend. We are expecting YET another snow storm on Sunday night into Monday. Lord, help us. We have several feet already! The only saving grace is that this brickhousechick will be in Puerto Rico visiting her mom by this coming Tuesday night! I.Cannot.Wait. 🙂
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It is nice to have my own space Maria, but I think if I tried to dance inside it, I would wreck the place as it’s so tiny 😛 So I just listen to my music when the mood takes me and nod my head instead 🙂 I always wanted a sewing/craft room too, somewhere to really spread out, keep the sewing machine out all the time instead of taking over the dining table 😉 More snow? Wow! We’ve not had any here in the south west of the UK. But how wonderful that you are heading out to visit with your mom, the perfect escape! Have a truly wonderful time and safe, happy travels 🙂
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I had no idea a blog hop like this existed. I am always so curious to see where people write. It’s a thing. Thanks for tagging me! I just tagged you in a secret blog hop so we crossed paths. 🙂 Your writing space is absolutely charming. Just like you. I can just picture you writing there. It’s awesome. (Love the wee garden fairy!)
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Me neither until I was tagged! It’s funny how we both tagged one another at the same time, both with a ‘secret’ theme 🙂 I’m going to have to think about what further secrets to reveal, ha! Ahh…thanks so much Sarah, you are so sweet. Glad you caught the fairy too…I didn’t notice until I put the photo up here but that’s fine! I love fairies, always have, always will! I’m looking forward to seeing your workspace 🙂 Hope you’re having a lovely weekend 🙂
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What a cozy summerhouse you have there, and built with a lot of love by your husband. Wonderful. I am sure it’s a delightful place for you to work and write – and when you’re feeling restless you can go out and have a wander around the garden. My writing workspace is just my room in my apartment, at least there’s a balcony where I can go to get some fresh air. Congratulations on all the awards, you deserve them for writing so well and sharing your stories with us 🙂 I hope your book is going well, sounds like you’re hard at work most days on it 🙂 ❤
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Thank you so much Mabel, so sweet of you and I am delighted to share my little Summerhouse with you! Not much left to show as it is very small but it is great to have that separate workspace, it’s really helped and yes, I can take a break in the garden – when the weather is nice, it’s bitterly cold here at the moment, brrrrr 😮 Very grateful for my little fan heater 😉 How lovely for you to have a balcony, I love balconys 🙂 I’m pressing on, had some delays, but one day at a time. Thank you for checking in…and I hope that things are going well for you and that you are enjoying a lovely weekend 🙂 ❤
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“…share my little Summerhouse with you”. Your Summerhouse might not be that big, but it’s brimming with endless streams of love, joy and positivity. That’s why we keep coming back, and why I’d love to visit if I can 🙂
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How lovely…have a wonderful week dear Mabel ❤ ❤ ❤ 😀 🙂
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Thanks for sharing these pictures, Sherri. What a delight, to have your own separate space to go to and create. Wonderful!
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Thank you so much Marylin, I am delighted to share my Summerhouse with you and relish your company 🙂
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What a darling place! I like to think of you tucked up and cozy, writing away in your summerhouse!
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Thanks so much Charli, I’m thrilled to share my Summerhouse with you…and yes, with my little fan heater, I am very cozy in there 🙂
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How did I not know your wonderful hubby built the summerhouse for you? Makes it even more lovely and special. I love your creative space and thank you for sharing it with all of us. Of course the best part are the photos and writing that transpire there!! ❤ xoxo
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Ahh…well, with so much that I fling your way my friend, I probably never mentioned it but then a lot has happened in these past three years for us both 😉 I am thrilled to share the inner workings of my Summerhouse with you …and you know, there is another cosy chair with a nice, soft blankie and cushion, ready and waiting… 🙂 ❤ xoxoxo
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Sherri, so lovely. I’m sitting in my little corner with my sliding door open to my deck listening to the birds chirping away, and my new little kitty sitting on her rug chirping right back at them.While not a separate space. the joy of having an “office space” is wonderful, eh? Love yours, and it’s quite special that hubby made it. Good to see you back in my Daily Digest email again, sweet friend.
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Dear Susan, how lovely to hear from you my friend! With all the problems I’ve had lately I think I’ve dropped off some follow lists and also lost a few from mine, been trying to sort it out. I lost a whole ton of emails and writing too 😦 Anyway, enough of that…I’m thrilled to share my Summerhouse with you 🙂 When the weather is warmer, I keep the doors open and love to listen to the birds too. Your special ‘space’ sounds absolutely delightful, and I know that kitty chirping sound! Oh how lovely you have a new little kitty, I’m so happy for you, you sound so happy and settled in your new home 🙂
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Woohoo, did I ever love seeing this! Did hubby make your desk?! The chimes, the walls, the garden view, the wonderful separate “room of one’s own.” I LOVE this! It must have been so hard to be separated from it and working from your lap in the living room. I feel put out of my space right now, too, because of the mold in the closet (how does one get mold in Arizona anyway?). Thank you so much for sharing your special place with us!!! xo
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Hi Luanne, finally get back here, phew! Yes,hubby did make the desk too, but it was too high at first so he had to shave off a couple of inches off the legs! Ahh…yes, I did find it very hard not to have my own space and love it now. But yes, how do you get mold in Arizona? Hope you get your space back soon…and thanks so much for sharing mine with me 🙂 xoxo
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Ever since I learned (years ago) that my childhood hero, Roald Dahl, wrote in a hut/shed I have been wanting one of my own so I love your Summerhouse Sherri! ps. Love the nautical bits and bobs AND the fairy (every writer should have one spreading fairy dust) A decade or so ago hubby actually extended our house and built an office for me but…it’s not what my heart desired. Now that we have moved countries etc I do all my writing at the kitchen table.
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Ahh…thank you Yolanda, I’m so glad to share my Summerhouse with you 🙂 How lovely to have your own office, but yes, I can fully understand your longing for your very own little wooden hut. I’ve always loved them too. If only having one would guarantee becoming as successful as the wonderful Roald Dahl 😉 Glad you liked the fairy too…she sneaked in the frame there, haha! I hope you have one spreading plenty of fairy dust over your kitchen table Yolanda… 🙂
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Ooh what a treat to see inside the summerhouse! I’m very envious – I’ve always loved summerhouses but we only have a yard so I can’t have one of my own. It looks like a space that’s very conducive to creativity – well it must be, given all of the wonderful things that come out of it 🙂
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Ahh…thank you so much Andrea, how lovely of you to say 🙂 At least there I can keep my clutter out of the way 🙂
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Congratulations on all your awards Sherri. Loved seeing the interior of the Summerhouse and glad your new computer once again allows you out there. I know that feeling of this is home and this is work. We had lived on-site at all work places for years when all of a sudden we were building a house that was not where we were living. I made a packed lunch and off we trotted every day around 8am and returned home at 4 pm. It was the most wonderful feeling not having work intrude into your home life. 🙂
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Thanks so much Irene 🙂 That must have felt so wonderful indeed to at last separate your work from your home and I love how you describe ‘trotting’ off to work with your packed lunches! Working from home isn’t what people imagine is it? It’s great to be able to find that dividing line 🙂
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I think it is impossible to do if you work, eat and sleep in the same place. Hopefully the distance your summerhouse is from your house is sufficient to see the difference between work and home. I think though the problem possibly is the reverse when it comes to writing because people don’t see it as real work. As a result you get interruptions and house chores biting into your work time. You really have to be disciplined.
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I made the mental transition a while ago to view my writing as work instead of just messing about with words for the fun of it. That helped but yes, you are right, too many people don’t see it as work. I try to explain to people the importance of blogging too, that it’s not just sitting on the laptop all day chatting to people. In my Summerhouse I can keep the distractions to a minimum and ignore the chores. Although only about 20 feet away it does the job but yes, I agree Irene, it is not easy keeping disciplined, not easy at all…
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First of all, many congratulations on all your awards, Sherri. Very well deserved if I may say, even though I only discovered your blog two months ago.
Secondly, thank you so much for tagging me in the ‘My Workspace’blog hop. I’ll get to work on taking some photos of my workspace soon, although it’s nowhere near as nice and pretty as your workspace. I’m glad to hear you have an electric heater in the Summerhouse at this time of the year, and it seems the perfect place to get away from everyday life and seek piece and quiet to write. It must be wonderful in the Summer when the door can be left open and the sound of the garden is allowed to filter through.
I’m very honoured and humbled to have been mentioned by you in your post. It was a lovely way to start my weekend, so, once again, thank you so much and I’ll certainly be raising a glass or two to you over Sunday dinner this evening.
Cheers, Sherri. 🙂
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Hi Hugh, and thank you so much, very kind of you. It’s wonderful to share my Summerhouse with you 🙂 Yes, it is nice and cosy now but lovely to have the doors open in the summer. You are most welcome, I’m so glad you will take part and I look forward very much to your post! What a delightful thought at having you raise a glass over Sunday dinner…and I raise one back to you too, although it is now Tuesday, and I can only apologise for my late response. We were away at the weekend for a friend’s birthday celebration in Bournemouth, just returned yesterday so of course I’m catching up like mad…again, and so it goes!! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead…catch up soon Hugh 🙂
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Thanks, Sherri.
I just wanted to let you know that my blog celebrated its one year anniversary yesterday, so I only have another year to go to get past that blog burnout possibility – those words in one of your earlier posts haunt me, but I’m determined not to let blog burnout happen.
I’ll be doing my workspace blog hop very soon. Thanks again for tagging me 🙂
Have a great weekend.
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Thanks so much Hugh, I’ve left a message for you over there, and I’m truly honoured that you would list my blog in such wonderful company. You are so kind. No pressure on the blog hop, just whenever it suits you, but I’m really looking forward to it! Thanks so much, you have a great weekend too and catch up soon 🙂
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There’s something mysteriously beautiful about your summerhouse. Seems to be the place where creativity wears multiple hats — each hat for each character you want to bring alive in your memoir. God’s been kind to us, giving wonderful opportunities. May you do exceedingly well, my friend! Best!
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And I thank you so very much my friend, how lovely of you to say so 🙂 I’m glad that you find some mystery remains…and yes, God has been so kind. Now to grasp those opportunities! Have a wonderful week, I’ll be over to you brimming with BB reviews very shortly, I promise!!
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Sherri I have summer house envy. It looks so cosy and somewhere I would love to stay and write for hours, with no distractions. i dream of a studio one day where I can paint, sketch or write. For now I will just have to create at the kitchen table.
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Ahh Kath…thank you and I am just so happy to share my Summerhouse with you 🙂 I dreamed of having my own sewing room once upon a time, a place where I could spread all my material and keep the sewing machine out, ready for action, instead of having to keep putting it away after taking over the kitchen table. Then I dreamed of my own office, just a little, quiet space in which to write. Somehow, it just never happened…until my Summerhouse. So keep dreaming Kath…your studio will come to you, I’m sure of it…but meanwhile, may I say that your creations are beautiful no matter where you work 🙂
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I work at the kitchen table, so this is a dream! And I like your view. Congrats on all the awards.
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I’m glad this is one dream that came true! Thanks TB,and I hope all is well with you…have been wondering how you are doing, I will pop over, needless to say thanks to going away for a night in Bournemouth for a friend’s birthday, I am now, once again, very behind….
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Thank you for opening up your Summerhouse to us. With the days brighter and longer, it won’t be long until it’s in its full glory again!
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Always a pleasure to share my Summerhouse with you Denise…and yes, not long now before some colour comes into view 🙂
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Ooohhh beloved Sherri!
What a most fabulous and heartwarming post! May I please come for tea?! I miss you, I really do. You are on my mind all the time. 😉
It’s become a super busy time – I believe for you, too – and I have not been able to come visit as often as I’d like, and I’m not able to indulge in your beautiful, amazing words as much as I honestly wish I could.
I guess there is ebb and flow, and that is life in general and in writing and in blogging. . . just wanted you to know that even if we ‘connect’ through the blogs a little less often, you are never in my heart any less. Your light is light for me and I’m so grateful for it.
Big HUGE love and hugs your way, sister.
XOXO
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Ahh, dear Allison, how wonderfully sweet and thoughtful of you, bless you! I miss you too!!! I have been frantically trying to catch up…so yes please, do come over for tea, this very afternoon, and we’ll put the world to rights my friend and share our stories and our hearts. I fully understand, and thank you for understanding too. I just can’t do all I want to do right now, trying to get my book written (and getting back into my Summerhouse is a huge part in that, with all the problems I’ve had lately preventing me from getting in there properly) so now I plan to get down to business at long last, but still blog and visit, even if I don’t get over to you as often as I do, but please know this, when I do, I am always uplifted and blessed by your loving and inspiring messages. The light won’t stop shining, I am so grateful too for your love, hugs, kindness and time. Sending blessings galore your way and a heart full of thankfulness for your friendship… with love and hugs to you xoxox ❤
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Wow, Sherri, your summer house looks great. It’s such a luxury for we writers to have a place of our own. I’m assuming that with your heater it also works as a winter house?
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It is a luxury indeed Anne, I don’t take it for granted for one minute 🙂 Haha…yes, that would be true, definitely a winter house at the moment 😉
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Your summerhouse is lovely. Maybe I need to talk Commando into building me one!
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Thanks Marie…great to share it with you and I think that’s a great idea 🙂
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A belated comment from me, Sherri. I admire the natural wood’s beauty inside your summerhouse workspace, along with the lovely plants and scenery outside it. This is a perfect place for inspiration! I also wish to belatedly congratulate you for your nominations, you are so deserving of such wonderful awards. I love when I get a chance to come ‘visit you in your summerhouse,’ so this was an extra special treat to get a peek inside and around it. The shelves with decorated boxes holding treasures or useful items are so nicely placed between the books. I also liked the nautical decorations. They reminded my of my parents’ cottage, where they spent their retirement years on Lake Erie.
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I am delighted to share my Summerhouse with you Robin, thank you so much for all the lovely things you say about it 🙂 The wood is pine, hubby made the desk too. I just love the smell of the wood everytime I walk in there, so warm and welcoming. I do enjoy having my nautical knick-knacks around the place, that way I can imagine that I am in a beach hut by the sea! I am just a little bit obsessed with little wooden huts of all kinds, ha! Your parents’ cottage sounds absolutely idyllic, oh to spend retirement in a cottage by the lakeside, that is just the best. I hope you got to spend a lot of time there too 🙂
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What a gorgeous writing space – your own summerhouse. It sounds so romantic and enticing. Thank you for sharing and inviting us inside. I’d love to join with you in sharing that pot of tea or glass of bubbly. Just reading your post makes me feel so relaxed and comfy.
Thank you for tagging me in the post. My writing space is not nearly so romantic. I am honoured to be named along with some ‘old’ friends, and some new ones yet to be discovered. 🙂
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Thank you so much Norah, and pull up a chair right now! Tea? Bubbly? Whatever you like 🙂 I love how you say ‘romantic and enticing’, makes me see my Summerhouse in a completely different light, haha 😀 Seriously though, I’m so glad you feel so relaxed! And it is my honour to tag you Norah, I can’t wait to see your workspace, thanks so much for taking part 🙂
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Thanks Sherri. I might start with the bubbly and finish with the tea! Thanks! 🙂
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Sounds like a great idea Norah…I’ll put the kettle on and get the ice bucket out 😀
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🙂
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Truly “a room of her own” ! How fortunate for you. My workspace right now is carved out of a large corner in our large bedroom. I didn’t think it would work, but I’m finding it works just fine. I have my back to the “room” so it feels like a space of its own.
The problem is I’m tempted to sit down and work just a few minutes more before I go to bed, or the minute I wake up in the morning. I have to muster up discipline myself to use that space only during normal “working” hours. When I do that, everything hums along nicely. 🙂
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Ahh yes, that word ‘discipline’. That is the crux of working from home isn’t it, no matter where we work from, just making sure we get down to business at those set times and not being tempted by so many other things. I like the sound of your workspace in your bedroom…comfy, roomy, your own separate office in a nice, quiet room. I hope that things hum along very well for you Tracy, for a long time to come… 🙂
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I love your summer house, Sherri. I have an office. It used to be a bedroom, but when the last of our three daughters finally moved out a few years ago, I turned it into my office. It has a door and I usually have to close it to keep the cats out or they try to help me write. Very annoying. My little dog, Annie, on the other hand, either rests in her basket on the floor or sometimes on my lap. I made one mistake however, I showed my husband how to use the computer and now he’s always wanting to look for stuff on Craigslist. I think he needs to get his own.
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Thank you Donna, I’m so glad you enjoy your visits to my Summerhouse! How wonderful to have your own office, sounds ideal. Haha…yes, I know all about those cats! They are one of the reasons I retreat, they really do like to ‘help’ to write don’t they? So lovely to have your little dog with you though, so sweet. As for hubby, yes, I think perhaps he does need his own computer, definitely 🙂
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My laptop is on my lap while I type these words! I love your summerhouse. My home office is behind my dining room, quite comfy, or my laps or my bed. I would borrow a leaf from you and ask the hubby to get me something like yours! I hope he would oblige! 🙂
Much love dear friend. 🙂
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Ahh…we do what we can, and believe me, even with my summerhouse, there are many occasions when my lap is put to plenty of use also…and that includes in bed 🙂 I’m so glad you have a comfy office of your own Seyi, and do keep me posted, who knows, perhaps hubby would oblige 😉 Your visits to my summerhouse warm my heart my dear friend, and I look forward to many more…much love to you too, have a beautiful day 🙂
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be back to comment later and I’m in. THANKS for the nom…
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Great…thanks so much for taking part mon amie and look forward to your visit. The kettle is simmering even as I type and the coolies are freshly baked…not to mention the flies… 😛 😮 😀
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mmm and mmm – Ha! ttys
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Hi again Sherri – just dropping by to let you know I will do my tag for the blog hop in March sometime… and thanks again for thinking of the priorhouse…
peace…
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Looking forward to it, and no worries and no pressure. Always mon amie…peace back ❤
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What a beautiful labor of love, your summerhouse is Sherri! You may have to wait a long while, but often the very best comes when we can appreciate it most 🙂
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Thank you so much Lilka, and you are so right…waiting a long time isn’t always a bad thing is it? 🙂 And I’m so happy that I get to share my summerhouse with you 🙂
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Me too Sherri 🙂
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🙂
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Sherri, your cozy cottage is so beautiful! How blessed you are to have your husband do that for you! What a gift!! Thanks for sharing it with us. Have fun writing!! 🙂
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Thanks so much Patsy…so glad to share it with you anytime! Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day 🙂
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I love your summerhouse so much and have dreamed of having one myself. I know exactly where it would go in my garden. Can you and your husband come visit when all the ice and snow melt here and then your husband can build one for me? 🙂
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Thank you so much Letizia…and yes, that sounds like a great idea, map out the spot and we’ll be there 🙂
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I’m bringing tealights and a bottle of Dao (that’s a rather nice Portuguese red). Is that acceptable, Sherri? And I expect I can still find some Christmas cake 🙂 Maybe not- crumbs and computers!
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Oooh…more than acceptable Jo, how lovely 🙂 Don’t worry about the Christmas cake if not, it’ll soon be time for Easter Eggs 😀
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What a wonderful workspace Sherri! I had never thought about how fun it would be to experience the workspaces of other writers before i was tagged for this. Happy writing. Hugs!
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Oh Teagan, I am so sorry that I only just saw your lovely comment here, please forgive me for not seeing it before, I am mortified 😦 I make a point of answering every comment but I had a problem with my notification button not long ago – probably around the time you posted your comment – and I missed a few. Hopefully it won’t happen again. I hope you got your WP issues sorted out…
But yes, it is a fun blog hop and so interesting to see other blogger’s workspaces. I hope I haven’t missed yours. And thank you so much for your lovely encouragement, happy writing and big hugs right back to you too 🙂 ❤
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This really is what I should do. Thanks for the inspiration Sherri. I WILL do it!
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Hi Lance, thank you very much for leaving your great comment, thrilled to inspire! And I adore your robin profile pic. Did you see my garden robin at the top right of my blog’s sidebar? ‘Sweet Robin’ is my muse, visiting me every day 🙂
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