August 2023 in the Garden: a Dream Becomes Reality

This past week was the hottest of the summer. Unusual here. It continues to be dry. And I continue to water.

The garden is abundant and overblown. It’s hard to walk down the paths as many plants burst from their beds (I’m looking at you, nasturtiums!). We’re eating tomatoes multiple times a day and eggplant nearly every day. Although my sunflowers were disappointing, the dahlias, zinnias and cosmos more than make up for it.

With all of August’s delights, one thing stands out from all the rest.

If you’ve been around for a bit, this photo probably gives it away.

I thought I’d have to wait till November for the doors from my studio to my garden, but they arrived early! We got word on August 2nd and the first team came out the same day. Work finished this week.

It feels surreal.

I searched through my photos for good “before” shots, but I didn’t often photograph in that direction as it was one of my least favorite views of the garden.

Here’s what the space behind the house looked like earlier in the season.

And a view from the other side of the yard:

And a glimpse out my (new) studio window:

The first step of the project was to mark out the location of the deck and where the support posts would go.

The team was eager to begin, but at this point, the project got stalled waiting for a permit. I packed up my studio that first day, thinking they’d be cutting a hole in the wall the next, but work didn’t start again until two weeks later.

At the time those two weeks dragged, but looking back, they seem to have passed by in a flash.

Our little yard, filled with garden beds, posed some challenges. The crew had to hand-dig the post holes instead of using a machine because it couldn’t fit through our gate. There was little room for materials and tools.

After digging the post holes, the next step was installing the sliding door. They had to first take down the siding.

Then cut a hole in the wall and install a header

before putting in the door, leveling it and adding insulation.

Then the siding went back up and they finished the trim and caulk.

Next they began building the deck.

They measured and planned as they went, making adjustments for the best fit within the space. It was a much more organic process than I imagined it would be.

I’m delighted with how it turned out. Both my studio and garden feel so different. Bigger, brighter, more open.

I’m still feeling things out. The empty space of the deck contrasts will my crowded garden beds. It’s exciting to think about decorating this new area. For now I’m using what’s already here. Moving furniture and plants.

And I’m dreaming of projects for next year.

Containers. Furniture.

(And probably another barn quilt).

The decision not to move (yet) was disappointing, but it helped me realize I’ve been stagnating in an in-between place, waiting for what’s next. Instead, we’re making changes. Some big like this project. Some small. The biggest change is perhaps the hardest. It’s an internal change. A shift of focus, of perspective, of attitude. Matthias and I are reminding each other to return to gratitude, again and again.

My sunflowers didn’t thrive this year, but I’m delighting in the dahlias, zinnias and cosmos that did. Although I harvested only one cucumber before the plants gave up for the season, I’m savoring abundant tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. And my peaches are just beginning to ripen.

Life never quite looks like we think it will. I don’t want that to keep me from joy.