Little Girl. Big Dreams.

Dreams can come true

Always believe in your dreams

And always protect that precious orange under your arm :)

Well. It’s been quite the week for this once, anxious, little girl. My Lady Muck Style Books launched on September 20th, and here I sit on 1st October 1st - looking at photos sent in from around the world of my books in their new homes! And I could not be happier!

But I also have to confess to feeling a little lost. I mean, for the best part of a year, all I have thought about is getting these three books published. And now, they are, what on earth do I do? All of a sudden, I have free time again. Actual, free time.

Which means, more time for my garden and veggie plot! Yay!

But, more importantly, actual free time to take a moment to say a huge

THANK YOU

To all of you.

For being my biggest supporters.

My biggest cheerleaders.

My biggest Lady Muck Style ambassadors.

There is no way I could have got this project over the line without you.

So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Lots of love from that anxious little girl & her beloved orange x

And please keep those photos of you and my books coming! I love them!

Second Chances

wheels up

Lord Muck at my side, as always. 2002.

One week out from my book launch, I have to confess to being ever so slightly nervous. Well, when I say, ever so slightly nervous, what I really mean is wringing my hands, rocking in a corner, and eating my body weight in chocolate kind of nervous. Waking up in a cold sweat thinking wonderful thoughts: What if people hate it? What if it’s a giant flop? What if I get terrible reviews? What if I have to change my name, shave my head, and flee the country?

And then, I catch myself.

You’ve been through a lot worse than this though, haven’t you?

And you know what, I have.

You see, whilst I grew up in a happy gardening and allotment-mad household that I’ve told you about in previous blog posts…I turned my back on all that in my 20s and 30s. Opting for the city-career-girl life, working like a dog in London and Manchester as a marketing consultant for the likes of Pepsi and Sony. Monday to Friday I was a workaholic. Saturday night an alcoholic. Sunday morning a never-again-aholic. I worked hard. I played harder. The closest link I had to anything green was the vase of dead flowers on my desk.

And somewhere along the way, it all caught up with me. The crazy work hours. The crazier deadlines. The craziest clients. And one day in 1997, I collapsed in a Sainsbury’s car park. I had to be carried to the car by my young husband, Andy, and then up to our bed, neither of us realising it would be 5 years before I would be strong enough to manage a flight of stairs.

Struck down by Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) which left me little more than a breathing corpse for many years. Bedbound, in a blacked-out room in constant pain, unable to walk, talk, sit, stand, feed, or wash myself. Nursed 24/7 by my beloved husband and our two amazing Mums.

It took me many years to escape that living hell. With several terrifying relapses along the way. Bedpans, wheelchairs, and stairlifts, my new best friends. But I was one of the lucky few to find a way out. So many Severe ME Patients never do.

So, when I find myself stressing about a book launch…

I remember those hellish years trapped in bed in darkness.

I remember being unable to feed myself.

I remember being unable to walk.

I remember the pain in every inch of my body.

I remember seeing the heartache and worry etched on my husband’s face.

And I catch myself.

You’ve been through a lot worse than this though, haven’t you?

And then, I give thanks. Thanks to whoever decided to give me a second chance at this life. And hope that I’ve used it wisely - and created books that will make you smile, whatever might be going on in your life behind the scenes. And hopefully, they will encourage you to get outside too, into your gardens, grabbing second chances as you go.

Pups and Peonies

PUPS AND PEONIES

Meet Morgan - My New Gardening Intern

As you know, I love all things green. So when my dear pal, Lady Bray, entrusted me with her precious garden while she headed off to Italy for a sun-soaked holiday, I leapt at the chance.

She has the most beautiful garden - with all my favourites: hydrangeas, orchids, sweet peas, fuchsias, rambling roses, hostas, ferns, buddleias, agapanthus, lilies - you name it, she’s growing it. So gorgeous it could take a prize at Chelsea.

Throw in her equally precious pup, Morgan and rescue cutie, Jess, to take care of, and I was in heaven.

But as I waved Lady Bray off, a creeping sense of anxiety started to set in. Keeping her beloved peonies and pups alive for two whole weeks? Now, this was going to take some doing. I may even need to cut back on the gin.

I mean, we all know what an English summer can be like. With its mix of heatwaves, downpours & cold snaps, Very quickly, my days became a whirlwind of garden duties and canine antics. Night shifts standing guard over the hostas with my trusty head torch against slug attacks. Dawn alarms set to check for whitefly on the hibiscus. Basil leaves constantly scrutinised for signs of the dreaded caterpillars. Always accompanied by my enthusiastic, four-pawed Gardening Interns. Morgan who liked to help mainly by chasing butterflies and Jess by bringing me nicely chewed up wellies. Spreadsheets emerged to meticulously monitor watering schedules, ensuring not a drop too much or too little. With a dedicated section for Morgan’s special watering’ of the geranium pots. Oops.

Lady Bray loves to grow her own vegetables too, so her greenhouse and kitchen garden posed a few challenges - mainly keeping Morgan out - and Jess from digging her way over to France. But, thankfully, the cherry tomatoes and lettuces kept on cropping and the herbs, beans, and squashes kept on growing. Phew.

Despite the fun-filled chaos, there was a certain rhythm to the madness. Quickly I bonded with my charges, spending much of the day chatting to the plants & playing with the pups. Always rewarded come evening with a nice chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.

Finally, the day of Katie’s return arrived. My knees shook. My heart raced. But as she walked through the garden, her face lit up with delight. Every plant was alive and well. She was thrilled. Double Phew. So, we celebrated as only English ladies do. With several jugs of Pimm’s. Under a golf umbrella. Well, it is summer in England, after all.

Working hard

Adorable Head Gardener Jess checking up on Lady Muck’s lawn mowing skills