I was so excited to share the kitchen progress last blog that I didn’t talk about last summer !
We had the most beautiful long, hot summer last year – a glorious few weeks of all the family here at the same time… and the big excitement of the birth of our second grandson Noah Alexander on August 10th – a little brother to Oscar.
Summer kitchen or Oslo’s café
With the ground flattened in autumn ’22 , we started in June ’23 to create our outside kitchen – and it grew and grew in detail. It was such a fun project. First job was to sink the two big posts which would give us something to hang our camouflage net from to give us some shade.
One post…Two posts…Concreted inI repointed the stone wall to strengthen it(Filling the pool with hot water from the solar panels) and sinking hooks into the posts to attach the camouflage net.The bricks (left over from the kitchen backsplashes) were used to make a solid floor for the table.We hung our net and put the table in placeLove the dappled light it createsAdded a load of gravel And the space is really starting to come together !We bought 6 goldfish – not sure how they would fareAnd put them in the trough (which is now filled by source water) They love their new home ! Re-pointed bricks, picturesque herb window and shelvesJoe built these beautiful raised beds and we filled them with lavender !Creating the Summer Kitchen
Once we had created this heavenly sanctuary, Joe put in an electricity supply and we added a fridge (which then had to have a shelter built to protect it from the rain and the heat of the sun); the plancha of course ! The old kitchen island; a little basin fed by source water; coffee machine… and we then spent the rest of the summer there !
Why Oslo’s?
Once the fish and water plants were installed, the most beautiful frog made his home in the flower bed – we called him Oslo… and pretty soon the outside kitchen was re-named in his honour !
Oslo
Summer in pictures
As I’m writing this in March ’24, we have a meter of snow outside – so it has warmed my heart to look back through these golden sun-soaked summer memories ! Family visits – my sister Sasha and her gorgeous family came for a week and Beth and Harry spent a glorious few weeks here.
Me and my sister Sasha Lotte, Craig and Sasha…and me !Craig chewing the fat with OscarStroking the chickenStroking the dogThe bliss of the pool in the heatwave !Luke trying to work ! Sleepy boy !Cheeky boy !Night time dipsAround the firepitThe best end to every evening !PeaceJoe threw together a pallet day bed …so unbelievably comfortable !Looking for Oslo…A bit of light readingLong story …Best friendsBest friends !!Swimming with NanaActually grew these!!!And these !Hay bale loveApero in the pool Chatting by the fireCommunicating Corn Holes Picnic with the uncles and auntieHarry, Beth and OscarArty and LukeGirls are on fire ! There are no eggs better ! Breakfast for the masses !When in France…End of another day in paradise !Joe and I slept in the bell tent on and off throughout the summer – never slept so well ! EmbersBeth and ArtyBeth, Arty and HarryArty and HarrySummer musicChef JoeMe and my girl From the top of the fieldFull HouseThe long arm of ArtyNairobi dogRoof down all summer !View from the tent Marie, Oscar and Pops 🙂What a summer !
Then on August 10th, Noah Alexander Atkins was born – he is… of course… perfection !
So there we have it … summer 2023 in a nutshell, and a new mini Atkins to join the gang.
I’m going to get this up – and catch up on the staircase and Christmas next time !
No comments yet!