First things first. I am away on a hiking adventure and have scheduled posts for this week.
I don’t have my laptop with me.
If I am able to get a signal and haven’t had a visit from the chupacabras, I should be able to read and clear comments in the evenings from the tent. 🙂
Secret Goal #2
Earlier this year when I shared my big list of goals for 2025, I mentioned I had two secret goals I wanted to accomplish this year.
My first secret goal was to start a simple youtube channel to show people the behind the scenes of how I hook my rugs. I wasn’t sure if I’d like doing it so I kept mum about it at first.
It turns out I do like making rug hooking videos so I’ve continued to make videos on a weekly basis. I’ve even added a few videos from my travels into the mix.
My second secret goal was a bit trickier and involved a lot of variables, but basically the goal was to have a dedicated {year round!} space for all my wool {and Etsy shop endeavors}.
While the HH and I may be able to live small, the wool has become another thing altogether.
And when I say all my wool what I really mean is not only all the wool, but the rug hooking supplies, patterns, kits, dyeing supplies, shipping materials, frames, hoops, cutters, work tables etc. but also a calm and tidy environment in which to create new designs.
And well, the house we live in, The Lobster House, is just a wee bit small for anything other than two people, a dog and a couple of pieces of basic furniture.
When we first bought this place we thought we’d convert the barn into a studio space… No big deal, right?
Well, in theory it was a good idea.
But the reality was after talking with a contractor last fall to see what would be involved with turning an old drafty barn into an insulated space with running water and a laundry room and a small kitchen space it was a bit more work {and money} than we had anticipated.
Yada yada yada, it didn’t seem like a good financial decision, so we passed on the idea.
So last winter I ended up having to rent a studio space {because it was too cold to work in the barn, and there was no plumbing}. And let me tell you, having to schlep all those supplies back and forth during the winter months was not fun.
We needed a better solution.
A normal set up. A real dedicated, studio space.
We thought about moving {again!} but neither of us were looking forward to that. But most importantly, we loved this kooky little thing {The Lobster House} that we’d created out of thin air.
It’s nutty and fun and ever changing and {I hope} makes people smile. To leave all that behind would actually be kind of sad.
It was a tough decision.
What were we going to do?
And then one day this summer, totally out of the blue, we noticed something was different next door.
Suddenly there was someone out there trimming the hedges and weeding {which was unusual}.
And then a couple of days later I noticed some furniture and filing boxes were being moved out and loaded into the back of a pickup truck. {Our house was next door to a business and we shared a driveway. It was not an ideal situation for us}.
You know where this is going, right?
Well it turns out that yes, they were moving. And yes they were planning on selling the place {a small house {{smaller than ours!}} that was turned into an office}. Would we be interested?
Hmmm…
A truly dedicated workspace {with heat and water!}. A space that could {after some work} be used as both a private studio as well as an extra space to house friends and family when they came to visit?
A solution that would allow us to fix/reconfigure the weird/shared driveway?
Another space to grow vegetables and flowers?
Yes. Yes we were interested. We were VERY interested.
To be continued tomorrow…
~Mavis
Tamara says
Whew! Sooo glad!
Mel says
Two houses are better than one! We have the same plan if our neighbors ever sell.
You’ll have to make more buoys.
Tracy says
It sounds like it couldn’t be more perfect!
Lesley says
I am glued to this like a quality miniseries! Meanwhile, happy hiking! Hope all your prep work paid off.
J in OH-IO says
Whole heartedly agree with the above comment! (The plot thickens as curious minds want to know about your “research” trip to London and HH trip bringing a bag of treats back? Hmmm…a mind wonders with the suspense and now this surprise!) Wow, totally blown away by this fun and exciting news! I was sad when you took the stars down from the barn thinking that meant you were moving (although I could not imagine you flying Lucy across the pond) and am happy you are not. The buoys on the barn rafters look cool and right at home, too. Long live the Lobster House – it is so cool! Happy and excited for you to have your own dedicated studio with work space and extra gardening area-such fabulous news! Wow!!! Go, team Mavis and HH and thank you for taking us all along! Have a great hiking trip- am looking forward to your YouTube posts, too!
Sandra says
A friend of mine lived next door to an elderly couple and they helped out with mowing and pruning. They also shared their summer produce and just overall had a lovely neighborly relationship for many years. When the husband died the wife offered to sell them her house. They accepted and annexed about half of the back yard so that they could have additional garden and fruit trees. They rented the house out to their son and his wife who were newlyweds at the time. It worked out great for everyone
Jennifer says
I am completely stuck on the sentence:
We thought about moving {again!} but neither of us were looking forward to that.
What?!?! Aren’t you the queen of moving??? I jest, but wow, that doesn’t sound like you . Maybe this house is THE ONE. Or maybe AI Mavis has taken over the blog. Hmmmmm. I totally get why you love this home so much. It’s a keeper for sure! And what a lucky happening for your neighbors to be moving. Can’t wait to hear more!
Pam says
That sounds great!
Jeanine says
Congratulations! This plan sounds so perfect! And what fun for you both as well. Not only do you get your studio, but you get to fix it up the way you want. A Win Win! And fun for your readers to see what you’ll do with your added space!
Sue says
You get to stay put while fixing up another house and yard. And in the end you’ll have 2 houses to sell for your next adventure. Sounds more than ideal!
Lesley says
Agree 100%. Or it becomes a property that stays in the family. Surely that will only keep appreciating in value, and how amazing that the driveway situation can work itself out now.
Kirsten says
Welllll…. I believe you did say you were not sure you knew where you were going to plant all of those bulbs when they arrived
Nancy W says
Congratulations! Sounds like the perfect solution, plus more gardening space!
Shari says
Thank goodness you aren’t moving again! I couldn’t take it LOL.
Julie says
How exciting!! I’m so happy for you!! A perfect solution!!
Jeri says
Garden space? *
Guest quarters? *
Office space? *
Reconfigure driveway? *
Water, kitchen, bathroom? *
It’s all so perfect!
* = a check mark
I’m looking forward to this!
Jules says
How exciting!! Love this secret project! And hopefully all is well with the hiking trip too.
Mary says
This news is great! Wonderful new adventure.
Amanda says
I have followed you for years and your blog is like a comfort of sorts for me. I’m a mom of 5 children, a caretaker for my husband with Parkinson’s Disease and I read your blog as I have my daily tea (and peace and quiet.) My kids have grown up adoring Lucy.
Your life is such a wonderful adventure and I live vicariously through via your blog posts. Thank you ever so much for sharing your life and being so happy to read!
Trace says
Soo exciting..hugs and prayers on your great hike adventure
Holley says
Woohoo!!! I love this outcome! I was so nervous you were going to sell your spectacular Lobster House! I’m so happy you aren’t! Congratulations on meeting both of your secret goals! Can’t wait to see all the fabulousness that unfolds!
Judi Y. says
That is SO, SOOOOOOOO FUN!!! I’m so excited for both of you!!!!!
James Doolittle says
AWESOME :)! The best possible solution!