Deborah spent most of her childhood outdoors, running over the neighborhood
with her sister, Sheila. What grew her love for lovely gardens was this and the
frequent trips to the Huntington Botanical Gardens, where you could freely walk
all day in the exquisite beauty. When newly married, her sister Sheila studied the
Bible with her, which led Deborah to salvation and a beautiful lifelong relationship
with Jesus.
When she had children, she developed a strong love for storytelling. She and
her two children spent many hours reading the classics, especially the beloved
Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis.
Deborah and her husband, Carl, retired to Tennessee eight years ago. Tennessee’s
rolling hills and hardwood forests reminded them of England, where they had spent
some time years before.
They bought an older house on three acres in the woods. On the north side
of the house, moss started to grow and fill the shady spots. She planted 49 ferns,
hostas, astilbes, and Japanese maples. Then she added little thatched cottages and small woodland animals to make a miniature garden. So that others would be able
to enjoy their creation, they started inviting neighbors, grandchildren, and church
family to tea parties, and there was always music and story time.
One special character in the garden was a hedgehog named Hedwig. The story of
Maplewood Hollow started to form in her mind. So strong was the visual impression
that she started sketching Maplewood Hollow and all its residents. Maplewood
Hollow is a real place—a miniature one, though. It exists on the north side of the
house in Tennessee, where Hedwig and his friends share their adventures.