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Pictures of the land. The aerial Photographs were taken from a small private plane flown by our real estate agent. We took pictures on two different flights, one in the summer of 2001, just before we purchased our property (everything is green), and the second in the fall of 2002, when we were installing our well and water system (foliage is fall-colored). Other pictures, taken from ground level, show the same features. |
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A task concurrent with the well permit application process was to muck out, clean up and repair the barn. Once water and septic was available, we elected to finish out the hay loft of the barn to create a studio where we could live while our house was being constructed. We also cleaned out, weather- and rodent- proofed the ground floor of the barn so that it could safely store our household effects while we were in transition. |
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On August 26, 2003, we broke ground for our new home, just to the west of our barn. Watch the stages of construction as they progress. The foundation work was done in October and November. The rough framing was started after Christmas and continued through the winter months. By the beginning of March 2004, the framers had finished the gross structure. The roof went on, windows were installed, and the framers worked on the details of the framing - stairs, pony walls, blocking, soffits and the like. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC subs installed the mechanical systems. The last stages in the building process involve
During April and May the house was insulated, drywall went up, decks went on. John and I painted and finished the knotty pine ceiling prior to its installation. During the framing stages, the contractor had parked a small trailer on the property to serve as a base of operations. Early in May, the trailer pulled out, signifying the beginning of the end. Half-way through June the window- and baseboard trim is finished. The house is being readied for hardwood floors, then cabinets, tile, interior doors and trim. |
Excavation
Foundation
Rough Framing
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Are we finished yet? Well, no not exactly. But the few remaining details haven't stopped us from moving in. On the other hand the process has kept us fully occupied, so much so that stopping to take pictures simply didn't occur. Still, a lot has happened, so when the sun was out a couple of days ago (middle of November 2004), I paused "checking the items off my do-list" to take pictures. Since the remaining do-list is a longish one, I just walked around and blasted away with the camera on automatic. I didn't take the time to clean or arrange anything first. Finishing touches are needed on trim painting, there are boxes and piles of stuff here and there, the railing around the deck isn't quite finished. We've run out of money, so for now, no fancy landscaping or new furnishings. On the other hand, the house is warm and tight as winter approaches. We are settling in and comfortable. The uncertainty of being "between houses" and the insistance of getting moved have abated, so there is time for John to fish and for me to play my piano even as we continue the process of finishing up and unpacking. |
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This directory contains an eclectic collection of critters (flora and fauna) that we've come across when camera is in hand. |
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Here are some pictures taken during the fall of 2002 when we installed the well, piping and water storage. These are only pictures, without any descriptive text. |