Well, it’s done! No rain either! Thanks for all of the good wishes for no rain.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Dried-in
The AAC block needs to be kept dry, so we’ve put up a HUGE tarp to cover most of the house!
AAC Block Delivered
The autoclaved aerated concrete block was delivered on 4 semi-trucks to our barn. Tod helped unload the semi and store the block up this street near our barn.
Remember Where This Is!
Photos are worth a thousand words...now we’ll remember where our electric line is!
Drain Pipe
Tod, Don and Deb put down drain pipe around the foundation to carry water away from the house...
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Ready For The Slab!
After compacting, cutting the foam, the Radiant Heat guys came and layed the tubing. Now the floor is ready for concrete! We just need a good, clear, sunny day...
Monday, April 28, 2008
Peaceful Feelings
When things get hectic, we wander into the orchard and see what changes are happening. Our cherry trees are in full bloom.
Preparing For The Concrete Slab
Here’s Deb trying her hand out with the plate compactor! Everytime she got a part compacted, Don and Tod would throw more pit-run on the base...GEEZ!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Another Friend!
This little guy ran down our road into the orchard - we managed to get a great picture of him! He was adorable!
Friends Arrive!
Barb and John stop by for a visit on their way to see their son. They helped build the barn and are amazingly kind people. It was a joy to see them. Thanks for the tulips! They brighten our day!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Radiant Heat Prep
Deb and Don borrowed Rich’s table saw to cut the foam insulation for the radiant heat floor in the lowest level - had to be done before the concrete slab is poured!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Waterproofing The Foundation
An important item on Bow Hill! Water has been constantly seeping from the ground - so guys came out in “zoot-suits” and masks to make sure water doesn’t get into our 1st floor.
View From The Driveway
This is the view of the house when you come down the driveway. It will be a tall house.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Orchard Updates And Wild Weather Coming Soon!
Our trees are blooming now (4/17), as well as our bulbs - but this weekend we’re supposed to get some cold weather with the potential for snow! Hope this doesn’t hurt our fruit production this year!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Ready For Inspection
They’ve left a portion of the wall open so the county inspectors can look inside and approve our wall construction. Inspectors should arrive today or tomorrow (4/17 or 4/18)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Been About A Month Since We Left Portland
April 15, 2008 Hard to believe it has only been about one month and a couple days since we left Portland. Seems quite a bit longer. Deb was actually in Portland for a couple days last week and Don is in Portland right now. Both visits have been for work. Deb will be in The Dalles next week.
Overall things have gone quite well. Despite unseasonably cold weather this spring we have done well living in the barn. Our spirits are good and we make fun of some of the things we have experienced. We laugh when we say “How many people we know can say that their bedroom is actually colder than the inside of their refrigerator?” The work transition has been smooth. It seems odd to have to drive to work since we both have walked to work for the last 10 years. It’s only a 25 minute drive for each of us and the ride is very nice for Don (scenic with only one stop light), and Deb’s is ok - mostly a short drive on I-5 and then a short drive in the big city of Mount Vernon..... not.
We are most pleased with the progress on the house. Everything is still on schedule/budget and it looks great. We lucked out on the weather when we did the excavation. Although it rained some it never got to the “muck hole” stage that would have been a mess and more expensive. Essentially, we are now out of the dirt and rain really can’t hold us up too much. And, the drier and warmer months are coming which will only help more. Life in Bow has also been about what we expected, although it seems to be even nicer. The wildlife on the property is constant. Everytime we go out of the barn there is something to watch and listen to. We have seen deer, bald eagles, rabbits, squirrels, chipmonks, pileated woodpeckers, red breasted sapsuckers, wrens, kinglets, chickadees,
hawks, owls, etc. - all on our property. What a treat. The orchard has been the place to go to relax from the stress and excitement of work, building a house, living in the barn etc. We go there to just walk around and observe the fruit trees. For us, it is educational too. Changes everyday. The big difference is we can do this everyday instead of just an hour or so while we were up at the barn on a weekend. The fact we do not have to drive four hours up and four hours back is an amazing relief. It just seems to give us so much more time to enjoy the property. Sunsets - wow. There just seems to be so many good sunsets even on the days we think it was going to rain all day. We still go for our daily walk and can even check the mail ..... hint.
OK folks - all for now. Hope you are enjoying the Bowpeep site - the name Bowpeeps comes from our dear Brother-in-law Fred Schryver. More to follow on this pursuit of our latest adventure.....
Love always - Debbie and Don
Overall things have gone quite well. Despite unseasonably cold weather this spring we have done well living in the barn. Our spirits are good and we make fun of some of the things we have experienced. We laugh when we say “How many people we know can say that their bedroom is actually colder than the inside of their refrigerator?” The work transition has been smooth. It seems odd to have to drive to work since we both have walked to work for the last 10 years. It’s only a 25 minute drive for each of us and the ride is very nice for Don (scenic with only one stop light), and Deb’s is ok - mostly a short drive on I-5 and then a short drive in the big city of Mount Vernon..... not.
We are most pleased with the progress on the house. Everything is still on schedule/budget and it looks great. We lucked out on the weather when we did the excavation. Although it rained some it never got to the “muck hole” stage that would have been a mess and more expensive. Essentially, we are now out of the dirt and rain really can’t hold us up too much. And, the drier and warmer months are coming which will only help more. Life in Bow has also been about what we expected, although it seems to be even nicer. The wildlife on the property is constant. Everytime we go out of the barn there is something to watch and listen to. We have seen deer, bald eagles, rabbits, squirrels, chipmonks, pileated woodpeckers, red breasted sapsuckers, wrens, kinglets, chickadees,
hawks, owls, etc. - all on our property. What a treat. The orchard has been the place to go to relax from the stress and excitement of work, building a house, living in the barn etc. We go there to just walk around and observe the fruit trees. For us, it is educational too. Changes everyday. The big difference is we can do this everyday instead of just an hour or so while we were up at the barn on a weekend. The fact we do not have to drive four hours up and four hours back is an amazing relief. It just seems to give us so much more time to enjoy the property. Sunsets - wow. There just seems to be so many good sunsets even on the days we think it was going to rain all day. We still go for our daily walk and can even check the mail ..... hint.
OK folks - all for now. Hope you are enjoying the Bowpeep site - the name Bowpeeps comes from our dear Brother-in-law Fred Schryver. More to follow on this pursuit of our latest adventure.....
Love always - Debbie and Don
More Forms
Now the interior forms are being placed - we’re pouring the concrete walls on Monday 21st!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Walls Are Forming
The forms are going up for the walls - it’s really starting to take shape! The opening in the foreground will be our garage doors.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Our Home - Living Room
The living room is cozy with two chairs that face the little TV and DVD player (the TV doesn’t get reception – we were hoping to pick up Hockey Night in Canada not!) The best view is out the loft window.
Our Home - Fridge
We bought our refrigerator for the new house and placed it in the barn for our use. It’s located adjacent to the bed, underneath the ladder to get to the loft where the living room, dining room, kitchen, etc. is located.
Our Home - Shop
Opposite the bedroom is the “normal” part of the barn – Don’s shop. We have bins with other belongings stored in this area as well – waiting for the house to be complete. We planned to separate the shop from the bedroom with a sheet, but hanging our clothes on this line is sufficient.
Our Home - Bedroom
Our bedroom is complete with a comfy bed and our dressers, along with a cedar chest filled with blankets for those cold Bow evenings!
Our Home - Bathroom
The bathroom has a handy wash basin and water bottles that allow for easy clean up – and it’s right near the foyer for easy access!. Notice the small boat toilet to the left – all the comforts of home! We used an old bike basket (Thanks Sandra!) to hold small appliances, such as the hair dryer.
Life In The Barn
Did you ever wonder what life is like for us living in a barn?
Without heat? Without indoor plumbing? Actually life is pretty great! See for yourself! The basic layout is: the downstairs contains our bedroom, bathroom, fridge, shop and storage, while the upstairs functions as the kitchen, living room office, gym and dining room.
Without heat? Without indoor plumbing? Actually life is pretty great! See for yourself! The basic layout is: the downstairs contains our bedroom, bathroom, fridge, shop and storage, while the upstairs functions as the kitchen, living room office, gym and dining room.
Our Home - Shower
Here’s the wonderful outdoor shower! We use it right when we get home during the last heat of the day. We heat water upstairs in the loft and it gravity flows down through plastic tubing to the shower below! (We’ve warned the neighbors to announce themselves before coming around the barn to the entry!) Photo coming - I just have to take one of Don using the shower! Deb’s “claim to fame” is that 3 weeks ago she was showering in a hail storm! How many people can say they’ve had icy bits in their soapy hair???
Our Home - Gym
We have a workout area, complete with floor mat and a medicine ball – need to stay in shape after all that good cooking!
Our Home - Pantry/Storage
We have bins filled with food and others that double as shelves for our pots and pans
Our Home - Kitchen
The kitchen is equipped with a 3-burner propane stove, a water basin and a microwave! We are prepared to cook gourmet meals! Just no baking, much to Deb’s dismay…
Our Home - Dining Room
Our dining room table is a cute little 4-top that we picked up for the barn. Notice the wine glasses are ready to be filled. You can see the pantry near the wall.
Our Home - Office
Our office is where we “write” in our journal, print photos and write checks to contractors.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Yes, Another Sunset
Despite what they say on the weather channel we have been getting these about 70 percent of the evenings! We’ll take it!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Foundation Footer Boards 2
Taking shape footers ready to pour
Can’t pass up another sunset while looking at the footer work
Can’t pass up another sunset while looking at the footer work
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)