Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Second Floor….

 
IMG_8312
 
IMG_8320
 
Work continues as they begin the second floor. Since this is a saltbox style home, we will only have second story livable space on the front side of the house. The back half will be roof trusses. If you are familiar with this style of home then you know how the roof has a deeper pitch/slope on the back side.
Joe and I love the look of old saltbox style homes. I don’t know what it is about them that draws us in. They are so timeless.
 
Okay, back to our little red saltbox. Another wall went up yesterday.
 
IMG_8346
 
IMG_8354
 
The house is starting to take shape now. I can’t wait for the roof to go up! I think the trusses are scheduled to go up tomorrow actually.
Lots more to see, but it’ll have to wait till next time!
 
Blessings,
Julie

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Progress....


A lot has happened since my last post on our home building journey. I never realized how much work it took to build a new home. In my mind it was simple, went fast, and there were very few problems to delay progress. Hold on a minute while I clean my rose colored glasses. Oh yes! Now I can see clearly. 
 
  NOTHING about this process is simple. There are so many more steps to this than I ever dreamed. All of these steps take a lot of time and sometimes it’s a lot of hurry up and wait.
 
As far as delays go….well let’s just say there certainly has been a lot of rain lately! I’m hearing there is even more in the forecast so I don’t expect there to be a lot done over the next couple of days, but there is always room for hope!
 
Well I know you are waiting to see what has been done since I last posted, so I’ll get right to it.
 
Let me see? I think I left off at the footings.
Yes, that’s right…the footings. Well just after that was done, the forms were put up and the foundation walls were poured.
 
IMG_8173
 
IMG_8196
 
Then the floor was prepped and poured.
 
IMG_8223
 
IMG_8234
 
The foundation walls got waterproofed and insulated.
 
IMG_8247
 
The leach field was prepared.
 
IMG_8244
 
Now for the good stuff!
 
IMG_8220
 
My carpenter and his crew arrived!
 
IMG_8242 
 
IMG_8245 
 
They went straight to work putting the sill plate on the foundation. That’s the part that connects the house to the foundation. I’m learning as I go here, and no I didn’t know this already. Always wondered though.
 
IMG_8253
 
The floor trusses have been put on….
 
IMG_8260
 
…and the subfloor.
 
Drum roll please! Well since I have no actual drum roll sound, I guess you’ll have to use your imagination here.
 
IMG_8276
 
The first wall is up! Yes folks, we have a wall!
 
IMG_8284
 
IMG_8285
 
IMG_8286
 
IMG_8287
 
IMG_8291
 
Ahem! Make that four walls!
 
IMG_8292
 
Now it’s time for the center wall to be put in. This is the one they call the load bearing wall.
 
IMG_8297
 
IMG_8299
 
Now I can get the full feel of the space. I’m already placing furniture in it’s prospective areas. The design part is my favorite, but I think it’ll be a while before I can actually start.
Well folks! That’s about it.
 
Oh, I almost forgot….
 
IMG_8304
 
Our grandchildren really wanted me to mention how much help they have been. They help us clean up the wood scraps at the end of the day.
 
IMG_8306
 
They are thrilled about the new house. Mostly because they think they are moving in with us.
I’m pretty sure this means we’re going to have little visitors at our door quite often.
 
I hope you have enjoyed your visit to our little red saltbox. If you have, make sure you leave me a comment.
 
Until next time……
 
Blessings,
Julie

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Saying Goodbye....


images
 
We sold our house yesterday. The papers were signed and now our eldest son is the proud owner of a home that has been in my husbands family for 3 generations.
 
IMG_8104
 
The home was originally a wedding gift from my husbands grandparents to his parents. They lived here for almost 50 years. Sadly my husbands mom passed away in 1987, his dad sold us the property in 1989, and we’ve lived here ever since.
 
Joe riding the pony
 
This is a picture of what it looked like when my husband was a child. He’s the one on the horse.
It’s changed a great deal over the years, as homes often do. I think my husband is a bit sad about leaving, but happy that it’s being passed on to the next generation.
 
This house has held a great deal of memories for us over the past 24 years…..
It's welcomed new babies, heard the pitter patter of first steps, its walls have heard the echo of first words, heard the cry of a mom and dad sending their child off to war, celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, proms, family gatherings, enjoyed the screams and laughter at Christmastime, and so much more.
 
It's the place my husband called home as a child, later to be called home by our children, and now our grandchildren will come to know it as theirs.
 
That makes me happy!
 
Blessings,
Julie

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Moving Right Along....


IMG_8144
 
The footing is dried and the forms have been removed.
 
 
IMG_8162
 
The drainage tubes have been put in around the footings.
 
IMG_7870

 
 Remember all the trees that were growing where we marked our driveway?
 
IMG_8155
 
GONE!

IMG_8165
 
The well has been drilled.
 
IMG_8171
 
IMG_8178
  
IMG_8196
 
Forms for the basement walls are up and cement has been poured.
 
Things are really moving along quickly. Stay tuned for more....
 
Blessings,
Julie

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

More on Our Little Red Saltbox Journey….


IMG_8099
 
IMG_8101
 
IMG_8102
 
IMG_8114
 
IMG_8118
 
IMG_8120
 
IMG_8126
 
The footing has been poured. Now on to the next step…..
 
Blessings,
Julie

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Our Little Red Saltbox….


And so the journey begins….
 
IMG_8071
 
IMG_8076
 
 IMG_8078
  
IMG_8086
 
IMG_8087
 
IMG_8089

IMG_8088

IMG_8094

…..FINALLY!
 
Blessings,
Julie

The Potager Garden

Good morning folks! It's another cool rainy day, here in Northern Maine. Our long winter has turned into a long, cold spring. Let's...