A Gift

We found an early housewarming gift tonight... Shine brings out the best in our crew.

Generations

I took Shimmer and Shine on a roadtrip today to visit my Aunt Diane before school starts next week. She lives on Main Street in a quaint little town a few hours away. You won't meet a more wonderful hostess than her, or her late Aunt Doris. Their homes were childhood inspirations of mine... timeless, charming, warm and welcoming.

We stopped by our new home before heading out of town. Inside, drywall being hung in the foyer. Outside, one of my favorite details and something I've always dreamed of -- a beadboard porch ceiling (timeless, charming, warm and welcoming). Looks like Shimmer loves it, too. Like mother, like daughter...

Excitement in the Air

Our crew began hanging drywall upstairs yesterday, and by today they also had done most of the downstairs. After my accident, the technical difficulties, and the physical mess of the whole insulation process, I'm so happy to put that chapter behind us and behind drywall literally. Shimmer and Shine made their way into the house first tonight and were surprised to find walls in the mudroom. They came running back out to Daddy and I absolutely thrilled to report that, "it's a house... it's a house!"

HVAC work is also continuing; but, my big excitement for the night was the front porch construction. Shimmer took a picture of Shine and I hanging out there tonight (sorry it's a little blurry). With the big pile of dirt pretty much gone, as promised, I was also able to take a nice front photo. I've been waiting a long time to do that. Good things come to those who wait...

Rainy Days and Mondays

Been a pretty dry summer, but rain yesterday and this morning made it difficult to get the well drilling equipment up to the house. Our excavator came through and helped in a pinch. I brought Shimmer and Shine over this morning and we found a better view on the screen porch. A little nerve-wracking wondering how deep they will need to go, but they hit water fairly quickly. For a better reserve, I think they ended up drilling to about 300 feet. Since he was already here with his equipment our excavator worked to level out one of the big piles out front. Should make it a lot easier to get nice photos of our house, so I'm happy to see that pile go!

Family Work Day

Well... the time has come to reveal some of our color choices! Shimmer and Shine went with me yesterday to pick up our primer for the garage (which we had tinted), and a quart of our exterior paint for the house. Daddy tested an area off the back of the hearth room. Both are Benjamin Moore colors from their historic line. The house will be Abingdon Putty and the barn will be Hampshire Gray, with Abingdon Putty trim.

I've gotten rather used to seeing our gray and white house... it kind of has a "beach"-look about it! Or, maybe I am just going through withdrawal since we missed out on the beach last year to move and this year to build ;) I'm loving our color choices though... they have an earthi-ness about them that I'm drawn to and that I think suits our style and the setting for our home.

Shimmer and Shine took turns riding his bike in the cul-de-sac while Daddy and I primed the barn. They each wanted a turn though, so I gave them a paint lesson before calling it quits for the day.

Welcome Back...

Feels like things have slowed down lately, but our crew started drywalling the second floor ceilings yesterday and continued with the master bedroom today. We don't plan to put drywall up in Shimmer's or Shine's rooms. They'll have horizontal plank paneling instead.

Insulation was put up in the mudroom addition and to soundproof other areas also, before drywalling continues next week.

Deja Vu

Remember WAY back in April when we were in the middle of the never-ending lot clearing??? Our excavator was on the job again today to take away some of the remaining stumps and debris as we get ready for our well to be drilled on Monday. I think it's safe to say that he feels the same way we do... will this mess ever be gone?