The siding is almost done!

Don has worked like a tornado and has only the top bits to put on (he has to pad the tops of the walls because the sides were raised 10" and the sheathing on the old walls is this iron-like oak that's about 1" thick, so it is a pain in the patootie.  But after that's done then he'll put shiplap on the peak--there is not much, and we'll probably paint it the green of the door.

Here's Don and Randy discussing appropriate stump removal.  It's anybody's guess, really.


The meter and pipe will have a small "closet" built around it (shingled like the sides) with a door to get at the meter and maybe some shelves inside for tiy garden tools, sice space is at a premium.  I keep forgetting to call CL&P to put the meter on--right now the electricity is free, but I am starting to worry--besides, we can't enclose it till the meter goes on or CL&P will have a cow.
Then we can dig a hole and put some gravel in it and try to set those front step stones.  That oughtta be a laugh riot.

The back of the cabin is all done for now; no sense siding the part that the addition is going to pop out of . . . though that looks like it'll be the 12th of Never.  Don's going to pull off the old shingles and put some more of my favorite tarpaper on it for that nice homey touch. 

 A back porch will be a lot nicer than these steps!  Although they have saved us from breaking our legs many times, thanks to Randy.  The porch is part of the addition--my next billion dollars.

The house wrens had 3 successful babies, who fledged last week, and the parents seem to be considering trying for another batch . . . they keep flying back to their  nest on the tiny ledge Barney built for them years ago, above the window on the side that will be opened to the addition.

Here's Mom and Dad.

Isn't Don a great photographer?

May brought great things . . .

. . . incuding Don, back from Florida, to help save the day, and Bert, standing by with electrical hook-up knowledge.  So first, in early May came the electrical panel, the meter, and one glorius GFI outlet, and then zzzzzap! the power was on (can you say "power tools?")

Then came Don's mad flurry to get the front sided before Memorial Day

Then the chimney side got tackled, as well as the front "lawn."

 

 

So even if there is no septic system or interior to speak of, it is looking cuter.  The chimney guys are coming next week to install the liner and hook up the woodstove. (I am afraid my former chimney guy  bailed on me.)So theoretically I could stay there, keep warm, and work on my computer by lamplight--then go wash in the stream. 

The other exterior things to be done this summer are a stone curtain drain in front so the water won't splash up on those beautiful white cedar shakes, plus hopefully I will be able to get a burning permit and burn some brush in the "septic field" area and weedwack all the re-grown brush again.And maybe an exterior light by the door--wouldn't THAT be amazing??

For the interior: if my budget holds out I'll have the loft joists re-done, a bead-board ceiling put in below the loft (with a ceiling light) and put the saved pine boards back on some of the walls, after insulating them. I had wanted to sheetrock the inside, but renovations being what they were, the studs are not even enough to nail sheetrock to.  One lives and learns.