December 21, 2016:  Windows!!!  'Nuff said.

 

 

December 19, 2016:  Low voltage day.  And my birthday.

 

 

It was freezing!  Only 19 degrees when we arrived in Hidden Valley but the low voltage couldn't wait - we HAD to get this done (or at least get a good start on it).

 

 

 

My son, Patrick, took the day off to help us.  He walked around on cold concrete all day long in tennis shoes with a sprained toe.

 

My brother in law, Jim, also came to help of for two days.  This photo is looking towards Lake Chelan where he and my sister have a gorgeous home on the lake.

 

Brian  was ready and organized.

 

The contractor wrapped the house which probably saved our lives.  Also, Mike the foreman bought a propane heater to warm the great room and I parked myself next to it most of the day answering "Happy Birthday" texts from friends and relatives.

 

 

The apple tree looking very cold.  Soon it will be time to prune and fertilize.

 

The snow was absolutely perfect that day.  Soft and powdery.  I started feeling warmer the instant the sun came out.  It will be nice to look at this view inside a warm house.

 

 

 

 



December 4, 2016:  Lots and lots to talk about

 



 

 

The weather is changing.  Quickly.

 

The fireplace is finished and is magnificent!

 

The roof went on and really makes a statement.

 

 

Here you can see the firebox and wood storage.  We've decided that the addition of glass doors will radiate heat and prevent the wind from blowing our fire out.

 

A better look at the roof partially covered with snow.

November 24, 2016:  Some photos from the inside.

 

Looking down the hallway towards the great room.

 

The main bath.  The tub will be placed over that indentation in the concrete.  This is where you will find me sipping a glass of wine and enjoying the view.

 

The bedroom closest to the kitchen.

 

The great room.

 

From the top of the stairs looking into the guest apartment.

 

Here, I'm standing where the guest suite bathroom will be.

 

 

Below is a link the a time lapse that is fun to watch.

 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_eJn_ZzPA0

November 4, 2016:  Framers are working hard to get the house closed in before winter.

 

I'm standing beside the outdoor fireplace looking up.

 

 

Entertaining space waiting for the fireplace.

 

 

 

Looking up in the great room.

 

October 29, 2016:  Framing continued.  We're beginning to see the shape of the house.

 

Living space above the garage facing NW.

 

Main house facing NW.

Three car garage facing SE.

 



 

The entertaining space between the garage and main house.

 

The view from the road.

October 7, 2016:  Beams and floor joists in garage.

 

 

Okay, here it is.  The beam that supports the La Cantina door.  It's going to be sooooo nice.

 

 

 

The garage feels totally different with the floor joists overhead.  Look at that sky.  There is a difference between "partially cloudy" on the west side and "partially cloudy" on the east side.  I choose east.

 

 

 

A large, sliding barn door will open to the all important "bike shop".

 

 

The garage from the front.  I'm happier with the size now that it's framed.

 

October 2, 2016:  Framing continues and beginnings of walls.

 

 

This is the view from the NE corner of the garage.  The main house is on the right.

 

 

 

 

Here, I've moving to the opposite end looking at the future site of the La Cantina door that we decided to replace the two French doors with.  http://www.lacantinadoors.com/.  More money (of course) but totally worth it.

 

 

 

 

This shows you how boring the front of the house will be.  Only two windows and a front door.  The  drama will be on the back.  More on that later.



 

 

 

This view is from the fireplace in the great room looking towards the bedrooms

 

 

 

 

Looking west down the long, back hallway that runs the length of the house.



 

 

September 25, 2016:  Framing continues...

 

 

The deer have managed to almost completely strip the apple tree of fruit.  Here's one I saved.  We still don't know what variety of apple it is but they taste good! 

 

 

September 18, 2016:  Framing has begun

The framing has begun and you can see the layout of the rooms which is nice.  We removed a closet in the guest room and gave the space to the adjoining bathroom and I'm so glad we did.

Fall really is here because the temperature was 28 degrees yesterday morning.  Yikes!  I've seen elk tracks in the surrounding bare soil so I know they are here but still haven't seen them.