10/30 - Entry door
After so many other projects, Eric has stained and finished the front door! Everyone's welcome to knock on it or ring the doorbell.
Shade garden
Outside the breezeway, between the driveway and concrete dog pad, is a shady area. With ammendments, the clay soil is being worked and soon the well head won't be so visible. We can't wait to see how the coralbark maple will look with the other shrubs and perennials next spring.
Bonsai??
The weeping blue cedar needs a bit of support to help develop it character!
10/10/24 - Landscaping
After careful research and purchases from various nurseries, we've started to landscape with a variety of trees: weeping blue atlas cedar, dawn redwood, katsura, weeping birch, stewardia, mountain ash and claret ash. Some day we'll have some shade on and around the lawn!
Useful rocks
Now we have a natural bird bath and a bench on which to rest!
10/21 - Excavator
The only way to move those BIG rocks!
10/13 - Surprise snow!
No warning for this brief snow when it was only 35 degrees, but it didn't hang around long.
Sisters and cousins
Couldn't pass up a picture of Paige with Hilary, Megan and Jarrett.
9/27 - Photo op in MN
Family time at the Minnetonka Orchard. with Gabe's mom Deb, sis Jesse with husband Bill and daughter Audrey.
9/25 - Entry tile
The entry tile, inside and out, is finished.
9/17 - Clothes line
Shari's laundry facility is now complete with the retractible clothes line which is mounted on a swing arm to the garage wall.
Pad outside the basement door.
What an improvement!
9/16 - Down the shute
Here comes the start of 3 trucks of concrete.
9/15 - Preparation for driveway
Prep is nearly complete.
9/10 - Laundry room
Having replaced the appliances sold with the Portland house, the new washer/dryer and freezer are in place.
9/3 - Paige Flynn arrives
We're proud to announce the birth of our granddaughter, Paige Muriel Flynn, 7 lbs 2 oz 21" long and all "angel." In 2 weeks, we will be going to Minneapolis for our first visit.
8/14 - Moving
After quite the real estate roller coaster ride, it looks like the Portland house is sold and will close in a month. We're now moving all our furniture and belongs used to stage the house for show.
Wow!
This is just one small piece of the whole project, but as the island is a focal point, it makes a big difference in the look of the entire room. Jatoba wood (Brazilian cherry), with a mineral oil finish, will continue to darken to a very deep color. The mineral oil, however, provides a cleanable, food-safe surface.
5/23 - Oil finish applied
5/21 - Ready for oil
With the clamps removed and gluing complete, there was a lot of sanding to prepare for finish. Eric made the piece cut out for the bar sink into a cutting board. He used it as a color test for the mineral oil finish.
5/16 - Plumbing project?
The island top is part plumbing and part woodworking. The pipes in this photo, however, are part of the woodworking (clamps).
5/3 - Laundry room
Much needed and appreciated cabinet space has been added to this room. While not in the original plan, but great hind-sight.
Future horticulturist!
Jarrett, lovingly known as Tractor Man, is all ready to assist in any task that involves power tools, especially tractors.
5/20 - Landscaping?
Master Gardeners have been known to use power tools. We have begun clearing our lot, positioning rocks and some minor grading for planting in the fall.
4/12 - Easter fun
Even though lots of work was involved, there was also family time and the obvious Easter egg hunt was a highlight. The family time was especially appreciated as Shari's mom Betty passed away on Good Friday after a long fight with health issues.
4/10 - Helping out in The Dalles
We spent 3 days helping Megan and Jeremy plant 300 new cherry trees. Of course, Shari primarily helped with Jarrett.
Island top
The next major task in the kitchen will be assembling the island top and installation of the island sink.
4/3 - Pantry is bare
Well, if you have chips and wine, you can still make out ok. The pantry is trimmed out awaiting shelving and food which is currently in boxes in the basement.
4/1 - We're finished!!
April Fools! However, the wood floor in the great room, kitchen, and dining room is complete.
More details
With a few minutes left over from the flooring, we took another nibble out of the details.
3/27 - Final puzzle pieces
With Shari doing layout and Eric running the power stapler, the final pieces of the flooring are in place. Baseboard and a few trims will complete the job. Moving on!
Another planting
Pinus 'Vanderwolf Pyramid' is placed to anchor the northeast corner of our lot and forms the beginning of a landscape which will be a work in progress for some time to come.
3/24 - Mutt and Jeff
Actually, they are Ilex 'Blue Stallion' (left) and Ilex 'Dragon Lady.' They are placed to form light screens into the house. Obviously, Dragon Lady has her work cut out for her to catch up with her "mate." We're sure she's up to the task!!
3/20 - Details
If the "devil is in the details," then we've got lots of devilish details to complete. Shari's design, Eric's installation and the master bath vanity is complete. Work continues on flooring projects and we even spent a few minutes outdoors in the yard. With the weather changing, it will be very tempting to spend more time outside than in.
3/13 - Flooring
The stack of hardwood floor dwindles as piece by piece it crawls out onto the great room floor. The "cuts" around the island and the kitchen cabinets slow the task, but 2 more days and Shari and Eric should have the giant puzzle complete.
3/11 - Deck furniture
This week was dotted with sun breaks. Still a bit of a nip in the air, but our Adirondack chairs have found their new home and offer a wonderful invitation to lunch or nap (yeah, right!) in the sun.
Spring??
The clouds and nip in the air seem to indicate that the forecast of snow may indeed be true. Mother Nature is promising spring and the nearby pussy willows are proof of that.
3/6 - Frost expected
With frost in the overnight forecast and snow possible over the weekend, Shari's transplants again sport their hardhats. The good news is that most of them are showing new growth despite being transplanted at less than optimum time.
3/5 - Another power tool!
Thanks to our Portland neighbor Rick, work progressed on entry tile. The diamond blade make short work of cutting 12"x12" porcelain tile.
3/4 - Can you see him?
After a long weekend in Portland, Eric returned on Wed. and was greeted fleetingly by our resident Anna's hummingbird (a blur just below and to the left of the feeder). He's not yet accustomed to the "service" and is very brief with his visits.
2/28 - Hardwood flooring
With Shari doing layout and Eric banging down the pieces, we were able to take a big bite out of what Hilary calls a "big jigsaw puzzle." The dance floor now measures 16' x 28', about half of the entire great room.
2/26 - Snow Queen encore!
On Thursday morning, we woke up to an inch of snow. It was beautiful, as we had sun most of the day too.
2/24 - Dinner guests
Shari was able to spend the entire week in White Salmon. A highlight was surprise guests. Megan, Jeremy and Jarrrett came from The Dalles just to say "Hi" and stayed for dinner.
Dual citizenship
With registration due on his truck, Eric officially became a voting citizen of the state of Washington. With any luck, Shari will be able to follow suit SOON.
2/16 - Entry tile
Home construction can be a humbling activity. That must be true because you spend so much time on your knees!
2/13 - Snow Queen
Lest we forget who is really in control, the Snow Queen took a hint from the groundhog and served us a small reminder that while the new master bedroom is cozy, winter is still just outside the door.
2/12 - First night
It has only taken 18 months, but we spent our first night sleeping in the new master bedroom. It's amazing how much of a change to small steps (carpeting and window treatment) change a room.
2/2 - Flooring
One big piece of the finish work is flooring. The elegant gray tile share has selected is in place. NOT!! The entry is ready for tile. Next week carpet is scheduled to be installed and once that traffic is complete, we will be moving on to tile and then the hardwood flooring.
1/26 - Great way to start the week!
After much debate and discussion with insulators and insulation manufacturers, we decided to play it safe and remove the insulation that had gotten wet due to snow, ice dams, and missing step flashing. The only practical way to remove the wet insulation was to cut a hole in the ceiling and remove it into the house. We found that the insulation was indeed still fairly wet against the sheetrock of the ceiling. It probably would not have dried out until well into summer. The insulation manufacturers had told us that the borate used to fire proof the insulation would also block mold. Indeed, this turned out to be true, much to our relief. There was a small amount of mold found between one rafter and the sheetrock. 10% bleach took care of that problem. There is no evidence of new water coming in, so apparently the roof repairs have worked in this area. We're back on the schedule to have carpet laid and Eric is preping for hardwood flooring.
1/19 - More trim
The saw dust and little scraps continue to pile up as door trim and baseboard work continues.
1/12 - Finish work continues
What seems like miles of moulding continues to find its way into all the nooks and crannies. As a result of the ice dam problems, we will be patching some drywall, replacing some insulation, repainting a few spots, and hoping that the additional work done by our roofing contractor will prevent problems in the future.
1/5 - Paint shop
Trim is going in around doors, closets, and baseboards. The cut shop is in the garage and painting is being done in one corner of the great room. Quite the contrast from last year at this time when snow removal from the great room floor was job #1. Some people had said that the project was only half done when the sheet rock was complete. Given all the fine details that is beginning to ring true.
1/1/09 - Happy New Year!
Our new house has a "mail house." It's mounted with a swivel to help avoid damage from passing snow plows and given the amount of snow we've gotten in December, snow plows seem to be a major factor.
12/25 - Christmas with Jarrett
Sharing this Christmas with our grandson and his parents in The Dalles was the high point of our holiday. Back there next week for the Sun Bowl and New Years.
View from great room
While the view is beautiful, the melting snow has found a couple of entry points. The leaks were apparently stopped by 5 hours of shoveling snow and chipping ice off our roof. The weather has changed and most of the snow is gone. Hopefully we can find some solution to the water problem.
12/24 - Snow Queen
Eric has vowed that he will never again take the name "Snow Queen" in jest. Neither will he forward any emails that joke about snow. 24" at one shot and more in the forecast.
Winter accommodations
Eric can't begin to explain how wonderful it feels to be in residence as opposed to last winter's abode.
Polar Express
While Eric was working inside, Mother Nature was busy changing the outdoors. Our Christmas train began to look like the Polar Express.
12/15 - Interior finish
This week was dedicated to interior projects. Paint touchup in preparation for carpet in the bedrooms. Tile layout in the entry began and soon hardwood flooring in the great room will begin.
Mrs. Christmas
Shari's visit also motivated us to put a few Christmas touches on the new house. A small step this year and next year Mrs. Christmas will be in full stride.
12/10 - Landscaping?
Early December is not an ideal time for transplants, but this has been the first chance to bed in a few special plants where they would not be run over by construction. Notice the wire fence to discourage passing deer.
Master Gardener?
Most of this week was spent in preparation for the weather change that's expected. Eric gravelled the driveway and backfilled around the house. On Wednesday, the real Master Gardener, Shari, arrived with a carload of plants that we wanted to move from Portland before the house is sold.
12/5 - Master bath
People have said that once the wallboard is up, the project is only 40% done. When you count all the small details, it might seem like that is true. While the trims and details are what is visible, they conceal a huge amount of hard work. More to follow.
12/2 - Certificate of Occupancy
One more piece of paper, but this is THE BIG ONE!! Now, Eric can "legally" sleep in the house rather than in the tent trailer. It's a good thing because all the puddles have been turning stiff at night.
12/1 - Site cleanup
Site cleanup, in preparation for winter weather, yielded some interesting items. Its amazing how much stuff goes into a house. Here are 14 5-gallon buckets with at least another 6 yet to be emptied. These contained paint, primer, and wallboard materials (not counting 20 boxes of joint compound and 8 boxes of texture).
11/27 - Hard at work
Our favorite contractor is taking the day off to visit with family. Grandson Jarrett and his dad Jeremy watching football. Watch for our Christmas picture as it will include Hilary, Gabe, and Megan. Great to have the kids together for Thanksgiving.
11/26 - Final building inspection
This is a great way to end a short week and head off to Thanksgiving with family! The bottom line of this form indicates that we have passed our last inspection and are now cleared for occupancy!! There still remains hundreds of details to be accomplished. Stay tuned!!
11/24 - Electrical Final!
All that work and expense for a small sticker. But, it's the last step before our final building inspection.
11/21 - Electrical final
Our entry light was the last item to be installed prior to calling for the final electrical inspection. Approval is the last step needed before building inspection for certificate of occupancy.
11/19 - Cooking with gas and hot water!
The last gas appliance to be installed was the dual fuel stove. With it in place, the on-demand water heater was activated. Hot Water!!
Great room ceiling fan
11/17 - Master bathtub
Last plumbing item before final inspection was the tub in our master bath.
11/14 - Telephone/internet
We've discovered that no matter how large or small the detail, heavy equipment is needed. The telephone/internet hookup required a line be buried across Ivan St. This completes all of the utility services. Our phone number in White Salmon is: 509-493-3098. Email addresses will remain the same.
Dishwasher
Shar's new dishwasher is in place. Only the stove remains to be installed, and the kitchen appliances will be complete.
Clothes dryer vent
Our dryer vent has a cap on one end to facilitate easy clean out. Have you checked your dryer vent lately?
11/10 - "Balcony"
We are down to 5 items on the punch list for "occupancy." In lieu of steps which will be installed in the future, the west end of the breezeway has been made into a "balcony."
11/6 - Laundry sink
The laundry sink has been installed (with temporary countertop) and awaits the arrival of our washer and dryer.
Great room windows
The "wrap" around the great room door and windows is finished. With staining and some finish trim, this piece will be complete.
11/3 - Utilities day
TV dish was installed today and phone service was scheduled. Eric connected our end, but it appears that Embarq (formerly Sprint) needs to bury a run from the corner of our lot to their junction box. Next week?
10/31 - Great room windows
Finish trim is going in around the great room windows and sliding door.
Front view
Another thing has been removed from the job site - our contractor's trailer.
Everything including the kitchen sink? There are still a few minor plumbing items to be addressed, but we're very close to having all the plumbing finished.
10/28 - 3 Bathrooms - NO WAITING!!
With all 3 bathrooms functional, the house now truly has indoor plumbing. "Sorry," but the blue plastic outhouse is GONE!
Range hood
The range hood has been installed.
10/23 - Hand rail
One more life/safety requirement is complete with the installation of the hand rail on the stairs to the basement.
Laundry room floor
The laundry and back entry were the 3rd area to get floor covering.
10/22 - Guest bathroom
With the vinyl flooring installed, the vanity,countertop and sink followed.
10/21 - Master bath
The flooring has also been installed in the master bath.
10/16 - Basement bath
While it might look like Eric's planning a house of horrors in the basement, it's only the masking he did before spraying texture on the walls.
Stairway
Permanent stairs are being installed and ready for paint and non-slip tread material.
10/15 - Refrigerator
The appliances have been delivered and are beginning to fill the openings in the kitchen.
Gas Fireplace
The fireplace surround and screens have been installed and fired up.
10/13 - Closet and pantry doors
The bi-fold doors are installed
Guest bath/shower surround
Master bathroom shower surround
Master bath vanity top
10/7 - Countertops
The biggest change this week was the installation of the countertops in the kitchen and master bathroom. Also the shower surrounds were started.
10/3 - Electrical trim
After installation of lighting fixtures, smoke detectors, switches and plugs, the electrical system will be complete and ready for final inspection.
The returning rain puts Eric's abode back into "baggie" mode.
9/29 - Trim shop
As the rains have returned and we've moved on to doors and trim, it was necessary to transform the garage again. It's now "Frank's Trim Shop."
Interior doors
The first of the interior doors is ready to hang.
9/25 - Kitchen island
The cabinets that make up our island are installed. Once the drain for the island sink is finished and the top is installed, finish "skins" will be added to make the cabinet sides match the doors.
Inside painting finished
Interior painting, with the exception of some touch-up, is complete.
8/19 - Great room flooring
With the walls in the great room painted, the wood flooring is now in for acclimation.
Color happens
The primary activity for the week was painting. This photo in our master bedroom not only shows the color, but with no paint on the window and door openings shows the "reveal."
Master shower
Eric hung the blue board in our shower. This makes both bathrooms and kitchen cabinets ready to be measured for countertops and surrounds. Custom Marble is scheduled to be on site this coming Monday.
Master bath vanity
The 3 cabinets that make up the vanity are in place and, along with the tub, are ready to be measured for countertops.
9/8 - Kitchen cabinets
Well, the kitchen cabinets didn't exactly "jump" on the walls and, indeed, some of them belong on the floor. What seemed like a simple layout was a bit of a trick, but the basic kitchen cabinets (less the island) are in place.
9/5 - Blue room?
When you visit, you will not be subjected to a bathroom in Van Gough blue. The wall board is water-proof and ready for measurement to be taken for the tub surround.
Kitchen cabinets
The cabinets which have long resided in the basement have jumped up to the main floor and out of their boxes. Maybe over the weekend, they will jump up onto the walls.
9/1 - True colors
With drywall complete, Eric has started painting the areas critical for cabinet installation. The photo is of the vanity area in our master bath.
8/29 - Subfloor
No sooner did the house get cleaned out from drywall than construction moves in again. This time it's for subflooring. With the walls primed and ceilings painted, the next step will be painting and cabinets.
8/22 - Construction time-out
We took a short break from our project to enjoy a visit from our daughter Hilary. She was here to help celebrate our grandson Jarrett's 1st birthday. Today, was Jarrett's 1st trip to a zoo.
8/20 - Drywall basecoat
Our drywaller is doing minor touch up on the sheetrock sealer coat prior to texturing.
New power tool
It makes short work of about 70' of trench.
8/18 - Drain lines
The drain lines are going in to control roof run-off.
8/15 - Wood paneling
Our garage has "wood paneling" thanks to inexpensive plywood from the local mill.
Stairway
The sheetrock is completed and ready for texture and paint. This concludes Eric's part of this project. Thanks to Garret's tutelage, the walls are turning out very nice.
8/12 - Deck railing completed
After Shari made a quick run for deck railing, Frank and Jason were able to finish up. Now it's safe for those short and tall.