It Became a House This Week

Dear Family and Friends,

This was a great week. Matt Cantrell, our grader, did a fabulous job. We had a giant mound of earth- he made it a manageable hill ready for landscaping.

It is amazing how the house looks rooted to the earth. There is plenty of room for car turn-arounds now. We expanded the front planting area, and made room for a Japanese Courtyard Garden (after construction) under the master bath windows.

We made final decisions on cabinets and countertops on Thursday. You'll have to wait for pictures on that.

The big north wall where the logs are stored is ready for planting. I did so much wood-cutting last week that I had to send the chainsaw to the shop. That's why the pile looks a teeny bit smaller.

It's raining now, but I seeded and wheat-strawed this morning, so we are ready!

Listen to the grass grow!

Take care.

Love,

Emmett and Marsha

March Rolled In Like a Lion

Dear Family and Friends,

The first full week of March is history.

Our builder, Stanley, warned us that the roof of this house is more tedious than usual. This is proving to be true. All the exposed ends and rafter tails and soffits mean that you can't just bang the roof on. So, we have relatively few new pictures.

• The main gable at the front of the house, which frames the windows on the stairs, is complete. This kind of detailing goes around most of the house.
• The two fellows in Superman poses are - Fabs, on the right, who is a South African who imports exotic hardwoods from all over the world. He owned the lovely board at his feet, until the Caseys came. Ryan, on the left, is the cabinet maker who will cut the 14' X 25" piece of bubinga, join it so that the grain matches, and sand it until it is almost as smooth as Kate Crass's and Alyssa Warren's cute little tush.... Wait a moment. In our litigious world, I probably can only speculate on the smoothness of hypothetical baby bottoms. Anyway, it's nice wood, and Ryan is excited to work on it.
• I also included shots of the mountain vanity with sink and faucet attached, for those of you who wondered why I left those holes in the vanity top.
• Finally, there are pictures of a "moldy oldy." Some of you remember our original dining room table, circa 1972. This is the new version- natural finish on the oak, mahogany, and basswood strips, minimal linear base, awaiting stools at counter height, with drop-leaf extensions. Recycling at its finest!
  

Looking at these pictures, one might think I am working faster than the crew. Hmmmm....

We can't wait to share this with you. Until then....

Love,

Emmett and Marsha

It's March, and More than Buds are Emerging

Dear Family and Friends,

Despite the fact that we are still in a drought, we have not had a five-day work week that is uninterrupted by rain. So, I don't know how different these pictures will look to you. Some of the roof details that make this a mountain home are starting to emerge- exposed mitered beams at the ends of gables. I am not sure that you will be able to see them in the pictures. About half the deck framing is on. If the house details are unclear, then enjoy the Carolina sky. This must be a great place for teachers to work. Although it rains during the work week, the weekends are beautiful!

We went to a hardwood distributor who has wood for our kitchen island top. More to follow in a future blog.

Please take care, and enjoy!

Love,

Emmett and Marsha