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Log Cabin
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September 13, 2011
CABIN RAISIN'...WEEKS 17 & 18
























We're at that point in the building process where it seems for awhile not much is happening, then all of a sudden big changes occur quickly.

These past couple of weeks have been one of those lulls of activity, although some very important (but not real obvious) things got accomplished.

The week before Labor Day, the workers spent finishing up some odds and ends on the interior woodwork.  Then that Friday before the long weekend, they power-washed the interior logs and cleaned them really well, then let everything dry out completely over the 3-day weekend.

Tuesday, September 6, they masked off the big log (it's not getting stained), the hardware on the beams, and all the windows in preparation for the staining.


























September 7...the staining process began on the interior log walls and wood ceiling.

You can see the color change in this photo.  The natural wood color is at the top and we stained it a light brown color "Fawn" all over. 


























It took a couple of guys working together to put on the stain...one spraying it on and one following with a brush working the stain in.


























Mixed into the stain was an added insecticide treatment to keep the bugs out.  It took three days to finish the double-coating and then it needed to completely dry out for a few days.

I really like the color we chose.  It's warm and evens out the yellowish tone of the natural white pine wood.  I can't wait to see the chinking in between...that will really make it look like the log cabin it is!


























September 9...while the stain was drying, the workers put in our front doors...


























...and the garage door and the side access doors.

All those doors will eventually be painted.


























When the interior is completely dry later this week, it'll be time for the drywallers to come do their thing and put the interior walls in.  What a difference that'll make!


























Hopefully the next couple of weeks will bring a flurry of activity and big changes at the cabin!  Slowly but surely, we're getting there....

September 27, 2011
CABIN RAISIN'...WEEKS 19 & 20

























When last I left you two weeks ago, we had two fresh coats of "Fawn" stain on the interior walls and ceiling.

Not wanting to risk drywall dust or sawdust sticking to it, Builder Steve and crew let the stain completely dry for several days before doing anything else inside.

I just hate it when people are not up there working, but I guess that's part of the building game...



























September 16...Meanwhile, outside, the electric company did come up and put in the underground line to the cabin and disconnect the temporary pole.

We have ELECTRICITY!!!  Or...we WILL when Electrician Jeff gets everything hooked up one of these days soon...

The telephone company also laid an underground line to the house, so we're set up for phone service too.  Yes, we're keeping our land line.  I know, I'm old school...


























September 20...the drywalling began!

All the interior walls are going to be drywall.  We thought it would lighten things up inside to not have all wood and I'm glad we did that.  It will be a nice complement to all the wood and break things up a bit. 





































September 22...Mason Marty and his boys laid the stone for the fireplace.

Well, except for the mantel.  Builder Steve is going to put the mantel on and then the masons will come back and finish the job.

But I LOVE our fireplace!!!





































September 23...more drywalling.

There's a little more drywalling to do this week, but they're about done putting it up.  Then the finish work will begin.

Yay!!!





































Karter learned a new trick last week...hanging from the porch beams. 






































He gets to use those strong biceps he's been flexing lately!





































Kaden, of course, wanted to try but couldn't quite get a grip.  Dana got to flex her biceps lifting him up so high!  I don't think I could do that.

Fast forward about 12 years, and I can see our teenage grandsons doing the same thing...without a boost from Mom, of course!


























Just threw in this photo of them sitting on the porch because they are just so cute!

Totally unbiased opinion, of course...

So, there we are.  Builder Steve is giving us a move-in date of before Thanksgiving, which is a mere 7 weeks or so away.  A lot to be done yet, but it's moving along.

Patience, Terry, patience....


October 11, 2011
CABIN RAISIN'...WEEKS 21 & 22
























Things are happening around the cabin, but the changes are not as dramatic or as quick as I want. 

I remember this point in the building process when we built our home in 1998.  It feels like it's almost done, and yet the finishing stuff seems to take forever when we're so very anxious to get moved in.

But it'll happen, and Builder Steve is planning to have us in by Thanksgiving, which is just 6 weeks away.  He says it's very doable...I'm counting on him to make it happen!


























October 3...a nice shot of the cabin exterior.



























They've been steadily working on the drywall inside. 

This is a view from the garage access door in the utility room looking toward the front door.



























The ledge above the living room wall where the television cabinet will be.



























I didn't realize how much drywall there would be.  It's not a big home, but with the tall ceilings it took nearly 100 sheets of drywall to enclose the rooms.

They intentionally left a wide crack to allow for the settling of the logs.  After the wall is painted, they will put a trim board to cover it.




































The master shower.

The drywalling is finished.  It is ready to be sanded down and then, let the painting begin!


























The garage ceiling has been finished off with a textured finish.

And now, for the biggest change these past two weeks...


























They took advantage of the PERFECT weather we've had the past couple of weeks to stain the exterior with our chosen color Atlantic Gray.


























You may recall this photo of the look we are kind of going after for the cabin. 


























I know it may seem like a whole lot of gray right now, but once the light chinking is on and the windows and doors are finished in light gray, there'll be plenty of contrast.

I love the color!  It blends very nicely with the decking, chimney, and roof.



























So there...I've got you up-to-date on the cabin with 6 weeks to go and counting...

This is my last post about the cabin raisin' until it's completely done and we're moved in.  Unless I change my mind, of course, which I've been known to do...

But I think I'll leave you in suspense until the grand unveiling at Thanksgiving.

Six weeks will fly by!  I can hardly wait!!!
November 9, 2011
CABIN UPDATE

Well, it doesn't look like we're going to be cooking our Thanksgiving turkey there this year, but things at the cabin are (albeit too slowly for me) moving along. 

We've encountered a couple of snags (what project doesn't have snags along the way?), the most time-costly of which was the necessity of Builder Steve to fire the plumbing/heating contractor and find new ones to step in and finish (and in many cases re-do) the jobs.  All that fiasco set our timeline back a little, but we're hopeful now to be in around December 1.

Yes, we're a tad bit disappointed...but in the scheme of life, what's an extra 10 days or so?...

So I thought I'd share a few photos of what's been happening at the cabin.


























Our driveway is finally concreted.  It took about three weeks to do, between bouts of rainy days, but it's finished and wonderful.  Our concrete people did an awesome job!



























The rain has also played havoc with the exterior chinking efforts, but about 2/3 of the outside is done.





































I LOVE how it's turning out!  We wanted the chinking lines to be irregular and wavy on the handhewn logs, to closer resemble the imperfect chinking lines on old cabins.  The workers have gone to great lengths to make them look random widths...





































Electrician Jeff has been out nearly every day recently installing light fixtures (don't you like these Ball jar fixtures in the laundry room?)...




































...and unscrambling this seeming chaos of electrical lines.

 
























The cabinets are basically installed...


























...awaiting the granite countertop installation tomorrow (assuming that my replacement copper kitchen sink comes in today as promised).


























AND...my copper clawfoot tub handmade in India arrived and is every bit as beautiful as I thought it would be.  I happened to be up at the cabin when the delivery truck came, and the construction guys were just as excited as I was!  They could hardly wait to get it uncrated and asked if I minded if they unwrapped it so they could see it.

Lots of "oohs" and aahs" from everyone...it's gorgeous!  I warned them that no one was allowed to take a bath in it until I had my turn first! 


























But for 3-year-old Karter, nothing is more exciting than crossing the "bridge" over the trench for the gas line!  All the while, quoting Three Billy Goats Gruff..."Who's tromp-tromping over my bridge?"  "It is I, the little Karter."  I love that cute kid!

So that's the latest cabin update.  Now if I can just be patient for about 3 more weeks...