Growing An Onion

Houses are generally regarded as monolithic.  A single construction.  One big thing.  The whole enchilada, or cannoli, or pastie, depending on your ethnic or culinary persuasion.

But they're not.  Not even close.  A house is layer after layer of stuff that makes possible all those little things we like for our personal comfort.  Sticks and mud and lots of other materials coming together in a particular order to make a small section of what was once outdoors into a human nest.

I once saw a show where a house was built in a day.  Hundreds of people were on-site at dawn, buzzing around the place with incredible energy to create the dwelling before midnight.  

That's not what's happening at our place.  We've got 3 or 4 guys, and occasionally even 5 (Gasp!  So many!) working over a somewhat longer period of time.  But nothing lasts forever, right?  Please tell me that's true.

OK.  Progress is being made.  We really like our contractors, but we'd like to be having good feelings for them from a distance.  Or to be greeting them when they return to the site for the big completion bash.

Our son, David, designed the place.
If his intent was to make you feel like you are outside when inside,
he did a great job.

Mary is in the kitchen, which adjoins the great room.
Is there a reason for an outdoor kitchen?

The cabinets were constructed by my friend Bill, the "Woodbutcher."
Very nice indeed.
Bartlett Fine Carpentry, unsurpassed craftsmanship at a reasonable price!
Yes, I expect a referral bonus.

He also built this vanity.
For those of us with parents who ingrained the hand washing ethic,
it's really a bonus to do so in the same room.

Eric is installing another rotary air conditioner
while balancing on the precariously high step ladder.
Marc smiles below.
Guess which one is the boss.

A five-bladed rotary air conditioner in the guest house.
Unfortunately, use has not been very necessary during this cool and damp summer.
For our guests, peas will be provided should they wish to prove
royal roots by sleeping on the mattress stack.

We'll also provide plumbed-in flush toilets,
NO BUCKETS NECESSARY!
This is clearly a luxurious place.

Sconces light up the room.
However, my favorite evening pastime is turning all the lights out
sitting in one of the chairs,
and watching darkness settle over the lake.

Master bedroom looking pretty great.
Baseboard?  Who needs baseboard?
Note the high ceiling,
which is supported by photon recoil and air pressure.

Regardless of the schedule or the not-fully-anticipated costs, we are indeed fortunate to be creating this great place in a great setting.

Looking on, do you think the cedar waxwings approve?