Stones ... !

Today's post will look at the changes made today by the excavators - they are starting to replace the dirt around the barn and pool. And --- we have a mystery stone (more on that later). From down by the pond, looking back to the barn, the change in landscape is special. Further up the slope, you can see how the barn, walls, and pool are taking shape. We asked the excavators to save us the big rocks (for retaining walls) - oh, and they did. Moving to the rear of the barn, here are two views from each side. And finally, as they were digging, they came up with a round stone with a small "3" and "1961" etched into the stone. Now we have to figure out what this was and the significance of the date. Strangely, it was essentially out in the middle of what was a horse field. Call in Hercule Poirot!

Let's stop and smell the roses

It is easy to get caught up in our barn and pool project. We thought it would be nice, however, to stop and appreciate our little stream and paths in the wetlands and by Crum Creek. The Monarda are in full bloom, and pretty spctacular. Here are three views of our stream out by the road. Walking toward the back, there is a clump of day lilies by the pond that the deer have missed. Turning around from that spot, the barn is up the rise. Back along Crum Creek, our wetlands glisten in the sun, and some of the bee-balm we recently transplanted to along the path seem to be doing well. And finally, it is always a good idea to stop and smell the roses. ... from a beautiful, sunny day in July.

A day for fireworks!

It has been a few weeks since the last blog, not because of a lack of progress, but because everything now is incremental, adding in details and finishing touches to the barn and pool. Big changes to come include floors, patios, interior "stuff," plastering the pool, grading, fencing, landscaping, demolition of the old barn, and building the new garden (on the old barn footprint). Phew - still lots more to come. Anyway, here are pictures of what it looks like now. First two are the barn, and the barn and pool from the view coming into the barn field from the house. As an added detail, here is a picture of the sun shelf and wall behind the pool. The next picture is of the patio under the barn overhang. A view of the rear of the barn from the road follows: Finally, here is a picture of the top floor (the low platform is for the wood stove, after the platform is covered with stone). Next big change - regrading and getting rid of most of the big piles of dirt.