2016 Garden Plans

I am finally getting excited to work in my yard this spring. Our snow is gone and it's starting to feel like it is time to get planning. My real, overarching goal this year is to focus on low-maintenance when possible. I have a few new areas to plan out and I don't want to spend my summer weeding anymore than necessary. This will mean a focus on mulching and mulching some more!

Because we don't eat many potatoes, and because my mom always has waaaay too many, I've decided to forgo planting spuds and save that garden space for other edibles. I also want to get my raised beds more productive with more compost and the use of plastic window panes I've acquired and row covers to extend the season. So I am hoping for more productivity without too much more input :)

This is technically our third summer here. I am really pleased with how the yard is shaping up. We have a beautiful view to begin with, so I just want to have a natural flow from what I have planted and built to the natural surroundings. There are three main areas where I grow annual and perennial flowers (focus is going to be on perennials) and two main edible garden areas. This summer I plan to start a bigger garden out by our lane way where the ground is more flat (this really depends on borrowing a tractor and my Husband being here to help). This does add a bit to my work load where weeding is concerned, but for this year my focus is on getting the spot worked up with a rototiller and planting root crops for... (drum roll!)....

2016 pigs

Our three pigs! The pigs certainly deserve a post of their own, and soon, but I'm struggling to find time to write with Husband home and all of the work that we have to do. The focus for the new garden area will be weed control, cover crops and root vegetables for ourselves and the pigs to eat.

In other gardening news, I'm just tickled to see some asparagus shooting up already. I also have chives a few inches tall and some strawberry plants have survived the neglectful conditions they are subjected to. Perennial food gardening is so rewarding in the spring. How delightful to already see some growth and anticipate food grown here--so much tastier than what we can buy in a store :)

Second year of asparagus. Planning to eat some this year!

With my focus on low maintenance/ natural looking landscaping, I plan to put some shrubs and flowering trees near the house (but not too near) to disguise how tall it looks perched on this south-facing slope.

My plan is a flowering plum or two and possibly a variegated dogwood
to the left of the deck stairs to "lower" the deck or at least help it blend
into the surroundings. We also need to finish the deck pillars and install
trellis...work, work, work!

Because it is such a nice micro-climate on that south side, we have built some cold frames and I plan to surround them with stepping stones and perennial herbs. For weed control I also want to have creeping thyme grow among the rocks to (hopefully) prevent unnecessary weeding. Here's hoping!

As you can see, the lawn is sparse as we just got that topsoil hauled in
last summer and I hadn't decided what I was doing in that space.

It will be so handy to come down from the kitchen to grab herbs
while I am cooking :)

I have one rock border to finish. I began work on it in 2013 once the house arrived, but it has me stumped. Perhaps I just can't visualize what I want to see there because we still need to parge the foam basement wall. We plan to get that job done soon so hopefully inspiration will strike once I'm not distracted by the ugly wall. Like the south end of the house, I want to grow things of varied height for visual interest and to draw the eye away from that blank basement wall.

Notice the damage our rescue dog has done to our lawn area. SIGH.
We are trying to teach him that the grass next to the house is not his toilet
area. He's doing better now that the snow is gone but the battle is ongoing!

I feel busy enough with animals and kids that I don't want to expand my yard work if possible. Besides the pigs and us expecting baby lambs any day now we are also getting chickens to butcher in the fall. So I feel like I have enough on my plate! There is a lot to learn, most of which can only be done on the job. It's important to me that our animals and birds are well cared for so that will be highest priority. Also, I want to do a better job with what I have--particularly in watering my trees and edging/mulching in the fall so that I don't end up with so much weeding etc first thing in the spring. On the other hand, I don't want to beat myself up because I know I always try to do my best and there's no point fretting about what didn't get done last year. It's a new year and I'm looking forward to recording our progress here!

Three Years of Blogging

Three years ago I began this blog. We lived in a small town 100 kms from here and everything that we have and are doing now was just a dream. At that time it was hard to get anywhere. My youngest cried in the vehicle--every moment that he spent in a vehicle--and it was a 45 minute drive for groceries or one hour to get to my parent's farm. He also made strange to everybody...especially my mom, the only person that had ever watched my kids for me besides their dad. Life felt frantic and messy and beyond my control. A big part of the decision to move was the little boy that could not be comforted in the car. I had to move closer to my people. I owe him one.

This is O--he can fall asleep anywhere :)

I am so glad that we took the plunge and decided to build our acreage sooner than planned. For a time we gave up and decided to just move to "town". My mom sensed that and encouraged us to build the acreage. I'm glad she did, so, so glad. I knew the life I wanted and how I wanted to raise my kids. Although I suppose we could have done it anywhere, we are home now and there is an indescribable peace to knowing that you are exactly where you should be, doing what you were meant to do.

I think that blogging about our lives here is a contradiction. I am intensely private and an introvert. Let's call me quirky. But as I've gotten older I've come to embrace my own quirks. For some reason it feels safe to share our adventures here in this space, although I've opted not to join Facebook, Twitter, Google plus and the like. I am not interested in creating a public persona or trying to maintain it. This is it. This is us. I have made wonderful, meaningful connections through my blog and the blogs of others. I've learned and I've grown. I've wasted a LOT of time swiping on my phone and at times it has been a challenge to cut back and stick to the most positive and helpful. The desire to spend my time on positive, nourishing relationships extends from the real, everyday, to the virtual online community. If you have hung around here reading my thoughts, I am so humbled and thankful. If you've taken anything positive with you then I am so very glad. We are keeping it simple around here. We are trying not to be wasteful, aiming for self-sufficiency though we can never get there. We rely on friends and family and they rely on us. I guess "efficiency" is where we are headed. Thank you for being a part of that and giving me a little of your time :)

So We Got a Barn!

Today we had a very special delivery: the barn we ordered awhile ago arrived and I LOVE it!

This plan has been in the works for a couple months--initially we hadn't planned on a barn for another year or two but suddenly we were pricing out our options and the next thing I knew we ordered it! 

The cost of the pre-built, delivered barn was not much more than the cost of the materials had we opted to buy a package and build it ourselves. Husband and I don't have much building experience so we missed out on a chance to learn a great deal. But building it ourselves would mean he would have to take unpaid time off work. Whatever we saved on the cost of having it built would have been lost. So we ordered it from the same Hutterite colony that built our shed, and I couldn't be happier :)

My mom and dad came and helped us frame up the footing and two of my brothers were here when the concrete was poured. It feels good to know that help is nearby when we need it. We have a few more things to do to get it ready for our four sheep to spend the winter in, and there are still a few jobs left in the yard. It was a beautiful day today and I do so love looking at my little red barn out my kitchen window. I know that having the barn (although it wasn't imperative that we get one this year) is another step towards the lifestyle I want for my kids. I'd like them to grow up with some chores, some animals to tend to, some responsibility. In the meantime I feel a great enthusiasm to start making a bit of money to help pay for it. More on those plans soon! 

Did you do anything exciting this weekend?

Basement bathroom

Now I've gone and done it...I've been fiddling around with how to get pictures onto the blog and for the moment they are in all sizes and all over the place. I apologize if things aren't appearing as they should. Unfortunately, this is how I roll!

    

At any rate, we have completed most of our list before the in-laws arrive in four days. We are excited to see them, and I am excited with how the basement, and its bathroom in particular, is coming together. I got the above "shabby chic" cabinet at my favorite antique and collectible shop. We got new bath sheets for them to use and, when they leave, we will use them in our master bathroom. I'd like Husband's parents to have a bit of luxury while they are here, after all it is the only vacation thay have had since they came to see us over two years ago!

Mirror from Winners (have I ever mentioned that I loooove Winners?)

Three postcards that I bought in Scotland almost....well....nearly twenty years ago. Gulp.

More recently, coat hook/towel hanger also from Winners. 

The bathroom now has a door and trim, although we did not get baseboards installed just yet. We opted to enjoy the summer weather at the lake and leave ourselves some winter projects. The in-laws are not fussy and I'm proud of the job we have done with a limited budget and very limited time and man-power.

Have you had any indoor projects to complete this summer? 

On Cutting Corners, Falling off Tables, and Preaching at My Children

Lately I've been thinking about my tendency to cut corners--no matter what job I begin it seems that I forgo the quality of the job in order to see it done quickly. Rather than preparing well, I just want to get to the good part. So if I am cutting material for a quilt I might not do the best job because I am in a rush to see what it will look like finished. Or rather than tearing out a mistake I might let it slide, thinking: "it'll do".

I find that I do the same in the yard, even though I really really enjoy the work. I need to take time in building my flower beds and planning my yard so that I have a good foundation to work with. I would like to apply this attention to detail to all areas of my life, particularly the not-so-fun tasks that I begin with good intentions but end up slapping together. So I have decided to turn over a new leaf and do my best job of any job that I take on. As I would tell my kids, if it is worth doing then it is worth doing right.

This brings me to the staining of our basement stairs and railings. We had our carpenter build the railings out of 2" x 4" boards and the stairs are plywood. Rather than cover them with carpet or lino, we decided to stain them dark and then finish them with a clear gloss varathane. I have been working on this during naps and after the kids' bedtime for days. Yesterday I had really hit my groove, and when my four-year-old commented that I was doing a good job I took the opportunity to speechify on the merits of hard work and persevering even when you don't like the job you are doing (especially when you loathe cutting in paint or stain around the edges!). I was quite proud of myself--with my tiny paintbrush and my great attention to detail.

It was about this time that I opted to step off my step ladder and onto Husband's poker table in order to reach the highest point of the stair railing from outside the stairs. It is was a pedestal table, so I was sure to step onto the centre of the table, directly over the pedestal. The table wobbled...oh no! As you can imagine, the table crumbled under my weight and my container of dark stain flew through the air, stain splattering the freshly painted walls, the floor, well, everywhere.

Yeah.
I did that.

So after mommy ran around getting buckets of water and cleaning up the huge mess, we sat and had a little chat about how if mommy would have stopped and moved the table, then moved the ladder, I would not have broken daddy's table and made such a mess. This would be a perfect example of doing a job properly. I do so love a teachable moment.

Company's Coming

We are having house guests in July. The first group: my friend's three sons (GULP!). The second: Husband's parents are coming from Newfoundland!

There is much to do.

In order to give three rambunctious boys some space and privacy, I want our basement as ready as possible before they get here. That space will also give the in-laws some privacy, so we might as well do as much as we can (for as cheap as possible) ASAP. Of course Husband is away working so I need to get busy while the weather is wet and I can't be outside. Here is a list to keep me motivated:

• doors for basement (bedroom, storage area, furnace room and bathroom)
• trim for around windows and doors, paint and install
• baseboards for entire basement, paint and install
• purchase a bed for basement bedroom (actually, a new bed for us. We will put the old one downstairs)
• return the too-small curtain rod and exchange for a new one
• hang curtains in basement bedroom, outfit the bed with sheets etc
• finish installing waterlines on fixtures in basement bathroom
• get floor mat and new towels for bathroom, possibly a shelf
• possibly set up a tv in rumpus area
• sand and stain stairs to basement and all stair railings
• hang some of our tin signs, art work and pictures down there

 A terrible picture of the sink we put in downstairs. I really like it though, especially since I got it for $100 on kijiji (still new in the box). We painted the bathroom a dark charcoal because I had leftovers from painting some old furniture.

I hung (hanged?) this wallpaper in the basement bathroom yesterday. It is a bold choice for me. I'm glad it is in the basement. 

Once we get a door and trim I will try for nicer pictures. But I'm down to taking pictures with my phone and emailing them to myself, blah blah blah. My old laptop won't take a memory card anymore and we had a 2 year fall down on the "good" laptop which was also 8 years old and had a virus. If I ever disappear from this blog completely you will know that we finally succumbed to obsolescence.

There is also a growing list of what I want to finish outside before the in-laws visit from across the country. That is for another post, however, since it has been wet and cold lately and I need to motivate myself to finish these indoor jobs ASAP. With that in mind, I better get crackin'!

All In A Day's Work

We have settled into a routine with Husband home and weather warm enough to work outside. Slowly but surely we are striking tasks off our (long) list. And as I strike them off, more tasks get added until it seems we may never finish. Indeed, that is the whole point, for our list is made up jobs that require us to work together, co-operate, be outdoors, connect with the land and nature...all of the reasons we moved here and began this adventure a year ago.

We were lucky to get several truckloads of free birch for firewood. Husband has been splitting it so that it dries without rotting, and stacking it in the trees near the garage. Initially we planned to build a wood shed this year, but we are undecided where to put it. We might wait til next year when we know what will be most convenient. I hate the thought of putting things in the wrong place because we are in a hurry to get things done!

Husband also stacked all the wood leftover from our garage-build. From that stash we used 2"x10" boards for two raised beds, and 2'x12" boards for the middle one. We used what we have on hand. The beds look small to me, but my garden at our old house was only productive at the west end (an area much smaller than these 3 beds combined. I also plan to plant my potatoes, corn and peas outside of the raised beds, so for this year I think we will get enough food from these 3 beds.

In the picture below, you might notice a layer of cow manure. The four year old and I have been busy collecting cow patties from the pasture. We also had a blast gathering earth worms out of the dirt I dug from my fish pond. Many were added to the garden beds, and many more to the compost pit. I fear the two-year-old may have dropped most of his during the delivery, but I'm sure the worms have found their way back into the earth by now ;)

We have had some very productive days working in our yard. There are moments with a four and two-year-old where it seems we might get nothing done--but this year is just an indication of things to come. As they get older the kids will stray further from my sight to build forts and climb trees, explore the little creek and climb the rock piles. I have a feeling I better enjoy having them under foot while I still can!

A Room of One's Own

Virginia Woolf said, for a woman to write she must have 400 pounds a year and a room of her own (Not a direct quote. And I couldn't figure out how to make the sign for British money. I'm off to a poor start). I would agree with Virginia, and add that a woman needs a room of her own if she wants to do anything creative. I know, I know. I heard that J. K. Rawlings wrote Harry Potter on the backs of napkins in noisy restaurants. Clearly there are exceptions to the rule. But for me, I am loving finally having a sewing room all to myself. It is where I sew and write this blog, keep track of bills and banking, and I feel that more is possible now that I have a dedicated space for my hobbies. (Clearing the kitchen table to sew, then removing everything for sticky little fingers and snacks every few hours is just not an option anymore).

This room has been a dumping ground in our new home. We did not even have stairs to the basement until this winter, so many things that did not belong were being stored here for lack of storage elsewhere. As we have gained access to the basement and now have our garage as well, I am slowly clearing the clutter and making this room what I had imagined it to be.

I bought this old desk at a flea market. Love those sturdy legs!

I bought this old cabinet on kijiji. I love the glass doors--unfortunately we broke one when we put the shelf in. We don't talk about it--it's too soon.

I have finally organized my material so I can see what I have. I think it is pretty and cheerful behind the glass.

This little room had an elliptical trainer, a 10x13' rug, boxes and toys that have all finally found their proper places in our home. I am not expecting any major works of art to come from my little sewing room. We keep toys in here and it can get a little dusty in the corners. But now that I have a space of my own I hope to dedicate some time each week to my own creativity. When I do that I feel happier and more connected. I think Virginia would be proud.

Do you have a dedicated area where you can craft/ write/ create? 

One Year Hence...

A year ago, we made the hour long drive from where we used to live to our new acreage site. This was the road in:

April 14, 2013

And this was the main road, looking south:

April 14, 2013

Today, one year later, the kids and I walked our usual route and took these pictures. The main road looking south, one year later:

And (below) the road leaving our acreage, today.

It is amazing to see the difference in snow levels from one year to the next. When I think of all the work that had yet to be done, one year ago, I hardly believe we did it and that we are happily residing in our new house. We still have a lot of work to do but it is not as daunting as the list we had last year! It helps that we aren't still under several feet of snow. How is the spring thaw where you are? Are you still under snow?

Borrowed Time

At this time of year, every nice day feels like borrowed time. Last year we had snow by mid-October and we had dreadful spring storms that kept us buried until the last week of April. It was a long hard winter.

Our lives and my outlook are so different this year--proximity to family, friends, town, neighbours to chat with on the shoulder of the road--we just aren't as lonely. My kids play together now (and fight, but that's a different post!) and I finally feel like I can "turn my back" and get more done while they play or run around. As anyone with small kids will tell you, it is a challenge to stay on top of everything when your kids need you more. Their growing independence is a blessing I am grateful for everyday.

There is so much for us to do before the snow comes. It is forecast for tomorrow, so today I want to do as much as I can and enjoy working in the yard before the weather turns my attention indoors (where there is also so much to do!). The last two weeks have been incredibly productive. Our carpenter turned up one day and built the stairs to my basement (cue the angels singing!) and our doorstep and the small deck off the master bedroom. They built the car garage and my sittin' porch before other jobs beckoned. If all goes well the garage floor concrete will be poured tomorrow and the carpenter will return to finish up once it has cured. Oh my how I will enjoy parking in the garage! In our old house we never managed to park inside--there were always too many things stored out there and too much in the way. This time will be different!

Have I mentioned that there is a lot of rock on this piece of land? I will post more on that later, and include pictures of our many, many rock piles, but suffice it to say I am at work on two raised flower beds made of stone, and I have many more plans for all the rock we are picking, picking, picking!

Some of our rocks. 

My dad has made so many trips over with a tractor to bring the topsoil back into our yard from where it had been piled (pictures to come). Everyday the kids and I have been out there--them playing on their spankin' new swing set and mommy picking rocks or watering trees (that reminds me, there is a post on trees coming soon....once it snows!) I am so enjoying the work outside. I would like to get the two stone beds finished and filled with soil so I can plant the bulbs I have left. And then another winter to draw and dream.

Back In The Saddle

Well, lawdy lawdy. Look who's back! My little family and I have spent the summer (what there's been of it, amidst rain and cooler temperatures) in a sort of limbo that passed the time--not unpleasantly--with quiet playdates, day-trips to the lake, and time with gramma. For a period of the summer I seemed unable to function without an afternoon nap--whether it be the grey, rainy weather or simply my lack of purpose with no home or yard of my own to care for--either way, the naps have passed and energy has returned...We are in our new house!

We "camped" here on Husband's days off--we had power but no running water--and this past Monday the kids and I began sleeping here at night. Happily, power between the well and the house was completed on Thursday and we now have the miracle of flushing toilets. The natural gas line will be brought in on Monday (the equipment is parked at the end of our driveway) and the plumbers (fingers crossed) say they will be here shortly to run the gas to all the important things like the water heater, furnace and my new gas stove. For now, I heat water for washing and we drive the 3 miles to my parents' farm for showers and baths. They have been busy silaging so we have been going over to cook the meals and bathe and coming home again to sleep. I am excited to have a chance to blog again. I continued taking pictures all summer and we have so many jobs to do this autumn in the house and yard. Watch for upcoming posts on the yard and all that we have planned. After such a long absence I fear my few readers have moved on, but I want to have a record of our progress and so I will continue. I hope you are enjoying what is left of the summer!

Still Waiting...

We have been living at my parents' now for 6 weeks or so. It is going well (and my kids are loving it!) but we are ready to have our own home again. Things have been progressing and I wanted to post an update on what has been accomplished:

• Basement dug, built, poured (along with garage footings and frost wall)
• Power line has been dug in underground and transformer box awaits hook-up to house
• Well dug and waterline trenched to house, awaiting hook-up
• Waterline and power cable trenched in to a future watering bowl at the bottom of the yard. This is in preparation for a barn and some animals in the future
• Grid road to our property has had trees in the ditch mulched to make it wide enough for the house to be delivered
• Trees continue to grow, but could use a real deep watering
• One week from tomorrow, our new home is scheduled to arrive! 

The house has been complete for a couple of weeks <we love it> and my nerves over having it delivered seem to be dissipating as the date draws nearer. For someone who struggles with sleeplessness I have only had a couple poor nights of sleep. I have fingers and toes crossed that our delivery takes place without a hitch. I hope anyone that still bothers to read this is having a wonderful summer. I'm looking forward to posting the hundreds of pictures I've taken of this adventure once I'm back on my own system. Happy Camping!

Reality Check

Today it has been two weeks since we departed our old house and moved to my parents' farm to await our new home nearby. In that two weeks:

• our road and the pad for the house were built (pictures to come, I'm having trouble getting on the Internet here so only infrequently borrow the desktop)
• road has now been gravelled
• 3 year old became ill and was soon diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome (under control now, with a 6 month treatment ahead of us)
• Husband returned to work
• 13 month old sick and wheezy, on nebulizers, clearing up now but still coughing
• we planted over 400 trees
• we received over 800 more trees yesterday
• cupboards, counter tops, closet shelving, trim and doors have been installed in our wish house

I knew all along that it would be hard work planting all of these trees. Without a well (we are anxiously waiting for the well digger to return and finish. He did a test hole in February but now his equipment is broke down and I need a well!) we are hauling water from the community well down the road and watering what we can with a short, heavy, stiff and awkward hose. We water the rest of the trees by hand and, with two sick kids and my mom already overburdened, we need to set up a better system. Worried about my kids, I came to the conclusion that we need to concentrate on what we can manage this year. The trees that I paid for are in the ground and need watered. We intend to focus on those and plant as many of the shelter belt trees as possible in our garden area. It is so much easier to water a large area of trees rather than carrying 5 gallon pails to the shelter belt. Next year we will prepare the land and plant out those trees when we are better able to water and care for them. I also plan to give away as many of the trees as possible.

If I had more time I would have tried to contact the shelter belt program to pass the trees on to someone who might not have received any. But I was at the doctor five days in a row last week and a 3 hour drive to a specialist this week, and the trees had already been sent. All I can do now is try to give many of them away and ensure that the rest survive to be planted next year.

Our house looks beautiful. My kids are recovering and we finally have appointments to see the specialist to be tested for asthma and allergies. We love the way our new yard is shaping up, and it will be breathtaking when the trees begin to grow along the road as we have planted them. We are fortunate beyond belief. This past two weeks has reminded me to take nothing for granted. As things fall into place for the house to be moved to our yard in July, we are remembering to savour our time together rather than worry about time frames and deadlines. Have you ever heard of nephrotic syndrome? If so, I'd be very interested to hear about your experience!

The Packing Continues...

Oh how I dread moving! It is amazing how much a family can accumulate in a few years...kids and toys add a whole new element to the ordeal! We have had a productive week, however, with two truck and trailer loads hauled to the farm for storage and the house now has that hollow sound--proof that we are nearing the end of this enormous job. As well, we have now transported 2 loads of landscaping rocks to our land (more on that here).

It is now the slow goodbye. 3 year old has one more day of playschool, a last play date perhaps and one more trip to the library to drop off our books. Amidst the chaos I've managed to do some baking for friends and neighbours expecting babies. We will drop off the loot and have a little break from packing and cleaning. And then we will load the remainder of our things and we will be gone.



Like, the sweetest helpers ever!


As the pictures have come off the walls, this house has become a piece of our past. Now that our "comfortable" things (ie coffee tables, baby change table, desk, etc) are gone, I'm feeling relief that this portion of the experience is almost over.




Desk is gone...this little heap will probably get loaded tomorrow



 On one hand, the sooner we get out of this house the sooner we will be in the next one. I've had plenty of time to get used to the idea; in fact, it was always our "starter" home and our minds were never on staying here forever. But as I've discussed elsewhere, a couple became a family here and I'm finding it bittersweet to be in a position to move on to the home we've dreamed of. I think that the months between homes (staying in our camper and with my parents) will take the sting out of missing this home. We will be so glad to get into our own space we will probably never look back. But part of me is not there yet, and wants to hang on to this little house for dear life. Tonight when I put my boys to bed I snuggled extra-long, wanting to remember this just as it is. It is a good reminder, every day, to hold them close and savour our time together.

The Slow Thaw

As I've mentioned (and complained about here and here), our winter has been long and persistent and our spring, well, late to arrive. We have had more snow and wind than usual and, as a result, roads (including ours) have been blocked and impassable. Our plan to move a shed onto our land in which to store our belongings is being revised: unless some serious melting and drying happens in a hurry, we will store in my brother's shop and home until we can get into our yard. Here's why:



April 14, 2013




A trail to our acreage, April 14, 2013

 There is just no way to bring a 12 foot wide by 20 foot long shed up this road. When the snow is finally melted we don't know how long it will take to dry out. We are lucky in that our house is not supposed to come until July/August, but it is worrisome to think how far behind the basement builder will be due to this very late thaw. All the people needing their basements built before us are waiting too, and the season might get off to a very slow start for everyone. Likewise, Husband won't be returning to work until it dries up and any delay in that regard is stressful and costly. Luckily I plan for the worst when it comes to spring break-up, and we are accustomed to not spending until he is back to work. This year will be no different, beyond what is needed for the house and acreage and our upcoming move.

How is spring progressing where you live? Are you, like most of us, experiencing lower than average temperatures?

Time Lines

We are drawing nearer to our moving day. As it approaches, so do more deadlines.

• more packing
• get rid of all recycling
• get a new address, if Canada Post can decide what it will be! done!
• cancel services in old house
• replace wax seal on toilet in master bath
• replace kitchen window
• trim around kitchen window, caulking
• change address everywhere
• quote from septic/sewer guy (call after Wednesday)
• confirm any final quotes/ trades
• garage sale (ongoing)
• pick up trailer
• clear spot for belongings in brother's shop
• load and haul rocks to acreage site
• prepare site for shed
• delivery of shed to acreage
• insure shed
• finish packing and cleaning
• well finished
• prepare camper for Husband to live in this summer
• vacate old house, move to parents'
• tree planting, fencing
• when weather permits, have road and pad built at acreage
• dig basement hole, fill in old dugout
• price out central vac
• basement built
• raised beds, stone work
• gas, phone and electric companies notified, and hopefully services completed soon
• general yard work at acreage
• delivery of RTM
• services hooked up
• decks built
• move in to house YAY!!
• garage and decks completed
• more yard work

I am too exhausted to go on. But I hope this is most of it.

Good Bones

Our Wish House is going to be wonderful. There are many bonuses in it that I will enjoy so much (big wall pantry, study with bay window, covered porch out back). These features will give us the room we need as well as suiting our lifestyle. The big pantry will be such a treat after storing groceries in the boot closet, on the basement stairs, and in a corner cupboard that I almost have to lay down to see the back of. We added the back porch so that we can cook, eat, and entertain overlooking our yard with the benefit of some shade. It is built so that, when the time comes, we can close it in without major renovation. It was important to us that we keep the price as low as possible now while still making smart choices for the future.

Like most people, we have rented before finally buying our first home together. Taking the place "as is" and planning what you will change when you have time and money is much different than trying to get it right the first time. We went to a little extra expense now in hopes of saving money over time: namely, triple pane windows and an upgraded house wrap that ups the R-value of the insulation. Although it cost more, we knew that doing the wrap later would require residing the house, which makes no sense. Rather than going for expensive cosmetic touches, we have invested in the energy efficiency of the home in order to save over time. With that in mind, we are also getting an ICF (insulated concrete form) basement. Please note: links are provided for information only and are not affiliated with or advertising for anyone! Our goal is to get it right now so that we don't have to spend money fixing later on.

The electrical walk through was my first good look at the house. Thank goodness two experienced tradespeople walked me through the process (Husband was away working) as there really is so much to think about. A well-placed switch will be appreciated daily, whereas one in the wrong spot will be a constant source of annoyance (especially considering I made the call where things should go!). I think that everything has been placed practically, conveniently, and that we have ensured we won't need to redo things later at further expense.




foyer, and stairs up to second floor

 I was thrilled to see our house the other day. When Husband gets home we intend to take the boys in for a look. It will be fun to see what progress has been made, and hopefully it will be a warmer day as it was 20 below Celsius when I was there. Here are a few more pictures:




kitchen and dining room

 The cabinets, counter tops, hardware and paint are all finalized! Now to be patient and wait for it to come together!


master bedroom

 Happy Easter weekend, all!

Progress!

While we were out the other day (in what ended up being a bit of a blizzard) we drove by our Wish House. This is what we saw:



Snowy day!

Excuse the horrid picture--it was distant and in a heavy snow--but I'm too excited not to show it off. Our house is the middle one, now with a roof and all its walls. Next week we do the electrical walk-through and finalize our cabinets. It feels like it's getting closer! I really can't wait to see the inside, even though it is only a shell right now. You can bet I'll be taking my camera in rather than taking iphone pictures from the road :)

I hope you're having a great week!

The Present

Sometimes it takes a little step back to get a closer look--look away, look back, refocus. I've been lamenting the late spring we are having, the -20C temperatures and the snow that just. won't. stop. Today we got out for a drive to Grams house and, with two boys quiet in the car, I had a chance to think, recharge, let go.

Here we are, blessed beyond belief to be healthy, fortunate enough to afford a new home closer to my family, and I've been b!tching about the weather. To anyone who will listen.

Cringe.

While what I should be doing is savouring this time of my life. I have a delightful 3 year old that entertains and surprises me everyday with how bright, how innocent, how very good he is at heart. Our one year old is saying his first words, so proud of himself, chubby and glowing and about to take his first steps. Why would I want to rush this? Why would I rather pace from window to window searching for a sign of spring? It will get here when it gets here. I've got an abundance of life, joy, spring, right here in my arms. I just needed to look away for a moment so that I could see it again.

So when the forecast tells me that we have another week at least of daytime highs being below zero, I choose not to feel claustrophobic in my own home because we've spent so much time here in the last months. This is the home where I spent two pregnancies, brought two healthy boys home from the hospital, gardened and played, slept and dreamed. I don't want to rush this. These moments will be gone all too soon. As much as I look forward to our new home, the fresh start, the new yard and all our plans, I can't let go of this place any faster than I have to. It's been a happy home and it will remain so for another 7 weeks. We are going to enjoy every minute of it.

First Glimpse

That's it! The plywood structure in the distance is Our Wish House . Husband was in town today and sent me this picture--I look forward to driving by whenever possible to check on progress!

Speaking of Husband being in town earlier, he has now gone to work away from home for a couple nights. This is the norm for him and me--he was actually gone for the final 3 months of our first pregnancy (he left a glowing pregnant mama-to-be, returned to a whale on the couch. Welcome to parenthood!). My point: he and I are very accustomed to his work taking him out of town, sometimes at length. Not the case for the 3-year old that I've now tucked in for the fifth time. It's just not the same without daddy home.

I really want us to be able to afford for daddy to be home every night. I've been thinking alot about budgets and frugality, reusing what we can and working to eliminate waste...how can we spend our money to make it last? What are our priorities? Over the next few weeks I plan to post about getting out of debt, saving for retirement, and living within our means. Do you stick to a budget? What are some changes you have made to save money?