my little house

This month marks the two year anniversary of moving into our house here on Ellis St.  A lot  has happened since we moved in here.  We have added to our family, a change that we found out only weeks after getting the keys to the new place; we have gone through a lot of personal challenges with life, church and work; we have almost completely restored the garage/barn/shop and fully fenced the yard plus other miscellaneous projects (replacing the electrical panel, water pump, added to the parking area, cut down many trees, pulled many weeds, created some border planting areas, etc).

There are still so many things that we want to do and now that we have an active toddler, it seems like the time and energy to do those projects (not to mention the money) seems to be harder and harder to find.  Nevertheless, here are some pics of our house.  I enjoy finding antique treasures and finding great ways to display them in my 1908 home.  I like finding unique items and displaying them in a way that illuminates their lines and shapes.  I try to be a purist whenever possible or practical (and even sometimes when its not) when restoring our home; keeping things as original as possible and lovingly restoring or upgrading things but keeping them with the original architectural style or feel.

Our house has also been home to so many events as well from hosting the last two Christmases for all of our families, Thanksgiving for friends last year as well as a Christmas party for friends, a few baby showers, work get togethers as well as dinners with friends.  One of the things that we both really looked forward to when buying a bigger house was being able to be more hospitable- hosting more events and having people over more.  I feel like we have already built so many memories here.  Even though it has only been two years- it feels like longer since it feels like home.  The more memories that we make and the more work that we do on this house-the blood, sweat and tears- the more it feels like our home.

I have really been needing to get an update out on the garage and some pictures as well.  I am kind of just waiting until things get buttoned up so that I can show the whole progression- even the finished project- not too far away.

I look forward to building many more memories like this weekend: hosting Aven's Baptism party and our having our families visit- my Mom and her hubby camping in the driveway and dinner out back of bbq'd salmon, potatoes and broccoli...then staying up late to bake cupcakes for the next day....

shop update- the short version

Current state of the yard side- windows installed, last bit of papering to do

same view before sheeting and windows, paper, etc.

Large sliding door still installed, existing framing and supports put into place before this wall was rebuilt

view from the alley of the garage (leaning)- with two massive sliding doors and a roll up door on the parking space side, there was little to keep the garage from slowly tilting over!

View from the alley as it sits now- a variety of windows were obtained from the Re-Store, free from a neighbor and some new ones purchased to match the others-as you can see the alley side has some small windows up top for light but to keep the area secure. There will also be a sliding door (using one of the original) on the alley side to deliver and unload materials/cabinets/tools, etc.

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A quick update on our shop. It is a slow work in progress and while I cannot really take any credit, it is coming along. This last month Abe has put a lot of hours into the final push. Thankfully a few friends have donated many hours as well while I watch Aven and cannot really help Abe. The shop has been completely re framed from the ground up including new ground plates. All that really remains from the original framing are the trusses and a few 2x4's on the alley side. All windows have now been installed and the double glass doors that face the yard. Randy (Abe's Dad) is here this week getting all of the electrical done and prepped so that power will be available. The whole shop has been re framed and sheeted, doors and windows installed, 3 sides papered and the floor raised and re framed. As far as the outside goes the alley door will need to be fitted and installed (just in place right now to cover the gap) and siding, trim and paint! We have tons of rolls of insulation for the inside and after the electrical is installed we can begin that process. Then its drywall, trim and bring in the tools and wood. We are still trying to figure out the best source of heat but right now we have a free Fisher wood stove....just a matter of finding pipe that isn't too expensive. It is really exciting to see it all coming together. It is a really cool space. I know it doesn't feel big enough to Abe but I am really excited to have him here on site once he gets moved in and settled. The pictures really don't do it justice of how much work has gone into this project. More to come.

Beautiful Bellingham

Just enjoying a beautiful yet chilly sunny January afternoon.