Halloween Snow

I've lived in Connecticut my whole life and I can't recall a time when it snowed before Halloween. This weekend the state didn't just experience a few snowflakes, we got some serious accumulation. James and I woke up to about 6 inches at our house but other parts of the state got up to a foot of fall snow. Since many of the trees still have leaves, the heavy wet snow also caused branches to fall and even resulted in some downed trees. We lost power last night but thankfully had it restored this morning. I don't know about you, but I feel strongly that it's a little to early in the season for this and I'm hoping it's not a sign of what's to come. Remember last year? It makes me sad to say it, but I truly think we all are going to have to get used to these crazy weather events. Global warming seems unstoppable at this point and extreme weather patterns (among many other warming-related atrocities) that result from it are here to stay. Sorry for my bummer attitude, it's just how I'm feeling at the moment. Maybe a few funny pics will help lighten the mood...

first snow at new house

It's not too often you find a mix foliage, flowers and snow here in CT!

Day 181

Remember this week's to-do list? Happily, I can report back to you all and say that we got some of the big stuff done, or at least started. I just love crossing things off a list, don't you? Here's a look back on our busy week.

Our power is here! No more extra long extension cords or flash lights. I'm so over that. And since our ceiling is painted now, we can install some light fixtures.

Our garage doors were installed! And we LOVE them. They are big and quiet and smart and beautiful. We still have to install the hardware handles on the outside to complete the look. Also, notice the outdoor lights on either side of the garage? I'm in love with those too. It took me a long time to find them. We have similar ones to go on either side of the front door as well.

I couldn't get a good picture of the front of our house with the new garage doors because our two geothermal wells were started today. As you can see the giant well truck takes up most of the picture. It will take them another few days to complete the two 400 foot wells for our geothermal system. I'll follow up on that process with details soon.

Progress was made on our staircase as well. The upper half is just about done and the wood floor install is moving along as well.

Let's hope the progress and productivity continue into next week!

Day 176

Yikes! I'm falling behind on blogging and the truth is we are so busy with the house project and so many things are happening all at once that I can't find time to even take pictures, let alone blog about them. But alas, here are a few and a half-hearted attempt (I'm so tired, sleep sounds better than blogging right now) to catch you all up.

We are finally through the sheet rock phase of the project. What a difference walls make! Also, check out our gas fireplaces - a double sided one in the living room and master bedroom and one down in the game room.

Our grass is growing like a champ.

As you could see in the sheet rock pictures, we are also starting to install the hardwood floors. Almost the entire main level of the house will be hardwood. We ordered 5 inch FSC certified unfinished oak from Kentucky. FSC wood is harvested in a socially and environmentally friendly manner and oak is a native species so I can rest well knowing that no Brazilian rain forests were harmed to build our house. We plan on staining it a dark color to contrast with our white kitchen and trim. Yay. Can't wait for the kitchen.

Speaking of the kitchen, we've been doing a ton of planning and buying for the kitchen and other areas of the house. Light fixtures, appliances, sinks, tubs, tile. Oh my! I'll be posting about some of those choices soon. So. Many. Decisions!

Things on our to-do and hope-it-happen list for this week:
1. Power. The utility company is supposed to hook up our power tomorrow. Let there be light!
2. Geowells. We are having two 275 foot geothermal wells drilled this week. Or next.
3. Garage doors. Installed on Tuesday. Can't wait!
4. Stairs. Our custom staircase is supposed to be installed this week. Woot, woot.
5. Hardwood install continues, hope to make significant progress this week.
6. Tile for downstairs and bathrooms should be delivered. Can't wait to see it!
7. Actually find time to blog about it all!

Here's to hoping for a productive week!

PS - There's a new poll on the right side bar of the blog. Guess our move-in date! If you get your updates in a reader or you're viewing this on your smartphone, you'll need to visit the actual site to vote. Wish I could tell you I had an answer to that one!!

A Little Greener

Remember when our backyard looked like this?

And remember when we spent three straight weeks picking out rocks from the soil? (Maybe you don't but I'm pretty sure we'll never forget THAT fun).

Well, not anymore! All the hard work paid off. Look, we have grass! Grow, baby, grow.

And look, we also have some fall colors. Not as beautiful as years past, but I'll take it.

View from the master bedroom porch.

A Fourth Trip Down the Aisle

Last spring I sold my wedding dress to a very excited bride. It was a little sad to see her go but I always knew I was going to pass her on. I remember so clearly the excitement I had when I discovered this dress in a swanky (read overpriced) dress shop on the Connecticut shoreline. I also remember the crushing disappointment when I realized very quickly that I would never be able to afford it. Then came the reversal of emotions when I was able to find it used (twice used, actually), the excitement on the day it arrived, the anticipation upon opening the box and the pure elation of finding that it fit like a glove. It was truly meant to be my dress. I wanted to pass on all those emotions and I was so happy when I found Nhi to be the next happy bride to walk down the aisle in the dress. Nhi and I have been emailing back and forth, before her wedding and now after the happy day. She recently sent me pictures from her big day. It looked like an amazing celebration and this dress was very clearly also meant to be hers as well. I hope she decides to keep the magic going and pass it on to yet another excited bride. Check out all of Nhi's wedding pictures including more pictures of the dress here.

Ambition and Imagination

The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world...are the ones who actually do. RIP, Steve Jobs. I can only imagine what you would have brought us if you had 30 more years...

The "Greenest" Building Material

Wood...who knew!? At first I was a little surprised by the newly released report from the U.S. Forest Service identifying wood as the greenest building material. I would have guessed concrete, steel or some other alternative material. However, according to the report, 2.1 tons of greenhouse gases were saved for each ton of carbon in wood products verses non-wood materials. Trees and the lumber products made from them sequester carbon from the atmosphere and continue to store it long after a building is constructed. The report calculated that over 100 years, net greenhouse gas emissions of wood-based homes would be 20-50% lower than for homes built out of concrete or steel. Really?! That's a big difference! I'm happy to hear this because it eases a little of my eco-guilt about building a new home and makes me feel more comfortable with our decision to build with wood. Early on in the planning process we had researched building the home with insulated concrete forms instead. We stayed away from it mostly because it was new and quite expensive. Who knows how it would have turned out, but I'm feeling better about our decision now!

concrete forms used for construction of some new homes

Rocks for Sale

This week we are pushing hard to get our backyard in shape so we can plant grass before the ever shrinking growing season passes us by. We have a lot of rocks. I mean A LOT of rocks! I know we live in New England and should expect rocky soil but I never imaged we would find this many rocks. You remove one and another pops up in its place. It's just too bad we can't sell them because if we could, we'd have the house paid off in no time! Rocks anyone, rocks for sale...