Our Christmas Roof

12-23-14 Roofing in the rain

12-23-14 Rain, mud, roof

Roof Paper and The Swamp

12-16-14 Roofers!

The roofers have arrived. We are so happy!

On a another subject, I heard recently that the mill pond was not located where we are building. In the circa 1920 photo below (click to enlarge), I see logs, and I think I see a boat that was perhaps built by my grandfather. I also see a swamp. So, I guess I could rename our house Swamp Cottage but I think I will continue to call it Mill Pond Cottage, in memory of my grandpa and the early days on the lake.

Our lot, the swamp, logs and a boat, circa 1920

The family story goes like this: When my father Andrew Benedetti was a teenager, he worked with his father, my grandpa Fred Benedetti, building boats for the loggers working in the mill pond on Lake Sawyer. When pay day came around, the loggers were a little short on cash so they offered my grandpa a portion of the lake in trade. My grandpa said, "I don't want no part of this blankety-blank swamp!" And so, nearly 100 years later, my husband Jay and I have acquired the property for our new home, right where grandpa left it.

Lake Sawyer Santa Boat

12-13-14 view from the Santa boat.

Tonight Jay acted as Santa for all the kids on Lake Sawyer. He delivered gifts and HO HO HOs to docks for five hours. Fortunately this shot of our house in progress was taken before it got dark. OMGosh it looks huge...it really isn't.

2014 Santa Boat with Santa Jay

Santa Jay and his crew. Merry Christmas!

Fireplace Mock Up

We left home before dawns early light this morning to deliver doughnuts to the framing crew and to meet with our builder Chris, and our Site Superintendent Mike. It was light by the time we reviewed the mock-up of the fireplace Mike made for us. We selected the gas fireplace months ago (Heat & Glo 6000) and now it is time to envision it in the house with a cherry mantle and a raised hearth (recent addition by Jay). There will be cherry cabinets on each side of the fireplace in Craftsman style.

The little deck off the second story master bedroom is going to be a wonderful place for morning mocha overlooking the lake in warm weather.

Hooray for the framers who are finishing up Jay's garage today in preparation for roofing material delivery Monday. Jay, Chris and Mike made all the decisions about the garage second story interior framing while I wandered around outside. Sounds like Jay will have the window seat I always wanted. It will overlook the courtyard garden.

Taking shape

12-7-14 the view from Marci and Ken's lawn

We have sheathing on the roof! Next comes roofing and windows. It is starting to look like the house we envisioned. We walked through each room and imagined. Some seem larger than we thought they would be and some seem smaller. A room that began as a sun room then became Jay's office then became a sewing/spinning room for me is undergoing scrutiny by Jay - it may not get one of the walls or a door which would then make it a sunny "area." We meet with the builder tomorrow. Stay tuned.

12-7-14 the view from our dock

12-7-14 the view from the street