A few weeks ago, Brian set an ambitious goal of framing and installing all of the doors and windows before we left for vacation (this Wednesday night). And, with the help of many hands, we are a few door hinges away from meeting this goal! The house is really taking shape, and although it’s certainly not going to be a finished product when we move in this fall, we can now begin to imagine ourselves tucked in for the winter, all the while tackling interior finish work.
Before I share a few photos, I must say that none of this would have been possible without the help of my in-laws Ron and Ann. While they visited us for three weeks, Ron and Ann tirelessly helped us work on the homestead, as they often do. Ron hauled bucket after bucket of water from the pond so I could keep the garden alive, helped Brian install the sub-floor, insulation, and nailers, and grilled up some fierce salmon; while Ann washed dishes after each meal, hung all of our laundry, read book after book to Ella and Everett so Brian and I could work, and kept a constant supply of ice cream in her RV’s freezer. Although this is “our house,” none of it would be possible without their help, and we’re so very appreciative.
I also have to correct a mistake on my part. For some reason, I’ve been telling you that our house is going to be 200 square feet, and that is just not correct! It’s closer to 18 x 19 feet, so about 350 square feet. Still tiny for four people!
All that said, here is an update on our building progress:
We were very fortunate to have gotten this 3 inch rigid foam insulation for free, thanks to a new friend and fellow builder. Brian and Ron installed the insulation and then a sub-floor of local cottonwood, which you can see below.
Framing! It was so fun to stand in the house and imagine looking out our future windows. This one looks north into the lovely forest behind our house.
Our tar paper crew – Brian and his parents.
Windows! We decided to hire our friend and neighbor Beth to help install the windows. We purchased the two windows seen above at a Habitat ReStore, and the rest at Bayview Building Supply in Quincy, IL, which sells overstock and mis-ordered new windows at a discount price.
All wrapped up! This sweet little house just needs its reclaimed barn wood siding and it will look so very cute.
****************
As I mentioned above, we are heading out of town this week, for a long-awaited vacation to the place where Brian and I met – Catalina Island (the island of romance!). I have several blog posts lined up for you while I’m gone – a guest post from my friend Heather of The Homesteading Hippy, and one of my favorite crafty how-to posts from last summer. I will still pop in from time to time on Facebook, so “like” the Homestead Honey page and follow our adventures!
Wishing you a wonderful week!Teri
I can’t wait to see the finished product! We live on 1acre in NE Iowa, have 4 kiddos ages 9, 6 1/2, 3 and 10mos., homeschool, and have been living as much off the grid as possible for about 2 years now. Our goal was to live on many more acres and all, but w/4 kids and my hubby now wanting to be too far from work, this is where we ended up. We lived in a very small house in town w/3 kids and was convinced that we needed a bigger house, so we sacrificed land for house, and I’ve regretted it for the past year. 🙁 But it’s where God wants us for now, so we do what we can for now on the land we’ve been given, and await the day we can downsize house and upsize land!
You’re not too far from me, Emily! With 4 young kids, I can see how it would be hard to maintain more acreage. But there is so much you can do on 1 acre! Glad to meet you 🙂
AWESOME “home”, can’t wait to see it and all of you. Enjoy Catalina!!!! Love, MOM
Thanks! It is looking more and more like a house.
This looks great! What a blessing it is to have help. I agree about the houseplants. 🙂
I bet the finished pictures will look wonderful!
Thank you for your sweet comments! I can’t wait to share the finished product!
Yay! It looks great. How exciting!
Thank you!
So very excited for you all. Winter months will be cozy all tucked inside. Have a wonderful trip.
Cozy indeed! Thank you! We are looking forward to the trip very much.
This looks like such an amazing project! Really exciting for you, and it makes such a great read too.
All the best on your journey to create a wonderful home
🙂
Thank you so much! What a sweet thing to say!
I’m really enjoying seeing the progress on the house. You know what I liked best, though? The fact that you had a house plant before you had walls. That just made me smile.
Yes! I brought my house plants with me from Oregon and they have been troopers, being shuttled from one outdoor location to the next. I just hope a few of them survive this heat to be a part of our house!
You home looks so cozy. Enjoy your vacation down south on Catalina!
Thanks Sharon! It’s been five years since we’ve been there! I can hardly believe it.
Have a wonderful time away! Love seeing the progress of your house!
Thank you, and thank you!
Wow! That’s so exciting. You are making such quick progress. I love seeing it.
It is coming along, and us really starting to feel like a house!