10.14.2013

Thanksgiving Weekend

We have been blessed with beautiful weather here over the Thanksgiving weekend. It amazes me day in and day out the drive we find to tackle our projects but also incorporate important family time.

This weekend was full of  "Forever Home" projects. We took Friday off and spent the day removing some more of the front deck from the house.

Picture taken Aug 5th, 2012. When we took over this home the windows and doors all had to be upgraded. In the above picture the walk-out basement doors were changed. The upper doors were in the process of being changed from sliders to french doors and new windows. 

Picture taken Oct. 11th, 2013. All of the windows have been replaced making the dining room/bedroom windows much larger for better views. Bushes have all been cut down, siding removed and new plywood put up. Most of the deck removed. 


The plan is for 2 additions at each end of the home, therefore that deck no longer works for the front of the house. A new balcony will be built coming off of the French Doors on the upper floor and a new deck in the back of the house for entertaining purposes. New landscaping will be completed where those bushes once were that will be incorporating large stones and plants. Stone will be added from the lower exterior of the entire house going up to the windows and then siding to the roof.


We also spent a considerable amount of time on the Garage this weekend. We hope we can get the steel roof on within 2 weeks. This will allow us to utilize the garage over the winter. Branko and I together put up 68 sheets of plywood on the walls this weekend.


If you are actually reading this and not just looking at the pictures please please don't think that I am writing this to be a big fat show off....I'm writing this to show every person out there that "when there is a will, there is a way". We could not afford to pay people to build this dream garage/forever home. We knew going into these projects that our very own blood, sweat, and tears would have to be poured into these projects to achieve our dreams. Everyday you just remind yourself to push a little harder, walk a little faster, and dream big about the future.

The plywood above the window was the toughest part, those are 12 ft. ceilings so Branko had to use lots of muscle and a few tricks to get those pieces up. This kid does not get on ladders. 

Next time you start a major project remember that your own capabilities are much more then you could ever imagine.

Don't fret!!!! We had Turkey! 

If I wasn't too busy playing with my niece and filling my face with food I would have taken some pictures of all of the food we ate....ahhhhhhhhhh next year! 

On our drive down to my parents place on Sunday we took the scenic route and came across these entry 
way gates. 

They are made out of wood and not metal! Which we both really LOVE! 


Another close up. 


This is what our entrance looks like now....




I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and same as last year I am again Thankful for our health and our gratitude towards each other.

With that I will leave you with the sunset at the "Forever Home"









18 comments:

  1. I love that last picture. It captures just why you call this your 'forever home'.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Cheers,
    Becky

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  2. Wow! Your house is going to be INCREDIBLE when it's all done! Can't wait to see it finished. And you're not at all being a show off! You guys are working very hard to follow your dreams. It's very admirable. As someone doing the same I know exactly the perception can feel though. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to watching all the progress unfold on here. xo

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    1. Thanks so much! Funny how we both have such large projects on the go so we definitely understand each other best!

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  3. I always find it amazing what I can accomplish with a three-day weekend--68 sheets of plywood, I'm impressed. That extra day always comes in very handy. I would highly recommend putting a gate on your driveway. We've found with a large property and a long driveway that people come by to sight see regularly. Everyone we speak to in the neighbourhood says, "Oh yeah, we've been broken into." Often right after they'll say, "When the police showed up, they said they'd never been called to a house with a gate." While our gate is by no means attractive (love that one you found), it's functional, and that's what matters most to me.

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    1. Thanks! For us it was more the neighbours who think our land is a free for all hiking/dirt biking park! We've already been told by 2 neighbours how they hike regularly on our yard and last week we actually caught random city "kids" dirt biking on our property. AND yes we chased after them. So they gate is a must!

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  4. What a wonderful setting for a forever home...can't wait to watch your progress!

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  5. You have done so much work and it looks better already! Can't wait to see the progress as you continue to write about it! Those gates are gorgeous! So grand but not over the top!
    Hope you had a great weekend...complete with the beautiful sunset!

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    1. Thank you! Ahhh the gates - perfect explanation grand but not over the top!

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  6. 68 sheets of plywood! Wow, amazing! I'm sure you will have your home and garage done soon, and it will look spectacular.

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  7. The gate is gorgeous and I don't blame you for wanting one...I would too.
    So much to comment on in this post! First, your new windows make such a huge difference to the look of the exterior - gorgeous! I'm sure its a lot brighter inside the house too.
    Onto the garage - I know a few guys who would be gaga over that new space. You are obviously such hard workers and I hope no one ever makes you feel like you're "showing off" by talking about it. Don't listen to any negative nellies....you deserve to fully enjoy the fruits of your labour :)

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    1. The gate is necessary to keep predators away(ie: lurking/nosy neighbours ;) The windows make such a big difference for sun in the house!

      Thank you for the kind comments - negative nellies be gone! :)

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  8. Your house is so incredibly gorgeous, and I think all of the hard work you're putting into it is amazing. Never apologize for that because you have much to be proud of!

    Those windows are AMAZING, by the way! So beautiful!!! Can't wait to see more of this amazing home!

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    1. Thank you!!! Now I just need to find curtains for those windows....ummm you can see right into the bedroom from the street because the window is so big....not good! LOL

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  9. Wow! Wow! What an incredibly beautiful property you live on. The garage is going to be such a cool structure. I love how you have a couple of adirondack chairs set up in it already!
    Jordana

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    1. Thank you! Maybe just maybe one day I can have a blogger get together! Party in the #dreamgarage - don't tell the hubby ;)!!!

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