Stonehouse Front Patio

Gregg and Matt raking gravel and then compacting it for the base of the patio.
Gregg and Matt using sand and screed rods to level the area where the pavers will be laid.
Ellie laying pavers.
Ryno using the hammer drill to remove a little bit of concrete that was in the way.

Ryno laying pavers.

Pavers are laid and waiting for sand to be swept between the cracks.
Elvis admiring the finished patio.
The finished patio.

The finished patio, complete with bench and flowers.

Siding the 3Bay Barn

Shack

We have been working very hard on improving the appearance of the Stonehouse Basement Shack.

First we put on a new cedar shake roof to replace the old asphalt shingles. In this picture you can see the bit of eaves and clapboard I painted green last week, and you can also see the lovely new cedar siding going up on the kitchen.

We then evened out the rough stone sides of the basement shack so we could screw in furring strips.


Note the poison ivy on Josh's arm - almost everyone had it last week.

Then we cedar sided the shack. A few more finishing details and it will be done. Pictures to come!

Ellie on the Roof

I believe I have uttered the words "This is my least favorite job here EVER" on more than one occasion. Not that I don't like the work we do here, but every once in a while I find myself doing something so rediculous it qualifies as my least favorite job.

Today I tried to paint the house eaves. I dragged a tarp, a scraper, a bucket of paint and a brush up the ladder to the roof. Now, the Stonehouse roof is almost comfortable to walk on but a little too steep to sit on without sliding down. It certainly isn't flat enough for a bucket of paint to stay upright when left to its own devices. I spread out the tarp under the eave, hooked the bucket over one arm, grabbed onto the adjoining roof with the same arm, and tried to paint with the other arm. Immediately the tarp and I began slipping down the roof. I dug in with my elbows and heels and got an armful of splinters for my trouble. As we were inching down the roof I managed a few furious strokes of green paint, then everything (the tarp, the bucket, the brush and I) had to be hauled back up a few feet. Repeat numerous times, with me clinging to the roof by my fingernails while flailing about under the eave with the brush, my hat covered in paint, and the sun in my eyes. It was awful and I was not the epitome of grace. (I was not in any danger, however, as the kitchen roof was right below me and would have caught me safely if I had slipped all the way off.)

Meanwhile the men were having a lovely time siding the kitchen. In the shade. Excellent work as usual, men. It looks great. :)