NOV. 26 UPDATE: Happy Thanksgiving!

I've really fallen off the wagon blog posting-wise -- I haven't been out to get many pictures lately, and the things Dave's been working on haven't been all that conducive to photos in any case.

But here's a quick update:

There are boxes in the walls all over the place! Not sure exactly what the grand total is, but I'm guessing that part of the wiring job will soon be finished. Then Dave still needs to figure out what goes on which circuit and thread wires to all the boxes.

The electrical inspector showed up unexpectedly the other day, and then called the next day. We were under the impression that we'd call him to come when we were ready, not have him poking about before that point. Dave left him a message that we weren't ready for him yet, so hopefully we're not on his bad list.


Dave finished framing in the east side of the upstairs -- someday, if I get my way, the little room on the north (left) side will be a second bathroom (cozy, I know, but the essentials would be there). Just south of that is a smallish closet, which opens into the bedroom on the south side.

All this framing had been in the plans as put off until later, but it made more sense for the wiring to have them in place now, so here they are!


Dave also finished the small section of the wall that covered the ends of the knee walls. Just another little detail that has to be in place before drywalling can begin.


I took this picture today -- just wanted to point out how well our passive design seems to be working! The sun is low enough in the southern sky that the eaves no longer cover any part of the window, meaning quite a bit of warmth and light is getting in.

I took the photo above at around 1 p.m.; compare that with the photo below, which was taken Aug. 9, about 9 a.m. (well before the sun was at its highest point):

Of course, the pictures seem persuasive, but does it feel warmer inside? I'd have to say yes, after stopping in this afternoon -- it was noticeably toastier indoors than out, and Dave had not built a fire in the house the day before.


... Since I know some of you are fans of pictures of the kids, I thought I'd add a few:

Snow doesn't stop a girl who wants to swing! (And Dave's taken to wearing orange most times he's outside, just as a precaution. Two people were shot in separate hunting accidents in the past two weeks, and one of them wasn't even hunting at the time. ... Or maybe it's just Dave's seasonal fashion statement.)


Sofia said she was going to do some weaving the other day. She hopped right on Mom's loom and grabbed a shuttle!

She knew what to do!

We recruited all available heads to model Mom's wares for her online store. The goal was to get as much as possible posted before "black Friday." And we did it! Nearly every hat Mom has in stock is now online. Erik complied with our requests quite admirably -- he smiled and cooed for the camera. But then, he smiles and coos most of the time.


Sofia did not hold quite as still for the camera, but she had a good time, too! This is one of the few shots I took that weren't blurry.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I am feeling tired but thankful for all my blessings this year. In a time when so many people are feeling economic hardship, Dave and I both have work that pays reasonably well and is in our fields. And we both have shorter commutes than we did a year ago (me, much shorter -- just down the stairs to the computer). Our future abode has gone from a dusty old granary and a design on paper to something that really resembles a home in less than a year. We have family nearby (OK, sometimes a little too nearby, but let's not nitpick here) to help and support us when we need it, and to celebrate holidays and every-days with. And we of course have a smart, beautiful near-3-year-old and a handsome, healthy, smiley baby.

Life is good, really!

Enjoy your turkey! (Or ham, as the case may be.)