Monday, November 30, 2015

Sunday, November 29, 2015

West Awning Window (x2!)

The west awning window is the last window I had left to install. I must not have wanted the window installing to end, because I installed the west awning window today--twice. Yes, you read that correctly. I installed the window TWICE.

Let me start from the beginning...

I cut the housewrap to create the opening for the window.




This is the window fully installed, shimmed, and flashed--the first time.


When I installed the interior window hardware and cranked the window open, it was immediately clear that I'd installed it wrong! The window opened to the side instead of from the bottom. Stupid, stupid mistake. (I had assumed the latch belonged on the side of the window, but this window is a Pella window--all the others are Andersens--and the crank goes on the side, the latch on the bottom.)

I quickly started dismantling the entire installation. I told myself to move quickly; I was afraid if I hesitated, I would be tempted to leave the window installed wrong.

After pulling the window out and re-installing it, it actually opened correctly!


The window fully installed--the second time!


Before the sun went down, I managed to install the roofing on the three surfaces of the west bumpout. Five pieces of roof trim come next.


First snow fell last week. Even though it was only a dusting, it stuck around (in north side shadows) for days! And so it begins.


Every time there is a heavy frost, I gaze at the roof on the JayBee and smile.


George basking in the sun today.


Various recent moon and river shots...





Thursday, November 19, 2015

Quiet Interlude

It has been a slow time for building, as I'm sure you've noticed. Things got crazy busy at work, and I have been working a bunch of extra hours. It should quiet down after this week, though, so I will get back to house building. I have made a nice, long to-do list in preparation.

In the meantime, enjoy a recent sunset.


And sunrise. In this next photo, I find it interesting how the camera "sees" so differently from the eye. My eye did not see a bright sun rising; my eye saw all hot pink sky.


Saturday, November 7, 2015

Main Roof is DONE! (Roofing 16)

Arlen and Dale came over today to help with getting the roofing on the north side of the roof. Once we got past the north gable dormer, the rest moved quickly.





The whole time we were working, Bear kept racing around and around the yard. Such a wound-up cat!









The main roof is DONE! Woo hoo! Unbelievable, and so momentous. It's really, truly, finally done.




Also see:
Roofing 1
Roofing 2
Roofing 3
Roofing 4
Roofing 5
Roofing 6
Roofing 7
Roofing 8
Roofing 9
Roofing 10
Roofing 11
Roofing 12
Roofing 13
Roofing 14
Roofing 15
Roofing 17

Friday, November 6, 2015

Roofing 15

Today I finished the roofing on the east end bumpout. All I did was add the one last piece of roof trim--the piece that is cut to fit under the awning window and over the top edge of the roof. It took hours to prepare and install that one piece, but it is a great piece. Done! Now I can finish installing shingles on this end of the JayBee.


Also see:
Roofing 1
Roofing 2
Roofing 3
Roofing 4
Roofing 5
Roofing 6
Roofing 7
Roofing 8
Roofing 9
Roofing 10
Roofing 11
Roofing 12
Roofing 13
Roofing 14
Roofing 16
Roofing 17

Monday, November 2, 2015

Roofing 14

Another glorious autumn day--warm (in the 50s), sunny, not too much wind. I could hear deer tromping through the woods, woodpeckers hammering away. ::: contented sigh :::

When I began work on the east bumpout roof, this is how it looked. I had already installed the custom cut flat sheets. Next step: Install the trim over the hip.


The foam and sealant tape went on first.


Then the trim piece.


Next I installed the wall end trim. Caught a ladybug in this photo, too!


One side done.


I managed to install the hip trim and wall end trim on the other side before calling it quits for the day. It was almost dark (gets dark early now!) so the photo isn't too clear.


One more piece of trim left to go on the bumpout--the piece that runs along the top of the roof and under the window; then the bumpout will be completely roofed!

Also see:
Roofing 1
Roofing 2
Roofing 3
Roofing 4
Roofing 5
Roofing 6
Roofing 7
Roofing 8
Roofing 9
Roofing 10
Roofing 11
Roofing 12
Roofing 13
Roofing 15
Roofing 16
Roofing 17


I was stung by a bee on Friday, and I've been dealing with the sting ever since. I was stung on the right hand in the crook between the thumb and the first finger. Don't know if you can tell in this photo, but that part of my hand has been really swollen! Ice makes it feel better, but the swelling hasn't gone down much.


Hmm... Who's been visiting the JayBee?


Do you see the critter in the photo below?


How about in this closer version? (Answer: There's a chipmunk sitting on the brick on the front left corner of the lumber pile--eating an acorn.)