We drove down this dirt road, pulled up to a wire fence, and I took one look at the place. My eyes widened and I think I sighed with excitement; Phil said "Oh dear God." And that started our amazing journey on this path towards restoring this old farm house. We knew it was love at first sight with this beautiful mess. The farm sits in a little oasis of forest and trails, yet we are just one dirt road away from civilization. It is estimated to be about 250 years old, and it has been in the Fuksa family for about 100 years. It has taken on many identities in its long life, a working farm, market place, family house, with probably a host of residents. When we first walked through it, I was immediately drawn to the walls - they are all about a meter thick.... I thought about all the stories these walls hold. The lives they have seen, the laughter, tears, the people. The history of this farm draws me in every time. It's like it beckons to be rebuilt. To be restored, to be loved on. For new life to be breathed into it. It wants to hold on to the past and move into the future. I love this place - the quiet it brings, the space to process, and the messiness of it all. This is our journey as we navigate restoring and reclaiming this farm house.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

18 November

Every Tuesday we meet with our architect, contractor, and project manager. It's like Christmas! We get an official update as to what is happening, if we are on schedule, how our costs are doing, and what is the next item on the to-do list. We walk around and see what is actually happening and each week this old farm takes on more and more shape. I love standing in the space and getting a feel for what is to come. As walls get chiseled away or reinforced, and foundations get poured, you see real change happening. This is the exciting stuff. And in the the midst of all the change you see the old shining through. The new lets the old hold center stage. I think this is a lot like our hearts - we often need to let the new in so that our old self really shines.  Sometimes the new brings out the best old in us. 

They've laid the new foundation for the garage, mud room, dining room, and kitchen.


Here's a panoramic showing where the cottage is, in relation to the main house.

The cement floor was poured for the den, and the wall is being removed.

The window.  Shanna is anxiously awaiting for it to be popped out, to take in the forest view!

All the beams are in place, getting ready for the roof.

Taking the roof tiles off, to cut out holes for skylights.
 Big decision today - roof tile and gutter colors.  We're recycling tiles that we already have (on the left), and trying to find tiles that match - both for the cottage and main house.

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