Stonework pictures

Just a quick update before the Christmas weekend...one of the exterior "bump outs" now has completed stonework. Cabinet, electrical, tile, and trimwork continue to plug away on the interior.

More tile, kitchen and bar cabinets, masonry

Sharing some pics from the last 2 days....

Tiling well underway in the master bathroom:

Some masonry is done on the exterior.  Shot is close up because there is essentially a scaffolding/tarp "tent" surrounding this area of the exterior wall.

Starting to frame up what will be beam work in the entry foyer:

And beam work in the great room vault:

Front door now stained on the inside:

Cabinets starting to go up in the kitchen:

Cabinets and bar now in place in the wet bar...came with a free bartender...kinda short, though.

An enthused-looking Andy listens as Pat drones on about something related to the house to-do list....

Things moving fast now...

Lots of activity the last week of so. Electrician finishing work, tiling, trim, cabinets all going up. propane tank delivered, geo unit installed, and stonework going up. We're still running around frantically doing this-n-that...mostly getting all the items we need for the electrician (under cabinet lighting, speakers, doorbell, etc). Also found out that our water is super-hard and way high on the iron scale.  Had the Culligan guy out there and purchased ourselves a softener.  Got plenty of money laying around at this point, might as well spend some more!

I'm sure I'm forgetting half the things that have happened the last week or so, but on with the pictures...lots of them this time:

Masonry work starting...and paying to keep it warm with electric heat (ugh):

Propane tank in place:

Various dark oak stained doors for the main level:

Andys room with light fixture and closet doors installed:

Downstairs walk out doors stained and trimmed:

Foyer light installed:

The bar cabinets for my tavern!!!

Tile by walk-out-basement doors grouted:

Gas water heater in place (the electric one in the far corner is part of the geothermal system)

Bar area coming together...tile in, and cabinetry taking shape:

Boys bathroom upstairs:

Hallway by boys' rooms:

Card table area by TV room..A/V closet trimmed up and some shelving installed:

Downstairs bathroom tiled, grouted, and cabinets in place:

now THIS is an electrical panel!

Geo unit now in place and hooked up to water tank:

Chaos in the great room and dining room:

Great room built in cabinets:

Chaos in the kitchen...including our hardwood flooring stacked up in boxes:

Laundry room cabinets installed:

Master bedroom windows stained and trimmed:

Built-in lockers in the mud room:

Powder room vanity:

TV cabinets in place, and beam built:

There are even 2 lights in our under-stairs storage area!

And looking back, what things looked like one year ago:

Has it really been 3 1/2 weeks since the last entry?

The natives are getting restless for an update...

I just cant keep this thing updated.  Too many things to do.  Deadlines bombarding us...whirlwind tours of car dealerships to replace a car that died...part time work ramping up...christmas...

I cant even really accurately recap what we have done house-wise since the last update.  So here's a random stream of consciousness:

Painting nearly done, just garage left.  Some cabinets are done and delivered.  Doors and trim nearly all in downstairs.  Propane lined up.  Gutters next week.  replaced siding with shakes above the front porch.  Have made a couple sledding trips.  Tiling has started and will continue over the weekend..probably done early next week. Local tile store screwed up the color on the metal edging we bought.  Now I'm calling all over Minnesota trying to track that color down -- otherwise will have to live with the beige we have on hand.  Found out our water is super-hard and chock full of iron.  Culligan coming on Tuesday.  Next week all the finishing work goes into high gear..electrician, plumber, cabinets, etc etc.  Have to go haul the hardwood floor out to the house on monday.  Frantically trying to finish picking out electric fixtures, fans, etc.  Move in date still roughly mid-to-late January.

Oh yeah and the snowstorm ruined my plans to go to the Gophers/Bulldogs hockey game with my buddies.

grrrr.

Some of my pictures lately have been obscured by spots...I think its dust on the lens as I am walking through the house...its a bit dusty in there with all the sawing and sanding that is going on....

Snowball fight with Grandpa:

Snowboarding and sledding just outside the front door!

Pooped out!

Hey how'd this picture of the last UMD men's hockey opening faceoff at the DECC get in here?

Doors and trim going in downstairs!

Winter Wonderland:

Walkout basement doors...tile in place:

Cabinets in garage.  This is the master bath vanity (on bottom):

Christina's office closet with built in adjustable shelving:

Painted dining room (2 colors)

Tiling in downstairs bathroom:

Great room painted:

Master bedroom painted:

Shakes above front porch: