We have been in the house for one year, and a few weeks.  We really like living here, and enjoy the progressive nature of the completion process.  It is a series of (hopefully not never-ending) delights to complete something, and then enjoy using it.  Have been focusing on the outside as the weather is great and we are trying to make the house look more like someone lives here than just a construction site.  This is a view of the front of the house, a view we have been “enjoying” for almost a year.  We have been busy moving dirt and rock, planting plants, forming for concrete (with the guidance and assistance of Coop), and building some temporary stairs (my mother is coming for a visit next week).  It all looks much better after a month of work.

Pouring the two slabs, about 550sq ft in total.  We did a 4″ slab with thickened edges, with grey and green colour added as a powder, and then stamped with a slate-like finish.  It was washed the next day and sealed a few days later (we also decided to seal the rock cocktail table, good choice).

And this is the finished product, being inspected by Hime. Next step is to erect the posts, beams and roof. Hopefully in August.

These are the temporary stairs I built in anticipation of my mothers’ visit. Also intended to be used to confirm/revise the stair design – the stairs will be 6×8 cedar timbers, with the upper deck parts made of cedar decking. The stairs will be encased on either side with large rocks, only some of which have yet moved into place. After the timber and decking is obtained, planed and stained, we will remove these temporary stairs and use them elsewhere on the property.