I beli…I beli…That’s all folks!

How appropriate to use the parting line from Porky Pig on Looney Tunes to end this blog. Seeing as how I referenced the beginning of the house build with the Three Little Pigs story. Full circle, baby. We have come full circle.

And, yes, we are in the house. Received our Certificate of Occupancy on April 25th after passing our last inspection. For those who are crunching numbers, that is one year and ten months from when we started excavating for the house. Or around June 23rd, 2017 for those who hate doing the math.

It feels good to be done. Mostly. We still have to add our mudroom to the front of the house but that will be a small affair to be done later this year. We will use whatever is left over from the original timber frame (6x8x16′ rafters), siding and such. No straw bales this time. Your basic, boring, 2×4 set up. Just a place to put our muddy boots and coats.

Moving into this house from the barn apartment has been an adjustment. Like getting used to running water at the turn of a handle. We still use the water sparingly. That’s what comes from hauling five gallon buckets up from the well for four years. You become much more conscientious of how much you use. Which must have been very little, indeed, when I saw how dirty our counter appliances were when we transferred them to the light of day in the house. Yeow.

I believe I speak for both of us when I say we miss the barn apartment: it’s efficient, cozy layout (600 sq. ft), the view from the second story window out onto the fields. Using a flashlight to look for things that could only be on that floor because that was the only floor. Now have three floors to search for lost items. I won’t miss the lack of lighting though. The house is wide open with windows that allow for more natural light and that is a plus for me. Who knows, maybe now I will be able to stay awake past 8 p.m. Or not.

It is now the second week of May and most of our energy and thoughts are farm-based. Due to the warm weather we got towards the end of April we have already harvested some of our asparagus, which was way early. That stuff doesn’t usually pop up until mid- to late May. In between rain showers we have been getting some dirt under our nails planting cold tolerant plants like brassicas and some lettuces. Time to concentrate on the plants and relax in the evenings surrounded by our labor of love. We could not have done this house without the help and support of family and friends. We think of you all as we sit and contemplate a corner here or a wall over there. Sigh. It’s good to be home.