Lazy Saturday

I remember how I was cursing the fact that I had to stay in last weekend with such gorgeous weather outside - & why it couldn't be raining instead. You got it. It rained a bit today (very lightly) and I was out & about. Another wonderful Farmers' Market - had live "Caribbean" music today which somewhat counteracted the less than Caribbean atmosphere.

The gardens are so gorgeous right now that I thought I'd feature a few on the weekends. This is when I wish I had a better camera to catch their brilliant colors. Today I'm sharing Nancy's garden. I think the thing that amazes me about peonies here is the sheer number of buds on each plant. I finally got peonies to grow in Texas, but was LUCKY if each plant had 5 buds & then if 2-3 of them eventually bloomed. Here, each plant is heavily laden with bulbs. As I've said, I'm going to have to work VERY HARD to stay anywhere close to the league of Nancy's and Gussie's (and Nina's, the Holly Hill House B&B!) gardens on either side of me. Thankfully, some of Gussie's plants still remain, including heirloom raspberry vines.

So enjoy just a tiny bit of the beauty that surrounds us.

A Little More...

progress today.

There MAY have been alot of progress, but I wasn't here all day and couldn't get in 523 to see for myself after the guys had departed to start their weekend. I left for a "Big Box Day" in Poulsbo & Silverdale. Went to Best Buy to ask about TV setups and checked on computers as well while there. Yup, it's almost that time again. UGH. Not my favorite thing to do. Had eight stops today - it's crunch time. Have to order the hardwoods tomorrow. It's all coming to a head right now & I'm trying to stay one step ahead. Sometimes successful, sometimes not. I keep hoping every week that the bulk of it is behind me, but so far not yet.

The main change that I could see from outside the gate was the roofing over the guest bedroom in the back of the house. The blue bubble you see there is probably the SolaTube for the guest bathroom. I've never had one before, but I've now seen several installed and they seem to work quite well - even when it's "dreary". One of the guys told about installing one, as requested, over a couple's bed. They hadn't realized the streetlight just outside their home would keep their room "light" all night.

Looks like we have sun coming with fabulous temperatures for the holiday weekend. Enjoy yours - whatever you have planned!

What a Difference ANOTHER Day Makes!

I know - you're tired of hearing it, BUT it was another HUGE change today. All the windows are in now and the roofers showed up "unexpectedly" - their other job was postponed due to weather that really never materialized - but I'll take them any time they can work at 523! I'm posting a photo of Mike, Mark & Patrick installing the big living room window in the space that had previously been our "front door".

Spent almost three hours with Greg & the electrician today going over the plans, room by room. I think it will be a well-thought out, workable home when they're finished. But I've probably jinxed it by saying that so early! I KNOW there will be things I've overlooked.

Don't think there's any way tomorrow can compete with today's progress. But I'm thrilled with the look it's exhibiting to all who drive by!

NASCAR House

I met with Tamara again today for several hours and when I got to 523 I was just amazed at the difference one day can make! It REALLY looks like a house now! I know, I know - I keep saying that. While I've always been able to see this in my mind, I think many others are just now really seeing what I've been seeing all along.

I've been meaning to post this photo for some time. I've joked that there are so many signs on 523 that it looks like a "NASCAR House"! And I'm still waiting to see Mark's sign. Better be quick because when they start the shingling process, they'll all come down.

And to think that all this progress happened during a gentle rainfall almost all day long.

The Gable!

Where does the time go? Tamara & I met with Pete & the guys today at 523 then went to work on the "nitty-gritty" details. On our way to her house, we saw this precious little spotted deer and his/her mom out strolling through town. Apparently it's "baby season".

I didn't get back to 523 until a little after 5. Pete & Mark were still there so I got to see the back gable prototype. I loved it - and will love all of them when they're in. Windows won't be far behind them!

Roofers & Windows & HVAC, Oh My!

Just a bit busy at 523 today. The roofers were there to start the "papering process" - you know, the black paper that's beneath all roofs. We're predicted to have rain the balance of the week so that's a good thing. They got a huge portion of the roof finished (you can't see the finished "swoosh side"), but not all of it so they'll return tomorrow. Even when the forecast says rain, as in Dallas, that could just be 5 minutes worth of sprinkles then the forecast would be "accurate". We'll see. In addition to the roofers, Glen the HVAC wizard, was on site today. Greg, Glen & I walked around deciding where the registers & returns would be while Glen's workers began their work. It's going to be very BUSY underneath the house! Then in the midst of the LOUD hammering and a hole or two being cut in the flooring, the windows arrived. So you'll see them installed before the end of the week. Roof? No. The roofers have to go to another job so they won't return for a couple of weeks to install that pretty architectural shingling.

Another "guy" has joined "the guys". This is Jim, and he brought the BEST salmon jerky today that he made himself. I told him he needed a booth at the Saturday market - it was FABULOUS.

Hope your weekend was a good one!

Slavin'

No real post today. I've been working at my computer ALL DAY - and it's simply gorgeous outside. What a waste of a glorious day!

But here's a photo of a peony that greets me every day - hope you enjoy it!

Topped Off

Well, a first again. A Saturday workday. And were they ever here - the usual guys (+ "extras"), Gaylinn & Loren. But they got 523 all sheathed with the exception of the top of the dormer which will be finished Monday morning. Hence the bough on top of the highest point. In Texas, I would always see Christmas trees at the top of highrises/midrises. We wanted to be environmentally aware so we only did a small bough - well, that's the story & I'm sticking to it!

It's also Saturday Farmers' Market. FINALLY got another Cape Cleare salmon sandwich after missing the last two Saturdays. Even better than I'd remembered - no wonder the line is always the longest there! Walking back to 523 (which is only 1 block from the market - yeah!), Brianna & sisters had set up a lemonade stand to catch thirsty shoppers as they left and they were quite successful. I sent a text photo to Nancy of Brianna in action - the child could truly sell ice to eskimos - the phrase must have been created with her in mind.

Then I headed downtown as the tall ships were in this weekend. They were scheduled to be here earlier, but the high winds altered their itinerary. The Lady Washington & the Hawaiian Chieftain were docked outside the Northwest Maritime Center for tours & battle sails.

The marina was active today as well. Holley - not quite St. Tropez, but at least everyone had their clothes on! On a gorgeous day like today, who wouldn't want to be out on a boat?

And finally, walking back today I saw this stunning car - it's made for me with its buttercream paint. It's a 1928 Franklin with wood spoke wheels. It was probably the most photographed object in Uptown today although MANY older restored cars were out for a drive in downtown earlier.

Enjoy your Saturday - I'm now going to lock myself in to do homework for the majority of the rest of the weekend. Oh why couldn't it have rained today instead of being an absolutely glorious day???

A Peek Inside the Peak

Lots of saws sawing & hammers hammering today. I was only at 523 briefly - when I went back over this afternoon, the dormer in the attic & the attic area itself are really taking shape. It's the last "mystery" of 523. Its change to a cathedral ceiling has made a dramatic difference - it's a quirky area but someday in the future will make a great TV room (and book reading room from a future window seat beneath the dormer window overlooking an area of the bay & Whidbey Island - on second thought, how much reading can get accomplished with that view calling out?)

Enjoy your weekend!

Seattle

I guess I should leave for the day more often! I got up at 4:30 this morning (yes - SHOCK, Texas friends since that's when I usually go to sleep) to run to Seattle today. Nancy was taking a flight from SeaTac so we got in the car & started off early this morning after stopping at Starbucks & seeing Patrick there getting caffeinated for the day. After I dropped Nancy off, I was on to granite yards, tile shops and architectural salvage stores. Of course, I had to make a quick stop at Central Market & Home Depot too on this side of the ferry run! I'm including photos of one of the cruise ships docked by the WSF site and of "dreary" Seattle.

When I got back, the dormer over the garage finally had taken its shape. The view is wonderful from the window opening. Another extra which was unexpected. While it doesn't show, more roof sheathing had been completed today as well. The roofers can't be far away...

BTW, the house always looks HUGE in these photos. Believe me, it's NOT! We've all heard how the camera adds 5 pounds to people. Well, my camera must add 1,000 square feet to houses!

Roof Sheathing

As with most days, you can't really see all that was accomplished today. The guys worked on the sheathing for the "swoosh" side of the house which is always a bit dicey to photograph then late this afternoon, Mark & Patrick shifted to sheathing the area above the garage. So here's two for you, Dottie! Your son is so great to have on the job!

Went to meet the granite/marble guys today. Gilles (yes, he's from France) & Chris will be helping me with the kitchen countertops and a smaller topper in one of the bathrooms. I always love to roam stone yards and they have quite a selection on site considering the size of PT. And as I drove up, my navigation system told me that Discovery Bay was just feet away. Gilles' home must have quite a view!

It's about to get a bit breezy here - supposedly 60 MPH winds are headed this way to accompany the raindrops we're already getting. Better get to the store quickly, hadn't I?

Plumbing Rough In

Maybe not as sexy as windows, but where would we be without our plumbing system??? And I have a WONDERFUL plumber - Gaylinn Morton of Aloha Plumbing. I don't know that Gaylinn is ever NOT working (I saw him leaving 523 at 7:00 on Sunday night) and he is so calm all the time. I think he gets "Lili-speak" too. Today's photo is of Gaylinn doing his preliminary work in the utility room.

Today we had what I would call the first REAL rain since I've been here. It was wonderful - gentle, and the air had that aroma that can only mean a rain shower has occurred. Of course, the sun is out again already. I used to say "if you don't like the weather, wait awhile" when I lived in Texas but it can't compare with the multitude of weather changes we can have DAILY up here.

First Windows

The largest change today was the installation of the first windows. We're actually a bit ahead of ourselves here, but Patrick & Mark installed them with differing trims so that I could select the one I wanted. Now that they're installed, they'll be protected as there's still quite a bit of "hammering" going on. They really changed the look of the house!

Joan & Howard left this morning on their way back to Coeur d' Alene by way of Trader Joe's in Issequah. Sounds like the only way to travel to me, having been to this particular store as my initiation into Trader Joe-dom!

Hope your weekend was all that you wanted it to be. I know mine was!

Parade Day

Uptown just had a festive air about it this morning. Joan & I went out to the Antique Company to check on a piece for 523 (already sold) and then headed back into town along with all the other traffic we had seen previously flowing toward the parade route. We walked the area before the parade started to get an up close view and then settled into our front row seats in front of Jeanne's store. For the next two hours we were royally entertained by participants from less than one year to well into their 90s. Since this was the 75th anniversary of the Rhododendron Festival, all the old Rhody queens & princesses were invited back to participate and many did, including a still-local princess who is now in her 90s. Lots of old cars, lots of horses, a FABULOUS bagpipe corp from Tacoma, tons of public school bands. Apparently the Kinetic Sculpture Festival is a huge local favorite as well and they were a popular entry today with their Octobus. Forks, made famous by the "Twilight" movies, had an entry hyping their 4th of July celebration. Something I need to investigate was the Three Cups of Tea group - promoting the building of schools in Afghanistan. Perhaps this was a local chapter to promote the building of even more schools? A favorite from the 80s - the Road Warriors - had a bit of a reunion & performed as well. While they were a bit scary looking (intended), the crowd loved them. Nancy's oldest son, Mike, was lead singer today. I saw him later & told him I'd be a Road Warrior tagalong next year. He humored my joking since he's such a great guy. When I got back, the mirror told me that I hadn't put enough SPF on, even though I thought I had lacquered it. But since half my face is red, I obviously wasn't thorough enough.

The gang went out to Jeanne & Art's for a bonfire tonight. I cancelled as I'm creaking but will rejoin them at some point tomorrow.

Such a great week of events. Such a great little town.

Visitors!

I had several wonderful events today - first Lynne arrived from Florida. Lynne & her husband John have lived in PT on & off for years & she's come back to run in the Rhody Run on Sunday (if I'm lucky, I'll be doing the walk). Lynne is an old friend of my cousin, Joan, and she was among the first to welcome me to PT. I found Lynne at the jobsite this morning when I got back from the florist and shortly thereafter, Joan & Howard, my cousin & her husband from Coeur d'Alene pulled up as well. Everyone had to see the house & meet the guys. Their verdict? Great house! I left them at Siren's to catch up with each other while sitting over the bay with "refreshments" while I came back Uptown for the Kids' Parade. Again, I won't narrate, but am simply attaching photos. The couple where the woman is wearing bunny ears are my next door neighbors, Nancy & Carl.

After a few 523 errands, I met up with the gang for a trek downtown for the Bed Race. Again, I saw Christy who introduced me to her husband, second in command at the PT police department, who further introduced me to half the PT police department who teasingly offered me a pair of handcuffs for adornment. Half the neighborhood was there enjoying the hilarity of teams pushing beds down Washington street for the chance of winning the bedpan trophy. I've attached one photo - it was hard to get a great one since they were moving quite quickly each time they were in the street.

Afterwards, Jeanne had a dinner for 15 of us at her apartment. Fabulous food, wine & music & even better conversation. They walked me home late this evening & we probably woke up half the neighborhood with our laughter. I may not be so popular tomorrow!

Rhody activities have been so fun and the big parade is tomorrow. I've heard it's several hours long and that the Farmers' Market is even cancelled - boo hiss. I'll wear an extra thick layer of SPF tomorrow! Can't wait!

Another First...

I just drained my camera's battery after recharging it last night. The cause? The Rhododendron Festival's Pet Parade. I have NEVER seen such a darling event! True to typical Port Townsend style, it started a bit late but it was well worth it. Christy, the Rhrododendron Festival Chairman, came over after spotting me in the crowd. She gave me a great narration & history and the events to come as well. I am not going to tell you too much about it - I'm just loading many photos today for you to enjoy. It's too bad that my many small videos are too large to load. The sound effects heighten the experience - the kids giggling and the dogs barking are so fun! BTW, the photo of the "bumblebee" also has Patrick with his son on his shoulders and their dog in the background and I believe Allison as well.

I also pulled alongside a gull today as I left the cleaners. He had a starfish in his mouth & as I got out of the car with my camera, we played a game of cat & mouse. He kept 2 steps ahead of me, flying off once with his morsel only to return close by again. I'm NOT loading the photo of half the starfish down his throat. He wasn't eating it (yet?) but was, I think, hoarding it from me. Little did he know that I didn't have the least bit of interest in eating that starfish!

And the last photo is of the first plumbing at 523 - the kitchen sink's pipe. Gaylinn started today and he & the HVAC man are going to "negotiate" the available space for all their ducts & pipes tomorrow. The poor electrician just gets the space scraps when he arrives!

Tomorrow is the bed race, the kids' parade & the carnival for the Festival. Don't know how it can top today's festivities, but somehow I bet it does.