Niagra Falls

So we are weathering hurricane sandy quite well. BeccA and Eric stopped by to check on Hearthstone for us and took a bunch of pictures. She said, "your waterfall is more like niagra falls!!"
The gutters are working perfectly and water is flowing as it should. I'm so appreciative that everything is safe and sound during yet another nasty storm!! We'll continue to check on it and post additional pictures!! Stay safe, ya'll!!

3rd Monthly Report

Hearthstone

Roger and Brey

September 14 thru October 12, 2012

         Roger and Brey are focused on getting all the requirements together to finalize everything well in advance of settlement sometime in December.

Overview

            House: Work continues as we try to uncover enough of the Gable end stone walls for capping before winter.

            Barn:  South East Roof: work continues of the repair. Advanced structural damage is hindering the process. Our goal is to stabilize the fore bay enough to get through the winter.

            Garage: Clean out is complete. We disinfected the entire 2^nd floor. Cosmetic work: painting, patching and cleaning continue.                       

            Natural Land Trust:

                        Documents are now being prepared for the driveway, head race, and other East Brandywine Township easements. Lines have been confirmed. The East Brandywine Planning Commission will meet on November 1^st and we are optimistic that the simple subdivision will be approved. Roger will then have a legally defined property.

            Other: Work has slowed down some. Roger and I are full time on another restoration project at work. Brey is back teaching at school again. Day light is getting significantly shorter and temperatures are noticeably dropping. Matt continues to be a big help. Mary is our support person, working full time, and even able to spend some weekend days cleaning, sorting, and helping with the stabilization processes.

             The 30 yard dumpster is almost full and will be pulled soon.

                       

            Summary

                        Work hours dropped to about 300 this month. The garage has been cleaned and starting to show signs of being a nice spot to warm up and have facilities as we move into the winter months.

                        Next month should see finalization of all the various legal and financial documents in preparation for Settlement. We hopefully will be far enough along on the garage to start using it as a "base of operations". Focus will start on getting all the various structures prepared to stand the elements of winter.

            We are appreciative of the work of all who have helped and continue to help with this endeavor. This includes family, friends, East Brandywine Township Officials, and the Natural Lands Trust. Many others have stepped forward in many ways and I am sure someday Roger and Brey will have an event to bring everyone together, celebrate and give thanks.

                       

Here are some pictures to accompany the 3rd Monthly Report...

    

The waterfall from the viewing area on the driveway

Looking up the driveway...Aren't the colors gorgeous?!?!

The view looking to the right when entering the driveway.  

This goes down towards the Mill

The waterfall from the bridge (on left when entering the driveway)

View from the entrance looking up the driveway to the property

Looking towards Bondsville Road

Forsythia: The Driveway/Barn Wall

I have been wanting to tackle the overgrown forsythia bushes that have grown wild and unkempt along the driveway wall to the barn.  They were such a rooted mess all grown together and tangled.  They were hanging over the wall and affecting the barn yard wall and yard usage. 

There were a few reasons as to why I wanted to trim them up...  First, we use the backyard with the gym bars and driveway a LOT with the kiddos.  They love to play up there and on the driveway.  As we adults supervise, I realized these massive bushes have grown so huge that we could not enjoy the gorgeous pond view from our favorite play areas.  Secondly, some of the same reason from the barnyard.  I love that corner niche with the ivy growing over the wall and up the barn wall.  This is a perfect spot for a table and to enjoy the views.  And yet again, the bushes had so overgrown this wall that it was hard to sit there and not feel like bugs/spiders were dropping down on you!  Third, I LOVE the idea of having a seasonal flower bed along this wall from the barn yard side.  I researched when the best time to trim forsythia bushes, and it turns out fall is the time!  

We tackled this project this weekend.  We trimmed them pretty far down.  It almost looks bare now, but I know that they needed this healthy hair cut to grow and bloom in the future.  I definitely love the wild forsythia, and am hoping that this trimming will give them the TLC they deserve to grow and compliment the area.  I'm hoping that they will grow in the next few seasons to be a healthy size that will better suit the feel of the driveway.  I love seeing the burning bush on the driveway from the barn yard now!  I am very pleased with the results!  Here are some before/after pictures.  :)

BEFORE:

 

MID POINT

AFTER

Preparing for the Hurricane

Hurricane Sandy is coming.....and we are ready!!! We have cleaned up what we need to and "battened down the hatches" and are protected......and had a lot of fun doing it!!! Here are some pictures from today. Corn stalks, mums, and pumpkins are in and the barn is closed up tight!!! We are ready for the Storm. Love my family!!!!!

An Interesting Find...Update!

Remember this interesting artifact we found awhile ago?  Well, my friend Gina was kind enough to tell me exactly what this is!!!  She sent me the nicest email explaining it and gave me permission to post her exact words.  Thank you so much Gina--you are awesome!

"I saw your interesting artifact on your blog…. and wanted to tell you that you found an Indonesian (or Javanese) shadow puppet!  What it was doing on your property, I have no idea!  The puppeteer would hold the puppet by the stick and use the "hand sticks" to move the arms.  This was all done behind a lighted screen so only the silhouette could be seen by the audience.  I'm guessing a family member traveled to one of these exotic locations and brought the puppet back as a toy for some child who lived at the house.  Hope this helps…. "

Fall Decor

Greetings!  Wanted to share a few pictures of the property and show off my cornstalks, pumpkins, and mums.  It's the perfect added cheer as we are working hard around here.  Thanks Mom!