OVER THE GARDEN WALL

Oleg, and his crew have been installing the railings in the back garden.    I think it looks like an enchanting little bridge, and I think it will look spectacular once the waterfall feature is complete.

I walked out on the back balcony, for the first time.    I know this will be my favorite place for watching the sunrise.     I hope the first morning I finally wake up at "home",  the dawn will break clear, and bright, because this is where I'll be; come rain or shine.

                                                                              

As I was bringing the bricks inside, our cat, Trouble, managed to escape to the back garden here at the farm.                                                                         

                                                                        

WINE CELLAR

We have about 40,000 specialty tiles, that were intended for use on the retaining walls, in the back garden. Rather than letting them go to waste, we've decided to use them in the wine cellar.
I thought they would be great set on the walls in an off set pattern; kind of a basket weave look.
I think if they are laid on the vertical, they won't collect as much dust, and they will give an interesting profile to the walls.

POOL HOUSE ?

I was in the pool for the first time, and the temperature was just right.    Just right for grouting the waterline tiles.        
The last time I looked, the pool was full of ice, so I was more than a little surprised by the sight that met my eyes.
We decided to add more tile to the leading edge of the steps, and to mimic the tiled circumference of the spa, at the opposite end.
Once the tiles are grouted out in black; they'll make quite a splash!

                                                      

                                                    still having trouble loading pictures.

MY HEART AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO HAITI

Words cannot express how deeply I feel for the victims and their families, in the face of this catastrophic tragedy.
I once worked for a Haitian dentist, who is also the best friend of my son's godfather. Until I worked for Ron, I knew nothing about Haiti. I don't think I could have even pointed it out on a globe?
Canada's, Governor General, Michaelle Jean is Haitian-born, and we have many Haitian communities in Canada.

Canada immediately stepped up, offering aid to Haiti, and banks, and organisations rallied to accept donations.

I copied the information below, from cnews. It lists reputable, aid organisations.




How you can help the victims
By THE CANADIAN PRESS






Michaelle Jean thanks Canada for aid to Haiti

Officials scrambling to track missing Canadians

Haiti urgently needs communications equipment

Donate to established aid groups: MP

Orphanages in Haiti prepare for influx


Images from devastated Haiti

Share your thoughts on the quake
Twitter updates from Haiti

The following is a list of reputable aid organizations currently seeking cash donations for relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Donations can be made at the web pages or by calling the appropriate phone numbers.

Canadian Red Cross (hoping to raise at least $2 million): www.redcross.ca/helpnow, or call toll free 1-800-418-1111, visit any Red Cross office.

Humanitarian Coalition (consists of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Quebec and Save the Children Canada): www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca.

Plan Canada: https://planCanada.ca/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pidid

Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmy.ca, or call 1-800-725-2769. Bell Mobility customers can make $10 donations by texting the word "haiti" to 45678. Donations can be mailed to Army Territorial Headquarters, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H 1P4. Donations can also be dropped off at local Salvation Army units. Specify "Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund."

Doctors Without Borders: http://www.msf.ca

Unicef Canada: https://secure.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at0&CID

United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto: http://www.ujadonations.com/haiti or call 416-631-5705.

World Vision Canada: https://www.worldvision.ca/give-a-gift/Pages/EarthquakeinHaiti.aspx

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has also compiled a guide designed to help the public avoid scams and ensure their donations are of maximum value:

http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/Canadians-help-aide-canadien.aspx

Calls for donations are also prevalent on social ne tworking services Twitter and Facebook.

TAKING SHAPE

I was delighted to see more of the cabinetry has been installed.  The kitchen is really starting to take shape.    I allowed myself to feel optimistic, and I believe things are finally moving along.
My photos aren't very exciting; but I couldn't be more pleased with how good the bird's eye maple shelving looks.    I can't wait to see how it all will look, once it's done, and the plastic comes off!

FRESH YEAR - FRESH "HELL" WOOD

I can't believe another year has come and gone, and we're still not in this house! I did manage to get over it, and enjoy Christmas; largely by consuming vast amounts of alcohol. It helped take the edge, off of my reality. The Dalton Team know me too well now. Thanks for the great selection of wines guys!


O.K. The holidays are over, lets get get this house finished before my liver completely shuts down!



Winter as we know it, is back; just as bitter, cold, angry, and punishing, as in the past several years.


Very funny. I was referring to the weather. Husbands, who needs them?




Not much has happened so far this year.
The back exterior balcony is in, and grouted. The front is still awaiting grout, hence the boarded up space. The area has to be heated with propane, so we have to keep the back doors open for ventilation.
Good thing we are generating some power; because it gets pretty expensive heating up the outside!

The plastic tarp over the pool area blew away, so the pool guys are constructing a wood frame enclosure. I'll have to take some pictures because it looks like they're constructing a roof. I'm sure they really enjoy finishing a pool in the winter; working in the warmer weather can get boring, I imagine? This must be a refreshing change, and at least they don't have to contend with any mosquitoes, or black flies.
They do have to contend with black grout, which requires lots of effort to rinse off the haze.



I'm happy to report that the fireplace inserts, are now the correct models, and even better? They actually work!

I haven't come across a realistic enough log set, so instead of having fake wood, I went for a real glass. The flames look wonderful mirrored in the enamel panels. Well as wonderful as propane fueled flames go. They just need to straighten out the "log set" and hide the wires so they aren't visible.

I much prefer a real fire, and at least we have one in the family room; which should be installed in early February.