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.

POOL PROGRESS

The pool deck has been completed, and it turned out well. I'm pleased we didn't have to put as many of the expansion joints, as they would have detracted from the look as a whole.

The weather turned very cold directly after the deck was grouted. We still have to have the interior of the pool coated in pebble tec, but I don't think it will be done until the spring.
The weather suddenly turned very cold, and snowy.

The tile floor upstairs has been finished, and grouted. I managed to take some pictures before they finished, and covered the floor in paper.

The casing on the doors, has been completed and I'm happy with the results.

SELF INDULGENCE

Another Christmas season is upon us, and I'm so sad that we won't be celebrating the season at Hillwood.

When we started this build, we had hopes of taking up residence by Christmas 2008.    It's unbelievable that we're going to miss another Christmas!

We have seen some progress in the past few weeks, we've also seen the last of yet another foreman!
I for one, and not too upset by this news.    Now Tim and I can whip this house into shape without someone following us around, and making things difficult.

Tuesday will be our first day to take firm control, so that Tim can work his magic!

I feel very self indulgent in hiring Tim,  it's a true luxury to be able to work with such a talented and renowned designer.

Another self indulgent luxury, will not be  quite as obvious, or visible, to anyone other than Bob and myself, which makes it the best type of luxury!

I love St. Geneve linens, and have been waiting to use one of their newest lines; a sinfully delicious blend of silk, and cashmere!
The sheets are reversible, with a flannel cashmere on one side, silk on the other.
They are almost enough to make one wish winter would last a little longer!

NOW WE'RE COOKING

Or at least we're seeing some real progress!
I have been so neglectful in making the time to update, and go through my pictures.

I was getting to a point, where I was getting tired of myself, and really wanted a critical eye, from a talented guy. Enter Timothy Mather, of TM Design. Tim is a designer whose work I have admired, and been inspired by; and he also just happens to love Hermes. Who better than to help me realise my vision of a room devoted to my H collection!

Tim has presented some fabulous ideas, not only for my H room; but for my home's overall design "story"

One of his ideas was to mirror the four two story tall, square columns that are an important architectural feature in the entrance hall. A brilliant idea that's going to look amazing!


As much of the interior materials and finishes had been chosen, and well underway, Tim had little time to bring himself up to speed; but he took on the challenge.
Tim, and I know far too well, just how challenging this has been! lol

I'm glad that Tim likes my choice of kitchen finishes, and flooring, and it was really exciting when Neff started to install the cabinetry. the island has birds eye maple "touch latch" doors on the side visible from the family room, bringing in the finish of the family room "built ins."


Tim was right about the paint selection for the kitchen/family room walls. I sampled almost every blue in the Farrow & Ball paints, and settled on Dix Blue.
Tim thought it would be too dark, and suggested Teresa's Green, so Teresa's Green was our final selection. The paint should be going on next week.

duplicate picture

SCARY HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS

We recently installed a new culvert, and some boulders were placed around it for protection, and painted for visibility.

I thought they looked like pumpkins, and was going to paint jack- o'- lantern, faces on them for Halloween.

Apparently one of our neighbours, was not amused, and stopped my fun before it started.

She drove up to the house and told our foreman that they were hideous, and it was affecting her ability to sell her farm!
She was informed of their temporary importance until our gate is completed, and hideous as they may very well be, they were not going anywhere soon.
She was given a choice of colour since she was so strongly against the orange.   She chose white.

We still haven't painted them.  lol

I took this picture tonight just as the full moon was rising.

"Ooh scary, eh kids?"

MOVING RIGHT ALONG, OR NOT?

above, the driveway curb
varathane on the left, tung oil on the right.

I am beyond frustrated, dealing with the new iphoto software. I can't seem to be able to view photos before uploading.
The plaster detail over the dining room door, was inspired by a picture I saw once in a magazine.

We were moving along just great,blessed with several weeks, of wonderful, weather.
Unfortunately, as I very well know, all good things come to an end; except, it seems for this build!

We just want to get the things completed, that are necessary to get our CO,and move in already!

At this point, I don't even care what light fixtures are installed, I am so sick of getting conflicting answers about whether the electrician can install a chandelier that doesn't have a CSA sticker!

We had to turn the wind turbines, and solar off, until the various "agencies" can figure out what "stickers" they need to meet whatever requirements need to be met.
It's been like the "Keystone Cops", everyone's an expert, but none of them have a clue about what's required.

Luckily, some of the most important jobs are being performed, by people who are extremely skilled, and talented!
The carpenter for one, is amazing! Our tile setter is brilliant! The fellow who is doing our plaster, is a master! The team that has been installing our hardwood floors, are doing a great job too.

The floors are now installed in the bedrooms, and we have decided on a varathane finish.
I had initially chosen the tung oil; but once I brought the samples home and viewed them next to my furniture, and fabrics, I preferred the varathane.
They are finishing the floors on site, so if need be, we can still tweak it.

The pool is going swimmingly. I love the water line tiles; Sicis' Iridium line, in Orchis.
The coping stone is Nero Abssoluto granite. The deck is a porcelain tile from Dal- Tile that has a lot of sparkle, in the sunlight.

Last Sunday, I was painting sample boards, and driving myself crazy trying to find a Farrow & Ball colour for the family room. I finally settled on Dix Blue?????

The sun was setting, and the room was bathed in a peaceful, embracing glow. I put down my brush, climbed the stairs, and from the second story verandah, I watched my very first sunset, in my new home.