New Baby

Spring is just around the corner, we can't wait to get out to the cabin to see what it looks like. And now, getting out there is going to be that much better because we bought a new boat! For anyone who has been out to our place you've probably had a chance to feel the efforts of our 25 horsepower trying to get a full load out of the water. And with our growing family the Little (boat) Engine That Could just wasn't cutting it anymore. Niall's been looking at boats for awhile, and I finally relented...we're both really excited. So is Lauren, she thinks the front chair is hers because she's the captain. Take a look.

Just a Tease

There is not much in terms of exciting photos for this post, just a bit of late night commentary since I've been reminded many times lately that there's been no update. It was a long hurry up and wait kind of winter, with the ice road taking ages to get to the stage where it was supposed to be ready, and then when it was finally plowed, it was too cold and stormy to work. So during the small window of time when the ice was safe and it was not minus eight million degrees, there was some work being done. But not many photographs being taken. Apparently, (so we've been told) the contractor's job is done, except for maybe 6 hours of work that may or may not have been completed in the last couple of days. The road had to be plowed many times since it kept blowing over, and that's when you get those unexpected costs creeping up...oh the life of an island dweller. Niall did make it out one weekend after borrowing my dad's truck and he and his brother, dad and brother's girlfriend made the trek out to deliver some furniture. These are the pictures taken from that weekend, with hopefully some more exciting news in the coming months (if spring ever actually comes).

The front of the cabin, no windows yet

The back of the cabin, not framed in yet

The screen porch, taken from the living room

The front from the inside - two big windows and a sliding door

Almost There

We've been anxiously awaiting some new pictures, had been told they would come Friday, they didn't come. We figured maybe he meant the next Friday...they didn't come. We did a weekend of cross border shopping looking for a deal on generators and propane fridges (we'll be going back before spring I think to pick up a few things). We came home expecting pictures, still nothing. I had to phone. I interrupted Dale's supper, and 20 minutes later we got the pictures. They pretty much speak for themselves in terms of progress made, needless to say we are so excited!

A bit of snow while framing

A bit dark and blurry, but a better sense of what it will look like

(visualize some windows and a patio door in the center. That's the screen porch to the left.)

A view from the east, just behind the bunkhouse.

A side view from the west. Shingles are on, you can see where our chimney will go.

Here's a bit of perspective for anyone who has seen the bunkhouse.

So the guys are done for the season, they'll be back out once there is an ice road. They have rails on the decks, soffits and facia, windows and doors and inside framing to do. After that, we let 'em go and we're on our own. With the help of a few good friends of course ;)

Old Man and the Sea

Tues was a beautiful day, high of 17 C, unheard of usually here at this time of year (good ole global warming), and Niall and his crew barged over most of the materials for the cabin (except the windows, which never showed up, bit of a problem). They worked hard all day, into the dark, and the following day (Halloween) Niall and the man with the barge (Karl) took a boat back to the island to finish unloading the barge. Unfortunately it was opposite day...5 C, winds at about 170 mph and waves two stories high...the sea was angry that day...

So I hear, anyway, he didn't take the pictures to prove it, and he's been known to tell a fish story or two in his day. Dale is supposed to start swinging his hammer on Monday, Nov. 5. Hopefully the weather cooperates for him. Here is what a cabin worth of materials looks like:

The view from the deck...might need a bit of a trim

The Floor is Up!

The pictures arrived, it's really happening...we have a floor.

The original plan was to finish this part in the fall and then put up the rest once the lake froze over and the winter road could be used. This was felt to be the most cost effective way to get the materials and the contractor out. Then we found out that there is no guarantee that a winter road will even be built, which would leave us having to pay for it...ouch. So the barge is pricey, but it's a fixed cost. We'll be taking everything out next Tuesday, so Dale says he might get the place up before the lake freezes over. Wouldn't that be nice, then we wouldn't lie awake worrying every time the snow started to fall all winter.

Downtime

So, like most projects things came to a bit of a stand still for a few weeks, as with the colder weather the boat has been put away for the season. Meaning, we have no idea what is happening on Dominique Island. And the contractor was MIA for just over a week, appears he was on a hunting trip. So I'm itching to post new pics but have none to speak of. During the week of no contact Niall and I were left wondering if the floor ever did get up. We were assured it had not by our neighbour out there, which in turn prompted a few phone calls to the contractor. We did hear back from him early this week and he had every confidence that the floor would be done by Wednesday. Sure enough, the same neighbour is a pilot and he let us know he flew over Dominique the other day and had a nice aerial view of the rectangle from about 6000 ft. Hooray! And then the contractor (whose name is Dale) called and said he would email a few pics of the floor, so I'm waiting (im)patiently for them to show up.

In the meantime, I've been getting excited about indoor projects for the lake and have been starting myself a used furniture collection. So far we've got a double/single bunk, two twins, a sofa bed and a futon. Enough to sleep a couple families we figure, or host a giant slumber party. We also bought used cabinets for our kitchen which Niall and I are having great debates over. We're trying to decide between crazy-funky and sleek-modern. I don't know, there's so much to think about!

Ugly, stinky cabinets which need TSP and lots of elbow grease

They will be beautiful someday

Someone's homemade futon we got off Used Winnipeg.com, our latest addiction...

I plan to paint and recover at some point.

Less Talk, More Photos

Can you see me now? In the bush with just an axe...let's count how many times we see that red T-shirt before this process is over.

Got a good deal gone, that's a lot of blood, sweat and pehaps a few tears (by me when the beautiful cedar came down)

Does this man look like he knows what's going on?

Bringing in the big guns, no more messing around

Our mud patch, with a side view of the bunkhouse, which will soon be a shed we hope.