Happy Halloween! (Sure miss you, kids! See you soon!)

Our little Pumpkin-Piper-Pie!

And Cowgirl Abby!

It seems we were ready for a Padded Room! Now, we have one!

ALSO.....our pine ceiling and mountain high grade douglas fir floor were delivered.

Here's our ceiling & floor. The pine is re-purposed wood from the big Las Conchas forest fire that burned in northern New Mexico this summer, specifically, from the area around the Dixon Apple Orchard. We purchased it from a place in Las Vegas, New Mexico called "Old Wood" - an amazing saw mill with many philanthropic ventures. Check out their amazing operation at their web site, if you like. (google David Old, Old Wood, Las Vegas, NM).

Plugging away.......

........that's what we are doing now. Our adorable electrician has gotten power to all essential places now, and his inspection went perfectly. The redwood table and mantle arrived from Berkeley, CA and they are glorious. In fact, my brother put the mantle up yesterday and it really is lovely. Our framing inspection yesterday did not go so well, I am sorry to say. There are a number of fixes (six) that must occur before we can call for a re-inspection; hopefully we will have that back on track by week's end. It is hard when we can't do "the fixing" and must rely on others (framers!). Some of the fixes we can and will do. Then there is the matter of the fireplace inspection. I have a bad feeling about this one - but time will tell. So many inspections! I do think our society has gone overboard in terms of protecting the populace. Personal responsibility and due diligence and all that...what happened to those? But, I know it is important to protect people from shoddy, unsafe building practices. I feel protected.

The prospect of hot water by week's end has dimmed. A tiny glimmer of hope remains. Insulation will likely not be happening this week either, unless there is a miracle by Friday. We are scheduled for Friday, but a LOT of other things must happen first, including that framing re-inspection!
< sigh >

We are truly enjoying the spectacular views of Autumn color out our windows! They are in just the right spots to see the sunset, the horses, the beautiful golden cottonwood trees and brilliant red Virginia Creeper vines. This is a real treat.

So, generally, we are doing well. Progress continues, with just a few small blips!

Blip....Blip......Blip.

Our Guard Gineas

These little Guard Guineas don't miss a thing. They have witnessed all the craziness that has transpired (and continues to transpire) at LBF since our project began. And today - there is a LOT of crazy here! Framers finishing up (Oh, I do hope!), our family electrician will prepare for his county inspection here tomorrow, and some fine tuning of the window and door installation (my honorable brother and a trim man). Meanwhile, the garden has not yet been hit by frost, so my work continues there. Lovely work, that!

Our windows and door are simply wonderful!

At last, we can lock our home...and go someplace! We feel much more snug and cozy now, even though we are so far from finished. Each day we inch nearer to the day we can occupy this new sunny space.

And now, the view up the acequia. The changing trees and vines have a light all their own.