Christmas 2020

It has been a while since I last reported.  Yes, those are snowflakes that you see coming down. 

New shrubs are visible in this view of the front. There are two Japanese cedars on the left, including the tall Cryptomeria japonica, Black Dragon.  I planted three Black Dragons in 2003 which have grown to about 12 feet tall, so I am happy to have a new one up in front.  Maybe I will see this one reach the same height?

Last week I splurged on a new plant, a Chinese Paper Tree, Edgeworthis chrysantha 'Snow Cream'.  The shipping cost much more than the tree because they sent it Fed Ex. You can see is a small stick with a single bud on top - though there is a second, much smaller bud below.  It is wrapped in hardware cloth to keep any of the marauding animals away until it gets some more substantial growth.  I hope this never becomes a favorite of the deer.  In this same place I had a willow bush that one spring was chewed down to the ground multiple times by the deer. So, no more willows.

Three Days of Work

On Saturday we began installing a brick path from the parking pad to the office door.  I wanted something that is more informal than the front sidewalk and more relaxed.  

Everything we used was recycled.  The cobblestones lining the edge were left over from the parking pad and sidewalk.  The bricks were from the massive brick bar the previous owner had built in the basement. The oral history is that Mr. Hyder, a former DC policeman, had brought all of the bricks down in his car from the Georgetown police station when it was demolished in 1978.

The first day we laid out the sides then dug out the soil.  If you notice the tree that is on the left side, you will appreciate there were lots of roots that had to be carefully cut out of the way.

The second day I hauled up all of the pavers from behind the basement, carrying them up by hand.  David leveled the base, and laid them out.  It was fussy because the bricks were hand made, and varying sizes and thicknesses.

Yesterday we finished laying out the bricks below the steps into the office, and spread the sand to hold everything in place.

We have done enough of these kinds of projects that we know how to work together. Now we are talking about how to landscape all of the open ground, to fill it with plants.

Thanks Sis!

Several years ago my sister gave me a packet of seeds from her garden, so I could try them out.  She had been collecting seed from a particular pink/magenta flowering Celosia.  Over the years she had been weeding out the white or pale pink flowering plants, to attain an intense color.  

Over the last years the plants have self-seeded throughout my garden.  I have continued selecting the same color, even though an occasional pale plant shows up, like the one in the middle of this picture.  This year is the best I have even seen them for one specific reason.  The deer have not been eating them down.  I lost the tops of several of these plants back in June, when some deer wandered through and chewed off the tops.  But for whatever reason, no other deer have been through since then.  

It cheers me up to see this wild abundance of blooms when I am feeling stressed with what is going on the world.  But I do need to go out and pull out that pale pink one before it sets any seed.

Black Gum "Afterburner"

 

Earlier in the Spring, the Cercidiphylum japonicum 'Heronswood Globe' died, with leaves turning brown and dropping off during a short period with little rain.  It has been struggling for all the years since a large Tulip Popular in our neighbor's yard, which provided wonderful afternoon shade, was cut down.  

We cut off the branches, and put a few birdhouses from our collection on the remaining stumps.  It helped provide some whimsy after losing the tree.

After a long search of what was available locally, and waiting for a 50% off sale at one nursery, I bought a Nyssa sylvatica, or Black Gum, 'Afterburner.'  Research confirmed it is a small, tough tree, which is needed for the site.  Then came a three week wait for the temperatures to drop to a more reasonable level before planting the tree.

Last week we planted the new Black Gum.  It is about two feet from the previous tree, to the left side in this photo.  It appears to be settling in very well, even with new growth.  

It will take some time before it provides shade for the ferns below, and provides the central axis around which the labyrinth circles.  It will be a few years before becoming an established presence.  But as a gardener, I have had to learn to live with hope for what will happen even when trees die.

All Over But . . .

Friday morning the moving company hauled all of the furniture and boxes from the storage bin to the house. It took them 2 1/2 hours.  We spent the rest of the day settling things in and started unpacking.  By the end of the day, we had arranged the Great Room and were able to watch the news. 

It is all looking pretty good, including the library.  Yet, much more still needs to get done.  Today, we spent the day hauling up boxes stored in the basement storage room.  Boxes full of dishes and china, glassware, tea pots, cookware, kitchen utensils, cookbooks and so on.  But there is much more, since the storage area is only half empty.  We haven't dug out the two more sets of china, spices, canned goods, and who knows what else.

We spent the night last night, the first time in nine months.  It was good.  However, the condo in DC is still full of all of the artwork, photos and albums, and lots more to take back out to the house.  So it is not over yet.

Starting to Move In

Maybe it looks like a bare room, but look at that piano!  That has been wrapped up in an old quilt, then plastic in the basement for the last nine months.  Three men came on Friday, rolled it from the basement up the hill to the front door.  The soil had been dug up for the septic tank, so they used plywood sheets under the dolly to keep it from sinking. 

David spent another two hours cleaning up the piano, which still had collected construction dust.  Now we need to get a technician into check it out and tuning it. 

I also put our new rag rug in the bedroom hallway.  We first saw Claudia Mills' rugs at Chautauqua last summer, and I fell in love with her colors and her different patterns.  I told her about my Grandmother Destiny who made rag rugs, several which I still use.  Destiny would have loved having those colors available!

So when she came to a craft show in Baltimore, back in February before everything changed, we went up to see them again.  Obviously I bought this one.  I am tempted to buy more rugs, or to get a custom sized one for my office.  But money is still tight buying essential things for the house. 

We have approved the final payment to our contractor.  There are several small punch list items before we give him a final check for the last change order.  We need to schedule moving the furniture back from the storage bin. Hopefully this week?

New Location for Shed

We spent another day getting the house ready to move things back inside.  Outside the shed had been moved to its new location away from the house. It used to sit behind the decorative block retaining wall in the center.  If you look closely at the bottom of that wall, one bright green top of the new septic tank is visible.

The Parrotia Persica had three of its lower branches cut off for the backhoe. I am very unhappy.  I will need to figure out how to balance the other side.

This is the view from the kitchen window, at the top left of the photo above.  Moving the shed has significantly improved the view so that the labyrinth garden is easily seen.  If you look closely at the base of the wall you can see the black cable wire that still needs to be reconnected.  Hopefully it will get done tomorrow.

Finally, the front of the house with four new bushes and one relocated shrub in place.  That is just the beginning of a new garden area. 

Burying the Green Monster

This morning the new fiberglass septic tank was lowered into a deep hole.  Fortunately it is all sand, so it was not difficult digging.  Here they are adjusting the tank to be sure it is level. 

After getting it in place, and the soil/sand was packed around it, they attached the line from the house to the first of three tanks.  Soon after they asked me to flush a toilet with toilet paper a couple of times.  They wanted to be sure the line was open.   It was.  Then the electricians put in all the electrical components. 

I stayed with the crew as they re-positioned the garden shed, and helped with regrading the soil.  We were almost done when the backhoe operator caught the electrical and cable wires and pulled them off the side of the house! Thankfully, no broken wires.  The guys working inside didn't know it had happened.

We left them waiting for the power company and drove back up to DC.  We wanted to arrive well before the curfew.  The electrical inspector needs to check the wiring, but that should complete all the major work on the house and allow the final inspection to be done.

Septic Tank Arrives

Arriving at the house today to work in the basement, we were surprised to see new lawn decorations.  The new septic tank sits waiting for installation behind a big backhoe loader.

The old tank will have to be broken apart and removed, then this new one will go into that location.  However it will need a much bigger hole!

Stationed near the edge of the ravine is a small backhoe. The shed used to sit behind the decorative concrete block wall, but has been moved out of the way.  It will eventually be put where the small backhoe is sitting.

We appreciate that Calvert County approved paying the cost of the tank by the Bay Restoration Fund.  Our property is in the Critical Area, within 1,000 feet of the Chesapeake Bay, so it is a top priority to reduce the amount of nitrogen going into the Bay.

Watering the new plants, I looked into one of the basement window wells and was surprised to discover this turtle sitting in the bottom.  It is big, I would guess about 14-15 inches long.  When I picked it up, it was definitely angry, opening its mouth wide and glaring at me.  So it is not surprising that it is an Eastern Snapping Turtle.  That is a new one for my list.   

Tree Planting

Most of the work over the Memorial Day weekend was in the basement.  We spent most of two days cleaning up the construction dust and debris.  There is still more to be done, but the laundry room and bathroom are usable.  So for the first time in seven months we could do laundry in the house. 

Yesterday we planted the new Acer Rubrum 'Brandywine' tree in front of the house.  It is on the left in this photo, with the stakes.  It will provide shade from the hot afternoon sun.  Curiously the new tree is already taller than the paperbark maple already in the ground for over 10 years.   Our plan is to dig that up and move it over closer to the sidewalk sometime in the autumn.

It is the end of the season for the peonies and iris, but a few are still blooming, along with the acanthus, chives, and penstemon. It has been a gift to be able to work in the garden and get my hands back in the dirt.

Close But Not Yet

Eight months ago, in September, this is the house we lived in for almost 20 years.  

 

This is the house now, with the new addition and front porch.

 

The changes inside have been dramatic also.  Here was the fireplace end of the Great Room.

Now the stairs to the basement have been opened with space for TV alcove.

The old kitchen;

and the new kitchen.

This was the sun porch with jalousie windows, 

which became the library with new windows overlooking the bay.

The 1960's bathroom

updated for another 60 years.

The office with drafty, large jalousie windows,

replaced by the new office.

The electrical and plumbing inspections were passed with no problems. However there is a stomach churning uncertainty the county may require a costly update of the septic system.  I will be having more sleepless nights until that gets settled.

Forbidden Entry!

We drove down to the house because I had someone coming for spiritual direction.  On the way down, our contractor sent a text message saying the final coat of polyurethane varnish on the floor is drying, and we could not walk on them.  Sure enough, each door had a note taped on it to stay off the floors until Monday.  Fortunately my office has porcelain tile floors, so I could meet with the person there.  But I did need to borrow two lawn chairs from a neighbor. 

We could see that the house number sign has been installed and the cedar applied to the pillars, which all looks good!  The house may get done in the next week, depending upon when the cable gets re-installed and the various inspections are done.

Getting Close to Finishing?

Today was the first day without rain this week, so we went to the house to begin catching up on the gardens.  The orange mesh fencing was the first thing taken down.  We no longer need it to protect the labyrinth.

The view from the garden to the front porch looks good.  The cedar planks are now on the pillars.

While we are in the garden, the second major project was replacing the large catch basin at the lower side of the labyrinth.  The three front downspouts now feed into a pipe that empties into this catch basin.  A large pipe goes through the berm under the juniper bushes, and out the other side and down the ravine.

When there are heavy rains, as in one of two inches an hour, a 2-4" sheet of water runs through the labyrinth.  Hopefully this catch basin will handle the flow.

Going inside, the bathroom is almost finished.  The cedar shelves have been installed along with the medicine cabinet. 

There have been varying problems with electrical switches in odd places, three way switches not working properly, and a couple of the fan switches not working.  I hope everything gets worked out soon.

We have ordered a house number sign online, and it is traveling from North Dakota on UPS as I write this.  We need it installed before the final inspection can be done.  But there are still lots of hook ups needed, such as the gas stove and the cable line.

Speaking of the stove, it is finally in place, even if the gas line is not connected.  The dishwasher is also installed and working.  We used the microwave today to warm up our lunch today, and it worked!  I need to move on to the next picture so you can see that.

David has wanted a drawer microwave so he doesn't lose counter space.  So there it is at the far end of the island. You can see the refrigerator is also installed, and working. 

You may see the top of the stove covered with dirt.  It was in the basement, and everything down there has a layer of fine dust.

Here is a view of the kitchen end of the Great Room, with the French Doors out to the Library, previously the Sun Porch.  The floors were stained and varnished two weeks ago.  This is just the first coat of polyurethane. 

Finally, a view the other direction with the media wall and fireplace.  See all the dust on the floor!  It is on the walls, window glass, and cabinets.  Everything will be thoroughly cleaned before we start moving back in.  Hopefully in a few weeks.

Hardwood Floors Almost Done

We have been staying away from the house so the hardwood floors could get done.  We received these photos from our contractor this morning.

This hardwood in the Great Room is original to the house, dating back to 1963.  It has been sanded stained, and has the first coat of polyurethane. 

The kitchen is all new hardwood.  You can see how well the old wood, in the front of the picture, and the new wood matches in look and color. 

They plan to apply the second coat of polyurethane today.  With the rain and humidity, it is unclear how long it will take to dry.  We had hoped to get down over the weekend to do garden work.  But that may have to wait.

Plumbing Done

This last week the plumber installed all of the fixtures.  In addition, the under-cabinet lights have been put in place.  So the kitchen is looking even more like we could use it.  Except, the hardwood floor needs to be sanded, stained, and finished.  That is scheduled to be done next week.  Then the stove, dishwasher and refrigerator can be put in place.

Even though the medicine cabinet is still missing, the bathroom is looking more useable.  This is the view through the guest bedroom pocket door. David picked the faucet for the vanity, a model called "The Wave."  Our contractor selected the toilet style, which has its own flair.

I won't bore you with multiple pictures to show the shower, Jacuzzi tub, cedar shelves.  You will just have to come and visit us.

Also, you will notice with all the pictures have some kind of construction tools or supplies. 

The built-in library wall is almost done.  If you knew where to look, you would see missing pieces on the trim.  Our contractor has had trouble getting certain kinds of finish quality wood trim.

The cedar planks stacked up on the floor are drying out before being installed on the pillars for the front porch.

In the Great Room, the media wall is looking even better now that the "living edge" cedar plank has been installed on the half-wall.  The cedar shelves in the component box are quite dramatic. 

The door on the right, with the unfinished sides, goes out to my office.  They will install it after most of the construction work is finished.

The double mantels are in place over the fireplace.  They were originally intended to be "live edge" like the one in front of the media wall.  But during the construction, the good edge was badly damaged. Rather than throw out the wood, we decided to revise the plan and have them squared off. 

The LP gas company has to come and do the final installation of the gas line to the fireplace, as well as the stove in the kitchen.  Then the fireplace company will finish installing the front trim.  It should be done in time for air conditioning season.

But the most exciting thing is that our water heater has finally been installed after having no hot water for five months.  Doesn't it look wonderful?

Tiles, Bookshelves and Office Door

The tilers have finished their work. They had started with the floor tile in the entrance hall, bathrooms, office and sun porch. Then moved on to the shower and bathtub. The backsplash for the kitchen was the last to be done, and looks great.  There is a surface texture for the kitchen tile which is visible in this photo.

At the same time the carpenter has been working on trim for all the windows as well as the recessed bookshelves that are built into the sun porch.  Maybe we will need to change our name for this room to "library?"  There will be adjustable bookshelves, and enough depth for really big books. I think I know the new home for my downsized collection of garden books.

But what I am most happy about is seeing the new office door installed.  The large window shows the view through the office to the Chesapeake Bay.  This will be a very welcoming entrance for people who are coming for spiritual direction. 

I look forward to seeing it finished with the trim and the indirect lighting up in the beams.