Camping in a Cabin

Memorial Weekend has become an annual gathering time for family.  This year was a special time as my dad's sister, Katherine, from Arizona was able to make her first visit to our property.  We'd hoped to have the cabins completed for this weekend, but still got to camp out in the guest cabin.  Mike made great efforts to have things as ready as possible.  We were feeling the luxury...running hot water and a "water potty" as our 2 year old nephew cheerfully exclaimed (that was after concern about using the composting toilets we've used for years at Dad's barn).  We slept on the floor, used camp chairs, and had the most wonderful time.  Jeff and Lynne organized a huge group photo on the porch in honor of Daddy's 80th birthday!  A surprise guest even arrived:  our son drove 12+ hours to celebrate with us.  Mark and I were thrilled to have most of our family members (his and mine) to share in our first sleep-over in the Hamilton Cabin.

The Kitchen Takes Shape

Terry, Barry, and Smiley (aka: John) took a break from door making in order to create the cabinetry.  They are building the interior box of regular new cabinet-grade birch and then facing the visible areas with a slice of barn wood.  The beautiful farm sink is in place by the window.  With that view, dish washing is sure to be a pleasure!  They found the bottom log to be 3/8" too wide for the last cabinet on that wall.  Barry borrowed Mike's chainsaw and took care of it.  I was worried when he applied the blade to the logs, but Terry assured me he'd done chainsaw carvings and was a whiz with one.  Sure enough, just enough of the log was removed allowing the cabinet to slide perfectly into place. 

Then there was the unveiling of a surprise they brought me...using a photo I had given them, they fabricated a hammered copper and steel vent hood cover.  It is beautiful!  These three are from Mississippi and knew they'd not be able to complete the installation of all the cabinets in one day so they brought camping gear and camped in the cabin.  Cooking pork chops and 5# of potatoes, they ate royally and then pulled out their instruments, playing into the night on the porch. 

Is this the Moon?

It must be our meadow because I am below the cabins...but it does not look like the meadow I have walked around a bizillion times.  Every time I am at the Glen I love walking the circumference of this meadow.  It is formed by the curving creek at its longest edge and the bluff overlooking the Buffalo at the short bottom edge.  I now stood looking at the entire surface skim-coated with inches of fresh mud.  Ironically, I have complained that the meadow needed leveling many times.  Not exactly the method for leveling I had in mind, but the same result.  So, grateful for a clean, smooth slate, I purchased grass seed for our blank canvas.  Waiting two weeks, the mud seemed dry enough to walk on.  Well, dry enough in most areas, but pushing the broadcast spreader full of seed, I encountered some tricky patches.  Fearing it would suck me in, I began to run with my "Scott's SpeedyGreen" bouncing around in front of me; slinging seed haphazardly.  Perhaps I will photograph the view when my swaths of strewn seed sprout in creative patterns.  Then again, perhaps not...my reputation as a gardener may be in jeopardy.

The Thousand-Year Flood

 

Robert, Leroy, and Tina took four-wheelers ahead of us to determine if our van could get through the receding flood waters.  It had been two days since the flood of the "millennium", but the Buffalo was still above its normal flow.  We had to back track and come in on the ridge road, but were able to leave late in the afternoon by the river road. 

Daddy and I were primarily on a mission to take in food to our neighbors who had lost everything in the flooding.  Their property is close to the river and was engulfed.  Thankfully, my parent's bunk house provided them safe, dry lodging.  We saw the river community coming together to help each other with provisions and clean up help.  It was heartwarming to witness!

Our guest cabin, though above the 100 year floodplain, was filled with twelve inches of flood water.  If you were to stand at the cabin and look at the distance - both how far away and how far down the river is from there, you'd be astounded the water could possibly reach that point.  We are so thankful that the flooring had been delayed!  In addition, the power had been shut down, so the air-conditioning equipment got wet, but did not short out.  At church I'd made many flood buckets over the years to be sent to various disaster locations.  I now made one for myself, taking it along.  Thankfully, the water that had gone into the Hamilton cabin left almost nothing behind.  A little sweeping was not really necessary, but seemed like the least I could do!

Does it bring out the white in my t-shirt?

What a great surprise greeted me today.  The guys have been selecting pieces of barn wood with exceptional character to place strategically in the main cabin.  A hint of red, green, and particularly heavy-grained planks can be found to my joy.  Matthew joked with me asking, "Does it bring out the white in my t-shirt?" Too funny!

Homeward Bound

Farewell to Remy and Andriel...thank you for a lively week with the cabin full of your music.  South Florida met Tennessee...what fun!  It appeared that everyone got along well, enjoyed the change in the workplace, and all involved were genuinely appreciative of each others creativity and skill. 

Hand Crafted

       My dream for the master bath shower began in Bozeman upon viewing the most glorious hand made tiles fashioned by Amber.  She created a color "Shepherd Green" that took my breath away.  Capturing the glory of moss on the forest rocks, a theme was underway.  I was about to give up hope of using them because my limited brain thought the entire shower would have to be covered with the tiles and it would be too costly.  Remy suggested if I purchased 25 square feet, he would make some magic.  So with travertine and Amber's green tiles, Remy set out three patterns for me to look at.  Sadly, I didn't snap a photo before the patterns were removed, so you'll have to hope I chose wisely.  Even the ceiling has a touch of innovation as the herringbone design of the tiles is mirrored in the travertine.  I have to say that when Remy said he would CUT the tiles, I snatched them away in horror, "What, CUT the beautiful tiles?"  Assuring me, I consented and then left for the next five days.  Returning to this sight, all fears were gone, and once again I knew I could trust Remy, the master.  

What was that past entry about the true project manager?  The one where the cross was shadowed in the fireplace?  Oh yes, the Master is creating a place of His glory through the hands of His artisans.  

May He ever be praised.