Call it "Complete"

All that is left is the landscaping.  Many are to be thanked for this project.  From idea and inspiration to creation and completion - Shepherd's Glen is a beautiful culmination of everyone's talents and gifts.  Thank you to the long list of individuals to whom we extend our appreciation. 

Our desire was to create a place of refuge where one could enjoy the pristine beauty of creation. Our structure was intended to honor the land with minimal impact; looking like it has been in place for a hundred years. Using reclaimed wood and alternative energy, we hoped to remain good stewards of the gift the land is to us and our heirs.

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." Psalm 24:1

Window Seat Cushions

DCF in Tupelo made the perfectly fitting window seat cushions (note the "Shepherd's Glen" monogrammed pillow) in which Lauren slept for her first weekend home in nine months.  She declared the best spot in the cabin is the window seat!  It is hard to argue with the fall colors in glorious splendor outside the huge expanse of glass.  What joy to share this great place with friends and family.

Dustin the Woodcarver

 Dustin and Janet are neighbors.  They rode their bicycles over with baby Esther in a backpack carrier to view Dustin's handiwork newly residing in the cabin.  We commissioned Dustin to carve stools for the kitchen counter.  He suggested a "goblet" style using a whole log of poplar for the three stools.  They perched on the beautiful stools for snacktime with Mark while Esther slept on Devin's bed. 

New Tenants

A trip to our attic unearthed long-forgotten friends packed away.  Invited out, they have all bathed and clamored into the dresser drawers being taken up to the Glen.  Sweet happy faces ready to grace the kid's loft in the cabin.  Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy, Madeline, Floppy Puppy, Lambie and Teddy Bears are all looking forward to new adventures at Shepherd's Glen.

Loving Tears...

In our family, when you cry because you are so happy or because you are overwhelmed with love and gratitude, we call it having "loving tears".  Labor Day weekend brought many opportunities for loving tears to fill my eyes as we moved the first load of furniture, kitchen items, and towels into the main cabin.   I went up a day ahead to clean rafters to floor.  Grandpa and Grandma Shepherd arrived Friday afternoon with inflatable beds, blankets, quilts (of course!), a lovely porch swing, and a cooler full of food.  She was the cupboard and drawer scrubber.  Mark and Devin arrived for the dinner meal with the pots and pans.  Scott, Greg, and Ryan came on Saturday.  We had a wonderful time together getting the few things settled and sharing meals, laughter, and work.  Very few items remain until we can call it completed. 

After two years of construction, it was surreal to actually be living in the cabin.  What a great gift it is.  Here are some glimpses of the weekend...

Antique linens from Grandma Shepherd's cedar chest.

Devin slept in the window seat.

Finally got to enjoy the tub!Grilled burgers and s'mores on the porch.

Cousin Greg was home from college.

Portable table and tripod camp chairs.

Grandpa and Montana enjoying the gathering room. 

Scott and Ryan sharing conversation, laughter, and a glass of milk!

Bookshelves

Barry and Smiley installed the bookshelves in the gathering room and in the writer's room.  This completes the cabinetry for both cabins.  The lower portion is made from reclaimed oak and poplar.  Poplar is the inset wood.  The contrast is beautiful.  After all this time, Mike was mentioning at lunch a few weeks ago that we lacked a bit of lumber for the final touches.  Rickey, in between bites of his sandwich, said "Well, you could get some at my farm.  There are a couple of old homesteads with wide planks of poplar."  We all laughed that only now he mentioned this wood.  So to Gooch Holler they went to secure the final wood.  It turned out to be wonderful.  Better late than never!

Backsplash

The backsplash completes the cooking area of the kitchen!  All that remains is the refrigerator.  That is waiting for a moving van to move porch furniture and sofas at the same time.  As Labor Day weekend approaches, I am packing cleaning supplies, cook and dishware, linens, food, and a bundle of excitement for our first weekend spent in the main cabin.  There will still be some "camping" as the bed mattresses and some major furniture items are still lacking.  Undaunted, we'll be there on our backpacking pads!