Life's a Garden

When we bought our place, the garage was leaking from everywhere. The first line of business was a new roof, which we put on in September of 2014. We recently finished installing drain tile and re-grading around the foundation which wrapped up all of our leakage issues! Here are photos from the project:


Always have to start these off with a before pic! Here is the garage on day one. There were rotten railroad ties stacked next to the foundation and the grade was directing water right into the unsealed blocks of the garage.


Digging around the foundation

While we had an excavator at our house, we also dug lines from the house to the garage for two water hydrants (one at front of garage and one at back for chicken coop)

All opened up!


We tarred and parged the foundation to seal it up.

Hydrants installed. While we were at it, we put a water line to the inside of the garage for a sink (YAY!)

Drain tile added, and dirt pushed back in place. Re-graded to prevent further leakage.

Opposite side of garage. While this side wasn't leaking, we were proactive and installed a swale to prevent future issues.

All done! It always feels good to check another thing off the list :)

Cooped Up

I have a few updates to share with you, the first being that the chicken coop is just about finished! It has been a long but rewarding process so far.

The bottom half of the door Jeremy built

The top door we designed has welded wire mesh to keep the coop well ventilated. We decided on a two part door so I could open the top door to check on the girls without risking letting them loose.

Finished product with doors stained and installed

Another view

Daphne approves! (See her perched on top of the roof?)

Before and after!

These photos don't show the adorable handle I bought that has since been installed on the bottom door - I will update with photos of that soon! Next up is laying a "foundation" of pavers for the coop to sit on and constructing the run.

Moving On Up

We demo'ed most of the upstairs a little while ago but I haven't got around to snapping any photos for you guys to see until now. They aren't very exciting -- but hey, it's progress!

View as you ascend the stairs. Doorway to the left enters into the newer addition of the house.

Upstairs south view. Stove pipe to the right is coming out. Wall to the left of what is remaining of the bathroom.

View of the lower and upper staircases. Attic staircase is coming out along with the entire attic.

The doorway to the left behind the stovepipe will be the new entrance to the bathroom/laundry room. The log room will be the bedroom.