Hello Dear Readers!
I am back from a 9 Day whirlwind vacation.
We covered lots of sights and states and had a fabulous time.
When we returned, the house had really come along.
Our builder is in full steam ahead mode….
so today it’s a Hickory Cottage Update Part 2 and Vacation Tidbits.
But first let’s start off with a few vacation photos.
I will have more pretty photos to present at a later time.
I love this photo of the smaller falls at Niagra Falls taken with my iPhone.
Niagra Falls was actually our second stop of the trip.
We have been there before; however, our friends had not and it was great
spending the 4th of July there.
Of course when you are in Niagra Falls
you have to ride on the Maid of the Mist
and get totally wet even with the rain gear on!
Niagra Falls on the 4th of July
was a bit crowded;
however, ending the day with fireworks over the Falls was spectacular!
On our way from Niagra Falls to Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
we made a stop in South Williamsport, PA to see… what else . . . but
the Little League Baseball World Series complex!
My hubby and our friend(s)
who were traveling with us were like 2 boys
going back in time holding their baseball gloves
and then dreaming of someday
making it to this field/stadium: Howard J. Lamade.
What beautiful surroundings!
They never made it as kids, but it was a thrill to see these fields.
The staff was getting ready
for this year’s 2019 Little League World Series.
My hubby loved this planter!
We inquired about it and were told that it was custom made.
So he said to me, I know “we” can make this! O.K. Honey . . . 🙂
More vacay photos to come but for now, here is
Hickory Cottage Part 2
While we were away, the house got a roof and dormers!
I placed my sign that I purchased at a very cute shop
in Intercourse, PA for a photo op.
That shop sold decorative plaques and plaque holders.
80% of the artwork was done by the owner/artist
and the other 20% were from photographs
taken by her photographer daughter.
My plaque was from a photograph.
The owner/artist wrote Hickory Cottage on the sign. 🙂
(Her items are on-line if you are interested:
www.heritagegalleryoutdoorart.com)
When we went to the house the next day
and they were putting in the windows.
When we returned later that afternoon. . . it looked like this:
All but a few windows were installed, plus the front door!
The back of the house … sunroom with lots of windows.
There will be a cupola on the sunroom roof.
Another view of the back.
A look into the sunroom.
It does look like a vaulted ceiling; however, that is just the
roofline. We decided to change the screened porch to a sunroom after the fact,
so the engineering of the roof
as we would have had for the screened porch remains the same.
Not to worry, the ceiling in the sunroom will be pretty.
My builder (Reese Construction) will see to that.
Here is one end of the sunroom where the door will be.
Here is the foyer as you stand in the dining room.
You can see the frame of the door and one half of the actual door.
A look into the Master Bedroom and the kitchen
will be on the other side of the wall.
We are looking at the fireplace in the Great Room
with the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms with
their private baths in the foreground.
Here’s a peek into my Sweetie’s room.
So what did I do when I was in Lancaster County, PA? . . .
other than showing our friends who have never been there, the sights?
Looking for a birdhouse and cupolas!
I found a cupola that I loved and ordered it when we got home.
Actually ordered two.
And this spire to go on the top of it:
I found a birdhouse and will present it a later date
as it is still in the packing material.
It’s a beauty!
I hope you are having a great week.
I chose the bathroom fixtures yesterday
and going to the fireplace showroom on Friday.
I wish you all a most beautiful day and stay tuned this coming Monday
for Monday Morning Blooms!
Wow, Shirley, it’s really coming along! Can’t wait to see the finished product.
You two will have to come and visit when it is all done! Hopefully by October.
Oh Shirley things are really moving forward. I love all the windows and your front door is going to be a beauty. Your cupola is amazing love the sphere.
Love the name Hickory Cottage. I wanted to name our home but haven’t come up with a good name. Not as clever as you.
Cindy
Thanks Cindy…it was easy to name as Hickory is very appropriate where we are.
Oh, I love how the house is looking. That front door is fabulous. You better keep your window cleaner on retainer. 🙂
I have a resident window cleaner!
How fun to go to Niagara Falls! It’s been years since we’ve been there. Your house is coming along so nicely! Love the front door and seeing the windows. That back view with the sunroom is fabulous. That is a great room and I know you’ll spend a lot of time in it! Love the dormer windows and the cupola!
Thank you Liz!…Niagra Falls has certainly undergone much change in the park…more commercial…and there is even a casino within walking distance from the Falls.
How nice that the house is coming along so well. Glad you had a lovely vacation too.
Thanks so much…we are very excited over the progress.
How exciting for your husband to live out his childhood dream. Niagra looks beautiful. Always wanted to go there. Just love seeing the house progress. When’s the completion date?
Oh the house is going to be fabulous!!!! I am SOOOOO sorry I didn’t get to see you when you were in Lancaster!!!! I would have driven up for sure! I also was in Intercourse last week, I could have run into you!!!! I love The Candle Barn shop there. I’ll have to check out the sign shop, I would love a sign for out fr! Can’t believe I never saw the shop!!! r front door will be beautiful. You are so fortunate that you are able TOTALLY customize your new home.
WE were in Niagra ls when I was a child. I have an amazing story about that tripthe next time I see you.
Have a beautiful day, Shirley. Try to stay c. Oh and when I saw Tom with that planter I thought to myself, he is gonna want one of them for sure:):)
XO, Pinky
Thank you Pinky….you will love that shop!
You have to be so excited. I have been excited for you, and getting to admire the recent pictures brings the feeling to another height. Hickory Cottage is going to be lovely; I can already tell. My husband and I have had the privilege of watching our three homes built. It is so exciting to see your plans go from dream to reality. Just like you and your husband packed more treasures into your memory box while on vacation, you will keep filling it with more as the house progresses and becomes a memory making beautiful home. Thank you for sharing such a happy time in your life, Shirley. It brings a lot of joy to those who follow your adventures and creativity.
Aww, thank you so very much Sherry!!!!!
Going to be an awesome home! Can’t wait to see all the touches you will be putting on this lovely home. I just know it is going to be spectacular!
Thank you Peggy!
Are you in Barry’s path?
I’m so excited and happy for you! After all these months things are really gaining momentum. It’s a beautiful place. love love love the sunroom!
It took a while to get to this point, but worth it. It was due to all the changes we made to the plan. Thank you and have a great weekend!
Even at this stage, I am head-over-heels in love with your house! The arched front door will be such a beautiful tease as to what lies beyond. Your vaca sounds wonderful–I have never been to Niagara Falls. Of course, you know I live close to Lancaster County; Intercourse is just 45 minutes away. We go to The Kitchen Kettle several times each year–such a cute little enclave of shops. Pretty please tell me where you found your cupola as we will be having one custom-made for our retirement cottage, too, and yours looks very well-made. Can’t wait to see more photos of your home and vacation. Hugs!
Hi Bobbi! I so love Lancaster County…We purchased the cupolas through Copper Ridge Cupolas…you can find them on-line. The cupolas are by Royal Crowne and Copper Ridge is a distributor. Happy Weekend!
I remeber how exciting it was while our home was being built. We would visit every weekend to see the progress. We took a very good look around once the framing was in and found a couple of mistakes which were quicly corrected. We also took loads of pictures of the plumbing and electrical wiring before the drywall was done so we could tell later on where there were pipes and wires or not. Those pictures came in handy when we wanted to upgrade the kitchen lighting later on.
Good tips Chris….we are using the same builder that built our last home…so easy to work with. We go to the house (when we are in town) every day as we are renting a home about 1/2 mile away…so convenient. Happy Weekend!
YAY! It’s really starting to look like a home, Shirley!! I can’t wait to see it finished…I know it will be beautiful. xo Lidy
So happy the roof and windows are installed so the work on the inside is full steam ahead! Have a fabulous weekend Lidy!
Years ago our youngest son came home for Spring break with several classmates. One boy was from south Louisiana. He was amazed by the size of the Florida bayou behind our house. Louisiana bayous are not that large. He finally said it is called a bayou because it is by you house. Since then we have been ByU House.
Ha..love that story! Louisiana is in our thoughts and prayers! The “Florida Bayou” sounds wonderful…panhandle or North Central Florida?
How exciting to see all the progress on your home Shirley! Love those handsome front doors and cupola! Happy Weekend. ♥
Thank you Mary! Happy Weekend and see you on Monday!
What incredible progress on your home, Shirley! Your builder is in high gear. Love the front doors and all the windows. So happy you were able to take a vacation.
Thanks JoAnn!…nice to get away for a short while!
Shirley, your trip looks like lots of fun! The house is progressing really fast now, love the cupola and spire. Exciting things are happening at Hickory Cottage!
Thanks Pam..I am so excited to see those cupolas go up soon!