The Hardest Push…
It’s been quite a summer so far. We hope you managed to collect some sweet summer moments and had the chance to slow down and take it all in.
House project is coming along and hopefully the end of September will be looking more like moving in month. Still a lot of work to be done.
For some of you, who are just now checking in, this is our personal blog where we write updates on our house project for our own sake of keeping a memory of the process with a bits of our life on the Orcas Island. After we made the dedication to move to this amazing island, we had a lot of questions from our friends and family, so we decided to create this platform to keep in touch and give a little insight in to our new beginnings as islanders. We are definitely far from “locals” just yet, some say, it takes 30 years to become one, or - three generations to make it count, but we sure love it here so very much and every day, very grateful.
We have been continuing to push our project along. The current markets for subcontractors and materials are something we have been seen before. People are too busy, materials are scarce and this makes getting our project done an even bigger challenge!
We were able to secure an insulation contractor to install rigid spray foam throughout our walls and ceilings, we didn't need any floor insulation, because that was complete under our concrete floors earlier on in the project. The spray foam is a really messy event, we had to mask off EVERYTHING that we didn't want to get a mist of foam on. We got it done.
After our insulation inspections were completed we stocked drywall, our supplier from the mainland brought in a crane truck to lift the material up and thru the easiest path into the home (windows). We had the weather on our side, which made the drying of the drywall much quicker. We opted for a smooth wall finish which takes a little more labor, but looks so good when complete. We love our white walls that contrast so well with the black windows and concrete floors...and just about any color of furniture works as well.
Now, that we are painted out on the interior we are floating the upper floors with a light weight concrete for the heated tubes that encapsulates the tubing and transfers the heat. Warm floors are the best.
We are now working on exterior systems, the septic, the water systems, and the power. Basically, the site has looked like an action movie set, there are trenches everywhere! While this show is going on outside, we are cleaning up the interior and beginning to install the electrical trims and millwork. This is the time that you really can begin to see the project coming together! The masking is off the windows, which have been covered for about 6 weeks, and the views are great.
Next steps are cabinet and ceiling panel installation. A bit of a hiccup while waiting for the containers to arrive in Seattle port from Europe. Should be here this week and the interior will come to life.
Meanwhile, we have spent the end of June and July in Latvia, (Evan managed to visit for two weeks) in our sweet little home in the forest by the Baltic Sea. Travel is defiantly very time consuming and in times hard, but we make it work. And since now we live on the island, we get to travel by land, water and air to get to our final destination. By now, kids are professional travelers and know the drill, the ins and outs.
Our sweet home in Latvia we built last year.
Lots of days spent on our special place on the Baltic seaside with our friends and family.
Never missed a sunset and managed to find our first ambers.
Visited most charming town Kuldiga and of course Riga...ah Riga!
This might be the only picture with Charlie wearing his shoes during the trip to Latvia. And he took them off as soon as we got back to Orcas Island.
Back on Orcas island, we have done a lot of farming, gardening and Charlie has started his chicken egg business. While he is not working on he job site in Deer Harbor, he is very much in to taking the best care of his chickens.
Our garden had truly exploded while we were gone. Very grateful for our dear friends Patty and Dave, who kept it in order and made sure the garden is watered and chickens are feed. There was a lot of screaming from excitement to see the garden we started from seeds can flourish in to something so amazing. Ella couldn't believe her sunflower is over double her size now.
Digging for gold!
Also, we have done some crabbing, some days up to ten crabs in pots and some days have nothing. Lots of harvesting and cooking vegetables from the garden. Growing our own food has been the best experience, lots of learning and experimenting.
Once we move in to our final new home in Deer Harbor, it will be our forth home in the past year, since we sold Bellevue house. Its sure has been a ride, but an amazing one. Every day is an adventure on Orcas Island. We can’t imagine life back in the city. Every day is full of outdoors, work at the farm, work on our house, work on our Barefoot Park project and a future farm house. No time to watch news or get in to heated conversations about Covid and all the “ifs” and “whats”. LIFE IS HERE AND NOW.
Best wishes from us.
P.S. Charlie is selling fresh farm eggs, if you happen to visit island, please come find him. ;)