Roof!

Starting to see some Roof, looks like a good spot for some solar panels!

Our Visit to Ray Family Farms

We had a great day today!  We went to visit Ray Family Farms located in Louisburg, North Carolina.  As we've mentioned in previous posts, our builder, Chad Ray, also owns and operates his family farm.  They raise chickens, pigs and cows and also have horses as well as growing produce.  We had been meaning to go out and visit the farm ever since we met Chad and he told us about it.  As you know, we are very much interested in sustainable farming practices that refrain from using hormones, chemicals, and are environmentally responsible.

Today presented a great opportunity to visit the farm.  We had an appointment to meet Ms. Betty, Chad's mother, out at one of their parade homes to discuss the decking materials and she insisted we come by her home afterwards for lunch and then stop by the farm for a visit.  Ms. Betty fixed us a wonderful lunch of chicken salad sandwiches, chicken noodle soup and strawberry shortcake for dessert!  It was fabulous and we appreciate her hospitality!  After lunch it was off to the farm.

One of the first things you notice when you get out of your car is wonderfully colorful chickens roaming freely around the property.  They get fresh eggs daily from their chickens and Chad mentioned this morning, they had over 100 eggs!

Next we got to see all the pigs.  Chad raises a heritage breed of pig that was at one time near extinction.  They are also pasture raised and seemed very happy rolling around in the mud and sleeping in the shade while we were there today.

The first Friday of every month, the farm receives a shipment of 1 day old baby chicks.  We just happened to visit a day after this months shipment.  We got to see the baby chicks and hold them.  I actually held a baby chick for the first time today and so did Sara!  These chickens are the meat producers for the farm and they are raised for a total of 12 weeks before they are processed.  A typical commercially produced chicken you would buy in the grocery store are only raised for 39 days!  

We had a great time at Ray Family Farms today!  We want to thank Chad, Jodi and Ms. Betty for their hospitality.  You are all wonderfully generous and thoughtful people and we couldn't be happier or more thankful that you all came into our lives.  We are truly blessed to know you!

Framing!

They started framing the house this week!  Here are some pictures of their progress so far.  Looks like the first floor and basement are framed in and they were working on the second floor trusses yesterday.  It is so exciting to see the house start to take shape.  It won't be long now and we'll be picking out cabinets and designing the kitchen.  Can't wait!!

This picture is looking at the back of the house from the basement level.  There will be a screened in porch off the first level on the back of the house.

 Back of the house looking towards the back of the single car garage and office/study area.

 Front of the house looking at the dining room and entry.

3 Car garage area

We will post more pics as it progresses further!  Have a good weekend!

Concrete has been poured.

Garage and Basement now have concrete floor, getting close to framing time!

Ready for concrete!

Hold off rain, the concrete is on it's way tomorrow!!!

Waterproofing!

I feel like it's been forever since I posted an update on the house, but there hasn't been a lot of 'visible' changes.  They've been doing a lot of work, but it's not like framing that you can see.  They have been working on the waterproofing of the basement; an important part of the process, no doubt, but not exciting to look at like framing or siding or kitchen design would be (well, to me anyway ;-)  Here are some updated pictures of what's been going on in the past week or so out at the house.

Here's a good picture showing the water proofing around the house near where the garage will be.

Sara and Brian scaling the wall near the back of the house. 

Brian showing Sara that it's a long way down!  14-15 feet to be exact!

Here's the back side of the basement where the walk out patio will be.  More waterproofing...

According to Chad, they will be back filling this week, taking out the additional trees we need removed for our "Solar Farm" (as I like to call it), roughing in the plumbing in the basement and pouring the basement floor and garage floors.  I don't know if all of that will get done this week, but that's what's on the agenda.  The engineered joists have been ordered and should be delivered in the next week or so.  Then, they can start framing!  Yay!  Can't wait to see some structure above ground :-) 

Kitchen Ideas!

Since we'll need to start making decisions about the kitchen once the house is framed, I thought I had better start getting some of my ideas down on paper...or on the blog.  I think for this new kitchen I really want to go simple.  Shaker style cabinetry, probably white for most of the cabinets with a dark island.  Something like this picture below.  This is kind of the style that we had in mind.

I love the style of these cabinets, simple yet stylish.  I also love that the cabinets aren't all matchy-matchy with the island cabinetry.  The color of the wood floors in this picture is also nice.  Not sure about the lights over the island.  I don't want it to look too "industrial", but we are planning on stainless appliances and probably brushed nickel or stainless faucets, etc.

The original plans called for an island like this one.  But we think we would like a large rectangular island with bar stool seating down one side and plenty of storage in it instead.

Love how they incorporated wine storage and a wine cooler into this island.  I think I might like something like this in the end of my island that faces the dining room/eating area.

Some storage for cook books on the other end would probably be a good idea since this kitchen won't have a desk area in it like our current kitchen has, which is where I store them now.

I can think of lots of uses for the end of an island like this!  Cookbooks, glasses, decanters, etc.

Are there things in your kitchen you would never be able to do without?  What are some things that you love about your kitchen or hate about your kitchen?  Do you have special storage for things like a stand mixer or other small appliances?  If you have any suggestions, I welcome them!!