BACK IN CORNING AND...SNOW!

ELEVEN WEEKS ABSENT, I am back in my little house. Daniel has done quite a bit of work; strengthening the roofing timbers above the breakfast area, preparatory to removing what was left of the dividing (load-bearing) wall, and repairing all but a little of the dry-walling in this area and the bedroom. You may recall that I had removed all the dry-wall from off this partition. So now a commodious space reaches from the twin French doors to the South, opening onto the deck, to the large window looking northwards onto the front garden and the street.

I am writing this post in this new space and attest that it makes a huge, almost unimaginable, difference to the experience of the house. I begin to hear the house whispering to me about the possibilities around a minor kitchen area remodel and how to populate the eating area while preserving the sense of spaciousness.

The revised heating system is working well and easily maintains the interior at 65 deg. F in either level as required. I discovered that my less than completely efficient furnace (84% vs. 95%) heats the utility room to about 90 deg. F. This room is partly under the kitchen area so, last night, I installed a vent in the floor connecting the two spaces. Now warm air flows into the upper area. I consider this a fairly smart move that partially recovers the loss of efficiency I accepted in the choice of boiler.

And just as well...after a record breaking spell of warm weather through the Fall, the forecast for the past three days has been for low temperatures and perhaps 4 - 8 inches accumulation. About an inch of snow eventuated but the temperature fell from just above freezing to 12 deg. F (-11 deg. C) when I was clearing the deck and front paths this morning. As I was so engaged, the sun rose to begin a fine day. I think the threat of heavy snow fall has passed. As I edit this post, at 8 PM, the night temperature is expected to fall to 6 deg. F (about -19 C). I have rejigged the programing so the house will run a little cooler, so it will be snuggle up tight in bed tonight! At least the cold has frozen the muddy backyard.

As I began this post, Richard (one of Daniel's subbies) arrived to complete the dry-wall work. Mid-week, or a little later, this will all be complete and what remains is painting both rooms. I propose initially to complete the upper bedroom, first the painting, then the installation of the floating laminate floor, and finally finishing out the framing of the doors. Then I will be able to move my bed up from the lower level and begin to enjoy this new space. So a week or so of work there.

I have missed my house so much and it is grand to be back. I am especially pleased with the way the winter sun reaches far into these new, enlarged spaces, traversing from one side to the other as the day unfolds. Below the deck, work remains in the sun room. This needs to be insulated and lined, likely to be complete in February. At that stage, Ray will attach the thermostat for the radiant floor and commission that zone. I have a little work to do in the adjoining laundry area, setting up a workbench. Here I plan to make at least some of the furniture for my evolving home. High Ho...its off to work we go!