September 12, 2008—We are topped with corrugated

Here is a closer view of the courtyard arbor from underneath.

I am strongly leaning towards grapes because I think it would be so cool to have a bench under a grape arbor here. Also, a grape vine can be pruned so it has just one trunk, like a tree, whereas other vines will form a barrier between the sidewalk and the rest of the courtyard. I think you want to be able to sit in the shade and look out, but maybe the tunnel effect would be pleasant too.

Jim is a little concerned about yellow jackets around the grapes, but I am not sure that will be a problem. Anyway, I am still mulling the issue over.

Kai and two of his brothers finished up the steel on the veranda as well today. The light fixtures look great hanging under it.

I got the “oxidized” finish on them because we will need to coat the steel with something to make it brown—as per the County code. However, I don’t think we will have to do the underside, so maybe I should have gotten the “shiny” finish instead. Oh well.

Surprisingly, this roof does not seem to affect the light in the kitchen-family room at all. I guess that it is high enough so it doesn’t shade the room.

How cool is that! With our clerestory latilla shades and the carved columns, I think this veranda just turned out excellently.

Here is a view from straight on. I took it almost from the “Teeth,” the rocks at the top of the cliff. I am so happy we have a yard next to the veranda too. I am not sure what we will do with it, but I imagine it will fill itself in sooner or later.

I have realized what a huge job building the vegetable beds I have planned uphill from the carport will be. We have so much to do this fall and winter and I am not sure we will be able to get them made in time to start our vegetable garden in the spring. I decided that if it gets too late and we are too far behind, I will get some soil and make temporary beds out here and by the living room for a small garden the first year. At least, we will grow some decent tomatoes and basil.

Here is a view from the east end including the downspout from the kitchen-family-room-master-bedroom wing.

The electricians were supposed to start installing the solar panels today, but the special screws for that turned up missing from the box of supplies, so I think they plan to start Monday instead.

I had some great pix of Kai and his brothers working on the roof, but I had hit some button on my camera by mistake, so they were all taken in almost black and white with just some touches of color.

I have used Photoshop to make an arty, posterized version of one the photos. Here is Darren working on the veranda roof.

When I think that you can do this in two seconds with Photoshop—something that one used to have to be brilliant in the darkroom to achieve—I feel a little sad, but also amazed at what computers can do. (Plus this would have been a great picture if the color hadn’t gotten messed up.)

I took this picture from the family room to show how the kitchen is shaping up with the range hood garland. I still need to do some touch-up on it before it can be waxed.

Every day, we are getting closer to a final inspection from the County and moving in.

One final shot of our front porch, gate open, roof on and Ginger’s dog blanket in place. Even with only the gravel in, the courtyard looks inviting, doesn’t it?
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