Making up for Lost Time

It has been literally years since posting to this blog -- apologies! And much has happened.

As for the Duncan Cabin that was being rebuilt, it is done, and it is wonderful! It has the comfort and security of a new cabin, yet with most of the wall logs reused from over 100 years ago.

You'll have to come see it some time.

WINTER DEVELOPMENTS AT GC

What an odd winter this has been!

When we contracted to have the Duncan Cabin rebuilt we told the builders that they had better get things buttoned up by the end of October because that is when the snow typically starts to fly. When they started to work about that time, they smiled at us when we showed skepticism. A month later, with no snow on the ground, the teasing started in earnest. December and January passed, the cabin had made substantial progress, and the teasing continued…. "Sure it snows here…"

February more than made up for it, setting records for snowfall. We went from a year well below average for snowfall to a year well above average, in one short month.

Here are some photos of the progress on the cabin.

Rebuilding the Duncan Cabin

We are fascinated with the history of Glencanaan. We love that it HAS a history! It is common that we find reminders that homesteaders have occupied this place for well over a century. One of the more obvious reminders is the log cabin. Bob Duncan, who grew up on this property about 70 years ago, tells us that his grandfather built the cabin in the late 1800's.

Several years ago we had a heavy snow year and the roof collapsed. We hoped to repair the roof and the rest of the cabin ourselves, but quickly realized that it required more skill, patience and equipment than we possessed.

Last week the crew started the complete rebuilding of the cabin. The first step is to un-build it. After thoroughly cleaning the logs, each log was labeled, removed and stacked. Right now they are excavating for a full foundation.

Stay tuned for more news!

100%!

An eventful day! Our Woodinville home went on the market on April 1 and we got an offer the first day. On April 2 we accepted the offer.

That means that we are now 100% at Glencanaan!

Lots of Action; New Pole Barn

What a busy month this has been, and it isn't over yet!

We have had a non-stop stream of welcome visitors recently. The Spring family reunion, the Reeves, the Jennings, the Anackers, and more. 

In addition, the work started on our new pole barn/tractor shed. We are so excited!

Summer Update

It has been an eventful summer and early fall since our last entry. We have begun in earnest to make this our full-time home. As a guesstimate, we are saying that we spend about 70% of our time here. It is reassuring to report that the more time we spend time here the more we love it and the the harder it is to leave! Each trip over we bring a few more items that both lessens the intensity of the move and at the same time makes the Lodge feel more and more homey.

The summer was a good one with warm sunny days and cool evenings. The garden has produced well, and we have been blessed with a stream of welcome visitors. Our eight chickens have settled in quite nicely. The older hen that we brought over from our home "on the other side" laid eggs for a few weeks. Not long after she stopped the younger hens started laying. One of the hens, however, turned out to be a rooster. After attacking several neighbors and Nancy, he is on probation. As one of our neighbors put it, "just show him the stew pot, that'll straighten him out." We started an informal neighborhood co-op around the coop. We tell the neighbors to come on by, bring your vegetable scraps, toss them some chicken scratch, and help yourself to some eggs. Three royal ladies do so regularly, which we love. We are currently getting about 5 eggs a day.

One of Nancy's favorite summer projects (and there were many) was creating The Spring Garden Room. Named not after the season but her maiden name, it is dedicated to the ever-growing number of our family that has passed on, and in particular her parents who used to use the room as their bedroom during their many visits.

At present it is disconcerting to see the smoke in the air and even the flames in the trees due to a wildfire only a few miles upstream. Our risk of fire is quite low, for which we are thankful.

Summer Fun and Activities

It was a little late, but summer has finally arrived at Glencanaan. The weather has changed from moderate temperatures and frequent rain to rather warm. Yesterday was in the 80's and today is on its way to 90. The gardens have responded with numerous flowers and harvesting out of the vegetable garden already.

We have also had several great hikes already this year as well. Yesterday it was with the "outdoors girls" Elisa, Ruth and Sky hiking to Colchuck Lake. They called it a perfect hike.