Secret Window

posted by Helen

Triangle Window

We've received a lot of positive feedback about how well the new garage blends in with the house. What the average passerby doesn't know is that there is a secret triangle window on the side of the new building that overlooks the courtyard in the back. It is a companion piece to the original triangle window in our sitting room. We couldn't be happier with how it has turned out.

Stacked Wood Construction

posted by Helen

Stacked Wood Construction

The breezeway was finished last week. During the process, the carpenters removed some clapboard on the original house, revealing the underlying stacked wood construction.

Stacked wood construction appears to take the principles of log cabin building and apply them to "modern" building materiels. This is essentially piling up 2-by-4 pieces of wood (the narrow way) for as high as you need to go. A testament to the abundance of wood in Vermont when the house was built.

When we bought it, we were told the house was built in 1880. It is on the national register of historic places, but then so are most of the houses in the village. At the closing, our title lawyer produced an impressive document wrapped in red ribbon and gold seals. I'm not sure what its significance was, apart from clearing up some minor lien issue, and we have not seen it since that day.

Our neighbor, J.P. Soule down at the other end Main Street told us that he saw our house on a village map dated in the 1780s. Furthermore, he asserted that our house was the first house built in Quechee and the only remaining one built with stacked wood. I don't know how true those things may be. It's one of those things I should research.

Ode to the Camry

posted by Helen

The Ubiquitous 1990 Toyota Camry

Have you noticed that you cannot get in a car and drive anywhere without seeing at least one Toyota Camry of early 1990s vintage?

I thought it might be a New England phenomenon, but I've had the same experience all over the country. It certainly affected my decision to buy a Toyota last year. I figured those guys sure can make a car that lasts.

The car pictured above belongs to my sister and has well over 200,000 miles on it. She will be very sad the day she has to give it up. I can see why. I've driven it and it's a sweet ride. Not such a great looker, unless you're a fan, but nice.

Garage update

posted by Helen

I've been meaning to post a series of photos of the garage/office project in the Photos section, but I just haven't gotten around to it. I've been too lazy to select and re-size all the photos.

The project is coming along quite nicely. The builder has worked hard to make sure it looks well with the house. I would give him a link here, but he doesn't seem to have a web site. They have lavished quite a bit of attention on the trim and it has paid off. That and Dave's brilliant site selection have turned the tide of public opinion on what now appears to be the Little Yellow Compound.

August 5, 2001

posted by Helen

Murphy Farm, Quechee, Vermont

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary. We joke that since we work together (and therefore spend twice as much time together as any other couple) that each year should count twice.

We were married at Murphy Farm on the edge of Lake Pinneo right here in Quechee. It was a beautiful summer day, one of many that year. For a week or so prior to the wedding, Dave's siblings and their families came to stay. It was a warm, wonderful time and I felt very lucky to be joining such a great family.