Yes indeed folks, I am yet again combining a couple weeks into a single post. This update will cover Weeks 15 & 16 – which comprises October 24th to November 6th. The main reasons are the same – slow progress due to weather and shortages that have been the bane of the projects’ ability to progress.
It’s been very wet, cold, and windy, followed by now heavy morning frost. Anyone in Massachusetts knows that this month can be very variable indeed. I guess we’re lucky no accumulating snow has happened yet (but we have seen the first few flakes flying).
The work here still in these two weeks is focused on the patio – but I thought that first I’d share a picture of the deck at night with the solar caps all lit – my neighbor claims aircraft will be coming in to land!
One of the wind-driven rain storms came in from the normal front of the house and hit from the back – where all the trees are. It was a mess, but I cleaned up early before Evandro’s guys came to pull off the forms.
Then, they added a screed on the walls and let that set.
At the end of the day on October 28th, this was where we were with long shadows hitting the yard.
No work continued until November 1st. And then it moved onto coloring the walls with releasing agent (a first step anyways) and digging (by hand) the gas line.
Meanwhile, Evandro began his color applications and shaping.
He did the same with the fire pit wall.
After this, the weather was lousy the rest of the week. And then it got cold before it got rainy again.
So, not much to show for two weeks. The good news is that this week will hopefully start going a bit gangbusters – there were window and door deliveries, gas line materials are here, and Evandro should finish up soon outside the garage. Stay tuned and I hope that there is more to share at week’s end.
And, for you hobbyists followers out there, I should have a few more posts to share on some small projects I have done in preparation for gaming this weekend with friends in Maryland and at Historicon. There have been some changes in plans – I’ll share soon.
Mark A. Morin 
Wow mate you are really racing against the weather!! The boys are certainly doing a Stirling job, can you please explain the releasing agent that Evandro is applying as it looks interesting. Funny thing is we have had our last frost so I’m flat out getting the vegetable an seeing to the orchard and you are starting to get some yourself ,fingers crossed, I hope the weather is favorable so your crews can get this great job done soon.
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Hi Pat – yes, winter is coming which is frustrating. The releasing agent allows for coloring and easier working of the concrete with regards to stamping tools – here is the website link if you are interested: https://globmarble.com/stamped-concrete-colored-powder-release-pail.html
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Thanks Mark I’ll be checking it out today as it’s raining here so the building plans are on hold 😡.
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The quality of the work looks excellent Mark but I can understand your frustration with progess and delayed deliveries. Hopefully the weather will hold to enable more to get done. 🤞
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Agree Dave, no question on the quality! Looks sunny this week up to Friday so we’ll see.
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Any progress is good progress Mark, especially when battling against the elements. I found taking every small completion as a win helps, rather than looking at the project as a whole
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You are correct and that’s a good outlook. When the weather is finally good and nothing is going on, that’s when I hear more from my wife who is increasingly taking her frustrations to me.
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That is coming along nicely Mark. Looks pretty chilly there. We are still above freezing here- yet to have a frost.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Cheers Pete!
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Still progressing in the breaks in the weather and at least more supplies have arrived! 🙂
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Slooowwwly
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Looking good man. That frost on the lawn makes it look like fake grass haha. Is that a golf flag I spy in the background?
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Every morning it’s likely we get frost until the air gets so cold there’s no more moisture to cause it. Yes, that is a golf flagstick from my old course that closed two years ago. It’s a nice memento.
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Progress is always good, especially with how it is going to get cold soon. Are you racing against the clock at all to get this finished? It has surprised me moving to Chicago from Cincinnati but I’ve noticed that construction doesn’t really slow down even when it gets fairly cold here which makes me feel for people doing that kind of work. They’re tougher than I am!
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The race is to get the building closed up, the asphalt put down (so I get my driveway back), and the pavers in. All else can be done in the cold – but it’s been a long trek. Some things weather affects for sure, like asphalt and concrete.
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The fact that things are moving forward with quality work is a real bonus. we are stkill waiting for our block to title before we can even start building!
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