Ch-ch-ch-changes

I keep thinking of David Bowie's song, "Changes". This week has certainly been a week of changes. From a personal perspective, I have had my own changes. I am no longer employed by Offsetters. Instead, I have taken a full-time role as construction cook, and household Chief Operating Officer. The pay is not great but the benefits are amazing. I now actually get to be part of building the dream.


While I spent a week in Vancouver revisiting good friends and ending my employment, life in Sutton did not slow down. The coolest change was the siding on the west wall. It is going to look amazing. I can't wait to see more of it. In person, you really get a sense of what the overall look will be.

The main concern last week was the roof. Gilles found someone who will be able to put the metal roof on. It is quite technical and quite dangerous to be so high. They came towards the end of the week and got to work right away. So, far most of the membrane is on. This week, they should get the metal roofing on and the house should stay dry.

Open tread Stairs to the 2nd floor

Also, by the end of this week, the windows should be delivered and we should begin putting them in place right away. So, exciting!!




Gilles also set up the temporary stairs that go to the upstairs and down to the basement. It is so much easier than going up a flimsy ladder. This will make life much easier, especially when the windows get delivered.


Also, Gilles installed the chimney for the wood stove. We are hoping it will get delivered by the end of the week. With the windows on and the wood stove functioning, Gilles is going to be quite toasty working in the house.  For now it is a bit too cold for Chulita to spend the day on the construction site. Soon enough, the house will be heated and she will resume her role as construction supervisor.

Life is changing here in Sutton: the snow is coming, the leaves are gone, and the rhythm of life is slowing down. I can focus on being a local and making healthy meals. No more chewy dip granola bars for Gilles. Instead, today I made my first végépâté since we arrived. I am looking forward to exploring more culinary exploits. I am looking forward to curling. Mostly, I am looking forward to  staying put and not traveling.

Today, we woke up to a snowy day. It was very beautiful to see the blanket of white everywhere. Chulita had a grand time tasting the snow, rubbing her nose in it and basically just playing. She had such a blast!! and it was so much fun watching her. For more pics of our first snowy day, click on the link or here.

Construction Acrobatics

It has been a tough few days on the construction site. Gilles has to get the facing of the roof ready for the guys that are coming this week to install the metal roof. It is pretty tricky climbing to such heights. First installing the scaffolding was a big pain in the bum. Luckily, Papi was there to help everytime Gilles dropped a hammer or needed a new tool. Today, Marc came over and helped secure the scaffolding. So, they both started swinging like monkeys to get it going. Hopefully,  they were able to get a lot done. This week the forecast does not look too good.

For more pics checkout the link

I just wanted to get a quick post out before I get on my flight for Vancouver.

I also took lots of pics of Chulita having fun in the woods. Check them out here

Pushing my comfort zone with Canadian Curling in Sutton

As if the big move and all that it entails was not enough to push my comfort zone, I have decided to take up curling. Tonight I got to go test it out. I got a  last minute call from the President of Sutton's Curling saying that I could get my first taste of curling this evening. So after a quick trip to Cowansville, Gilles, Papi and Chulita accompanied me for my first go. While I was on the ice, the crew watched and giggled at my silliness. However, Chulita went beserk. She was so excited to see the stones sliding on the ice. She really just wanted to play and id not understand what it was all about. Eventually, they all left since she could come to grips with my new found sport.

I stayed on and learned the sport of curling. It is definitely not easy. One shoe has grips and the other has a slider.  Being new to curling, I sometimes would forget which shoe was the slider and which was the gripper. Needless to say, I was often on my bum.

Then, there is the whole issue of sliding the stone which weighs 45 pounds / 22 kg. In theory, you push off with your right leg and slide with the left. You hold the broom in your left hand for balance and slide with your right. Phew! that felt like a mouthful and it requires coordination. Once you push with your right leg, you should extend you leg and have a pointed toe for better balance and sliding. Yikes, lots too remember. I often did ok. Sometimes, I had an awesome shot. On occasion, I slid so much that I was sprawled out on my belly.

I had lots of laughs. It felt so silly to be slipping and sliding. I was definitely outside of my comfort zone. I did not know anyone before I got there, but we shared so many laughs that we are no longer strangers. I can't wait to go back and laugh some more. I am also really looking forward to getting to know more locals.
Stayed tuned for more curling adventures. I am sure there will be plenty more to come

Weather, weather, weather, why don't you give me a break?

Guest post by Gilles:

Picture taken last May - but we can get snow any day now

As an ultra marathoner, the weather forecast is something I always pay close attention too. When running  100 miles over 30 some hours, the weather play a critical factor. Mostly the heat is an issue, except for Coyote 2 Moon this spring where, on the ridge, we were greeted by snow falling horizontally and the race was almost called off. But never in my life have I ever been some anxious about the weather and never have I ever been so frustrated by it. It has not been an easy fall for house construction in Sutton. Lost so many working days to rain, record rain. And the now the winter is closing in. Hopefully by the end of next week, supported by Luis cooking, I will have a roof and the windows will be in place. A least the winter tires are on.

Our first Quebec Thanksgiving

Thank you Gilles

This weekend we celebrated our first Thanksgiving in Quebec. We have so much to be thankful for that it was an excellent time to pause and reflect on all of our blessing. We celebrated on Saturday because it was Steve's last night. Words can't truly express how thankful we are for his visit.

Anyways, we had a delicious feast with lots of local goodies: an onion pie (une pissaladière), fresh curd cheese, un feuillté au canard (duck in a puff pastry), some toast with onion jam. Of course the piece de resistance was a turkey with apple and maple syrup gravy, mashed potatoes and vegetable dish of mushroom, asparagus, leeks and almonds. It was all delicious. More importantly, it was great to spend time with Gilles' mom and Sara's family. We were hoping to spend time with Gilles' father but we really could not spare a few days away form the construction site since the time is ticking on the weather. Hopefully, we will get to see him soon enough!

Today I went to see the house and it is just incredibly amazing. The trusses are up. I know that it was a feat for half a dozen men, but instead it was done by two: Gilles and Steve. I still don't know how they managed to do it all. I guess that explains the calloused hands, the back aches and the funny tingly feeling in their arms and fingers and the huge appetites. It won't be long before it gets closed and Gilles can breathe a sigh of relief.
 
Finally, I am thankful for the beautiful leaves changing to majestic colours. I am thankful for the storms that are making the leaves fall. I am thankful for the sunny days and cool crisp air. Nature marks the seasons and the progression of time in wonderful ways. I know Gilles worries about closing the house in time for winter. For, the passing of the seasons because it represents one step closer to living in my home, to cooking in my home, to sewing in my home!

Thank you Chulita for making us laugh and having a bigger social life than us here in Sutton

Fore more pics check out the link: Thanksgiving Pics

Squirrel Syndrome in Sutton

Gilles has always teased me for being afflicted with the squirrel syndrome. He usually was referring to always keeping an ample supply of toilet paper or other basic household items.
It is fall and the leaves are falling everyday. The squirrels are gathering their nuts for winter.  So, as the household COO, I am working on squirreling a few things for winter. Today, I bought 30 cans of maple syrup to get us through the winter. You might be asking what is the big deal about stockpiling maple syrup when you can get some in any grocery store or hardware store in the area. This is sacred. It is No.1 - extra light - extra clair and in limited supply and only available in select stores. Quite frankly, Gilles would say it was heavenly. When I went to buy a dozen today, I realized that they were on their last stock. Not just what was available in the store, but what was available in all of the area. So, I did what any reasonable COO would do and I bought nearly all they had. I left a few because, there might be someone out there just as addicted as Gilles and that would be unfair to deprive them.
You might also be wondering how much maple syrup a single person can eat. Well, we all know Gilles is extremely 'gourmand'. Now, as he builds the house, he is burning a ton of calories. He is always hungry. It is hard to keep up with making meals and buying groceries. SO, maple syrup is his poison. A dose every night with whatever he can douse. Usually, it entails a baguette. Sometimes, he takes it straight up. Regardless of the method, he always has a big grin of contentment. So, if we are to get a house built, he better have an ample supply for his addiction. Hopefully, these cans should get us to Christmas when the next tapping won't be far behind and he can settle for No.2.

Construction Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake -
To be honest, I have never been a big fan of carrot cake, but I have never really made a point to try it. Maybe it is the fact that carrot cake often has raisins and well, raisins make me gag. They are just gross. Anyways, last night Gilles and Steve began one of their usual rants. However, this time it did not involve an endless conversation about stair treads, 2 X 4's or other construction related stuff. Nope, this time it was about carrot cake and where is the best place in Vancouver to get a great carrot cake. Seriously, carrot cake can't be that good to inspire such a conversation.

Regardless, today I went to the construction site for lunch. It was a big day and I got to witness the raising of the south wall on the second floor. It was quite spectacular. I will get to that in more detail. When I got home, I wanted to do something special for Gilles and Steve. So, I figured carrot cake was the way to go. Oh, I also made homemade mac and cheese but that was jus comfort food and not as special. I searched on allrecipes.com and found a winner or at least 2,876 people thought so.  I figured what the heck and got busy making it, icing and all.

Today, when I got to the construction site, I was excited to see the north wall up and lots of plywood skirting the perimeter to the second floor. It felt like things were really coming along. I put aside my fear of heights and climbed upstairs. Gilles and Steve were almost ready to raise the South wall. It was great to see them working. Steve was busy cutting lumber for the wall. Gilles was busy scurrying hauling lumber up to the second floor and getting the wall ready by adding a 2X6 here and there.



It was a glorious warm fall day. The guys were really breaking a sweat. It was a nice change from all the cold rain we had last week. They worked and they worked and the big moment eventually came. The wall was raised in 3 parts.  They make a good team and the work shows.

When they were raising and adjusting the middle part, a black and yellow butterfly flew through the window. It was such a lovely site. To see nature come and go through our home. It might seem sappy, but it felt like a good omen.

I look  forward to see what the rest of the week will bring. I know the forecast will bring showers, but I am confident it will also bring a few extra walls and a few other advancements.


Stay tuned for more. In the meantime, for more pics on today's grand wall raising, click on the link.

Learning to live with the rhythms of the seasons

For those who know me well, you are aware that I am quick at getting things done and am impatient when things don't happen quickly.  Right now, there are so many things to do. There seems to never be enough time in the day to get it all done. I am not used to this feeling and it is hard to let go and focus on what is really important.

I need to learn to live with the rhythms of the seasons. So, this weekend I made the resolution to enjoy the  beauty of each season staring with Autumn. I spent time enjoying the beauty of the fall colors. On my drives, I stopped to take pictures, to observe the fields, the cows and the horses.

I also went to the Sutton market for the first time. There were so many pumpkins, squash and tons of vegetables, many of which I have never tasted before or cooked. I picked up a few pumpkins. Today, I cut up the pumpkins and made a pumpkin pear soup and roasted the pumpkin seeds. This was definitely a first for me.

Next up, I will try one of the many varieties of squash: butternut, hubbard, spaghetti, etc. Anyone have any preferences. Quite frankly, I don't know much about squash, but am determined to learn. This area has such a great variety of produce. I am looking forward to expanding my culinary horizons.

In the meantime, I will try to slow down. I will savor the leaves changing color. I will enjoy watching them fall. I will kick up the leaves like a giddy child as I walk in the woods. I will enjoy the progress of our dream becoming reality.

So much progress..... a race against the clock

It has surely been a busy few days since I got back from Toronto. Thursday and Friday were nasty weather days, including one very powerful wind storm. We were a bit concerned with what we would find at the construction site, but luckily there was no damage. Since the weather was so bad, Gilles and Steve decided to work on some decisions / conundrums. So, the big reveal would have to wait for a few more days.

These 2 days of bad weather were spent revisiting our idea for stairs. As many of you know, our style tends to be quite modern. We want to have the treads look like they are just floating in the wall. Needless to say, there are  lots of technical details to work out such as the thickness of tread, the number of treads required, and on and on and on. Will they be painted? Will they be hardwood? The questions and debates seem endless. Luckily, this time has allowed us to come to the right conclusions to achieve the look we want. I can't wait to see what it will be like.

Next, we revisited the wood stove. Steve set us straight. The original wood stove that we bought was just not modern at all. We then researched every type of wood stove possible. Of course, it needed to meet all the environmental criteria of high efficiency, but luck was important as well. We settled on a Regency Stove. Coincidentally, it is made in BC. So, we will have a piece of BC in our new house.



By Saturday, Gilles and Steve were itching to get to work. The rain had stopped and the race against the clock. Winter comes fast in this area. Our neighbor says that anytime after Oct 15, we can expect the first snow. YIKES!! Gotta work hard and fast. Then, the speed can slow down.

You can't imagine the excitement when I arrived. The walls are up and the floor joists for the second floor are done as well. You really get a good sense of what the house will feel like. The feng shui is feeling pretty good. I can really start to imagine what it will be like to live there.

Looking out to the south side where we will have 3  patio doors is just spectacular. The beauty of the sugar maple trees, white birch, yellow birch, grey birch, ash, hemlock just shine through the openings.  Today, when I went to visit the site, I got to go to the second floor since the flooring was done. It was a bit tricky climbing up the ladder to the second floor, but I made it. The view is spectacular. It was incredible to see the mountains and the countryside all around. I can only imagine the beauty in winter when there are no leaves on the trees.

Things are progressing well. It is so exciting to our dream come to life! For more pics, click on the link