Is that our ship coming in?

No, it is our new dock. We had Jan from Pipefusion build us a floating dock which we can move over the rock crib once all the permits are in place. He has been wonderful throughout the process, being very patient with our million questions. He left his shop in Huntsville shortly after 7 on a drizzly Saturday morning. After spending almost three hours putting along the canal and over Penlake, he arrived and helped us position the dock. We will build the next two sections in his yard and since they are smaller, they can be transported. As you can see, it got lots of use this weekend.
In preparation for our first party, Fred worked hard to make the house safe, which included the upper loft railing. The glass panel was not planned, but it was left over after a mis-cut on the outside deck railing.
Ryan and his crew are done the landscaping and it looks great, even though they had some challenges. Yesterday, we saw the first sprouts of the hydroseeding.
We have made some new friends along the shore and already, Winoka is really feeling like home!

Fred's big deck!

Fred started the deck yesterday. It is going to be such a beautiful space to entertain. Sun, shade and covered by the screen porch in case it rains! Oh! and close to the fridge....

Did I mention how much I love big machinery. Ryan from Livingstone Construction worked long into the evening yesterday getting the steps and upper level ready for the hydroseeding today. We now have steps down to the water and fire pit which is such a treat.

Fred has been working on the wainscotting in the rec room. It looks better than we could have imagined, although since the boards are narrow, it is slow going. We got the kitchenette together and were able to juggle some of the cabinets to make the most of the space.

I've been puttering away trying to find places for everything, including the plants for the garden!

May 24- What a way to kick off summer

What an amazing week we had, followed by a perfect weekend! Much of the landscaping has been done, but we were waiting on the granite to be cut for the steps. Ryan from Livingstone Landscaping along with his crew have done a wonderful job placing rock and cleaning up the space. A couple of the rock were quite large, but the guys worked in tandem and placed them perfectly. I love big machines!!!
We spent some time replanting some trees, clearing brush and rebuilding the crib, so not much got done indoors.
Fred also worked hard in the heat to get the railing ready for any quests that might have popped by over the long weekend.
The landline phone, tv and internet have been hooked up. Since we are spending more nights there, it is nice to be able to keep in touch more easily.
A "home day" for me to catch up on paperwork and I don't envy the guys out there in the heat and dust moving rocks!
We took a bit of time to play yesterday and are really enjoying our neighbors.
Eaves-trough and steps going in today!

Just some pics

After reviewing past posts, I notice there are a lot of pictures missing. I hope this helps give a sense of what has transpired.

100 year old wainscotting

Mac came up for a couple of days to help out sanding the wainscotting that we had salvaged from the original Winoka. Dusty, dirty work but Fred installed a few boards and it looks like we imagined. It was a great day to be outside working and we were thankful for the breeze to carry the old dust away! After lunch today, Mac and I needed a break from sanding so we worked on the property, clearing brush and transplanting trees. The blackflies are just starting to come out.

Last week Fred and I started installing the basement flooring. We are about half done, but enough that Sean could install most of the doors. It is starting to look finished.

Sean also helped Fred with the ceiling in the screen porch. The rafters were a mess, so it took a lot to figure out how it should be done. They are both such craftsmen and it looks great.

The granite came last week and the plumber installed the taps. The propane will be hooked up next week which will give us hot water. It is such a treat to have a functioning kitchen.

First overnighter

Last Saturday was our first night staying over. Notice I did not say "sleep". The air mattress sprung a leak and it was so cold, we needed to use the moving blankets just to keep warm. Notice my new decorating technique- toilet boxes as night tables. Somehow, I don't think it will catch on.

During the week week, Tim came and installed the kitchen. It looks so beautiful. I have been busy doing a lot of little jobs, but mainly staining the casing and trim. Tim's wife, Linda, came to help out for a couple of days. What a treat to have such great company.

The closets are all painted and we installed the wire shelf system in our closet on the weekend. It will be nice to have everything so organized.

Fred continues to work on the trim which is going more slowly without Sean's help.

The main floor is almost done and we hope to start the downstairs flooring next week. A lot of time is spent on all the small details- filling holes, installing switch plates, touching up the paint, so the pace is much more relaxed, but it is all the details that is making it feel like home.

Flooring and Fireplace

After my first full week at Winoka, it has been a treat to be there watching everything progress! The flooring arrived from the mill on Monday afternoon. We were a bit worried that it may look too distressed, but as it was being put down, the true beauty became evident.
Rocky's guys worked hard to get the fireplace stone in place and the top has been acid washed to bring out the colour. Again, I am amazed at the workmanship of such young men.
Bill Nunn was by on the weekend and finished the front porch. It is nice to have been able to use the beams that held up the old cottage.
This week Sean, Cory and Fred trimmed out most of the windows and on Friday, hung most of the upstairs doors.
I was kept busy preparing the trim and baseboard for the guys.
We were able to spend the weekend visiting friends in Meaford and picking up some material in Barrie. It was nice to have a break from the house, but am looking forward to getting back to it all tomorrow.

Winoka sign comes home

Last weekend we met Tom and Joanne Nowers, descendants of the original owners who mentioned they had a sign that came from Winoka. When Fred came to in on Monday morning he found they had dropped it off. What a treasure! We are sure it is the sign that hung on the original dock shelter. We saw it in a picture that was taken in the early 1900's. It is our intent to build a similar dock and structure and hang the sign there. We are so greatful for Tom and Joanne's generosity.

Since I have been back at work in Barrie full time, Fred has continued with building. The pine ceilings are going up and the snow has melted. I am looking forward to the time when I can be here full time to help. A long, busy day for both of us.

Paint and Pine

With my going back to work in Barrie full time there has been little time to post, so a lot to catch up on. The weather has been amazing and the siding is finished, the garage door installed and one coat of paint throughout. Fred and Shawn started the pine ceiling this week and it looks amazing. Christine was out for a couple of days to stain the window trim and pine doors. Looking good! I'm posting some pictures, although the colours are not exactly accurate. There was one day last weekend when Fred and I were in the screen porch enjoying the sun, although the wind was cool. We looked around and decided that we could use the six sets of double hung windows there and after making some measurements, Fred found that he could make them fit. It is so wonderful to have an idea, bounce it off each other, then have him make it a reality!

"Pretty Stuff"

Again, a lot has happened since I last posted. While the drywall is going up, Fred and Sean have been busy with the soffit, fascia and decking. I have spent much of my time locating, pricing and picking out bathroom fixtures, vanities and most recently paint- the pretty stuff! Last weekend a group of friends came up for a party and helped decide which trees to cut. It has really opened up the view across the lake.
Fred has enjoyed taking the sled to work and can get there in 1/2 the time.

Warm Spring Sun

Although the day started out at -20, the sun in the afternoon was wonderful. I love the days when the sun has some warmth. I went for a walk down to the water and spotted the mink that has made his home on the pier. Even though he lets me get quite close, I'll need the telephoto lens to get a good picture.

The decking is up for the area by the mudroom door where the bbq will be. (Second pic) I suggested to Fred that a door to the screen porch might be convenient. I love when it can just happen! There is something about that space that feels so good- the sun, the view to the lake- like being in a tree fort. I can see us spending lots of time there. I love coming around the corner from the breezeway and seeing everything all laid out and can't wait for the first party.

Ryan came by to dig out the footings for the deck. We hope to get them started today. Although things are still moving slowly (Scott got another job) it is nice to take advantage of some mild days to work outside.

Off to Barrie for the weekend to finalize some fixtures and re-connect with friends.

Picking up speed after the break

It was a nice break over the holidays, but now we are starting to pick up speed again. It is great to have Sean back and Scott started this week.

The beam got lifted to support the screen porch and the floor is almost totally laid. The deck space underneath will be great for entertaining.

Last week we lifted the trusses onto the garage. We could have really used someone with more muscle than I have, but they guys did great. A tough day, although the weather has been very mild. The next couple of days were spent sheeting and shingling the roof.

A bit of extra time needed to be spent joining the main house to the garage since the trusses didn't come exactly as ordered. Good thing that Fred and Sean have the skill to hand frame and make it all work out. The Township was out on Thursday and passed the framing with only a few minor adjustments.

Bob Clarke was out for a visit and we put him to work helping install the top window and bedroom sliding door. Last time he comes out, I'm sure! It was a nice surprise to see him and go to his cottage for dinner.

The plumbing and electrical are pretty much roughed in and the insulation is started. We've been working with Tim from First Choice Kitchens to get the kitchen layout and cupboards picked out. This will be a different look for Fred, but I'm excited to see it all come together.

A home morning for me to get caught up in paperwork and get prices. A lot of things to price, order and nail down.