Rough Plumbing and HVAC Part 1

This is the HVAC guy with the supplies for the heating runs. Thanks to my dad for this photo. =)We’re having the duct work put in the floors both upstairs and downstairs which is why the HVAC guy is here at the point.

The plumber came today, too.

In the photo below you can see the trench he dug. You can also see some other features I labeled for your convenience. It might be hard to read….look for 2 bedrooms, the craft room, cold storage, a bathroom, and a trench for the plumbing and Waldo.

And if you look at the top of the photo above you can see we’re still waiting for the forms to be taken away.

More supplies in the photos below, I’m not an expert, but I think these are for the plumbing.

We should be seeing the electrician soon, too. I’ll keep you posted.

Have a great day!

Forms and Walls

We’re making progress!!

Monday was a busy day! In the morning all the forms were set up, then they were inspected and at 2:00 they were being filled with concrete!

Tuesday morning the crew was back and the forms were removed.

We still have dirt floors, but it’s starting to look like a home.

Here’s a quick glance at just the footings:

Here are the forms before they were set and the plastic is for the concrete washout.

Forms being set up:

Do you see the additional rebar they added?

Below, forms are up and they’re getting ready to fill them with concrete.

Cement trucks.

Look closely and you can see the cement IN the forms. We’re making walls people!

Now the moment you’ve been waiting for……walls!

TaDa!

Did you notice we have windows, too?

Exciting!!

Thank you for reading!

-Traci

Shirts for fans

My kiddos and I are having way too much fun designing and making t-shirts.

I have an Ender’s Game fan, Hamilton fan, a Harry Potter fan and the baby loves Sarah and Duck. He points to his shirt and says “duck” he’s so cute!

I think I’m in trouble with this new hobby. LOL

And last but not least, a Percy Jackson fan.

Thanks for reading!

Foundation Walls

Exciting news!!!

We’re getting ready to make some walls. This trailer is covered with the forms that will be used for the concrete foundation walls.

Do you see the spray paint? There’s a smiley face by the door….I’m pretty happy there’s going to be a door there, too. This is going to be cold storage just below the front porch.

The concrete should be poured on Monday. It’s great to see progress being made.

Tonight we went down in the pit, it was so cool to know that we were standing exactly where a future bedroom, family room or craft room will be!

Thank you for reading and checking on our progress.

Have a wonderful week!

Traci

Footings

This morning we had the footings poured and this afternoon the frames were taken off the footings.

Here are a few pictures for your entertainment.

We’re not excavating under the garage, so that big pile of dirt you see right there is beneath below the garage.

Can you see that the frames have been taken off?

If we’re really, really, really lucky we could pour the foundation tomorrow!

Funny story, my niece Sara turned 19 this year. When she was teeny tiny she was riding with my husband and I in our car and she said “I love you more….than……..the….. biggest pile of dirt!” That’s like the most ever when you’re three.

We’ve always thought that was so funny.

So when I look at any of the mounds of dirt on our lot right now I can’t help but think about that funny day with Sara.

Patriotic t-shirts

I had the best time making patriotic T-shirts for my kids this year.For two of the shirts I used an image called “oh my stars.”

The USA shirts were my own design. I loved finding a way to use both the positive and negative space with the heat transfer vinyl (iron on).

This arrow flag T-shirt is also my design…. I have to say it is probably my favorite in the bunch! My 14-year-old said she wanted a flag with arrows on it because she really likes arrows right now and voilà!

One final patriotic project to share, this one is still in the works… I haven’t even glued the paper flowers down yet, still trying to make up my mind. LOL

***I can create custom vinyl to transfer to projects or to iron on things. If you would like my help send me a message.***

Soil Test

Our excavator is digging on the lot again this morning. The results from the soil tests indicate we need to go another 12 to 18 inches to reach sand. I am pretty happy with that, if we needed to go another 3 feet it would cost us between $10,000 and $12,000. We had $10,000 in the budget so 12 to 18 inches sounds good to me. 🙂

Most homes have the basement walls extend about 2 feet above ground. Because we will need to dig another foot and we’d rather not pay to bring in more sand to compensate for that extra foot, our basement walls will extend just 1 foot above the ground. Having the home a little lower will provide a more natural insulation in the basement which ultimately will help us save on utilities. So I think that’s a win-win!

Best case scenario is that we don’t have to pay to bring in any sand, that’s what we’re hoping for.

In the pit.

Soil test site.

It’s great to have nephews that want to make sure the hole gets dug on your lot. These boys stayed up all night to make sure it was done right. 😉 what would I do without them?

Ground is Breaking

Today’s the day! The excavator got started about 7 o’clock this morning laying out his plan, and when I went over around 11 AM there was already a big hole in the ground!

(skip to the end for our advice on preparing your site plan.)

It hardly seems real!

We started this process about seven months ago not thinking it would take this long to get to this point, but we are beyond thrilled to be moving forward today!

Our contractor friend, who is taking the lead on our project, said that it would take five months from the day we break ground to the day our home is finished.

So let’s start placing bets now,

Where do you think we will be on December 11th?

I know where Ryan and I want to be. 🙂

This little girl is our very first kid to actually see the hole! I drove over with her and the baby, who was asleep, and the other kids were at soccer and ballet camp so they missed out. LOL

And there’s the hole!!!

Our tips for preparing your SITE PLAN:

This morning the excavator told Ryan that our site plan was missing a few measurements, apparently it’s not a big deal and he knew what to do and how to figure out the measurements, but I think our architect was supposed to include those. I would have liked to have known that ahead of time so I could have checked the site plan and had it ready to go. I don’t want to do anything that causes delays on this project so if you find yourself in a similar situation, make sure all your measurements are in there. IE, distance from exterior walls and corners of home to the nearby edges of property, etc.

Thanks for checking on our progress. Have a great day!

*Traci

Chipotle Tamale Pie

For a vegan version top it with a thick layer of chopped avocado or make it vegetarian and top it with grated cheese.

Either way it’s delicious!

GREASE a 9×13 casserole dish.

PREHEAT oven to 425*.

CRUST

Mix together the following ingredients in a medium sauce pan:

  • 2 1/4 cups corn meal
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups almond (or your unsweetened milk of choice
  • 1 teaspoon salt

STIR over medium-high until mixture is thickened, about 6 minutes.

FOLD IN

  • 4 ounces canned diced green chiles

SET ASIDE 2 cups of the cornmeal mixture, cover.

SPREAD remaining cornmeal mixture into baking dish and up sides.

BAKE for 10 minutes.

While the crust is baking prepare the filling.

FILLING

SAUTÉ

  • 1/2 Tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

ADD

  • 3 cups cooked Pinto beans
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chipotle chili powder
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1/3 cup of sliced olives
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Stir until warm through.

Spoon filling into baked cornmeal crust. Spread remaining cornmeal mixture over filling.

BAKE 20 minutes.

VEGAN OPTION:

After baking garnish with 1 cup chopped avocado and 2 tablespoons sliced olives. Serve.

OR

VEGETARIAN OPTION:

After baking, sprinkle with cheese, bake 5-10 minutes or until cheese melts. Garnish with 2 tablespoons sliced olives. Serve.

Appliances

Today’s goal…Home Depot and Costco for appliances.

Let’s start with this double oven at Costco:

I can absolutely guarantee that I will not be buying this oven. Good thing I had my own tester with me today. Can you imagine what would happen to your dinner if you have a curious, unsupervised toddler?!?

Our little one loves to start and stop the dishwasher, I like how the controls are hidden from his view on the top of the door.

This top rack is great for extra utensils and chopsticks!!!.

I do love this LG dishwasher! We put one in the house we just sold and I’d love to have another one…..this is the only dishwasher I’ve ever seen that can wash your stainless steel chopsticks. (We love Asian food.)

These French door refrigerators have so many great features, but check out the tiny shelf up high to make room for the ice maker….it seems a little awkward.

Do you know anyone that had this fridge? I’m curious if the tiny shelf is actually no big deal.

Today’s verdict on appliances….we’d love to get another LG dishwasher and I think we’d be happy to get most of the other kitchen appliances at Ikea. Ikea works with whirlpool on their appliances, so even though their name isn’t on the appliances they’re still whirlpool quality.

That’s all for today. 😊