Happy 4th Birthday Lucas Petersheim

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Lucas turns 4 today. A big year where I'm sure his running will become more fluid, his words more articulated and his sweet nature complimented with new sense of brave independence.
Here is at Cottage 36 riding the stuffed bear.
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And old skool with Jake the big Lab.
Last year's Halloween costume.
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And sporting his "Love Stinks' t-shirt and froggy boots down on the farm.

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Mr Crazy Hair and Rosy Cheeks.
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Mr French Bistro and piece of bread guy -
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Letting the freak flag fly couple of years back when I was digging my pond.

And this picture of Alvin at the latest Chipmonk movie is a timely subject because David Cross just rocked these hills with a local wedding last weekend.

"Beautiful Boy" by John Lennon a few months before he died. Obviously he didn't get to see these thoughts through.
Close your eyes
Have no fear
The monster's gone
He's on the run and your daddy's here
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
Out on the ocean sailing away
I can hardly wait
To see you come of age
But i guess we'll both just have to be patient
'cause it's a long way to go
A hard row to hoe
Yes it's a long way to go
But in the meantime
Before you cross the street
Take my hand
Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans
Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Darling, darling, darling
Darling Sean.
Lucas is a simple man and here's his favorite meal - plain white bread roll and a banana. Keeping it real here in the country.

Barn VI wrapping up.
Barn VI in Saugerties NY is nearing its completion, when every trade needs to make a visit for that appliances, the heat, the gas hook up, the range hook up, the punch list, etc...
It's always stormy before the calm.

The living room above, the kitchen below - this home is 1600 sq ft, but when we build the 1300 sq footers, it can get real crowded in the house.


Back porch work, sharing the space with the plumber.


Lots of vehicles.


The vertical cedar tongue and groove going up nicely.

The Siding guy...


My new Prius I bought for our spray foam insulation business, where we travel a lot. It's remarkable how much money a non-gas guzzler can save.

Cleaning tomorrow, painters in early next week, than the floor finisher for his final coat and then the final walk-thru. Should be able to turn this baby over by month's end no prob.
Cottage 40 Sold in Bearsville NY
Nothing stops our progress. Excuses are not in our vernacular. Not weather, not unpredictable labor supplies, not bullshit unexpected hurdles like dumbasses doing dumbass things. For 10 years we have plowed ahead, hitting our schedules precisely. Over, under and through all hurdles.
And here's Cottage 40, sold to a young family with a small child. A writer for one of the funny guys on TV late night. Delivering their house, with barely a drama, right on schedule. And it's a good one, especially when the sun hits it just right.

It's located in Bearsville NY, a hamlet within Woodstock NY. Inspired by Cottage 36.

A good look at how we turn over our homes. - Finished, clean, with the grass growing and the appliances working.

One of my favorite lights - a simple goose neck barn light sconce. With 1x10 pine siding, and stained 1x6 tongue and groove porch ceilings.

Coming in the front door, with the stairs to the left and fireplace straight away.

The home has 3 bedrooms, and 2 full baths. It sits on 6 acres.

We've been using the Nest thermastat, which is a smart thermostat that learns and adapts to the usage in the home.


Handmade Barn door and radiator. Match made in heaven.

Salvaged beam, locally harvested stained pine railings and radiator. Another match made in heaven.

Open the pearly gates for this shot - radiator, open treads staircase, local stone open mud room. Early American stain throughout.

Modest galley kitchen, with some modular rolling carts and cabinets to finish it off.

Serious open shelf system in the kitchen.


1st floor bedroom with stained window trim, cast iron basement heat.

Nice sink is what I said when I saw this number. It's got a retro old school rounded feel to it.

From the 2nd floor gang plank. Pretty hot.


Bedroom 2.
Some soft light on the pimped out bathroom with claw foot tub and stand-alone shower.
And the biggest bedroom of the 3.
Floor to ceiling stone with a TV cabinet.
Screened in porch lording over the back yard.
Going down into the basement with our board and batten look.
And the huge basement, walk-out.
Stacked stone retaining wall.
Nice shot.
That's about a wrap. Under $400k, under 6 months to build.











