Progress Report: Roofed In and Framed!

The white stuff was falling in the White Mountains last week when we checked in on the progress of the house and rang in the New Year in New Hampshire.

The last time we visited our home, the house was nothing more than a hole in the ground. It was surreal (and super exciting) to see walls, a roof, framed interior rooms and partial decking this time around.

As promised, here are a few pictures we took during our walk through.

Below is a view of the house from the road:

And here is our master bedroom:

Our second floor loft hallway:

Looking up at our south-facing deck:

Pex tubing in the basement floor will deliver radiant heat:

We also talked lighting during our visit. We walked through the house with the electrician to determine the location of the lights and switches. And after doing some research, we’re thinking of incorporating LED recessed lighting in the kitchen and living area, specifically the Cree LR6 bulb.


This LED light is more efficient than conventional lighting, Energy Star-certified and a greener solution to compact fluorescent bulbs as it contains no mercury. It is, of course, much, much, much more expensive than traditional bulbs, though...

Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

Progress Report: We Have Walls!

Presby Construction continues to make strides on our home and recently sent us this photo. Look at those walls (and view)! Anyone up for a night of sleeping under the stars?


So far, New England has seen a pretty mild winter, likely due to this being an El Nino year. The lack of snow has helped keep the construction of our home on target. Hopefully winter waits a bit to visit the White Mountains—well, at least until we have a roof!

The White Mountains

Why would we relocate to the very rural region commonly known as the White Mountains? If you have to ask, you’ve likely never been there. The area boasts 48 4,000-foot peaks and is home to Mount Washington—the highest mountain in the Northeast. It’s an ice climber’s/mountaineer’s/cross-country skier’s paradise. (And that’s just ONE season.)

Come in the spring to watch mountain springs transform into cascading waterfalls; in the summer to see mountains bloom with sunshine yellow and fire red wildflowers; and in autumn to celebrate apples and pumpkins under a canopy of vibrant yellow, red and gold.


After spending many a winter ice climbing, mountaineering and cross-country skiing in the White Mountain area, my soon-to-be husband and I fantasized of a home in this region—where the great outdoors began in our backyard. Where a wood-burning stove warmed our home and hearts. Where a cozy cottage, aglow with love, welcomed us home from our outdoor adventures.

We came to a point when we knew we needed to stop dreaming and start living. Or start living our dream—however you’d like to look at it.

**This is the view from our "back door." (In quotes because, well, we have no back door yet!)