Summer Evenings

The lazy days of summer have settled in on Le Puy.  Construction is continuing.  The fire sprinkler system is now roughed in and the final rough plumbing, framing and cabling should be done in the next week or so.  The days are hot and in order to do landscape maintenance, we get up before 6am so that we can finish before noon.  The gardens that have been planted so far, are looking beautiful.  The evenings are especially wonderful, after a long day of working outside, then inside on all the many maintenance and renovation tasks, we can relax with a glass of wine and sit in the courtyard or on the north terrace and enjoy the amazing views and peacefulness that is summer in Willamette wine country. 

The water table has attracted lovely golden finches in the evening who stop for a drink and play in the water.  They thank us with their pretty little chirps and we sip our wine and smile thinking - yep, this is worth it!  Bruises, aches and all, what could be better!

Character Building

As the project progresses, the inn is developing more character.  The columns and brackets are wrapped with cedar and looking spectacular.  The landscaping is progressing and adding a sense of permanence and softness to the site. The framing of all 8 rooms is complete along with most of the electrical and plumbing rough-in work.  So, the inn is taking shape.  

At the same time the idea of character is close to home for us personally.  The challenge of full time jobs over 200 miles away and traveling every week down to work on the inn, monitor the progress, develop the business...is wearing on us.  Each weekend of endless work is followed by a week of pressure and stress at our current jobs.  Keeping up the energy is daunting at times, so we dig in and continue to remind each other that it will all be worth it as well as relish in the small victories and celebrate the joy of creating our dream. At times we need to pause and enjoy the moment, take an hour or two off to relax.  Sitting in the courtyard, now mostly complete, is one of those pleasures.  Forgetting for the moment that the rest of the house is completely torn apart!  It's ok, we say, it's fine-we'll get there...And deep down, I believe we will.  

The Sign

A few weeks ago, we installed our sign down on 240.  It was exciting and frightening at the same time.  It was like everything became really real. Andy and I kept looking at each other and nervously laughing.  We bit our nails as the cars were driving by...ok, now we are really out there for people to see! 
But, Angel Gomez (angelgomezsigns.com) working with Lukas Schuler - who did the Courtyard metal screen, did a beautiful job with the sign's construction and installation.  So, enjoy a few pictures as we 'go public'!