Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Windows 2007

The long awaited and much anticipated (you were anticipating them, weren't you?) H Windows are now in place, bringing the lovely Iowa countryside into the Yum Yum Farm house. This view is taken from the southwest, looking up to the dining porch, bedroom, bathroom, stairwell, and, up above, the loft. Despite the many lovely, sunny pictures we've posted, it's actually a muddy mess around here. In fact, the lower level windows are now in place, but it's raining like a...it's raining a lot right now, so we'll have to take and post those pictures later. We're grateful that our home is based on a "lakeside cabin", which it may be if this weather pattern persists. In all seriousness, we could not be happier with these windows, and the way in which they bring outside in, and lend an expansive feel to the modest footprint of our home (way to go John!). The placement of the south dining porch windows will allow substantial sunlight to warm the living space in the bitterly cold Iowa winter months, but, as you can see, minimize the amount of direct sunlight during the dog days of summer. Woof woof.

This is the view from the dining porch, looking to the southeast. Ours are awning-type windows, which open out from the bottom, pivoting at the top. The larger panes on top are stationary, so they don't have screens--a deliberate decision which permits a (nearly) unobstructed view to the valley and bluff beyond. This location can be very breezy, so the lower opening windows permit sufficient, but controlled airflow into the house.

Although these two professionals are making it look easy, they're hoisting a window into place that weighs something north of 400 pounds. These are the framing subcontractors who've returned to install the fenestration (yes! I've been waiting to use that word!). Jensen-Sedlacek construction from Parnell, a suburb of Williamsburg (stop laughing--I could've said it's a suburb of North English) did a superior job framing the Yum Yum Farm house, and we're very happy the Amelons chose them for our project. Nice job!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Superior Lake, Superior Windows

The long awaited journey to pick up our H Windows has finally arrived! Ashland, Wisconsin, is located on the southern shores of Lake Superior, about an hour or so east of Duluth. About 20 miles to the northwest is the small town of Bayfield, where we took a ferry to this location, Madeline Island. Madeline Island is part of the Apostle Islands National Seashore, and is beautiful. We will certainly return! Located just south of Bayfield is the Big Top Chautauqua, a 900-seat tent at a ski area that this year features artists such as Willie Nelson, Bela Fleck, and Iowa's own Greg Brown! Perhaps you've heard broadcasts from the Big Top on NPR.

The H Window Company, Ashland, Wisconsin. I think I should've been closer to the sign.

Our windows, ready to be loaded on to the really big rental truck, in the parking lot of the H Windows factory in Ashland. Not only do the people at H Windows make wonderful products, they're very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. These windows are gorgeous, innovative, and built like tanks. Very pretty tanks.


Embryonic windows galore inside the H Windows factory, awaiting delivery to delighted homebuilders around the country! For those of you in Ashland reading this--we made it home, and thank you for your craftsmanship, and sharing the process with us. Your windows will have a good home!

Future Farmers of America?

Anna gets a laugh at someone's expense. Our niece is enjoying her first visit to the Yum Yum Farm house, and certainly appears to be enjoying herself. If she laughs much harder, she may fall backwards onto the partial wall where the large sliding glass doors will stack up when the dining porch is open, and the media cart will be located. Late afternoon sun is flooding the dining porch behind her.

Our Ohio relatives enjoy a picnic dinner on the east side of Yum Yum Farm. Our rainfall is unusually high this year, and the corn seems to be very happy. From left, Greg, the author, Maddie, Anna (dressed more comfortably now), and Brooke smile for the camera. They have contributed the beautiful pedestal bathtub that will reside in the lower level bathroom, that appeared in an earlier post. FYI--our skin is not actually the color of Oompah Loompahs. It was a colorful sunset reflecting on our faces.