Our Build Life

Its January 21, 2016…

by the Carpenter

... and we have had very few cold days and very little snow so far the winter. We had a pretty good cold snap last week, but it was short lived. And we were inside for a change! We have another two weeks or so before we go back out.

We will be starting a fairly involved exterior/interior remodel project. Yes we will be starting outside, that’s just how it goes. But it is almost February, which in my book spells spring. The days are definitely getting longer, it hit 21 degrees today and they say maybe 30 again this weekend. If you are a fan of Joe Soucheray of "Garage Logic" fame http://www.1500espn.com/shows/garage-logic/, you already know we are in the middle of spring. In "Garage Logic" land, spring started December 22nd, the day after the shortest day of the year. The first day of summer is March 21st. Unfortunately that also means the first day of fall is June 22nd, the day after the longest day of the year, but we won't think of that right now. I will continue to enjoy being in the "middle" of spring for now. (this is how you have to think if you live in a part of the country that gets long winters!)

I need a good long dry spring. Our up-coming project will be starting outside. We will be handling a variety of areas with this project. Removing stucco, replacing old shingles, framing new roofline details, adding insulation, installing new windows, doors, siding, soffits/fascia, wood floors, carpet, and interior trim. We are in the middle of meetings with the homeowners, building inspectors, architects, engineers and subcontractors. Yesterday I had our lead carpenter up in the attic and down in the crawl space, getting more information for the engineering that has to be done to satisfy the inspectors.

There have been several design meetings, many hours of tweaking drawings to give the homeowners our best ideas to assist them through the planning phase. The goal being to land in a place where they are happy with design, products, colors, and the overall feel of the home.. all within their budget. We are getting there. 

All that is happening along with another addition we are bidding on, another interior remodel, and I think now I have four bathrooms on my desk (make that six, I looked at two more last week) that are in various stages of the bidding process. This jigsaw puzzle is growing. It will be a good challenge to see how all of it fits together. One of my brothers recently asked me why I keep pricing things when so much is happening already. The answer is.. nothing is for sure. Ever! Easy come easy go. In a blink of an eye, those projects you thought were solid can disappear in a heartbeat. Through the course of this past fall and winter, I had three projects. I thought they were for sure. Had proposals on two of them. I usually know I have the job before I type up proposals. One of those projects I was actually meeting with the homeowners to sign the proposal and receive the down payment and they decided to pull it. Put it on the shelf for a while. Yep, nothing is for sure.

If everything happens to go our way, well that’s a good problem to have. It will put our backlog well into summer. It will help nudge along the task of building our crew, and maybe, just maybe I will get one of those new shiny shoulders I have been admiring through the front window of the "New Shiny Shoulder Shop" on 5th and Main.

Ok, time for bed. I told the artist I was not going to work tonight and all of a sudden I have been working on this for over an hour.

Good night Gracie!

 

 

Okay this just a test shot....

by the Artist

We had a photo shoot in our home yesterday. Our local "White Bear Lake" magazine http://whitebearlakemag.com/ is producing a "Home" edition for it's March release, and Applewood is one of the featured builders! We are excited for this opportunity to be introduced to our community!

This all came about in a most "interesting" way. I made a decision to contact the editor one day. I regularly read the magazine and I've seen our local builders featured. The thought came to me... I think "our story" would be as interesting as any other builder's story and experience. I placed the magazine by my computer and stuck a "Post-it" note on it that said.."contact this editor". I then got busy not sending the email.

A couple of weeks later... the editor contacted me! She found our website and liked the "Carpenter and the Artist" angle. So here we are! We sat down one cold morning at our local Caribou with a young writer for the interview. The magazine then "vetted" our story. An Art Director asked for additional photos of some of our projects. And then yesterday.. a formal shoot.

I was a bundle of nerves. I ran around prior to the shoot looking for "props" for our home to spruce it up. (don't ever wait till the last minute to do this) I bought some new clothes.. we had to look "seasonally" correct. I sent the photographer photos of our living room so he could see what he had to work with. I couldn't help myself... I've been on many shoots as an Art Director. I know too much! ;)

The shoot went well. Joel the photographer brought Sarah an Associate Art Director whose presence helped me calm down. She could be "me" since I couldn't see how we were looking. I hope they didn't think I was a pain... I tucked my camera out of sight and grabbed it when I could to capture the moment. And at the end shot a couple of pics of me and the Carpenter... just because we were looking so spiffy.

Now when the month of March arrives.. not only will we celebrate the Carpenter's birthday and the end of winter.. but also the release of the Home edition of White Bear Lake magazine! 

We look forward to sharing our story.

Andrew.

by the Artist

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On the occasion of one of our crew member's birthday yesterday... I thought I'd write something about Andrew our "Assistant Carpenter".

He is a younger brother of our Lead Carpenter Adam. He graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead last May with a degree in Construction Management. (this construction thing seems to run in the family.. the Carpenter's youngest brother is a carpenter too!) While he searches for his first position he's been gaining hand's on experience in the construction field with us.

We are happy to have him for awhile. He's sweet and always has a smile ready to share. He's easy going and a quick learner. He gets along well with his "co-workers", and our homeowners. In fact one day I was at the job site and met the homeowner and her grandchild. The little guy was just coming in from a ride in the car, all nestled in his car seat. As we stood there chatting I noticed that the little guy was staring with a raptured look at something past my shoulder. I turned to see what he was looking at... there behind me stood Andrew... grinning right back! That kind of says it all!

I am so thankful that our crew is kind and conducts themselves well on our projects. This is priceless in this day of rude social manners and customer service. 

The company where Andrew lands will be blessed to have him. In the meantime we'll keep him as long as we can. 

PS I shot this photo of Andrew cleaning up from sheetrock "mudding" (as I call it) last week on one of our projects. He is learning the business from the bucket up!

A weekend project.

by the Artist

The Carpenter spent time in the cabinet shop this past weekend creating custom craftsman brackets for our Bridge St project. I took photos and videos. Will share photos here of the creation of one of the side bracket sections. When complete the bracket will finish the gable end of the garage peak. It will have a "post and beam" look which is the finish detail the homeowners picked from the ideas we submitted.

I asked the Carpenter why he had to spend his weekend working. I said... "well couldn't you have spent less time supervising on the job site and some time here in the shop during business hours?" He said "no." He is always on the job sites. It's his "MO". (I ended up hanging out with him for awhile... taking photos and cleaning the shop.. if you can't beat 'em.. join 'em!)

I know he enjoys getting into the shop and doing some custom work.. and so that is why I found him there. I asked if he could have "ordered" the bracket detail. He said..."yes.. custom woodworking shops could have created what he needed from his design". But this would be a good way to keep project costs down and have an opportunity to be creative.

I did pick out some smaller brackets from a catalog for another area of the house that I'm hoping the homeowners will order to complete the design elements of the renovation. That would make this designer happy! 

I won't be able to get final photos (we will show the unpainted bracket finished in position via our Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.924098774343969.1073741922.342655239154995&type=3 which is being installed this week) till spring because the brackets and front door need to be painted to complete. Always hurry up then wait!

And last... I didn't get photos of the Carpenter creating the "pattern" for this side bracket. That in itself was quite the process. Including showing to scale how the final bracket would look to the homeowners.

This was the first time I have witnessed how a curved bracket is made. How do you "bend" wood? Now I know!

 

The little sketch in the gallery is mine which we submitted with other architectural detail ideas during the bid process. It shows my concept of the craftsman bracket on the garage gable peak. 


Capture the present.

by the Artist

The Carpenter took the day off. It is New Year's Day. He made plans to meet four of our Minnesota nieces for coffee at his favorite coffee place.

This has become somewhat of a tradition for him. He realizes that time is speeding by and soon the girls will leave their nests- start careers, marry and have families of their own. He has always enjoyed their company and loves them dearly. He knows the value of capturing the present and noticing the details. 

Just like on the job sites. He notices the details. To a fault. Nothing gets past him. I'm sure that can be bothersome to our crew at times! 

As we enter our 35th year of business our basket is full. We've had an abundant fall and the new year looks even more promising. A lot of exciting things are going to be happening which I will share soon.

In the meantime we will continue to be mindful of the present, notice the details and enjoy our family, friends and customers!

Oh and if you need someone to look out for the details... you know where to find that guy.

Happy New Year!

Some moments with our Minnesota nieces...

 


Dinner on us!

by the Artist

Last night we hosted our first Applewood Christmas dinner! It is something I've wanted to do.. have our crew over to our home. Spend time together in a quiet environment without the pressure of work- the sound of saws and compressors. It is also the first time we've had a large enough crew to have a party. Along with the guys came girlfriends and a fiancee.

I spent the day preparing. Stops at two grocery stores then home to start the meal. I spent the rest of the afternoon in the kitchen. The Carpenter came home in time to start up the grill. He on special occasions buys good steak at a local meat market. And he's perfected his grilling technique. I am usually the grill master around here but not for these special steaks!

It was a good night to get to know our newest crew member and his girlfriend. They are originally from Hayward Wisconsin -which if you're a regular reader of our blog- is the destination for our camping vacations. We heard some interesting things about our favorite camp spot. And also found out some interesting things I'd rather not know. I'd prefer to keep my rose colored tourist glasses on!

In the end it was a good time. It's been a busy busy time for us this holiday season. We definitely shared our home more then past years.

It's gonna be a quiet New Year's Eve... I'm liking that.

Boughs and bows.

by the Artist

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Our cabinet shop was taken over this past weekend. The Carpenter graciously gave up the shop for our sister-in-law's "Holiday Greens Party". From Friday night to Sunday night groups of women came to create sweet holiday greens arrangements. Fresh spruce and white pine and all sorts of specialty greens were supplied, as well as festive picks of berries, swirly sticks and yards of glittery ribbon. The women brought their favorite containers and baskets.

Arrangements were made from tiny vases to large outside urns. It was fun to see how much joy the women got out of having an opportunity to be creative in the mysterious area of floral design.

Leading up to this event we spent hours cleaning the shop. Sweeping and wiping and vacuuming tons of saw dust. Shelves that had not been cleaned in 17 years were cleaned. We polished and shined and strung up Christmas lights. (even the deer antlers hung high on the wall got in the spirit) Afterwards, when I walked into the shop it was the first time it smelled clean. ever. I want to keep it that way. An unrealistic goal?

With our new employee newly onboard... I decided with the freshly cleaned shop it would be a great time to establish some shop rules. Now that I share the space for my painted furniture venture... "A Painted Apple"... I need it to be as clean as possible. So some clean rules will come in handy. yep.

The Carpenter ended up not only contributing his space but helping with the party. He cut tons of spruce and white pine, lugged water jugs (no water in the shop) and helped women carry their arrangements. He was a super help. The first night I noticed he had sat down and was enjoying watching all the action. He was amazed at the event and how much work was done to create it and how much the women were enjoying it. He ended up helping the whole weekend!

So it looks like the cabinet shop will now be wearing multiple hats- cabinet shop, floral workshop and painted furniture workshop. Not bad use of a relatively small space!

If you would like to be a part of this event for next year... just contact me through this website and we will put you on the email list to receive the invitation.

Now on to the shop rules... 

The beginning of a new era (actually continuing the journey)

by the Carpenter

Yeah, you know the journey I’m talking about. The journey I have written about so many times. Yep, the one I have said it's time to pull back and let the employees carry more of the load.

We have been fortunate to have finally hired again, what’s the saying?  Fourth ones the charm?? Or something like that. 

We have great hope that Jason is the fit we have been looking for. He seems compatible with Adam. He comes with experience yet not arrogance, and he is very eager to learn. A cool aspect of him is he is from Hayward Wisconsin, and as you know Hayward is a very favorite area of ours. He does come with one serious flaw however… he is not a coffee drinker!!! I told him he has two weeks to convert or it’s down the road! ;) Hey, I have converted five of my ten Minnesota nieces and nephews, there is a chance! Hahahaha.

Onto projects of the day..

Keep following us and hopefully we will be talking about a really cool job we are currently pricing. It started almost a year ago. The customers went through a real transformation in the process of talking to a couple of contractors, trying to decide on design, and trying to stay on a budget that worked with them. It got very overwhelming and it was put on hold for the summer.

They re-grouped and re-focused and we are one of the contractors they have called back to table. Needless to say I feel very fortunate to have the possibility to be involved again. It is an exciting prospect. One of those that I have always said I love. A project that takes a creative mind, and has the potential challenge of tackling a few unknowns (but what job doesn’t have those). When it is completed (no matter who does it) the build process will totally transform their home into a place they will be able to live in and love for a very long time. 

As Thanksgiving has passed already, I want to thank each and every one of our customers that we have had in 2015, and also those that gave us a chance to win them as a customer. It is very important that everyone knows it does not go un-noticed. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

Bing and our first white!

by the Artist

The Carpenter spent Thanksgiving under the weather. That's how he's rolled these past few years. Go Go Go. Stop! Well today the weather is over us! We had our first snowfall overnight and it has stopped work for today. (here we go!) We thought we could beat the white and get the Bridge St job site picked up this AM before things got buried. We lost the race. Now that means that if temps don't warm up before completion of the project.. we will have to go back and do clean-up as soon as the snow melts. 

We brought on a new crew member last week! We are excited to have Jason on board. We've waited a very long time to find him. We hope he enjoys working with our crew and Applewood. The Carpenter is excited to be able to put down his tools and concentrate more on project management. Maybe now he can Go Go Go. Relax!  

It is supposed to start snowing again today. Usually when they forecast that.. it doesn't happen. I'm hoping for that as we need to shovel out Applewood headquarters.

With our first snow it seemed just the right time to decorate the website home page for Christmas today. I added music for the first time! Of course it would be Bing singing "I'll be home for Christmas".

 

Around the table.

the Artist

A recent quiet Friday eve the Carpenter and I stopped to visit the Carpenter's parents at their home. We sat down at their table and enjoyed a cup of coffee and some treats. It was just the four of us. We ended up sitting there for over two hours chatting about a number of things. Reminiscing about the past, laughing about silly things and sharing our life happenings.

I realized that for 38 years I had sat at that very same table many times, more times then I can count. From the time I was a young girl dating their son, and then a very shy young bride. I lived so far (and still do) from my family and the Carpenter's family became my family. 

So much has happened since those days, so much has been shared, so much life lived. So much laughter and love. It is a comforting place to be. I can sit down and forget about the worries of life for that short time. 

The people sitting around that table have changed. We've all gotten older, the kids have grown up, and now are marrying and will bring new life to the table.

And for most of those 38 years a cell phone was not seen. We looked each other in the eye. We were and are present with each other. The Carpenter and I are hosting Christmas this year at our home. I'm tempted to put a cell phone basket by the door (which will make me not a very popular Auntie), so that everyone can be present with loved ones for just a few hours. After all… nothing stays the same. We only have this moment for sure. So we should make the most of it right? Be present. Be interested. Appreciate. Love. 

So tomorrow when you gather around a table for Thanksgiving.. wherever you are… look around you and take it all in. Be present. And be thankful for the home you have been invited to and the table you will share.