The Beginning

This is the beginning:

Well, sort of... 

We've neglected to take pictures as the lot was prepared, but less than 24 hours ago, this was a flat, grassy lot. Before that, the place was crowded by invasive shrubs, littered by bicycle parts, and frankly looked like hell. And so, despite the fact there could technically be another "before" photo, this is THE beginning. In 3 to 4 months, here will stand our new house!

Today was also the beginning of winter fall in Missoula. It has been a record-setting 43 days since it rained here. Late summer was filled with smoke and we had been praying for rain and enjoying our trips out of the valley. The smoke from forest fires is acrid, burns your throat, and sometimes materializes into ash and falls from the sky. We were done. But I didn't really expect to wake up this morning to snow; I guess we just skipped that whole rain part. I hope these two story-lines don't collide too heavily over the next months...

But back to the house! We've been working with Richard and Matt - two kiwis who run a construction/remodling company named for the New Zealand native Silverfern. For the past few months we've been scheming over drawings and beers trying to figure out exactly what this house will look like, how it might fit on this lot, and best assimilate to their grand plans for this corner of the "North Side" of Missoula. After all the planning, we're finally starting the digging! Here's Libby with the ceremonial first shovel-full of dirt and me with the less-well-known ceremonial first tamp!!:

We'll keep a running update as things progress, including a full description of the plans and how they develop (evolve?) as we go. Much to come, but after all our searching and angst, it's AMAZING to be starting this process. We couldn't be happier with Matt and Richard and can hardly wait to show you around the new digs! Come visit! (But you should probably wait until February...)