Christmas Tour Of Homes 2013

The Christmas Tour of Homes was a great success!  We think at least 200 people came by to tour our home and learn about the history of the place we now call home, not to mention learn a thing or two about an old stone house restoration.  We learned a lot from you all too about our house and history! Thank you all for coming and Merry Christmas to all.   See you at the completion open house in 2015!!!

Getting ready for a hard winter's work day at Gratiot House Farm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, I'm not deer hunting.  I'm scrubbing glazing putty off of the windows.  Forty degrees.  Need I say more?

Little helper getting the house organized and ready for winter construction and the Tour of Homes!

First snow of the year here in Shullsburg, WI.  Bon Hiver!

Snow plowing the driveway.

House WITH windows!

 The Gratiot House is back to it's original 6 and 9 sash windows.  Old glass on the west side and newer glass on the east side of the house. 

Installing THEE FIRST WINDOW into our side of the house.  Hinged in the center, opens at the top, cottage style if you will. 

 

Anxiously awaiting their permanent homes...

Will miss the particle board look...

 

 

Official beer of this project

 

Pine tar used to strengthen and seal the old pine on the front door threshold.

The glass window factory: September.

The window factory in full operation.  Fitting glass, (sizing, cutting and cleaning), then pointing, glazing and painting (twice!) 

Pointing the glass (first step to putty in the glass)

 

Papa Ron cleans the glass with a razor.  Jay is cutting glass in the background.  Each glass pane needs to be individually cut and sized to fit correctly the window correctly. 

Piles of glass, some is 1840's, some is early 1900's and some is 1970's. 



Serious window philosophy going on.



Painting the glazing first time or layer one.  We chose this route rather painting the glass and scraping the glass with a razor. 

Marius was glad his visit wasn't long enough to partake in the second coat.

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Heather's 94 year old Grandma gets a ride with Chris in a friend's 1930's biplane.  




Like father like son.  Pre fly in. 






Hugely successful potatoe harvest!