July 16, 2008
The cherry on top of our house
Well not quite the cherry but close. I guess the cupola will the be the cherry - or the weather vane. But for some reason this deserves it more. Here's the story...
When Amy and I went on our journey to meet different timber frame companies we looked for the company with the most soul. When we got to meet the Bensonwood clan, it became very clear to us who was going to build our home. We were getting close to finishing the meeting when Tedd said, "Oh yeah, one last thing: When we get to the end of the timber frame construction process, we usually have a ceremony and we hope you guys are all right with it." I remember being ALL EARS at this point.
(Like all of us, I love a good story.) Tedd told us, "To keep balance with the land and all the surrounding woodlands, we attach a sprig of the local wood to the top of the frame and we honor the earth for giving us the wood to make the homes we build and live in." Well, it was all over right there - we'd found our partners, people who are as passionate as we are about this place we are creating.
So, fast forward to when it came time to attach the sprig last week. I remember turning to Tedd and saying, "Why don't we use blue spruce? They are all over our property and the surrounding area." Well, Tedd looked at me and said...
"Pete, I never told you this before, but I had brother named Steve. We were business partners way back in the beginning, trying to scratch out a living doing whatever we could to get our company off the ground. Steve was a good man and I loved him dearly. One day Steve was tragically killed in an automobile accident and left us at 24 years old. After Steve passed, we planted two blue spruces in his honor. So, to attach a blue spruce to your home would be very very fitting and an honor."
Once again in this life magic happened - the full circle, the reason we are all here - to find the right people to connect with, to learn from those people and love the things they bring to this world.
So here's to Steve. From Amy, Cian, Juliette and myself, you would be very proud of the legacy your brother has carried on down here, brother.
peace
(23) Comments
Comment on this BlogWonderful story - Pete. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. After watching the crew work for the last couple weeks - it's easy to see they love their jobs. Their hearts are truly into it. In a few hours your copper top goes on - this IS exciting - even 2600 miles away I feel part of it. Thanks again, Rockman Jim
Darn... the north camera which should give the best view of the cupula being placed in position is facing the ground. Have to leave in an hour...hoping something will happen before 10am
Thank you!
That is a great story, Pete. And you wrote it so well. I want to second other people's sentiments when I say thanks for being so open and generous with your time to the rest of us. It's been a joy seeing how thrilled you, your family, and the crews have been through this process. Now, one question: Is there another ceremony for when the Bensonwood door arrives; or is there just an unceremonious presentation of the final bill? :)
man, are they ever going to set the cupula? lol
Buddie, By my clock they removed the straps from the cupola between 4:15 and 4:20 EDT on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Took me a long, long time to realize that the priority on a shoot day remains the TV show (aka getting the shot "just right"), not the construction work.
It will be fun to see how approximately 120 minutes of action that I watched this afternoon on the Web cams get edited down to approximately ?? minutes on TV this fall on another Thursday (unless the PBS air day changes this season).
Ya i bet the construction crews hate to see the TV crews show up lol. It was fun to sit here and watch the cupula go up. I've been a TOH fan from the very first show. thanks gmcruiser
i gotta tell all you guys out there. we are soooo lucky to have all of this happening around us. we never expected this level of vibe from everyone.
we are all in this tribe together. all you guys out there and all the folks on site. it really does feel great. we all just got home from an amazing dinner that deb hosted tonight. thank you deb!
we dont want any of this to end.
also, so ya'll know out there. the vibe between the TV crew and the builing crew could not be better. everyone has a job to do. its understood.
to build this fantasy project and to cover it for broadcast.it will reflect in the home for sure.
much respect all around. plus the work ethic displayed by all is amazing.
this is a great tribe. and we are so lucky to be part of something cool.
peace
The crane is gone and is at this moment being replaced by Tommy's trailer. A "changing of the guard" perhaps. Seems likely the Benson crew has moved on to another job. Too bad ladies, I think we're going to see fewer "skins" and more "shirts".
judy tomorrow is the benson crews last day.
i will make sure they put a good show on for you.
sometimes its like a village people concert over there. :)
Hey Pete,
The house looks terrific! Can't wait to see it in person.
Love,
Cuz Irene
Pete and Amy, I don't know you, but I've been captivated by the beauty of your house from the moment it began to take shape. Biking by there every day on my way to and from work, often stopping for a longer look, I have felt that there was something very special about the house. Having read about your thoughtful planning for the house and the land, I now understand WHY it feels so special. I was delighted, when the TOH trailer showed up, because I realized I could find out more about your amazing house. What I wouldn't give to see it up close...but I suspect having a film crew around is enough of a crowd. ;-) Best of luck, and enjoy your dream house! Stacie
I am so excited for you guys!!!
Maybe it is time to put this 'journey' into a book! I have been so touched and inspired reading the expressions! The heart, soul and optimism really brings so much joy! Thank you for sharing these "good vibrations", and making my life richer!
I'm a fan!
Noreen
The webcam display window seems to have been changed since yesterday. It no longer opens properly in my Safari browser (Mac).
It's working now. Thanks. I guess the interruption was due to renaming the "Tommy Cam"; I like it! Wet in Boston.
It's working now. I guess the interruption was to change the name of the "Tommy Cam"; I like it!
Pete:
Could you comment on changes to the floor plan of the basement as it doesn't seem to be the same as the plan that is posted. The model and the real thing seem to have single car garages under the porches with a space in the middle. Also what is the orientation of the basement (or Tommy) cam? I've been assuming it was pointing NE with the door in the background opening from the garage to the north side....but that doesn't explain the window that would them be on the east side. Also, any major changes to the upper floors. I think I saw you and Amy meeting with the architect Wednesday afternoon and evening. Tell Amy she should bring a stool next time..she had to have been standing for 5 hours.
Good Morning Everyone, It was wonderful to see the sun shining this morning about 7 (your time - 4am my time). The sheet rock truck came with a small load - it's a start. Hopefully more of the roof can get put on. For Deborah Hood (Boss Lady) at about 7:15, one of the workers made what appeared to be a less than friendly hand gesture right in front of the "tommy" cam. Not very appropiate for the great work that's being done or all the hard work the TOH team goes through to bring us all the day-to-day action. Have a great day. Thank You, Rockman Jim Always Sunny AZ.
First things first, I am a big fan of the show and am once again looking forward to the new season. That said, I am a little disappointed with how the blogs have been for the past several projects. I think the blog has the potential to be a great complement to the TV show, but it seems like every project blog falls short of my expectations (every increasing gaps between posts). In particular I had high hopes for this project's blog since some behind the scenes people were going to contribute for the first time. I recognize what a huge undertaking building and filming are and realize the blog is not the #1 (Or #20) priority. Maybe I expect too much from TOH, but if this feature can't be done with high quality then maybe it should not be offered. As much as I would love a regularly updated blog, past history makes me think a webcam related message board would be more appropriate.
Weston House
passing by a set thatwas airing TOH, I saw the name of the homw owner on a wrap around a lumber laod , an d stopped to see about a name ik knew, lo and bnehold it was Peter Favat... Pete , as a boy , lived in my neighborhood. I remnember him waint each summer afternoon , for the ice cream truck. He was saving up his Black Cow sticks. We asked him, "WHAT ARE YOU SAVING THEM FOR PETER?" He would shrug off our inquiring, till one oday he had a batch of hujndreds of them, some days he would get two, till he said, Im going top build a house ot of these sticks! A week or so later , and a few Elmers glue bottles later as well, Peter emerged with his stick-house , and it was the exact design of the house you have built on TOH.. I dont know if POete still has the Black Cow house but wow That's Pete for you!! Thanks, Pete!!!
I am an avid watcher of This Old House Hour. I noticed that when you installed the cupola all the windows still had the Anderson stickers still on them. Why didn't you remove them and clean the windows while it was on the ground? How did you finally clean them?
I am interested in the copper exhaust caps for the vents. Are these custom? Where did you find them? Thanks, the house is great and looked like great fun and a wonderful creative expression.
Hi Guys,
Good story Pete. I'll be bringing the kids up to check out the "new digs" in Spring. (hopefully). Hope the family is well dude.
JC