Alpaca Shearing

Our alpacas were sheared in early April, here are some before and after pictures, quite a change! About a week or so after shearing, it turned cold here and we didn't have coats for all the guys so after a run to JoAnn fabrics for supplies, Donna made up coats for everyone. Have some pictures of her making the coats but haven't found any pictures of the boys wearing them, thought I had taken some. The silver grey alpaca in the pictures is Legend, our latest addition. He's the friendliest of all the boys. Likes to chew on your hat and will walk up to you to be rubbed. He was shown in the ring for a year or so and this led to him being handled quite a bit so he learned to like humans! Oh well, enjoy the shots.

Deck & Patio Work

Work continues on the deck and patio for the front of the house. The deck handrails required by code are on so hopefully, we'll get the inspection done next week so I can use the new deck and  move the astronomy dome. Contractors were here this week to dig out the patio area and have a gravel base in place for most of it. The pad where the pizza oven stand, fireplace, and counter will be built was poured yesterday. Pad will be ready for Tuesday after the holiday when the stone and block work will start. Here's a picture of the area with the pad- the stairs are the ones from the new deck expansion that empty in to the area.

Pad and gravel base from porch

Deck Expansion

We've decided to add a deck extension on the front of the house that will let us move the Astronomy dome out from behind the house where it partially blocks the view. We're also going to add a set of stairs down to ground level where we're having a new patio area with a pavilion and fireplace built. And even better, the pavilion will have a place for a pizza oven!

Here are some pictures of the deck work going on, nearly done, the builder will need one more trip back to finish the railings down to the ground and then install a smaller, handrail that is required by building codes, inside the railings.

You can see the dome in the second picture where it sits behind the house. Right now, the house limits me to seeing about 180 degrees of the sky, once moved to the new deck, should have over 270 degrees and will be able to have views to the north and northwest. 

First Framing Going Up

Framing Nearly Done

Deck Boards On and First Post Up

Framing for Landing in Stairs

Stairs Added

Complicated Cut to Add Post on Stairs

It Fits!

Nearly Completed, More Railings to Come