Our Train

We have been looking at, buying and renovating this property for 7 months and this is the first time that I have seen the train.  Most people think that it would be a nuisance and I must admit I was a little concerned.  After today I'm hooked, this was very cool,  Ella and I have made plans to watch for the train and sit and count the cars.  I am sure that we will think of other funs things to do.  Some people have model trains, we have the real thing and let me say once again, THIS IS SO VERY COOL!!!  Check back later for more pics and maybe a movie.  

Walls fall down and walls go up

 As we talked about earlier, the brick on the back of the house fell down when they were putting in the windows and doors.   Mel and I cleaned off the bricks and the guys put them back on the walls.  In the construction game things change on a daily basis, choose the right guys and thing get fixed really fast.

Burn Pile

It's in the Casteel blood, we love to burn brush.  Papa Casteel is the happiest person in the world when he is buring a brush pile.   Here at Gifft Hill we have piles of brush that we cleaned out over the last few months and we are burning it to clear the area.  Mel and I were talking as we burned the brush last Saturday.  The only two things that were missing were our Papa and Tony, our old bud from Athens.  Both guys love to set things on fire.

Weekend Update

 Mel loves this part of the driveway.

 Front yard and a shot of the awesome Japanese Maple.

 Lucky on the azalea colors.  We like reds, deep pink and white.  Don't like purple - no purple.

 Awesome Dogwood and the Jap. Maple in the front yard.

 Front entry shot below.

What a beautiful spring and early to boot.  We are just loving the time outdoors at the property.  It has been so pleasant and all the trees make for tons of shady spots to take in the day.  Took some photos trying to capture the wonder that is created by all the Dogwoods in full bloom right now.  It's hard to do.
It was really nice to get to tour some of our family and friends around this weekend.  We enjoyed having Mel's Dad (Mack), our adopted family (Aunt Brooks and Uncle Steve Dumas) and the whole Higdon gang (Charlie, Marla, Champ, Cael and Cooper).  Talk of a huge party once we get settled in - whenever that will be.  Such a long process this is.  

Prime Spring Season come to Gifft Hill this Week

 Should be the best weekend ever to see the blooms at Gifft Hill - just waiting to see everything unfold.  Can't wait to get some photos and share. Ella is so happy about the pink azaleas.  Feels like bonfire and smores on Saturday after Streetfest - oh there's the 'No Rain' Dance coming again.

                                               They are just so big we can't get over it.......................

The Warehouse?

Shed becomes the Warehouse, as Ella affectionately calls it.  That might just stick.  Geez, what else do you do with sheds but store things - it's not far fetched.

Details come to Life

The siding is now done except for where they are waiting for the front porch to be added.  It's sorta cute, but maybe too cute, in yellow.  Why yellow you say.  Well, did you know Hardi-plank comes primed in yellow for the south and gray for the north nowadays?  Learning new things everyday around here.  Now to pick the final paint/stain colors.  What do you think they will be?  Hmmmm......