Three Down Around the Lakes

We did wrap up in Timber Bay and I must say the patio, bench, stone walls and steps are magnificent, truly the work of talented and skilled individuals.  Working with all natural stone requires patience, an analytical brain, strong back and an eye for detail.  Stone masons have been highly sought after since man first put chisel to rock.  The warmth of the rocks, the enduring beauty and changing patina of the stone make flagstone the timeless, classic choice for a patio.

The job on Lake James concluded last week as well.  We used erosion fabric on nearly the entire yard since the customers are not able to water as often as we would like, the fabric holds the moisture well and now is an ideal time to seed in northeast Indiana.  The large wall along the roadside is designed basically like a huge planter, the arborvitae hedge will grow together and provide a good screen for the house from the busy road.

Because we are building a color themed rock wall and steps on another house on Lake James I went hunting for a very specific rock today.  The rock needed to be around 3.5' x 32" x 15", dark blue and flat on both sides and by golly I found it at the first gravel pit I went to Hansen Aggregates in Angola.
So I thought I would share the journey of the 2,036 pound behemoth.  Next stop for the bugger is as a giant step into the lake.

My trip around the gravel pit was more like being in a lunar scape the boulder field is on the far edge of the pit and provides a good view into the bowel of the operation.  Shopping for rocks is always a trip.

Sticks and Stones

Morning Sailors on Lake James

Larry & Charlene like the flagstone patio, walk and stairs we installed last year so much that Larry tore off the second level wood deck and we designed another flagstone patio with  a seating wall and bench.
The old concrete stoop was linked to the patio with snap cut stairs.  Bill and Doug should wrap this one mid next week.  It is going to be sharp.

So much is going on, we are still busy and we have not hit our fall rush yet.  Since we are located in a seasonal resort area many of our customers want any major disruptive work to wait until after they close up their cottages which is around Labor Day.  Additionally builders are pushing now to get in foundations, framing and roofs on any new builds to sustain them with interior work over the winter.  Customers are never happy with snow in a new home. 

Unloading cut bluestone slabs

We are working on Lake James building free stacked glacial retaining walls,  installing drainage tiles, seawall renovation, constructing a stoop, installing a yard and snap cut staircase all before the house is even built.  We are working strictly on the lakeside of the property with our only reference being the stamped concrete pour for the porches.  Once the house is actually up access to the lakeside will be severely restricted on the steep grade.

Large bluestone accents on bottom and smaller bluestone accents on top terrace

We are trying something different with these glacial walls, inserting a bluestone in a pattern on both the
terraces.  The stone matches the steps and porches.

Out on Clear Lake Gary and Cody have been busy this week constructing the fence and arbor that we pre-cut and painted at the shop, actually the customer painted it at our location.  The bluestone slabs that Jon cut will be laid to form a path through the new garden.  We are switching to the east side of the house now adding snap cut steps to the hill and a small retaining wall where we will be planting a specimen evergreen.  This job too should wrap next week.

Jon cutting bluestone slabs

The big Allan Block job on Lake James should also conclude this coming week. We installed soil ahead of Chuck's Concrete (they are poured the drive & walk) we will be boxed out of using any equipment to finish our work due to the tight lot line.  The landscape design of this job reflects the busy lifestyle of the homeowners with easy care plants, stone and weed barrier top dressing and small but functional beds.

40 Hours

Best Overall Home Show

As the valley girls say I am totally stoked to have hired our new employee, Doug Brown.  Doug is 37 and has spent nearly all his working hours in the landscape business, he hails from nearby Ohio, spent several years working in Florida and the last few years in the Indianapolis area.  He claims to understand all phases of both the green side and hardscape side of the business spending many years as as supervisor/installer.  Welcome aboard Doug, I can hardly wait for the week to begin.

Another bright spot, Jessica returned to work this week having seen five doctors in four facilities with a final diagnosis of sinusitis which was treated with antibiotics making her feel nearly immediately better, go figure.  There is no doubt in my mind it all started with  heat stroke.  Glad to have her back.  With a small company each person plays such an important role.

We jazzed up this bed by adding the dry streambed

Rejoice we are not supposed to hit the high 90's this week and will actually start the week around 83 degrees.  This is especially important as I have been trying to get Jane and Craig's paver sealing job finished but it has either been too hot to use the product.  In fact I had trouble when I applied the wet look sealer when it was hot it got tacky and dried milky now I have to thin that with a resealer product.
Not every day goes as planned.

Home Show Lake Side

This past week end and next is the local builders association Home Show where people are encouraged to visit newly constructed homes which have been professionally  judged for best builder, best  interior design, best landscaping and best overall house.  We unwittingly participated in this years Show ultimately landscaping the house that was judged number one in all categories except landscaping which placed third.  We actually started the job last fall and finished it in May.  Because of the 50/50 rule employed by our county your total hard surfaces (house, concrete driveway, sidewalks) can not exceed 50 percent of the total square foot of your lot.  The house alone nearly exceeded the rule which meant huge restrictions when it came to hardscape.  Surfice it to say I was surprised we got third place and if memory serves me this is the first, first place finish for Jim Ingledue Construction, special congratulations to Ms. Chris Evans.

Home Show Road Side

Lots of projects for this coming week.  Finishing up our rare commercial project at Lakeland Nursing Home and bidding another the up coming new Northeastern Center are on the to do list.  We should also wrap up the job Bill and Ryan are working at Lake James, finish a short clean up and renovation Theresa started last week, replace all landscaping at the Miller house on Clear Lake, seal the pavers, and start three decent size installations, no wonder I can't sleep more than six hours a night.

Home Show Lake View

Funny thing Doug talked to other local landscapers and no one felt comfortable hiring him as they were all a bit slow, we are really fortunate to be so steady.