We drove to White Stone to pick up the plans today from our architect Jennifer McCann at Tranquil Waters Design. We have secured a source of financing so we can begin the renovation prior to the completion of the Sale of our house in Richmond.
I’ve created a dedicated page for the Renovation
When we designed the barn the plan was to install a versa lift on the barn to eliminate having to carry things up and down the stairs. This is where spare everything will be kept in addition to Pat’s vast supply of Christmas decorations.
Putting together the lift itself was time consuming and the whole project took about 8 hours of my time and about 6 or Pat’s help.
Pat’s video of the lift in action https://youtu.be/bWA7k1VqldQ
The salary show the install through various steps:
We’ve added a US Flag to the barn.
We needed to get some trees trimmed so
the oyster reef and newly planted grasses would get some much needed sunlight. While John was there we decided to remove 
some additional tress that were on out list including the two hollies by the front door.
Melissa, my daughter, sent me a suggestion for a game for the grandchildren for their visit this summer. The plans for the game came from HomeDepot. There were some challenges with the plans, namely the 
sideboards needed to be cut to 1-½ inches so the disks would fit in the outer slides. Using a 5-inch hole saw on an electric drill is near impossible, so I cut the out with a jigsaw only to learn that the actually disks need to be no larger than 4-¾ inches. Fortunately were were headed back to Richmond for the weekend so I deducted the size using a bandsaw and a home made 
circle jig.
The garden is beginning to deliver crops, we have been eating Arugula, Egg Plant, Yellow Squash and zucchini, and tomatoes.
Today Pat and I decided to assemble and install the Wester Red Cedar planting beds. It rained off and on as a front moved thru the area but the sun finally came out so we could get some work 
accomplished. I arranged with our local Arborist to deliver some amended topsoil when we return the the Creek on or about April 16th. 15yards of soil will be delivered and we will try to have it placed as close to the planters as possible but the tractor with the loader will do most of the work. While were in Richmond next week will check on vegetable plants.
Be sure to check back.
Pat ordered from Natural Yards raised bed planters (5) made from cedar which she is putting adjacent to the garage. Raised beds are planters with open bottoms so plant roots can penetrate the ground below. Soil capacity and flexible design make raised beds ideal for vegetable gardens on lawn, bare dirt and rocky soil. Optional planter bottoms provide soil drainage for gardens. Now the work begins.
Last year we had the grass cut because we were not sure how often we would be a the Rivah house. With the grass cutting season beginning in mid-April and extending to mid-October the cost mounts up quickly and in addition we need to bush-hog the reed grasses along the march 3 times to keep the invasive reeds from consuming our property.
My plan was to purchase a used tractor and a 60″ finish mower deck and take over the duties. In addition this would provide a tractor with a loader to keep the 600′ of driveway in order. Were planning on a big garden next spring when we move permanently to New Point.
After muck investigation I found that guys in Virginia do not like to part with their toys and buying a used tractor was going to mean a trip to PA, TX or IL for the inspection and then hire a trucker to transport to VA. I would still have a tractor that was used I did find some with low hours of use, but you ned know how it was treated and maintained.
One evening we were coming back from an exploratory ride through Middlesex County and we passed Fleet Brothers a well established dealer of Massey Ferguson tractor in the area. I stopped for a quick one over and then did some research in the the models and options available. I returned a few days later after talking with John Fleet III about potential models. Three trips later I brought Pat along to help with the final decision. The purchase was made on March 25, 2016 with a handshake and I took delivery on the 30th.
While cutting the grass I noticed that the two mature Blue Berry bushes on the east side of the garage appear to be two different varieties. Not sure of the actual variety, will require a bit of detective work but you can see the difference in the blossoms.