Hi there everyone!! I hope your summer is going great!

It seems like every year summer vacation goes by a little bit faster. It’s back to school planning time already and before you know it fall and Christmas will be right around the corner. Before time gets away from you how about spending a weekend working on those scrapbook pages from last school year? Or maybe you want to get a jump start on those Christmas card for this year and not have to do them last minute again!

Our August Hosted Weekend Retreat on the 22nd - 24th still has plenty of room. Come and spend time doing what you love before summer slips away! You don’t even have to make meals… I do it all for you!! Stay up as late as you want without any interruptions. Leave everything out and don’t worry about the kids getting into your things. Try out a few new tools or look at a new idea book. Or maybe just take some time to relax in the great northwoods. Don’t forget the great craft shopping in the area either!

Look here for more details on our currently scheduled Hosted Weekends and other specials.

 

The September 12th - 13th Hosted Weekend has room for two more yet. If you’re thinking about it contact me soon!

 

If you are interested in a different weekend in September, remember we are offering 30% off our regular weekend rates. You only need a minimum of three people to book your own weekend retreat. You may have the retreat to yourselves or be sharing with another small group.

 

Now is the time to take a look at your calendars and see what dates work for you. Before you know it, life gets too busy and you aren’t able to schedule your own getaway weekend. Book something now and have a weekend at the retreat to look forward to this fall!

 

Well Hi everyone!!

 

I know it’s been awhile. Summer months keep everyone so busy and the same goes for us. There have been some changes at the retreat. We now have the landscaping completed!! I’ll share a few pictures of the work in progress at the end of this post. The wireless internet is also up and running!

 

Tomorrow I’ll be heading up to the retreat for the first Hosted Weekend. I’m really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and a few new ones too! We only have space for 5 more people at our September weekend so if you are interested please reserve your spot soon.

 

Because of the great response to our Hosted Weekends we are adding another one this summer!

 

August 22rd - 24th    $100/person plus taxes ($25 deposit)

Check in Friday at 1:00 Check out on Sunday at 1:00

Registration Form

 

On our Hosted Weekends I do all the cooking and clean up!! Which gives you more time to craft, who doesn’t want that!  You’ll be treated to homecooked meals, snacks, coffee, milk and bottled water. Feel free to bring along anything else you wish! I hope to meet more of you then!

 

Now for some new pictures.

 

Stump grinding, that was cool to watch!

 

Spreading some piles of black dirt.

 

Raking in the grass seed.

 

Spreading straw over everything, what a mess.

 

Almost finished with the backyard.

 

Finishing along the driveway.

 

Now I have a couple of pictures of someone we saw snooping around one morning…

 

 

 

Dale saw a turkey last week too! 

 

Next week I’ll post pictures of our new green grass. (I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get some rain!)

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

First off… space is getting limited for our Open House. I have 5 spaces open for Saturday night . If Friday is an option for you there is still plenty of room. Please see the post below for details!!

 

Also I want to remind everyone of our Grand Opening Special.  I hope you will be able to take advantage of that great rate.

 

Now on to the update.

Things have been moving along quite nicely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not much has changed on the outside that you can see, but we hope to get the concrete poured by the end of next week. Keeping our fingers crossed that it all works out. Then we can get the driveway gravelled too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This the front door and corner of the greatroom. The flooring is all in now along with the cabinets. I really like how the hickory looks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a better look at the kitchen area. The island will have seating for three. We have two counter height dining tables that each seat eight people too. The granite counter will be installed the end of next week and the appliances soon after. I can’t wait to see it all together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the other side of the greatroom. The stairs to the craftroom are behind the halfwall and the hallway leads to the three upper bedrooms and baths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the view back down the hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The craftroom is in the lower level and has a small wet bar area. There will be a fridge there also. All of the craft tables are from Ikea (Vika Amon 5′) and waiting to be assembled. The leather office chairs are in too! They will be very comfortable and adjustable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another view of the craftroom. The corner by the window will have the computer desk and printer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are three windows and a set of French doors in addition to the fluorescent and can lights. There will be plenty of light for all crafts.

 

 

 

 

 

The last picture is of one of the lower bedrooms. The Walnut room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That  is all I have to share for now!! Please stop by for our Open House if you are in the area!

 

 

 

I have some new pictures to share!!

 

 

The garage doors are finally up and they are putting the second coat of stain on the siding.

 

 

 The kitchen is really looking nice! The painter will be finished this week then start on staining the windows next week.

 

  

 This is a view of the master bathroom. I love this nice sage green wall color!

 

 

 

 

 

I know it’s been awhile since I have updated you all on the progress… the last three weeks the drywallers have been working. When they are there, not much else goes on until that process is complete. And it is!! Yeah!!

  

 

Thursday the painter started working on the walls and today the vinyl in the bathrooms was put in. The finish carpenters have also started putting in all the cabinets and the pine ceiling in the greatroom. It’s been a few weeks since I was able to get up there, but Saturday I’ll be there taking pictures of all the new stuff and I’ll share those with you as soon as I can!!

 

Have you checked out our What’s New page?? You really should!! (Hint Hint) I think you might like it!

 

 

 

Plans for the Open House are going well. It’s May 30 - June 1st! I have a few more details to work out before posting all the information on that. For now, just keep that weekend available if you are interested in coming and checking out everything we have been working on so hard for you.

 

  
 

I have gotten a few more tools in also. First off, a new Dell computer and monitor are here for the craftroom. I still need to get the printer, that is next on the list.

 

 

 

 

    The Curvy Cutter and glass cutting mat are in. We have the round, oval and rounded square templates.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tonic 12" guillotine paper trimmer!!

 

 

 

  I’m sure I’ll be adding in a few more things here and there as we go. But I wanted to share with you the major items that will be available for your use.

 

TGIF!!

Hope you have a great weekend!

 

 I have some new pictures for you all. Dale was up at the retreat last Sunday and took these for me. 

 

The drywall should be all hung this week and the mudding and taping will start next. Now it’s so much easier to see how the rooms really shape up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have to finialize our plans for the mantle soon. We are thinking of using a nice chunky pine beam and a granite surround and hearth. The flat panel TV will be above the fireplace also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really liked the angle of this picture. Of course, today there is another 6 or so inches of snow!! Nice!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another nice view!! Dale did good with the camera I think!

 

We are going to have our work ahead of us to get the landscaping done too. I believe we are doing that ourselves.

 

Anyone know what plants the deer won’t eat???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The retreat is taking on a new look! Cedar siding has been going up and I love it. 

 

 Very "Up North" looking don’t you think?

 

 

Here is another angle.

 

 

You can see the last two windows are in also. We had been waiting for some nailing flanges for those.

 

This is how the Greatroom currently looks. Drywall will start going up later this week. That whole process takes about 3 weeks from start to finish. Then we can look forward to the finish carpentry work. (the fun stuff!!)

 

This last picture is of the craft room. Still lots of work to be done, but it’s nice to see how everything is laid out now.

Behind the scenes we have been ordering many of the furnishings and tools for the craft room. A little more exciting than working on the electrical stuff!

If you have any questions about us please feel free to send me an email! info@talloaksretreat.com

 

 

 

So have you  noticed the additions to the site?

We now have an Availability Calendar to help you in making your reservations!

Yes!! I did say reservations!!  Whoo Hoo!  I’m so glad to be able to say that already!

 

There is also a more detailed description of what the retreat will have in our Accomodations page and the Rates/Policies information has been expanded.

 

To begin making a reservation, you just need to fill out a quick online form found in our Reservations tab. The information will be emailed to us and we will contact you to get everything set up! It’s that simple!

 

We are still scheduled to finish the retreat in May, but just to be sure everything we want is complete and ready for you, we will take reservations starting with June and any time after that.

 

I have begun buying the tools and supplies for the craft room and as soon as they are here I will add that information to the Accomodations page as well.

 

The work has been continuing, and I’ll have more pictures for you after Easter. All the interior rough in is done and the insulation work will be finished this week, with drywall starting next week. Also, the siding is going up, I can’t wait to see what it looks like!

 

Last week while Dale was there working on the electrical stuff, he saw 6 deer walk right by the Frech doors on the lower level! How cool!!

 

Finally, did you know that you can leave me comment here on the blog? Yep!! You just have to register, it’s fast and painless. We have that extra step to keep spam out. I hope to hear from you soon!!

 

 

We have a well now!! LOL They have also put in the septic system and the electrical work is almost done!! You can see that we also got those shingles up! The siding will be delivered soon. It is cedar and has been at the stainers . Two coats of stain went on all four sides of it, I’m very happy to say we didn’t decide to do that ourselves! Here is the back, all enclosed now. I love that green French door! It will be so nice to sit out there this summer on the patio. Lots of interior rough in work going on right now. The HVAC and plumbers will be there next week.

Then after the inspection the insulation can go in. This is when it seems like everything slows way down. There are so many different contractors to coordinate and then the timing of inspections to plan for. I just want to be on to the finish work so I can show you the beautiful hickory cabinets and granite counters we have picked out! All in good time I guess!

Well… it’s a little further along! The roof is covered but no shingles yet.

The next time I’ll have pictures with the lower level all enclosed!!