But soon. Tuesday morning our builders arrived and started working.
Of course Jim had to help. These top two photos were taken from inside the house, not clear shots at all.
Dove tail joints...
and the logs get caulked together.
All done for this day. When Jim worked construction he worked for a bunch of Finlanders. Whenever they finished a house they would put a sapling up on the ridge pole, then they would take the rest of the day off to celebrate. But since our sauna isn't going to have one, it went up on the highest spot. We're not exactly done, but we are done with this part, so Jim went into the woods and dug up a sapling and planted it in a box he made and nailed it to the highest spot which in our case is the gable.
The Amish men looked a bit confused at first, that is until Jim told them the story behind this tradition.
All done and ready for the roof, door and windows.
There is another story behind the walls of the sauna. Jim wanted the logs to look more like they were hewed by hand and not cut by a machine, only the Amish fellow didn't quite understand what Jim wanted and put way too many marks in the logs. We were quite shocked to see it at first, but figure as the logs weather and the roof, windows, and door are on maybe it won't pop out so much. The more I look at it tho the more I like it, and as some have said it gives it character.
eta: When the sauna is all done and ready for use the sapling tree will get planted again.
I think it looks fabulous so far! All handcrafted. Very cool!
Posted by: Kar | April 11, 2012 at 08:20 AM
Oh my! Those are quite the joints on the sauna!
Posted by: Di | April 11, 2012 at 09:46 AM
i rather like it! and i like that sapling tradition. :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | April 11, 2012 at 09:57 AM
The tree on the top is also an ironworker tradition. :) Love how Jim has had a hand in the building of your sauna. Enjoy!
Posted by: Nancy | April 11, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Oh how you will enjoy the sauna. I like the tree tradition. RE other posts: the pie looks so yummy and the crust so nicely shaped.
Posted by: ann | April 11, 2012 at 03:45 PM
I think the pockets give it character too. Kind of fits with the dovetail joints!
Posted by: Carol C | April 11, 2012 at 06:58 PM
Nice looking construction.
Posted by: Randy | April 11, 2012 at 10:30 PM
It looks great, Judy. I can remember my dad putting a tree atop our new house once the roof was on.
Cheers
Posted by: Pam | April 12, 2012 at 08:13 AM
It's coming along well! It'll be fun to watch how the wood ages.
Posted by: EG Wow, Canada | April 12, 2012 at 07:08 PM
It will look great as it weathers!
Posted by: Rose | April 13, 2012 at 01:22 PM
I am so jealous! I would love a sauna or hot tub!
Posted by: jean | April 14, 2012 at 08:45 AM