Just 10 days later from the last blog post when I visited the home site…and the stones are in place for the fireplace.  Just waiting on the mantle. This feature certainly makes the great room feel great.  And it will be a real wood fireplace.  You'll get that snap and crackle of a real fire.  But you know what?  The builder has added this truly brilliant feature.  If you have ever started a fire before you know that sometimes it can be a challenge if the wood isn't quite dry enough or you don't have enough kindling.  Well, there is actually a gas starter for the fireplace. So all you have to do is get your wood all set with your kindling and your logs ready.  You turn on the gas and light it.  It will ignite your wood and once it's going you can turn off the gas.  So no huffing and puffing to fan the flames and get your fire to take off.  In no time you will have a lovely glowing fire to curl up next to and watch the flames dance your cares away in your great room. [caption id="attachment_4384" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Fieldstone fireplace taking shape[/caption] The stonework on the wall of windows as I call it, is taking shape nicely. I wish that you could see this in person to see just how pretty it is. Once the stone work is complete this great room will be the room in the house that everyone is going to gravitate to.  It is certainly the focal point and where I gravitate to even in the construction phase. [caption id="attachment_4385" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Mountain Views will await you in this home![/caption] The exterior is coming along nicely. With each and every cedar shingle being hand dipped it takes time for them to be done correctly.  As they are done they are added to the exterior.  The team that is working on this project are so professional.  It's truly been a pleasure getting to know each of them a little bit at a time. [gallery size="large" ids="4387,4386,4388"]