Top 10 Tech Deals Banner

Main Menu
Home
All News Entires
Links
Contact Us
Search
Photo Gallery
Our Cruise History
Recipes
Picture Hanging Calculator
Music
Sponsored Links
Login Form





Lost Password?
Syndicate
New Arrival
Written by Richard   
Monday, 03 August 2009

Welcome to the newest addition to the family, the Nissan Cube Mobile Device.  Unique, fresh and contemporary (and painted in "Bitter Chocolate") - we love our new gas saver run-around.

ImageImage 

Last Updated ( Monday, 03 August 2009 )
 
William goes to his Junior Prom
Written by Richard   
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Pictures posted of William's and Brianna's junior prom.  A handsome couple!
Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 May 2009 )
 
A Long Overdue Update
Written by Richard   
Sunday, 28 December 2008

It's been quite some time since we provided an update on all things from the Scott family (tribe.)  Work as usual continues on 30 Westfield, although at this point in time things seem less like necessities and more like improvements!  We took a shot at enhancing the opening between the kitchen and the family room with knee-walls and columns.  Working entirely from a picture from a magazine, we are quite pleased with the results.  Despite a few unplanned situations, work-arounds seemed to make the final result quite gratifying to us. Image

Having lived with a broken fireplace in the master bedroom, we decided to turn our attention to correcting the problem.  Understand that neither of us have any sort of experience with gas lines, regulators, and fireplaces, so we came into this as complete novices.  After decomposing the problem bit by bit we came to learn about Thermocouples, Termpiiles, Heat sensors, mili-vot systems and the like.  Add in the fact that the manufacturer of the gas insert has been out of business for seven years, we were on our own.  After narrowing down the problem to a bad thermopile, dusty vents, and a bad circuit board, we now have a fully functioning fireplace!

 Music continues to be added to the various rooms.  The latest being an in-ceiling speaker and system in the master bathroom.  Running wires from the basement to the attic proved a challenge, but made much easier after the discovery of a well hidden conduit running from bottom to top!  Thanks builders for thinking ahead!  We also ran speakers to the patio and driveway, so that should bring this project to a close (or until we think of some other place where music is needed!)

 

Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 December 2008 )
 
About the music
Written by Richard   
Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Squeezebox DuetIn the last posting we promised to update you on the music system being installed in our home.  Over the past few years we have been avid users of the SlimDevices Squeezebox line of digital music players.  Without boring you with the details, these are simply players that tap into your mp3 music collection, and play through your amplifiers and speakers.  What attracted us to them was the ability to synchronize multiple players to play the same music in different zones.

Not content to start from scratch at Westfield, we decided to look to build on this foundation, but were always concerned with the usability of the system.  You could either control from a web page, or using a remote control aimed at the device.  Not easy if you wanted to hide all you equipment!

Fortunate for us, Slim Devices was purchased by Logitech, who lost no time introducing a very slick next generation to this system - the Duet.  The Duet is part LCD based controller, and part receiver.  The receiver is simply a dumbed down player (without display).  The controller is where the magic begins!  Roaming from room to room, you can control any receiver in any zone, and have access to all your music library from the palm of your hand!  

Add in the latest in Internet Radio, Sirius access and Music Services (Slacker and Pandora), and we have found the answer to our gadget dreams!  See the picture of the unit to the right, and some screen shots below!  You can find out a lot more information about the device at Amazon .

ImageImageImage 

Last Updated ( Friday, 29 August 2008 )
 
Westfield update
Written by Richard   
Monday, 25 August 2008

Image
For those of you following along on our adventures in refurbishing our new home, we are long overdue in providing an update.  We are one day away from having our professional painting come to and end.  Jeff Feist has been a consummate professional putting up with Margaret and I for so long, and has patient slogged away room by room helping us transform things.  His attention to detail is unmatched!

The foyer/hallway is finally rid of the maroon and gold that we have put up with for almost 6 months, and we are glad to see it go.  The "Weimeraner" paint gives everything a much more upscale, and cleaner look. 

Today we had new garage doors installed, along with new belt driven openers.  What a difference, both in look and sound levels.  Given that our bedroom sits over part of the garage, the reduction in noise when William comes home late is most welcome.  You can see the results in the photo gallery.

You may have noticed the addition of in ceiling speakers in the garage last weekend from our latest photos, this brings the total music zones in the house to 7 (pool, living room, master bedroom, dining room, study, kitchen, and garage.)  All that's left on this project is the patio, master bath, and driveway.  We'll provide an update at a later date on the system we installed, and the technology deployed.

Back to the garage: our next step is to have the poor drywall taping and spackle fixed.  That's scheduled for the week of Labor day, after which we have our hands full priming and painting the ceiling, walls, doors and windows.  At somepoint in the future, the garage floor is slated for coat of paint.

 

Last Updated ( Monday, 25 August 2008 )
 
A new arrvial - Hannah
Written by Richard   
Sunday, 20 July 2008

Hannah - Charcoal Labrador

We are proud to announce a new arrival to the Scott tribe.  Welcome Hannah, born June 1, 2008, a Charcoal Labrador Retriever.  We brought her home on Saturday July 19, and she is settling right in.

 We'd like to throw out a plug for T.D. and Biff Wade from Bidawee Kennel in Elverson PA.  They have bred a beautiful and well tempered labrador.  Hannah is one of the newer variations of Labrador - namely Charcaol.  T.D. also breeds silver colored labs, also a new and georgeous color variant.

Update: We added some photos in the gallery!

Last Updated ( Sunday, 27 July 2008 )
 
Westfield Paint Color Palette
Written by Richard   
Monday, 30 June 2008

We've almost finished picking the final colors and paint palette for Westfield, so we thought we would group them altogether here.  We were looking for a theme based on earthy colors, a scheme we thought would blend well with the medium brown of the Brazilian Teak floors.  We've laid them out here for your perusal and comment.

You can click on each color swatch to see how we used the color in our home.

Interior Colors

From the Benjamin Moore Affinity Collection

 AF-155 ImageImage  Image
 Weimeraner AF-155
 Etruscan AF-355
 Warmed Cognac AF-235
 Dinner Party AF-300
 Image Image ImageImage
 Masada AF-220 Coastal Path AF-380

Tea Room AF-270

 Atmospheric AF-500

From the Benjamin Moore Historical Colors Collection

Image
Image
Image
Image 
 Georgian Brick HC-50
Great Barrington
Green HC-122
 Providence Olive HC-98
 Wyndham Cream HC-6

All of our trim is painted Benjamin Moore's "Simply White", OC-117, a brilliant almost pure white that looks fantastic against these colors.

 Exterior Colors

 From the Benjamin Moore Affinity Collection

Image  
 Image   
 Satchel AF-240 Truffle AF-130
  
Last Updated ( Saturday, 09 August 2008 )
 
What height to hang pictures?
Written by Richard   
Saturday, 28 June 2008

What seems like a simple question ends up being quite contentious. Debate rages on about the best height for artwork, even gallery owners have different rules of thumb.  What is obvious is that most people hang their pictures and artwork too high.  The goal is to have artwork balanced at eye level for best viewing.  Given that is more comfortable for the average person to look downwards rather than upwards, the bulk of the artwork should be lower than eye level.  The average height of an American is 64.5 inches (wikipedia), and using the time tested rule of thirds, the upper third should be level with the eye.

So what this means is that there is no standard height for artwork, rather each piece must be looked at for its individual characteristics.  A good starting point, however, is as follows:

Last Updated ( Friday, 03 April 2009 )
Read more...
 
A word about Insteon
Written by Richard   
Saturday, 28 June 2008

Insteon KeypadLincFor those following the progress of our remodel and move into our new house, you may have caught on that we have been gradually replacing the traditional lighting controls with the Insteon standard.  Insteon is a fairly new way of automating many of the things in your home.  This includes lights, thermostats, appliances, even pumps. 

The creator of the Insteon standard, SmartLabs describes insteon as follows:

INSTEON is the most reliable, simple and affordable best-selling home automation technology in the world. INSTEON has quickly become the standard for lighting, appliance and home control applications. Over 1,000 manufacturers are involved in INSTEON R&D, spanning products in every imaginable home application. Unlike competitors, INSTEON benefits from being the world's only Dual-Mesh network -- communicating both over the home's electrical wiring as well as wireless RF.

Our experiences so far have been very positive.  We have installed controls for the better part of the downstairs, the landscaping lights, pool and patio lights.  Being able to control lights and scenes from around the house have made life a lot easier.  We also added something called the ISY from Universal Devices that helps us with programming and also allows us to set automatic schedules and controls.

Suggest you head over the SmartHome, the distribution arm of SmartLabs and take a look for yourself.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 )
 
Fixing it up
Written by Richard   
Monday, 23 June 2008

After closing on Westfield back in October 2007, both Margaret and I have been quite adept a new skills that neither of us ever imagined we would need.  To warn off the potential home-buyer who intends to fix up an otherwise troubled home, here's some of the things we had to do...

  • Treat water damage (and remove mold) under drywall
  • Run 9 new electrical branch circuits to power new kitchen (240v and 120v)
  • Install 26 new recessed lights (Kitchen, dining room, study)
  • Install an Insteon home automation system to control interior and exterior lights
Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
Read more...
 
Making the move
Written by Richard   
Monday, 02 June 2008

The kids are almost out of school so we have decided to make the move from Hilltop to Westfield.  Owing to the delay in selling Hilltop, we have had to throw together a temporary kitchen using the old appliances and some creativity.  Richard is in the midst of building countertops from the group up, cutting MDF and covering in laminate.  This was NOT something he bargained for!  There are still so many things to do to get the place up to spec, but we feel that it is just about livable, and we want to take advantage of the property and pool.

More to come as we begin the migration.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
 
Hilltop Lodge - Take 2
Written by Richard   
Monday, 24 March 2008

Our second time to Hilltop Lodge was a sharp reminder that Easter was very early this year!  Two years back we were spoiled with 70 degree weather.  This time around, 36 degrees was the high, and the MX track covered in snow and ice.  We made the most of it anyway, and the kids had some fun on their bikes.  Jonathan learned to shift his bike, Christopher traded up to William's 230, and William stole Dad's 250.  Rich was out of luck!  Check out some photos of our stay.

Image

Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
 
New Stairs
Written by Richard   
Tuesday, 05 February 2008

We continue to be impressed with the quality of work being done by our custom stair builders, Propack.  They may be a little slower than others, but the quality of the work speaks for itself!  You can view the results of their work in our photo gallery.

Image

Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
 
Work on 30 Westfield Continues
Written by Richard   
Saturday, 19 January 2008

Check out the photo gallery for update progress on our new home and renovation.  We are in the midst of staining new stairs, some basic painting, and lighting. 

Image

Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
 
William Goes to Homecoming Dance
Written by Richard   
Saturday, 07 October 2006

William before homecoming dance

The weather is getting cooler, and the leaves are changing.  It must be time for homecoming, and William's first Homecoming Dance.  The theme is New York, and we think he has captured that urban look!

 

Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
 
New School Year
Written by Richard   
Tuesday, 05 September 2006

Boy how time flies.  The start of the 2006 school year has William starting High School, Christopher starting middle school, and Jonathan going into first grade.  After an intense 2 week try out over the summer, William made his high school varisty soccer team, and is playing a much more physical game!  Christopher tried out for Marching Band and did so well he was asked to join the stage band.  Richard is coaching Jonathan's U7 Soccer team, and Jon is convinced he is the star player!  We'll see how he does once the games start!  Margaret is trying to adjust to finding all this free time in the school day!

Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
 
GTS Infinity Vacation - June 2006
Written by Richard   
Monday, 26 June 2006

We are back from our vacation on Celebrity's Infinity, taking a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska up the Inside Passage.  Quite a different experience from our typical Caribbean Getaway, the experience was unforgettable.  This is most definitely some of the most fantastic scenery on this earth.  Vancouver, after spending four nights, has quickly become one of our favorite cities, combining big city features with quiet refinement.  

We can highly recommend both Times Square Suites and Rosellen Suites at Stanley Park as two spacious and affordable places for large families.  Both hotels are located in the West End, blocks from Stanley Park and great shopping on Robson Street. 

Highly recommened trip!

See photos in the Gallery

See dynamic photos in this slideshow !  (big download!)

 

Last Updated ( Monday, 30 June 2008 )
 
Weekend of firsts at Bear Creek
Written by Richard   
Tuesday, 31 January 2006

William Snowboarding William and Christopher learn to snowboard, and look amazingly good after only a couple of days on their boards. Jonathan goes solo, learning to ski by himself! Overall an eventful weekend!

Richard and Margaret stick to skiing.  We leave the snowboarding to the youngsters!

See Photos

Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
 
Easter Motocross Weekend!
Written by Richard   
Thursday, 10 November 2005
We are traveling to North-Western Pennsylvania, for a weekend of motocross riding. We are staying at Hilltop Lodge, a rental property on 118 acres with private motocross track. Stay tuned.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 July 2008 )
 

(c)2006 Scott Family