When we bought the house, there was an old shed in the back corner of the lot. It just migh have been as old as the 1850's house?

Some of my Exotic doves needed an insulated and heated home for the winters, so the old shed came down.

Once the old shed was gone, the first step was forming and pouring a 10' x 12' concrete slab. We allowed for electric and water to be brought up through the slab.

A call for help was then sent throughout the land.

And, fellow A.D.A. member Charles Hildreth was quick to respond. Loading his van with tools and equipment, he headed east from Cincinatti, OH.

His knowledge, experience, work ethic and muscle were an unbelievable help!

Off I went to purchase the materials needed to get started.

The walls were framed and up they went. Believe it or not, it ended up really square! Then the pressboard enclosed the shell. That is Charles inside getting ready to put up the ridge beam.

With the ridge beam and end rafters up, it was time to fill in with the rest of the rafters.

I really did help, I just took all the pictures! Charles capping the ends with pressboard. Then the plywood went up onto the roof. That is Mattie, having a very hard time understanding how Charles and I would want to do all this work instead of playing ball.

That is Charles looking into the yard from the front of the shed. This photo shows one of the three White Pines in the yard. They are my sole source for nesting material. The birds love the long, soft, dried needles. Tarpaper and shingles go on the roof next.

A few doors and windows and the new Bird House is shaping up well.

Thanks to Charles and a few days of hard work and we are well on our way to a nice winter home.