In our other job, at the Imagination Corporation, we are often working on projects that we have never attempted previously. It’s the nature of the business. Thankfully, it isn’t too hard to find knowledgeable people to give us some advice. When it came time to put the soil up on the roof of the Under Hill suite we suspected that it would require a special blend. With just a little searching on the internet and we located a company that specializes in a lightweight soil that is designed just for this purpose. Serendipitously, they are located less than ten kilometres from our door. It is always great to shop local!

Our friend John, at Wishlow Crane Service, provided the transportation and lifting power to get the massive bags of soil up to the roof. While he was handy, John also lifted a couple pallets of sod and the shingles for the North Star roof to the upper level as well. Our crew donned their rain gear for the day, as it was a very blustery and rainy outside. By the end of the work day we had a very green roof!

We are still a few years away from finishing construction, but our plan is to open the North Star suite with the Under Hill and Copper Crown suites following close behind.

---

According to local legend, the North Star was once the home of Ms. Temperance Longbottom. Best know as the captain of the privateer ship, Avellana (guests will sleep in the captain’s quarters), Ms. Longbottom once discovered a pirates’ lair; filled with wonders and relics from every mythical corner of the world. After relieving these rogues of their ill gotten gain, she set off on a series of voyages; intent on returning the artifacts to their various homes. Sadly, Temperance never returned from these travels. As a result, the North Star and its attached private garden are filled with the remnants of the pirates’ trove — ancient statues and arcane paraphernalia. Temperance's ramshackle property is perfect for couples looking for a one-of-a-kind romantic hideaway.

We have been sharing our journey as we dream, plan, and build the Hazelnut Inn almost from the very beginning. It is an interesting project (if I do say so myself) and I have really enjoyed writing about it thus far!

As it turns out, I am not the only one who has been keeping the internet informed about the nuts and bolts and hard work (!) of building our little hotel. Our general and our framer have also been diligently documenting the inn’s progress on Instagram.

Of course my father, Dan Sawatzky, has been keeping his legion of readers informed for a very long time. You can read his perspective (half design genius and half proud father) on the design and construction of the inn on the Imagination Corporation’s Journal.

And (because this post’s title is a little bit of click bait) here is my two cents (if we still had pennies) on writing a blog:

1. Have something to write about

   Possibly you should write about something other people might find interesting but definitely make sure it is interesting to you.

2. Write about it

   It doesn’t really matter what you start with, nobody except your mother is going to read your first post.

3. Keep writing about it

   This is the hard part but keep at it (sadly, nobody is going to read your second post either).

4. You guessed it - keep writing

   It’s just not a blog if you don’t you write regularly.

Good Luck!