I met Doug and Joyce many years ago. They were remodeling a barge into a floating home and we were doing the same with a decommissioned tugboat. We were moored side by side at the tip of Tomahawk Island when it was still undeveloped and wild. Such conditions breed close relationships that stand the test of time, even when later contact is sporadic and widely spaced. Indeed, the last time we visited them in the hills above Sheridan, they were living in tents and logging the land to build their house.

Doug is an architect/furniture builder and Joyce is an artist/teacher, so artistic touches wait around every corner…like this clay sculpture with its arms raised in celebration.

I can only imagine how great it would be in high summer, but the stripped down winter face allowed little touches, like the repurposing of a pair of andirons to hold a metal pot, to stand out.

The wrap-around deck has pergolas, roof lines and decorative elements to keep it interesting.

A cutout in the decking accommodates a tree growing close to the house.

I didn’t take many indoor shots because the party was in full swing, but here’s a whimsical handrail.

A huge jade plant filled an alcove.

It was dressed for the season.

Here’s Doug in his woodworking shop.

A peek at some of the carving on a panel he’s working on. Every door in the house is its own miniature landscape.

I failed to get a picture of the birthday girl, but the four daughters are like versions of Joyce. They regaled the crowd with song and dance and silliness back there with the tree in the window for a backdrop. It is such a joy to reconnect with old friends. I hope you got to do some of that during the holidays.