December 2, 2005
“Rejsegilde”
This next weekend, we will be hosting the “Rejsegilde” - The Danish equivalent of a roof raising/topping out ceremony. This event will honor the craftsmen and the builders that have worked so hard to get the house to this point. We are looking forward to many of our friends getting their first glimpse at Herons’ House. Moreover, we are looking forward to thanking so many people for helping us build our dream home. There are many traditions that go along with Rejsegilde. We are going to try and replicate as much as we can… Evidently three wreaths are placed on a pole one over the other, the smallest one on top-Danish and American Flags are added to the pole and then all of that is attached to the roof. There are various explanations of the meaning of the three wreaths: one version is that the first wreath stands for the building, the second for the inhabitants and the third is for the builders. The evergreen wreath itself stands for Luck! Another explanation is that the three wreaths stand for Luck, Prosperity and Growth. Still another is that the three wreaths signify Faith, Hope and Love for those who live in the house. One thing that is known for sure: if the home builders “forget” in other words are too stingy, to host the “Rejsegilde” unpleasant consequences will prevail. Legend has it, that the workers can take it into their heads to build a “dead mason” into the masonry. This isn’t quite as ominous as it sounds, but it is bad enough. The “dead mason” is a tilted bottle which is placed in the chimney in such a way that it catches the wind and howls every time the wind blows. Obviously, Peder and I are NOT willing to take such a risk! So a Rejsegilde we will host! Heck, any excuse for a party-I suppose!
From my perspective, the real fun of building your own home is now beginning! We are currently in the process of designing the kitchen, ordering the cabinetry, researching flooring options, meeting with the stained glass artist, and a making a hundred other design/decorative decisions. I am having a blast! Each day brings new challenges, but with each decision is a feeling of accomplishment and a feeling of being one step closer to completion.
Peder and I continue to enjoy the journey and we have been lucky not to have too many setbacks. Each day is something different! Whether it is the beautiful stone caps on the fire pit walls, the completion of yet another deck or the addition of incredible tails on the roof. I love seeing the progress. Part of our mid week ritual is to meet at the property on Wednesday evenings, share a bottle of wine, watch the sunset, review the week’s progress and dream of the day when we live here and the many special moments that we will share at Herons’ House in the years to come. We continue to be in awe of what we have and we recognize how blessed we are. I look forward to these Wednesday evenings, and I fear that I will miss them once the house is finished. I think we will need to replace this ritual with something very special.
I am so looking forward to the next few months and to the myriad of decisions that we will be making. I cannot even begin to fathom the scope of it all, but I know that there will be plenty to do! But for now, I am enjoying the moment and planning for the Rejsegilde!