This picture shows the south side of the house, just before final erection of the roof peak on Thursday.
In front of the center windows (the dining room) is a very special dogwood tree, which was given to us by my grandmother when we bought the house in 1991. All the nursery people we spoke with advised us against planting a real American dogwood (cornus florida), which have been failing in the Northeast due to anthracnose infections. They said we should plant the hardier Chinese (kouza) dogwood instead. But my grandmother always loved dogwoods, and I really wanted one, so we did it.
The first few years were indeed dicey: it never got anthracnose, but had bouts with scale and several cankers which I carefully removed. Over time it grew stronger, and has now been healthy for years. Taking out the large spruce that was obstructing it will also help.
My grandmother passed away a few years ago, but I think of her every time I see the beautiful tree she gave us. It's now perfectly situated with our new house, and I can't wait to see it bloom this spring.
(I think the holly bushes will have to move, though.)