Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
A quiet day
It's odd working alone now, after spending so many weeks working with a crew. I like the quiet, and the slower pace of the job. Working by myself really lets me get into detail, and shuffle from project to project with no predictable path. I do miss the speed with which things get done. Time is short now, so I wonder if the trade for quality over quantity is poorly timed. But, what can you do? The world doesn't spin around the cabin, as much as I'd like it to sometimes.
I finished one project today, and started another. The loft floor is finally completely installed, and I am very happy with the result:
The wood was reclaimed, and when I got it, it had variations in thickness and old varnish on the top. With a couple of passes through the planer, it looked beautiful again, and it installed fairly quickly. There are bows and cracks, of course, but I like them. Floors that look perfect are boring. I like quirky things. They have more character. I did end up buying a few new boards (as we didn't have enough to finish completely), but they match fairly well. After a pass with the belt sander, I think it will be hard to recognize them.
I started working on the siding, which I am very excited about. I don't know about you, but a blue Tyvek house is an ugly house. I'm eager to cover it up for good:
The siding is spruce, and we'll be staining it red so we can still see the grain in the wood. The trim is going to be a cream, or ivory -- some sort of muted white. I love the accent of paint when it's not the main feature.
I heard from Allison that red paint used to be made from sour milk and rusty tools. You take a big barrel of old milk, put all of the rusty tools you can find in it, and let it brew for a while. Then, you paint your barn red with it. I'm tempted to try it with the woodshed -- it would be fun!
Just for kicks and giggles, here's a photo of my rudbeckia/coneflower/daisy garden. I'm hoping it spreads next year!
I finished one project today, and started another. The loft floor is finally completely installed, and I am very happy with the result:
The wood was reclaimed, and when I got it, it had variations in thickness and old varnish on the top. With a couple of passes through the planer, it looked beautiful again, and it installed fairly quickly. There are bows and cracks, of course, but I like them. Floors that look perfect are boring. I like quirky things. They have more character. I did end up buying a few new boards (as we didn't have enough to finish completely), but they match fairly well. After a pass with the belt sander, I think it will be hard to recognize them.I started working on the siding, which I am very excited about. I don't know about you, but a blue Tyvek house is an ugly house. I'm eager to cover it up for good:
The siding is spruce, and we'll be staining it red so we can still see the grain in the wood. The trim is going to be a cream, or ivory -- some sort of muted white. I love the accent of paint when it's not the main feature.I heard from Allison that red paint used to be made from sour milk and rusty tools. You take a big barrel of old milk, put all of the rusty tools you can find in it, and let it brew for a while. Then, you paint your barn red with it. I'm tempted to try it with the woodshed -- it would be fun!
Just for kicks and giggles, here's a photo of my rudbeckia/coneflower/daisy garden. I'm hoping it spreads next year!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The Clock Keeps Ticking
The days have rolled by, one by one, leaving so few ahead. I count 22 until the end of August, and it doesn't seem to be enough to get by. Perhaps, are we missing a month? Can I have just one more week?
The summer has most certainly thundered in, and I can see the autumn approach. A few days ago, I watched the storms sweep overhead in the hazy, humid weather. There were beautiful sunsets from the peak of the cabin, and the frogs have thoroughly enjoyed our unfinished well. The nights are growing chilly, and it is a sure sign that the Earth has turned just far enough that soon, we'll notice the woods changing and the animals scrambling for food and heat. I know I am; the wood stove and kitchen -- shelves for my food -- insulation for my warmth -- are all begging to be finished.
I've been stuck in the land of electricity for the last week. I've been burying a cable to the cabin, and it's tough work for one when you have 210' to dig. But, somehow, It will get done, and I'll be able to plug in a light for those midnight work sessions that I will inevitably be doing. Under orders from my significant other, I have to take a break from digging, so I am currently working on the windows and the siding. Once we have the outside finished, we can move in. The inside can wait until the fall, if needed. But, I have quite a list:
-Finishing the dry well
-Burying the utilities trench
-Installing trim and soffits
-Installing windows
-Installing siding
-Priming/staining siding and trim
-Stacking the rest of the wood pile
-Finishing the wood shed
-Installing the plumbing
-Insulating the floor
-Etc.
But, it will get done, someday soon. It's been harder lately to work because many of my friends and workers have gone away to other commitments (Canada, China, etc.). So, mostly, it's just me and occasionally another helper. But, there are many things that only I can do, so I can consider it good timing. We'll see.
I know I've not posted for a while, so I thought I'd post some pictures from the last month or so (In no particular order):
Roof sheathing complete
Metal roof installation
Allison on the roof
Inside walls
Wall sheathing nearly complete
Trebuchet (for besieging the chicken coop)
The summer has most certainly thundered in, and I can see the autumn approach. A few days ago, I watched the storms sweep overhead in the hazy, humid weather. There were beautiful sunsets from the peak of the cabin, and the frogs have thoroughly enjoyed our unfinished well. The nights are growing chilly, and it is a sure sign that the Earth has turned just far enough that soon, we'll notice the woods changing and the animals scrambling for food and heat. I know I am; the wood stove and kitchen -- shelves for my food -- insulation for my warmth -- are all begging to be finished.
I've been stuck in the land of electricity for the last week. I've been burying a cable to the cabin, and it's tough work for one when you have 210' to dig. But, somehow, It will get done, and I'll be able to plug in a light for those midnight work sessions that I will inevitably be doing. Under orders from my significant other, I have to take a break from digging, so I am currently working on the windows and the siding. Once we have the outside finished, we can move in. The inside can wait until the fall, if needed. But, I have quite a list:
-Finishing the dry well
-Burying the utilities trench
-Installing trim and soffits
-Installing windows
-Installing siding
-Priming/staining siding and trim
-Stacking the rest of the wood pile
-Finishing the wood shed
-Installing the plumbing
-Insulating the floor
-Etc.
But, it will get done, someday soon. It's been harder lately to work because many of my friends and workers have gone away to other commitments (Canada, China, etc.). So, mostly, it's just me and occasionally another helper. But, there are many things that only I can do, so I can consider it good timing. We'll see.
I know I've not posted for a while, so I thought I'd post some pictures from the last month or so (In no particular order):
Edwin on the roof
Roof sheathing complete
Metal roof installation
Allison on the roof
Inside walls
Revolution
Wall sheathing nearly complete
Notice to all scallywags
Woodshed construction
Trebuchet (for besieging the chicken coop)
Sheathing complete, porch added
Peace out, all.
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