FALL GARDEN UPDATE

Just wanted to share something other than the building project, for a change! The fall garden is doing pretty well, considering the weather. We had planned to plant minimally for the fall, given the continuing drought. As usual, we've fallen prey to all those pretty transplants at the feed store, and ended up filling the majority of the old garden section.

The front half is filled with onions; red, white, and lots of 1015Y - so that really doesn't count. Onions are such easy keepers. The herbs are continuing to grow like gangbusters, seemingly untouched by any cold spells we've had and not asking for too much water. The rest has been planted in varying stages of arugula, lettuces, broccoli, red and green cabbage, and cauliflower. Big John and I are enjoying fresh salads, and I'll start selling salad mix this week. The broccoli - when we can get to it before it flowers - has been delicious. The unseasonably warm weather has it blooming like a flower, which keeps the bees busy and happy! Our new favorite broccoli "recipe" is to toss it in olive oil, salt and pepper, then roast in a 400 degree oven! Yum!

Hope you're getting some fresh fall vegetables as well!

MORE INTERIOR WORK

The interior is going pretty quickly. I had to spend the day in town working on the annual Valentine's Day parade and sweetheart ball. Big John seemed to get quite a bit done without me here! Almost all of the wallboard is up in the kitchen and studio - he left space open where he needs to run pipes or more electrical. Here's a quick peek:

Kitchen:

Studio:

Looks like another supply trip is on the horizon. I think the next job will be to run some plumbing and then work on wall finishings! We're also planning on picking up appliances so that we can accurately figure out spacing in the kitchen. It's going to be a tight fit, and we need to line out cabinet space and work surfaces. I'll keep you posted!

WAITIN' TO PAINT

While we're waiting on weather suitable for painting, we decided to begin the interior of the building project. Another trip to Lowe's netted wire, electrical boxes, lights, insulation and wallboard. We'd gotten quite a deal at an estate sale a couple of months ago, and found 11 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood for half price.
Big John ran all of the electrical (lights and outlets,) and we laid the plywood for the subfloor.



Next, we made pretty quick work on the insulation. Big John cut while I stapled.



And we had time today to put in one side of the wallboard.

This will be the wall behind the stove. Inch thick pine planks will go on top of the wallboard for the finished wall. It's coming along!

UPDATES - A LONG TIME COMING!

Happy New Year to all! Hard to believe it's 2012. I can remember, like it was yesterday, my new friend Su asking me what I thought about Y2K. All that came to mind was KY Jelly. And I really hadn't known her long enough to be discussing such things! But here we are 12 years later. Time really flies. Here's wishing you all (and ourselves) a healthy, prosperous, and fun year!

It's been a while since you've seen our progress on the building - and boy, has there been progress! We finished the siding, trim, and last bits of roof work, built and installed the sliding doors (had to use the front end loader for that chore,) framed out and installed the window air/heat units, and I've caulked for days on end, it seems. Here's where it stands this evening:

(Sorry about my rear end in the picture. Big John was the photographer today, and he thought that was real funny. And I'm starting my diet tomorrow ... right after pancakes ...)



Today and tomorrow we're finishing up all the last little bits and pieces that are left before we start to paint. That's the next big project. Once we get that done, we'll attach tin to Big John's doors. They'll be trimmed in cedar - cool!

More updates as they happen. Have a great evening!