Spring Time!

Spring is here. So, I thought that this would be a good time to go back and check out some pictures from last fall and see where I left off.

The first highlights the domes among the colorful autumn foliage, the second uses the white of the buildings to emphasis the bright beauty of Mother Nature's work.

Winter on the Farm

It's winter time on the farm. Last summer, my sister and I installed some security cameras to help keep an eye on things, you know, despicable characters who want to take or damage my stuff, as well as animals who have every right to wander by--and are welcome to do so. Well, Mother Nature likes to take the opportunity to show some of Her splendor, and as a fan, I believe I should share it with you.

The light from a full moon reflecting on the snow is always impressive:

Full Moon Over the Dome

I'm not sure if the shine on the house is a light or just moon reflection.

Then, the sun comes up:

Sunrise Over the Dome

It's always nice to see a picture of a new snow-covered area before

any people have a chance to wander or drive through.

Just in case anyone is interested, on the other side of the house are a couple great sledding hills. And, if you go back to earlier pictures from the balcony, you can see another, even bigger, hill to the north.

And then there are the cross-country skiing opportunities...

September Harvest and Progress

What God has made...

...to soothe the eyes... 

...to fill the tummy:

The grocery bag, oops...

The grocery bag was picked this morning.

What my sister is making:

Well, no pictures, but she is canning these tomatoes. I'll try to post some pictures later.

What I made:

Stairs! These steps (three) lead up to the landing. The treads are, of course, temporary and will be replaced once the sheetrock is installed and all the painting is finished.

From the landing, we turn and head up to the second floor. (No, the movie screen will not be visible once the stairs are finished.) The stair jack is in place, testing to see that all is good. It now will become the pattern for marking the other two as they prepare for their date with the saw.

Final Hint

Since I only received two guesses (one came by email and the other was intentionally incorrect so I could test my comment settings) it's a good thing that the temperature cooled off around here. Interesting, though, the temperature dropped from the upper 90s to the low 50s/upper 40s in the same three to four days that gas prices went from 2.309 to 2.749. Bottom line, with the cooler weather, I don't need ice cream which is a good thing because with the increase in gas prices, all my ice cream allowance has been diverted to fuel.

Note: The temp this morning, Thursday, 20 August, is 38 degrees. That's 60 degrees colder than the high last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, just four to six days ago.

Now for the hints:

First, the other side of the wall:          

...then, the entire white paper...













...and the big picture...

...all wrapped up with a simple sign:

More than once, we have set out (paint)-buckets, popped some popcorn, invited the neighbors, and had an enjoyable evening. Our plan for when the weather cooperates is to be outside and use the side of the house facing the road instead of a wrinkled piece of paper inside.

We try to do this on Friday or Saturday evenings. You are all invited, just let me know that you are coming and I will be sure to have enough popcorn and buckets (or you can bring your own lawn chair).

Hint 2

Popcorn.

What To Do With the Little Pieces of Wood.

Those pesky little chunks of wood! Throw them into a pile out of the way. No pile of 'scraps' is ever "out of the way". Maybe I should add a pictures of my pile of scraps.

But then, along comes the electrician and gives me an 

outlet--the outlet that will someday run our refrigerator. 

In the mean time, it powers my tools.

As long as it's in the kitchen, 

why not plug in a coffee pot.

But, I have no table to put the coffee maker on.

What to do, what to do...coffee maker, water carbonater; water pitcher, battery charger. 

Pile of scrap wood.

Aha!

A coffee/drink mess and all around general purpose table!

Notice the use of those "scraps".

The table is in the laundry room where the washer and dryer will be. Initially, the coffee maker and other items were accessible from the kitchen. However, if you look at the first picture, you see a big white paper (leftover Tyvek--house wrap) stapled to the wall blocking access to the new table. 

Let's Have A Contest!

Your challenge is to tell me how 

we are using that particular piece of house wrap--no,

not to wrap the house. 

Hint 1: We now have electricity in the kitchen area. (more hints later) 

Waste no time: I win ice cream once I receive the correct answer
(or maybe each time I receive the correct answer).

Maybe the winner should buy the ice cream...hmmm...

...multiple winners...multiple hot days...

Incentive: 

The temperature here will be in the 

upper 80s to upper 90 over the next few days.

Yay!!! Visible Progress.

At long last, something to show for my efforts:

Three windows with all the concrete work completed and the finish siding installed. Now, once the concrete has cured, that, too, will be primed and painted. 

And, that's not all:

This area is also getting siding.

I went as far as I could for two reasons.

First, I ran out of siding. But, second, I only need one more piece before I reach the window. (Ignore the short pieces on the right, I just needed a place to put them, so why not on the wall, right?)

But wait! There's more:

Oops...

This is also ready for siding, well the bottom area is. It has all the concrete work finished, while the top area still has a final layer of stucco to go on.

However, both top and bottom are waiting for their doors. When they arrive and are installed, the siding will continue.