We're now solidly into the spring (thankfully) and have been outside a lot. We get out in the winter, too, and we try not to complain about it, but the warm sun really gets us going. What follows are a few photos of our recent weeks since we got back from Philadelphia.
Now that we're not burning so much wood in our stove, it's time to start cutting wood for next year. In the spring we approach this chore at a leisurely pace, so for a little bet of fun and exercise I've been dropping some of the trees with my axes. And lookin a bit menacing at the same time.
Don't worry, I always have attentive supervision.
One day a couple weeks ago Hobbs came out to help me with some homework. He was so happy and active... I have to admit he was a bit of a distraction for me.
He seems to be asking, "Is that all you've gotten done. Here, let me poop on your computer; maybe that'll help."
This is an axe head that Nathan gave me awhile ago. It was a big, beautiful, rusty mess. After some clean up and a new handle, it looks pretty good. It cuts even better. Seriously, this is my new favorite felling axe.
I had to rehang my favorite limbing axe, too. I love this little axe, and learned, again, about using the right tool for the right job. This axe is for limbing and chopping kindling. It is NOT for splitting logs. So... learned that the hard way.
Three rehung axes and a rejuvenated blacksmithing hammer that I can't wait to use.
One day of my spring break I helped Jenn and Zhora transport some hay bales from one farm to their farm. They have goats now and goats need food. We went for a hike to the top of their beautiful property and looked out over the valley.
The farmer's market is officially open! Cold, but open.
Sarah is teaching me to sew and to use her sewing machine! I LOVE working with her on anything. It's such an amazing feeling to teach and learn from/with her. As always, we have close supervision.
We are in the early days of this complex sewing machine, so there are a lot of direction reading breaks.
This is what it would look like if you put a machine in front of a cave man. Unfortunately, I am not acting. This is what I actually look like.
April 7. Happy anniversary 21st amendment!
Take a close look. This is what the kitchen looks like right now. If all goes well, in two weeks it will look completely new! ... Well, not the nasty linoleum, that has to wait, but the counters will be new at least.
Mom and dad came for a visit last weekend and we had so much fun. This photo is of the result of the fun. Everyone needed to take a nap! I think this is after the Cornell Vet Hospital's open house. Mom helped out all morning, then we toured it ourselves, then we went to lunch, then we worked around the house... then we napped. That huge box from frozen turkey taco filling is full of papers that I still need to grade. Teaching is so cool because we get so much time off and tenure is easy and all we have to do is put some overheads up.
We also worked in the yard and did A LOT of problem solving and prep for the concrete counter tops. It was great to have Dad around for measuring and problem solving.
On the final night of their visit we carved a few more hours out and had a fire and looked at the stars through the astronomical binoculars Ian and Eleftheria got us as a wedding present. It was amazing to see the Pleiades and the Orion nebula. Sarah and I are really looking forward to the next full moon! Hopefully there will be a full moon sometime this summer when everyone is around.
The next day I had to take a little nap after school.
Sarah has been talking about this drink for a month or so now. She and Jenn went to a mixology class at the Argos Inn and learned all about shrub and sampled lots of amazing sounding drinks. I'm pretty skeptical about any drink made with bourbon besides a glass of bourbon, but I'd heard so much about the Woodsman that I had to try it. We had a wonderful time sipping our drinks, chatting in the sunshine, and trying to tune out the sound of "jazz" coming from the other room. It sounded like a bunch of drugged emus running through a music shop. There was quite a crowd gathered pretending to understand it, too. Kind of like modern art. I know... no culture.
And this is from this past Sunday. Sarah and I finished up the forms to pour the concrete into for the counter tops. It was a lovely day, made all the more lovely by working together on a house project.
Strict supervision.
Not related to the countertops.
Not related to the chainsaw.
FINALLY!
What's next?!
Till next time!
Now that we're not burning so much wood in our stove, it's time to start cutting wood for next year. In the spring we approach this chore at a leisurely pace, so for a little bet of fun and exercise I've been dropping some of the trees with my axes. And lookin a bit menacing at the same time.
Don't worry, I always have attentive supervision.
He seems to be asking, "Is that all you've gotten done. Here, let me poop on your computer; maybe that'll help."
This is an axe head that Nathan gave me awhile ago. It was a big, beautiful, rusty mess. After some clean up and a new handle, it looks pretty good. It cuts even better. Seriously, this is my new favorite felling axe.
I had to rehang my favorite limbing axe, too. I love this little axe, and learned, again, about using the right tool for the right job. This axe is for limbing and chopping kindling. It is NOT for splitting logs. So... learned that the hard way.
Three rehung axes and a rejuvenated blacksmithing hammer that I can't wait to use.
One day of my spring break I helped Jenn and Zhora transport some hay bales from one farm to their farm. They have goats now and goats need food. We went for a hike to the top of their beautiful property and looked out over the valley.
The farmer's market is officially open! Cold, but open.
Sarah is teaching me to sew and to use her sewing machine! I LOVE working with her on anything. It's such an amazing feeling to teach and learn from/with her. As always, we have close supervision.
We are in the early days of this complex sewing machine, so there are a lot of direction reading breaks.
This is what it would look like if you put a machine in front of a cave man. Unfortunately, I am not acting. This is what I actually look like.
April 7. Happy anniversary 21st amendment!
Take a close look. This is what the kitchen looks like right now. If all goes well, in two weeks it will look completely new! ... Well, not the nasty linoleum, that has to wait, but the counters will be new at least.
Mom and dad came for a visit last weekend and we had so much fun. This photo is of the result of the fun. Everyone needed to take a nap! I think this is after the Cornell Vet Hospital's open house. Mom helped out all morning, then we toured it ourselves, then we went to lunch, then we worked around the house... then we napped. That huge box from frozen turkey taco filling is full of papers that I still need to grade. Teaching is so cool because we get so much time off and tenure is easy and all we have to do is put some overheads up.
We also worked in the yard and did A LOT of problem solving and prep for the concrete counter tops. It was great to have Dad around for measuring and problem solving.
On the final night of their visit we carved a few more hours out and had a fire and looked at the stars through the astronomical binoculars Ian and Eleftheria got us as a wedding present. It was amazing to see the Pleiades and the Orion nebula. Sarah and I are really looking forward to the next full moon! Hopefully there will be a full moon sometime this summer when everyone is around.
The next day I had to take a little nap after school.
Indy tried to help rock my hammock.
Sarah has been talking about this drink for a month or so now. She and Jenn went to a mixology class at the Argos Inn and learned all about shrub and sampled lots of amazing sounding drinks. I'm pretty skeptical about any drink made with bourbon besides a glass of bourbon, but I'd heard so much about the Woodsman that I had to try it. We had a wonderful time sipping our drinks, chatting in the sunshine, and trying to tune out the sound of "jazz" coming from the other room. It sounded like a bunch of drugged emus running through a music shop. There was quite a crowd gathered pretending to understand it, too. Kind of like modern art. I know... no culture.
And this is from this past Sunday. Sarah and I finished up the forms to pour the concrete into for the counter tops. It was a lovely day, made all the more lovely by working together on a house project.
Strict supervision.
Not related to the countertops.
Not related to the chainsaw.
FINALLY!
What's next?!
Till next time!
3 comments:
Looking good guys! I really wish we lived closer for projects like these. I'd love to learn to work with concrete like that. Enjoy the warmer days. I know you will!
-Adam
Love the Blog - you guys make your projects look like fun...although I must say, Keith, I don't think I ever expected to see you at a sewing machine. But then I didn't expect Adam to take up sewing either. Ian? an activity for future consideration? Good luck this weekend. I hope the concrete plays nice :-)
Thanks for commenting. I still really enjoy sharing this way. It makes me feel closer to everyone and I always feel caught up. Also, you guys are all such good photographers doing interesting things that it's always exciting and fun. Thanks for the well wishes regarding the concrete. Fingers crossed. Adam, Sarah and I talked about how much fun it would be to do this for a job... The problem solving and creative possibilities are really inspiring. Don't worry, I'll share some pictures soon.
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