New Trim Work

Now that golfing is over I got started on putting up some trim in the studio as well as finishing up the ceilings in the kitchen and dinning room. Sometimes less is more and in the case of the ceiling trim or crown molding, we went with a simple 3 inch flat board around with a 4 inch block in each corner for some detail. It finished it off nicely and helped us keep the ceiling height we like.

For the doors and window in the studio ReBecca wanted something a bit different and it turned out great. I guess later on down the road I can see this moving into the rest of the house. We went with a larger window sill and top that extends past the sides for an older look. As for the windows in the bump out, a simple 3 inch wrap around the windows did the trick, even with them being so close.

The bump out windows.

Looking into the studio.

Looking out from the studio.

The east wall.

Two of the three west studio windows.

Kitchen ceiling trim work, the tricky cuts.

It finishes it off nicely.

I think the dining room is now done????

It's hard to see the corner blocks. 

It did finish things of really well.

The Medicine Chest (Drawer)

When we moved we put all our medical stuff into a small tote and just put it into a drawer until such time we could sort it out. Well this was the time, we now have an organized and tidy medicine drawer. It really looks worse than it is, mostly seasonal stuff, tums, cough drops and such. We aren't chronics or anything, just need a Tylenol or Advil once in a while.

Just piled up hard to get at.

Bottom insert, nice and organized.

Top tray, with what we use most.

Fits nicely into the middle drawer.

Nesting Boxes

The next step in this adventure is for the hens to start laying eggs, and to help them I've made some nesting boxes. There are many ways to do this and different philosophy's regarding it as well. But we are keeping it simple. Just an opening to hold a plastic bin, in which they'll build a nest and lay some eggs. To keep as much room as possible in their side of the hen house, it was all designed to have just an opening in the one wall and have the body of the boxes in the storage side, and as you can see it all worked out.

Just cut out the wall and add the boxes.

Bins for the nests.

We'll see if they require modifying later on.

Latest Addition

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so here is a look at our latest addition to the property. The Hen House. I started in May and have only a few little things to finish, like vent overs for the inside. It's only 8 x 12 with 6 ft 6 inch walls, but the roof line gives it lots of height and character. We have 11 chickens and soon we'll see how many we keep as layers and how many will go into the freezer. They have an 8 x 16 foot run, covered with, you guessed it, chicken wire, even the top to hopefully keep everything out, not just to keep them in. Here is a look at it's development.

Setting the footings.

Getting the floor joists in place.

Add two layers of 1 x 6 spruce flooring.

Put up a few walls.

Up go the rafters.

Cover it with sheathing.

Finish the roof off with steel.

Gable vents.

Half for the hens, all covered with wire.

They need a place to sit.

Can always use a bit of light.

Add the run and some stain.

Now we have a cute hen house and run.

Add A Little Snow - Remove A Little Snow

Well it's early February and this is only our second significant snow fall this season, I'm not complaining just stating facts. We got a bit over a foot of it, the bottom couple of inches are (were) wet and as the temperature dropped during the event the snow was a bit more softer. It took a while to remove it because this year I don't want to run out of room like last season, so I moved it all about 20 feet further. And this means moving more snow. It was sunny and not too windy so taking most of the day wasn't a problem. I even had to use the snow blower to clear the decks and a path for the dog. Enjoy the before and after pictures.

A Little More Organization

There is always room for a little more organization, so I built an open box with dividers to fit those hard to locate items and better utilized the space. All in a day's (mornings) work.

What was.

Is now better.

Snow Day

Today is our first Snow Day, and it's still coming down. I've cleared off the decks, made room to access to the shed and shop twice and will continue until it stops and I can get the tractor out. If I keep this up every few hours it wont' be as back as trying to shovel it all at once. Lets hope the rest of the season isn't like this or like last year.

Out the side door.

From the shop door.