A Neat Find

On Sunday on our way back from dropping Morgen off at camp, we saw a crazy collection of mexican oil can sculptures and other soldered art. so of course we stopped and checked it out. we found a neat tree sculpture and had some anniversary gift money that we had set aside to purchase "art" but hadn't found the right thing. it wouldn't fit in the subaru, so we were glad when the fellow gave us some mexican bed quilts and blankets (even though they were pretty foul, and wet! - uck) to wrap it up with and tied it up on the car. for now, it has found a home on the back deck. fun!

Blooms – Just in Time

This week we put in a few water plants in the pond- among them, these lilies. We were excited to see that they bloomed just in time for this evenings baptisms! How cool is that?!

New CRITERS move in

This morning Suzan found a box turtle in the upper field by the fire ring and put it by the pond, hoping it would stay long enough for the kids to see it when they got home from breakfast out with Dad. When they came home, they brought a turtle of their own with them that they found by the road! Morgen announced that they named him Moses, so the other turtle (who was now swimming around in the pond) was appropriately named Aaron. Then Ken pulled some fish he bought at the pet store out of a bag and added them to the mix. Such fun! We'll see who sticks around, gets eaten or travels onward. Stay tuned.

Give it up for WELL MADE tools!

Tonight Suzan went into bush-wack mode and wrangled the overgrown briars and limbs that are trying to take over the path in the upper field. The old trusty Fiskar loppers accompanied her on the quest. Ken always says that having the right tool can make or break a task. Amen to that – these things cut a 1.5" limb like butter and made Suzan feel mightier than she really is.

fun with ROCKS

Over the past week, between the efforts of Ken, Scott and Suzan, some boulders were trailered from Fred's homestead to ours. about half of them have been laborously placed around the pond area in different groupings. We hope to add grasses and irises to visually anchor them. Looking forward to a few days of rain. The pond is very low! But it did not hold back an impromptu family swim.... even with a huge frog population [and all the chlorine whimps out there say, "EWWWWWE!!!"].

Welcome Back Amphibians

This evening, while Suzan did some trimming and raking of old dried fall stuff and Ken planted a bunch of Aus Tree clippings up on the front edge of the property, the kids reintroduced themselves to our old bullfrog friends that have come out of hibernation. Mojo, Banjo and Beulla have returned and a boatload of imigrants (and/or offspring) have joined them. Hayden caught them and then turned them over to Morgen, who addressed their spring wardrobe needs.

Polar Bear Cub Club

Today is Uncle Sam's big day. To help us take our minds off of the joy of hacking away at our earnings and sticking them in an envelope with a few vouchers, we were faced with another interesting project. A mid april spring storm brought in inches of rain, a bit of snow and wicked winds. Our little hero, Morgen, woke us up at 5:30 a.m. to advise that the electricity was off. A quick check in the basement led to the discovery that the sump pump battery backup was a gonner. Ken forged the weather and pulled the battery out of the Trooper and saved the basement in the nick of time! Suzan didn't have wheels today, but the basement was dry.

This crazy spring weather reminded us that only two weeks ago, it was warm enough to inspire the kids to don bathing suits and be the first ones in 2007 to jump into the pond. it was FREEZING. Momma didn't raise no wimps.

Hip-Hip Horray for VacuFlo!

Thanks to the 2 certificates we purchased at the school auction, the heat was on to FINALLY put out a shout to the central vacuum guy. As suspected, he found a giant clog between the den and the basement. The culprit was a large piece of grout, a little stick and a flower hair clip. These naughty items set up a “trap” in the line, causing a dust/hairball jam over a foot long behind it. Lovely. All fixed! He also replaced all of the caps/seals for maximum suction. Let the quiet, dust-free vacuuming begin!

No worries – still here

Good news for the patient among you! A large void in postings does not mean that the projects on Meadow Lane have come to a halt. We just landed in a non-posting valley of sorts. We have chipped away at, and improved upon several things over the last few months. The project that received plenty of attention was the planning and building of the basement workshop. Ken is doing an awesome job- good use of space and thoughtful details.

While working away down there, Ken noticed that our water pressure tank was on its way to retirement (scary bubble-blisters). It was fastidiously replaced, including all new soldered pipes and a “shelf” for better future emergency draining, which also doubles at maximizing space for the large shop dust collection system beneath it. The kids took “The Great Water Turn-Off” seriously and came up with some creative ideas to remind us not to flush or use any faucets.

What Weather Vane?

Several folks are emailing, asking about the size of the weather vane before fully disclosing their opinions on the cupola. You can view a photo of it just by clicking here. It is a very free form shape, but the general dimensions are approximately 3 ft. wide (wing span) and about 5 ft. long.

Cast Your Cupola Vote!

We have been pondering the idea of adding a little detail to the house that has been a long-time resident of the "some day" list... Adding a cupola, which would be the base for the neat copper geese weathervane we received as a gift from Ken's parents. Since we are going to have to replace our roof, logically, this really is the best time to do it. However, we were uncertain of the size and proportions. Today, our resident inventor decided to construct a cardboard prototype and haul it up on the roof (we go to great lengths to provide our own entertainment around here). We both have opinions brewing about this little addition, but wanted to see what our blogger viewers thought of it. SO... What do you think? Bigger? Smaller? Wider? Consider that it will be darker (to match the house), have windows in it and will have the same new roof.

Little Harvest

Today was the annual hydrangea bush trimming, which always means a refresher for the dried flower arrangements in the house. The early autumn hues outside are awesome as things are starting to turn.

Basement Mega Tidy

This weekend, Ken put in some serious time in the basement, organizing, moving, trashing, etc and prepping for the next area of floor paint. An added benefit of having a moving helper [dad knott] and a motivation manager [mom knott] was quite welcome!

What's a Home Improvement Without an Injury?

Yesterday, we were chipping away at the basement workshop progress and were moving an old large wall unit book case... The cheap Ikea particle board style furniture. The thing broke apart in mid air and the weight of the entire unit crashed onto Suzan's foot. It instantly turned purple and looked worthy of an Xray.... But who wants to go to the ER on Saturday? So she scored a piggy-back ride and some xtra TLC. Ken is picking up all the logistical slack and time is proving that the injury might just be a bone bruise and a broken blood vessel. You all have been spared a foot photo.

First Day of School!

Interrupting our home improvement posts with this photo of Morgen (5th grade) and Hayden (1st grade) getting onto the school bus this morning. If it looks dark out, it is because it is. We have a 6:45 a.m. pick up !!!

Basement Ceiling Progress

Yesterday, more lights and panels were installed. Under the direction of Mr. Knott, Suzan helped to prepare the wiring (fun!), and those of you that know her well, can rightly assume that she didn't get anywhere near it when Ken started attaching things. He then tidied up and started to paint the walls. The final edge panels and wall and floor paint will follow as our schedule allows. Sorry, no photos this time.

Basement Ceiling Continues

We worked long and hard on the ceiling today/tonight... oh wait, now it's morning. Safety record still doing ok. Too tired for details.

Everything Has A Place [or at least it should]

Today was a major organization day. Lots of tossing and rethinking of "what belongs where" in several locations. It seemed a bit scattered, but everything really was connected. There were several laughable diversional "finds", such as a prom picture (gulp), a brochure suzan designed in 1991 (EEK! What was she thinking?) and a goofy sympathy/love letter combo.

Basement Ceiling

Scott came today, and after everyone left a bit of doughnut carnage in the kitchen, the boys got busy in the basement putting up the drop-ceiling grid. Later, Ken and Suzan teamed up to install the light boxes that he had pulled from the Byrne Building this spring (thanks for the tip, Charles!). We'll chip away at this some more this weekend.

Kids Bathroom Functioning

Well, it was a big moment... Ken trouble-shot himself through some masterful custom plumbing maneuvers and we now have both sinks up and running well. Suzan can't get past the fact that the new fixtures look like a pepper mill stuck in a urinal, but she'll get over it, because it's exciting to have something new and unique (and finished). ;-)
Next we have to tackle the walls and hardware.