Lately (Few Words, More Pictures)

Bear vs. compost bin made of pallets

Just one step of fixing up the former guinea coop-- soon-to-be chicken coop

Soon-to-be chickens (I'm trying not to count them!)

Little boy fun

Little boy self-portrait

Warning-- if you have no interest in our new little bee endeavors, scroll no further. It's all bees from here on out.

Bee loaded with pollen

Wax comb-- a little wonky

Wax comb-- a lot wonky

Bees

Bees, a little bit closer, since you're brave

My son holding bees-- pretty stinking brave (I want to do it next time).

The replacement queen (the one with a bit of blue paint) and her attendants

The end. You made it!

Five on Friday

1. First Egg. We didn't think we'd get any eggs this year since April 15 came and went (that's been when the guineas started laying in years past). But on Tuesday my son found the first egg.

First guinea egg 2018

Since then we've only found 3 eggs, so I still think the hens are slowing down. I still love watching those crazy birds making their rounds about the yard.

2.  Boys' Room.  I asked the boys if I could show pictures of their new bedroom in the addition. They agreed.

Calvin made it in this shot, too.

The green walls and brown carpet make me think of mint-chocolate chip ice cream every time I walk into their room. The room is quite cozy.

3.  Walk Across Maryland.  I've been spending some time this last week organizing an event for homeschoolers to walk across Maryland in Hancock where the distance is only 1.8 miles. If you happen to be a local homeschooler and are interested in taking part, send me a note.

4.  May Listing Challenge.  My oldest son challenged me to list one new item on Etsy for each day of the month of May. Since I am busy with other crafting/mending projects, it looks like all new items will be either craft supply or vintage. So far this month, I've met the challenge.

My favorite I've listed so far this month is this vintage postcard.

Saucy little postcard!

5. More Construction.  I know I posted just on Sunday about the completion of the project, but look what showed up in our backyard this week.

Yesterday the masons showed up to prepare the site for a new concrete pad for the back patio. This morning the concrete truck came and delivered. The masons are now waiting for it to set up to put on the finishing touches. I'm not sure how the rain clouds coming in will help.

Have a lovely weekend.

Ta-da!

Way back in December, I was wanting so badly to post pictures of the completed addition to the parsonage and the new and beautiful wood floors, but we decided to wait until we had an open house for all the congregation to see it in person first.

Well, today was the open house, so now I must post pictures.

To tease you a little more, first I'll show you pictures of our improved front flower bed. We worked to get this in shape to welcome people for the open house. The kids worked with us planting some new flowers, moving rocks away, spreading mulch, and then moving the rock edging back in place. I should also point out the lovely rustic trellis my husband made last week to replace the older and decaying one; I think our clematis is loving it as much I am.

Ignore the messy porch in back. We fixed that up, too.

Creative circles of rocks

And now, since you've been waiting for months and driven to distraction most of your days just wondering how our building project turned out on the inside. . .

Ta-da!

This picture of the hallway was taken way back in December. The following pictures I took today after our guests had left and after we'd (mostly) cleared the table.

Our dining room

The school room (from the dining room)

And, finally, part of the addition-- the playroom/sewing room/sitting area. It's a big space!

Did you notice Calvin found his way into most of these pictures?

I realize I've left large parts out of this mini-tour. I don't have a picture of our television/living area because the kids were all lounging around there when I had the camera out. Also, I decided to ask the boys for permission before posting pictures of their new bedroom online. But at least you have an idea now and can finally sleep well tonight.

Thank goodness, right? 😉

We truly love this space. We are still figuring out how to use and decorate some of the space (and you know decorating is NOT my strong suit), but it has been a joy to see the beautiful floors each day, to enjoy the sunlight streaming into the living area, and to be able to spread out a lot more.

I feel so blessed that our congregation takes such good care of us. Thank you.

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Building Project Update-- Big News!

We had a few hiccups in the final lap of our building project. The Inspector said we needed a larger window in the bedroom for egress, so a special one had to be ordered. It came in during the cold, cold weather of last week, but this week was quite mild and perfect for tearing out the "old" window.

Making the opening just right

Newer and larger roll-out window (bad picture--sorry)

The window stuff happened on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday our favorite electrician helped us by moving our Dish cable through brick walls and crawlspace and into an outlet so I can now turn on cartoons to babysit to entertain the little ones while I prepare dinner on "difficult" days. 

Thursday we were on pins and needles waiting for The Inspector. When he came, it was quick and painless, and we were left with a new signature on the bright yellow sticker inside the gray electrical panel.

YES!!! 

I did a little happy dance.

We have much work ahead of us still. We need to finish finding places for the things that we've moved about and move the two oldest boys into the new bedroom. Then we plan on moving everything out of the old boys' bedroom to paint the walls and clean the carpet. After that, we'll be moving things back into there for the other two boys (one of them is still sleeping in our room). 

The only other thing left (that I can think of) is the concrete pad for the patio out the back door, and that will have to wait for spring!

New Year-- Old Pictures

We've been unsettled this Christmas because of new wood floors being installed the week before Christmas. That's my excuse for not getting Christmas cards out, not doing any blog posts, not eating healthy, etc.

But it's time to catch up. It may take a few posts which may be completely out of order. I might as well get started.

1. My Birthday. I had a birthday back more than a month ago, and I loved it. My son made me a cake in my cast iron pan and frosted it with salted caramel frosting that he also made.

I also received one of those "big kid" coloring books; I'd been wanting one for a good while.

My husband loves buying gifts for me from NOVICA. This birthday I got a beautiful hand-carved owl pendant from Bali. I love it.

2. Building Project. I found a stray picture from before the beautiful wood floor was installed. In this picture you can see the planning stage when Tim (one of the installers) was measuring and laying out the tile around the door before beginning the wood. I can't wait for you to see this floor!

3.  Deer Season.  Lots of hunting was enjoyed by several members of our household. Here are some pictures my husband took from his deer stand.

This is my husband's view from his deer stand. You can't quite see the turkey in the distance, but those trees on the horizon mark the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland.

My husband saw this cheeky fellow in the tree next to him. I'm not interested in hunting, but someday I think I want to go with him just to take pictures of the beauty.

Happy New Year!

Building Project Update

So much is happening in our new addition, but I do have 5 students in our homeschool that take precedence. The camera simply doesn't come out as often these days.

But let me tell you, we are crazy-close to everything being finished! Right now the wooden floor is being laid down. The plan is that today the bedroom carpet will be installed also. I wish I could show you a picture of the wood floor because it is so beautiful, but, alas, I do not have a picture. AND yesterday my husband said he doesn't want me to post one yet because he wants everybody to see it in person first. I think he's right; it'll be like opening a Christmas present because the wait is worth it.

I can tease you a bit, though, with this picture of the wood floors on the delivery truck.

Beautiful floor all boxed up

The electrical work is all done, and it passed inspection. Yay!

I just need to learn what all these switches do.

Pretty lights and fans

So what's left? Well, after the floor is done, all the doors and trim need to be put up. The closets need shelves and such. And, The Inspector and the final inspection await.  

But that's not all. That gorgeous floor is also going into our dining room, living room, and hallway. Also, the living room carpet will be moved to our computer room. SO that's a lot of furniture to move before all is said and done. Right now it looks like all might be done a couple of days before Christmas. 

We're not sure how a Christmas tree is happening this year. I'll worry about that tomorrow, Scarlett-style.

Building Project- Coming Right Along

I have another addition update. This entire project is nearing the final weeks, and I'm starting to worry a bit about the chaos of moving everything around while the new flooring (in both the addition and the rest of the house) is installed. When I worry, I just remind myself that it will all be over soon, and I will love it!

The last couple of weeks have seen paint and trim and a plastic wall. And lights and ceiling fans (but you won't see that in this post).

Trim

Doors

The living space is captivating in "captivating cream" paint.

The boys room is "simply green"-- their choice, not mine.

And then there was the day the wall came down.

First the plywood. . .

And then the saw scared this spider out of the wall. . . 

Next was the wall itself. . . 

The last few bits. . . 

Cleaning up. . . 

A new plastic "wall" 

And now we have an echo-type situation with all that emptiness in the addition. When we speak in the house, our voices come back to us. The first few days the little ones stood at the plastic shouting and having fun with the sound effects.

I'll try to remember to get some more pictures today because the ceiling fans are so purty!

Building Project-- Days 96-?

Sorry, folks. I've lost count of days. Between school and a recent bout of sickness, I just don't have the motivation to figure it out right now. But I do have pictures of what's happened this last month or so.

The back patio was cut into pieces and hauled away.

Everything was re-graded, and gravel was added. A new patio will wait until after winter.

Dry wall was finished; that stuff is messy!

Gutters and downspouts are in place.

Instead of a hole, we have a deadbolt.

This picture shows priming in progress, but it's all done now.

Other notable changes-- the heaters are in and working to keep the proper temperature for paint drying. The trim and interior doors were delivered. We've picked out the flooring, and it's scheduled to be installed the first week of December. 

Folks, these are exciting times-- even if I'm not posting about it as often.