Garden Art

Back to the garden for some more found objects.  

This guy must weigh a ton. Luckily we like it so we're off the hook on moving it. 
A library book on 'Moving Heavy Objects' has appeared, though, so perhaps relocation is in the future.

This is a family original - an unusually shaped branch very specifically placed by the youngest artist in the family.   She's setting the bar pretty high for us here.

Leaving Marks

As requested, the mason who was re-pointing the chimney closed the old opening on the second floor.

Following in the footsteps of many before him, he left his mark.

Just like Bill Batten in 1966  http://bukiharia.blogspot.com/2011/05/behind-wall.html, the mason who built the chimney in our former house, and many who have passed by wet concrete, his initials are now preserved. 

It has me wondering, where should we sign our house? What would I leave in a time capsule?  Sounds like a good summer project for the kids.

If you've done renovations, have you left something for future occupants to discover?

More Random Stuff

I have to admit the discovery of additional random stuff has lost the thrill it once had. 

However, in order to be true to the original goals of this blog, here are some more images of unexpected detritus found around the property.

This one's a follow-on from a previous post, and yes, it's an insulator. 

There are several of these, seems like there ought to be something creative that could be done with them.

Maybe decorate the new electrical panel.

Then, over on the hill by the blueberry bushes, some more housing.

Not sure what type of bird this is for, but it looks like it's been a long time since anyone cleaned it out.  We'll see if any birds arrive, but I'm not holding my breath.

There are several of these, and I sure hope they are occupied!

Holy buggy forest batman!

They're bat houses!

Unlike the other residences, these tenants were not voluntary.   

This guy is down by the water, and I have it from a reliable source that it's a place to keep your bait alive.  (a bait house? minnow shed?)   

This last one is the 'I Spy' of things left behind.  See if you can find:

• 4 tires
• a trailer
• a ladder
• a scuba tank

and that box? an old water heater.

Funny Sandy Circles

I was looking out the 2nd floor bedroom window the other day admiring the view, when I noticed some odd craters in the water below.  

There are two visible above, between the reflection of the tree. 

As a side note, I did spend an hour the other day raking the beach and it's a little disappointing it doesn't look stunning already!  Lots more green stuff and moss to come out.

Anyway, I decided to go a little closer and find out what these circles could be.

They looked pretty identical once I got closer, and there were no hints (like eggs, turtles, or plants) that were going to help me.

There are about 5 in the front area, and as I walked around our point, I found several others.  I'm wondering if the recent storm smoothed out the sand so they are more noticeable, or if there was some event that created them (giant hail? tiny meteorites?)

So, back at the ranch, we fired up google.  Searches for sandy turtle crawfish (yes I saw a crawfish last weekend while raking!) , and snake nests didn't show anything remotely resembling this.  Really glad about the snake thing not having any hits.  Turns out it's a fish nest -- pumpkinseeds!  And, it's the males that make them. We'll have to keep an eye out in the next week to see how things evolve.

Stuff on Site

Lots of boxes and things are beginning to arrive...
Doors and windows, toilets and tubs.

Master bath - I just know I'm going to be sad when all the walls are closed in and you can't see all the way through to the pond.  On the other hand, it will be a little warmer!

And upstairs.  The tubs are not actually ready to be installed, but it is reassuring to see they actually do fit where they're supposed to!

Also a large shipment of doors. 

All handed the wrong way.  Sigh. 

But, the good news is it only really matters in one location, so most of them can be installed.

This one is from the master bedroom to the porch.  The old wall, it turns out, is out of plumb by a couple inches, so trimming this out will require some creative thought.

Here it is from the porch side. 

Can't wait for that first cup of coffee on the porch sometime in the fall!

Also on the porch, an additional window has been added to the office - this is one that was reused from one of the old kitchens.  Will be great to look up from the computer and sneak a glance at the pond!



More Creatures

Our list of sightings is growing on a weekly basis.   Earlier this week both Jacques and Jonathan spotted what they thought was a coyote. (I'm hoping it's just one!) 

This guy was out just before the dramatic rains the other day - we had hail but were grateful that the tornadoes did not make it this far east. 

In addition to the turtle, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, beaver, deer, snake, and swarms of various insects, we can now add, unfortunately, mice.  Three so far, all  small and rather cute, but, unfortunately, inside.  Even worse, it's not clear where they're coming from but there is a reasonable chance that they may be dropping from the ceiling which remains open (so electricians and plumbers can easily access the space).  Yech.

On a more entertaining level, we can also add frog - while we've been enjoying hearing them in the evenings, Mairead recently had a closer encounter with one on the beach.

Back Deck Update

Following up on the posting last week, here are some more photos of the apartment deck. 

When we last saw our hero, it was fully framed, a large herd of ants had been displaced, and poison ivy had been removed and avoided.

Turns out the tv/family room is a perfect place to look down and document progress.

With the exception of tightening some of the turnbuckles, the deck is now complete!

From the front door, you can see the replaced lower piece of siding.

Also, the encroaching tree - we opted to leave off the skinny piece of deck that connects back to the front door for the time being - eventually the tree will be removed and there will be a reasonable space for a walkway or stair.

In the meantime, this was our view for a glass of wine and some chips on Friday evening.  Amazing how private it is now all the trees have leafed out!

Boat Idea

So once we sort through the kayaks, rowboats, flat bottomed boats, and canoes (have I missed any?), clearly there will be some sort of opportunity to sell one and upgrade the kitchen. 

Or, we could always do something a bit more creative.  Saw the Chihuly exhibit at the MFA a couple weeks ago (amazing!) and clearly we've been overlooking a lot of boat art possibilities.

New Back Porch

When the saga began, the back porch for the lower apartment was in pretty bad shape.

In fact, the main supporting beam had collapsed and the porch was pretty much held up by inertia and some trim boards. 

This week, things are starting to look up for the back deck. First, it got a good cleaning. 

Luckily I had pulled a lot of the poison ivy we found in this area over the weekend.  That could have been pretty unpleasant.  

Looks a lot better without the green mossy stains, and the decking it turns out is in pretty good shape.

Now the structure is beginning to get replaced. 

And some of that T-11.  I hear the ants living behind it were pretty disappointed.

First Voyage

Well we took a break and launched one of the fleet.

First we had to sort through the pile of oars.

Then make our way through the trees and around the beaver lodge.

But this is what the new homestead looks like from the water.

Surprisingly like a certain home in New Hampshire. 

That elongated grey blur in the right tree is a heron keeping a wary eye on the boat.

Meanwhile, our favorite reader held the fort beachside.

Neighboring house.  Ironically, we looked at this house five or so years ago.

And, the landing crew waiting to welcome us to shore.

Doors and Windows

New door has arrived.

And now from inside...

Framing for some of the new/replacement windows is starting, too.

This one, in the last bay, will be shorter to accommodate a low counter.  Although I'm not sure the view will be conducive to getting homework done efficiently, or to really focusing on paying bills.