Fireplace

Here is the latest pic of the fireplace.  I added 2 feet this weekend because I had too  much smoke out the front.

These tiles were bought in Mercer at the Odonta Art Gallery.

These pictures were taken yesterday (20 July).
It has been a slow process.

The supports under the 'roof' will come out in the next week.  I am waiting 3 weeks (or longer)to remove them.  I don't want any cracking.  After that the fire brick and chimney go in and we can try it out - as I continue laying stone.
The bags in the fireplace are lupine seed pods that I harvested from the roadside.  My dilemma now is have I harvested wild lupine or domesticated lupine gone wild - does it matter?

Fireplace Phase 4

Commentary on the last 4 posts will come in the next few days - wanted to get the pics uploaded while I was home.

Fireplace Phase 3

Fireplace Phase 2

Fireplace Phase 1

I Hate Grass

Of course I'm talking about the green stuff that American's crazily grow in front of, and around, their home, thinking it looks good.  I'm not sure what the fascination with this monotonous carpet of green sans flowers is, but I certainly don't share it.

In lieu of the traditional green slime we planted our yard with wild grass and flowers. We now are the proud guardians of a forest meadow.  Yesterday I took some pictures of a butterfly just off the path to the driveway.

These pictures are courtesy of the natural habitat that we watch over.

On a side note: I am well aware that our pristine forest meadow is a breeding ground for mosquitoes (bat food) and ticks (which have no redeeming quality).

"This is a hassle'"

I finished the kitchen cabinets this weekend.  Deb was happy, but when washing dishes later she was quoted as saying, "This is a hassle.  I have to open the doors now."  Apparently it was more 'convenient' before the doors were there to impede her.

52.9

I set my cruise at 55 mph on my way home.  52.9 mpg.
highway 51 and highway 29 had very little traffic.  Once I got on I 43 the traffic was heavier so I got off in Denmark and took Cty Rd. R for the last leg.

Kitchen Cabinet Doors

The upper cabinet doors are finally done - a royal pain to be sure but it looks awesome.

Bathroom Vanity Doors

2 years after I made the vanities we finally got the doors done for the main floor bathroom.

the 'Great Blue Heron'

Mike bought me a Wisconsin brew pub book. On Friday I took a side trip to Marshfield on my way to the 'cabin' to have a beer at the Blue Heron Brew Pub. It is an awesome place with a great menu.  Deb and I will be spending an evening in the future (summer) to shop, have dinner and sample the different brews at the Blue Heron. I had a 12 oz fantastic 'fanatic IPA'.

Just a quick post.  I changed the format so that there is a 'pictures' page.  Look at the top and there is a home link and pictures link.

Stupid is as stupid does

I just finished putting in the last drawer slide - a pain in the ass - why didn't I do that before the counter top went on?  I knew I should have done it as I was installing the top but I was anxious.  Anyway the slides are in and I went to slide the drawer and it didn't fit.  How could this be - I measured and then measured again.  Hell, as anal as I am I probably measured 3 times - yep it's good.  I made the drawer the same size as the opening - I apparently I didn't subtract the 1 inch - stupid, stupid....

get the orange paint back out Deb

Bar Time

The breakfast bar is finished except for some caulk on the back splash.  This is not germane to the post but 'breakfast bar' begs the question, 'Is beer a breakfast drink?  I think it just might be.'