...and here's a little update on the week past.
The Porch Project is back on track!
After a considerable delay and two reschedules - once due to a snowstorm - the painters came last week. Three days, three hours of preliminary sanding, followed by three coats of satin-finish polyurethane on the pine walls and ceiling.
The results look quite nice, I think.
(Disclaimer: these photographs exclude an unsightly heap of residual construction material and debris. Removal is proceeding slowly, somewhat hampered by snow.)
(Disclaimer: these photographs exclude an unsightly heap of residual construction material and debris. Removal is proceeding slowly, somewhat hampered by snow.)
all the fresh new pine
(to the right in the snap above)
appears as a pleasing design element, rather than a distraction.
Serendipitous!
Have you seen the shelf beneath the gable window?
It was one of the final items on the carpentry list.
The shelf runs the full length of the 14' south wall.
I planned it as a place to neatly store things
that I need to access only occasionally.
I planned it as a place to neatly store things
that I need to access only occasionally.
lightly sanding - possibly staining -
and then polyurethaning
the original mahogany floorboards.
Soon, I hope.
Because when the floor is done,
I can "move in."
Huzzah!
Huzzah!
~~~
Snow:
we've got it.
I've lost track of the snowstorms.
We've had plenty of snow.
Still do.
Every time I can get out of the driveway,
I go fetch a few bales of hay before the next storm.
In fact, I went for hay yesterday.
And the snow began again last night.
Still falling now.
And the snow began again last night.
Still falling now.
Cold:
we've got that, too.
we've got that, too.
One morning it was still -5F (-21C) at midday.
Brisk.
Which reminds me...
the fireworks picture at the top of this post
celebrating the latest porch progress,
is actually a screenshot from Up Helly Aa 2015.
As always, it was powerful stuff:
My feelings about life and death, creation and destruction,
have been revisited and revitalized for another year.
have been revisited and revitalized for another year.
Well done, People of Lerwick.
Thank you for sharing!
~~~
P.S.
If you are looking for the giveaway, it's here.
Entries open until 14 February.
Good luck!
~~~~~
Your porch looks amazing - congrats. That shelf will surely come in handy.
ReplyDeleteOh - for some snow...
You are more than welcome to any snow that's on the ground, falling from the sky, or on it's way! No need to call first - just come on by!
DeleteI think January ran away after leaving a mess of snow on February.
ReplyDeleteThe woodwork on your porch looks very well done.
Question...if you knitted wool jackets for the goats, would they wear them?
My goats are wearing their own homegrown cashmere longjohns...far nicer than anything I could make for them, and excellent protection from the cold :)
DeleteOh, the porch is beautiful! and very clever, the way the wood runs one way on the window wall, another on the interior wall. And if that shelf were mine it would be inhabited by houseplants right away...despite any plans to store infrequently used stuff there..involving much climbing up to water and tend them. But I think you will restrain yourself and hew to your plan.
ReplyDeleteThe question about the goats and knitted jackets reminds me of that great New Yorker cartoon, where the little lamb, wearing a brand new knitted sweater, says to his mom: it itches!
I've got a better idea for plants! In early Spring I plan to put windowboxes under all seven west and south windows. Herbs! Sweet peas! Nasturtiums! Lettuces! :)
DeleteThat cartoon is by the witty Franklin Habit, of http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com. It's the cover of his book of cartoons :)
The porch looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It will be a cozy place to knit, I think :)
DeleteOh that is going to be the most wonderful space. I am enjoying see it all come together. I love to see your snow, none here in Somerset.
ReplyDeleteI bet Miss Piper in enjoying playing and digging in it, I know Roobarb would be!
Piper was leaping and diving into the deep snow this morning - I tried to get a picture but the snow is falling so thickly there isn't enough light for an action shot. Maybe when it stops snowing.
Delete(IF it stops snowing.)
I am loving all that wood. It must be so nice to have a new room like that.
ReplyDeleteNo snow here. If we had goats, they'd be sunning themselves right now! ;)
Jessica
I am not telling my goats about your sun! ;)
DeleteYes, January slipped by me, for sure, but it looks like you've gotten quite a massive bit accomplished!! The woodworking in the porch project is beautiful. AS ARE your always fabulous goats, my friend. Will be around more, now that I've cleaned my plate for a few months. Nasty Groundhog saw that shadow today - I hope the snow takes it easy on you! XOXO
ReplyDeleteI love love love your porch room. The wood is beautiful, and the high window is perfect. You're going to be living out there, I bet!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the snow has been tough but it doesn't sound like your spirits are dampened. I hope it ends soon for you!
As a friend said just a couple of days ago, I don't want to wish my life away, but I am so happy that days are passing quickly. I just want to get to June, the end of the school year, and freedom from the toxic work environment I am in. Glad to hear your porch is near to finishing. Will be a great spot for viewing your winter wonderland. Warm wishes and goat kisses (from me to them :) Tammy
ReplyDeleteJanuary sure did slip away! You do sort of lose track when snow falls hit one right after the other. We got more snow last night and it's still falling. Lots of traffic craziness going on out there, so I'll avoid going out today. Your new room looks amazing! I love the finish with just a clear coat. In a year or two the difference between the two walls will blend together even more as the new boards darken. Great details with the long shelf and I like the rounded corners on the sill. You must be feeling like you were never going to finish. I'm so happy for you that once the floors are finished you can get comfy again. Debris removal in winter is twice the chore ... ugh. The little goats don't mind the cold with all that lovely warm fleece. Today I'm going to try some paw covers for my dog to protect his paws from salt. They honestly look like condoms and they're bright red. I hope I don't meet anyone I know!! Wendy
ReplyDeleteYour dog is probably thinking the same thing! ;)
DeleteI can almost smell the new raw wood. How exciting for you to be able to move in soon. Everything looks so pretty. Your goats don't seem to mind the cold. Here in the northwest we are having such unseasonable mild weather and NO snow
ReplyDeleteYou're right, this was a really aromatic project! Multiple trips to the sawmill, stacks of lumber on the porch, sawdust everywhere...very nice :)
DeleteI'm drooling over your porch because love the cabin look! I'm sure you'll really enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI decided today that if I don't hear from the painter soon, I'll put down some rugs and move in...then sand and finish the floor in the Spring, when I'm doing the outside finish work!
Delete