Residing the House Part 2: Window Edition

    This summer's project is residing our house. Though I love it's quirky charm and the fact that we've made it our home, our house does not have a logical layout. Luke thinks that over the years it was added on to here and there and the end results are kind of odd. For example, our living room is rather small and on the outside wall there were these glass doors....Not sure why a door was needed there since the front door is just a few feet away. Anyway, these doors left us with limited places to put furniture, so, since we've moved in they have been blocked by a couch. Plus, they were old and quite drafty and simply needed to go, and it needed to be done before the siding goes up. So, this past weekend out went the doors and in went a new window.

The old glass door. 

 The door from inside.

Buirlen was quite interested in all the action and tools. Tools, are SO FUN!

Nothing like a giant, gaping hole in the side of your house. 

This air compressor makes lots of noise and that makes it extra cool. 

Don't worry Mom, this will be fixed before you know it. 

Framing up the new wall. 

And just like that we have a new window. 

Another quirky aspect of our house is that there was a random door of the laundry room. It didn't make sense as to it's location and we never used it. So it came off as well. 

Inside once the window was in. 

....And all sheet rocked over. 

Last summer a family from church moved away and didn't want to take this 3 wheeled bike with them, so it ended up at our place. Buirlen and I took for a spin and thought it was rather fun. 

So there you have it. 

Enjoy this beautiful Tuesday. 

"Home is the nicest word there is." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Sunshine and Blue Skies

Yesterday I posted about Luke sawing a couple giant logs up into lumber for our siding project. However, I realized I failed to put up the picture of the finished product. So here you go, Luke and his lumber(not quite all of it, it took two trips to get it from the Farm to our place.)

The weather has been blissful and glorious today. This morning, Buirlen and I went out to get the mail and he promptly decided that he didn't want to go back in. So, we spent some time cleaning up flower beds and soaking up some vitamin D.

He's a pretty hard working little gardener. 

Yesterday's adventures in the great outdoors....Sunshine is good for the soul. 

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." ~Margaret Atwood

Siding the House: Step 1

     Happy Wednesday! So, I mentioned last time, that this summer, Luke is going to be re-siding our house. Luke plans to add more insulation as well, making the house more heat efficient...Which it really isn't currently, what with the crazy layout and old siding. I'm excited to see the transformation start to happen.

We needed lumber as part of this process and were blessed with a few giant logs from our firewood guy. So, Luke and his dad spent last weekend out at the farm's sawmill turning logs into lumber. 

We got all the lumber we should need out of just 2 of the logs, the 3rd is waiting for another day.

Getting ready. 

Hard at work. 

Buirlen was a great foreman and oversaw the project. 

Checking out the bobcat with Grandpa.

Exploring. 

 

If it has a steering wheel it is good!

Visiting the goats. He's getting brave and wanted to feed them some hay by himself.

This past weekend, this little guy decided that maybe walking isn't that hard after all. He still mostly crawls, but has taken to walking if his destination isn't too far(say a few steps). He's growing up!

And he continues to climb....I guess unsupervised piano playing is a no go for now. 

May your day be full of goodness and the joy of The One who saw that giant tree when it was but a sprout over a 100 years ago...He sees you and He loves you more than you can ever fathom. 

"It takes hands to build a house but only hearts can build a home." ~Unknown 

SPRING....It's Here, It's Here, It's Here!

Spring has finally arrived and it is simply GLORIOUS!!! And, this little cowboy thinks that the great outdoors are the best thing ever. 

Warm breezes, sunshine, sandals, picnics......Deliciousness! 

Song of Solomon 2:11-12a

"See! the winter is past; 

the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come..."

This past weekend my parents came up for a visit. We had a lovely time. Buirlen warmed up quickly, and who wouldn't when Poppy and Ama come armed with bubbles, whipped cream, and a willingness to take you outside if that is what your heart desires. 

 Luke was doing some measuring because the plan is to re-side the house this summer.

2 summers ago, Luke put a lovely blue roof on our house. Last summer, we got a new door to match. This summer the old red siding is going to be replaced with grey steel. I think that it will look smashing once it's done. 

Playing with the ball chute. 

Poppy and Ama brought new books for Buirlen's birthday present.

Tasty!

Keeping an eye on the grill. 

We took a trip to Itasca

Jordan took this awesome picture of my parents

The Mississippi Headwaters

And other springy adventures of late....

First trip to the park was a hit. 

This little boy loves helping Daddy....And driving. 

Overseeing the oil changing business. 

Until next time....

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's Party!'"~Robin Williams