It's been such crazy weather this year... Usually, we can't get into the cabin until the end of May - and then, it's really super cold... But, this year, we have had very, very little snow, and we have had days that the furnace has been off... interesting story... Before we drive to the cabin, we always call our neighbour Ben and ask him to turn the heat up so it's not so chilly in the cabin when we get there. We did this with the most recent visit. When we got there, the temperature inside was in the low 60's. Jim went downstairs to check the furnace - he said it tries to start and then shuts off. We waited until the next morning to call Garkane Propane. The first thing they said was to check the tank and let them know how much propane was left. Jim checks it, and for the first time in years, we were completely at zero! We have a 500 gallon tank! When the tank was being installed, we asked for a 1000 gallon tank, but they didn't have one and the last time our tank was filled was last September! I always make sure we have money on our account, because we never know when they are going to show up - but, the company made a quick trip up the mountain, and, $1200.00 later, the tank was filled. We asked for a larger tank, and they said they would get our tank switched out. Empty tank - it was a milestone.
I am always looking for interesting things for the cabin, and I have been looking for an antique chiminea for years. I finally found one! If you don't know what a chiminea is, here's a description:
A (British English: chimenea)[1] or chiminea (US English)[2] (/ˌtʃɪmɪˈneɪ.ə/ CHIM-in-AY-ə; from Spanish chimenea [tʃimeˈnea], in turn derived from French cheminée, "chimney") is a freestanding front-loading fireplace or oven with a bulbous body and usually a vertical smoke vent or chimney.
I wanted a terra cotta chimenea because of all the red earth around the cabin. We have the antique brick around the jacuzzi, and I think this with the lizards around it, is perfect. I don't know if we are going to use it as a heat source, but it looks really cool... When I told Jim that I had bought for the cabin, he had his "what the hell did you buy now" look, complete with the pursed lips and tense jaw... But, when he saw it, he agreed that it was pretty cool looking. When I bought it, I got the top part out of the car, but had to get the neighbours to get it from the car to the carport.... it's super heavy. Jim is now a fan... and, I think he still loves me.
Brea played her final hockey game of the season... although they didn't win the tournament, but played really well, and we are proud of their game. It is live streamed, and of course, we had to watch it. Brea is a solid little player... she's also the smallest player... with the biggest heart! She earned the A on her uniform.
We, rather I, decided to change the wall covering in the main floor bedroom. It originally was just going to be painted, but I liked this look, so the change was made. Poor Jim - it takes a little convincing, but, I am always glad he is open to change. I love this look. This is not our place, just an example of what it's going to look like. We are going to pain the wall a chocolate brown behind the oak slats.
And, this is the product all ready for installation.
And, this is preparing the wall. My job this past week, was to mud over all the nail holes before painting it. My question is: If planks for the floor is called "flooring", why aren't planks for the walls called, "walling"? I asked this question of Jim, and he just kind of looked at me. I think I still had the after effects of anesthetic.
Jim had me on limited work projects - I had a little surgery on Thursday, and it kind of took me out of the game for a couple of days. I do not bounce back from general anesthetic, so while the guys were working, I was sleeping. Feeling a whole lot better this week. And, I found some more glass chickens... This is another one of those moments that Jim just shakes his head and doesn't say anything.. Giggle.
Poor Jim... sometimes, the hard work gets to him and he just has to sit down and take a rest. I know the feeling.
The work on the tongue and groove ceiling in the great room continues... The guys ran out of finished wood to install, so they had to set up the system on the deck and start plaining, (I think I spelled that wrong) and cutting and varnishing. This is the first step in the process....
.. it's a two man job...
And, here's more of the installation... it's looking amazing.
And, here's Jim showing off a piece of "blue" pine. I love the different colours of the planks and the knots here and there are great!
Ben usually stayed up on the scaffolding, he tells Jim the length of the individual pieces that are needed, Jim goes outside, cuts the piece and then hands it off to Ben who tacks it into place.
Here's a different angle.
While they are doing actual work, I am doing "nonsense" work. (Jim read this paragraph and told me he didn't like that I called my work "nonsense". He says I should change it to meaningful and told me that what I do is, as he says, "a representation of what is to come". He says what I do gives him a view into the future.) I guess I will stop calling it nonsense work and start calling it "meaningful". While I appreciate his sentiments, and love him for trying to make me feel better, I will respect his feelings and change my wording.
I dried these birdhouse gourds last fall, hollowed them out, and Jim drilled the holes for me. The last step is to lacquer them so they don't totally fall apart in the weather... The bigger gourd will be a bird house, and the smaller ones will be filled with seeds... Hopefully, the stupid squirrels and chipmunks won't eat all the food!
I just think they look so cool.. Weird, but very cool.
We had this one beam in the main level bathroom that I wanted some texture on it... So, we've been playing around and finally got our technique to the point that it looks good. This is the first step in the application... put plastic around the perimeter so the mud doesn't splatter everywhere...
Here's my mighty husband making sure his wife is happy... I'm totally happy...
And, here's the application... it's still super wet... I'll have to dry before we can paint it.
Here's the wall a little dryer... but, still not ready to paint! I have a warm light brown to go on this part and I think it will harmonize with the walls and floor in this room perfectly. I am so stoked with this!
I purchased the chiminea from a lady in south Provo, and while I was there, she asked me where it was going to end up, and I told her about our cabin. She said she had some decorating that she thought would look amazing, and she gave me a couple of these brass pieces. I actually really like them. Jim says he would like to put them on the front of the cabin. I agree!
Here's a smaller piece... Jim wants to put the pieces clustered together.
And, Jim actually found this piece for me. I put it next to the door so you can see the size - I'm not quite sure where I'm going to put this pot, but, I really think it's cool looking. So, thanks Jim - you've got the vision!
And, our front door has this amazing stained glass... that you can see right through into the cabin. That makes me a little nervous because every once in a while, we have people breaking into cabins... so, I wanted something to cover up the clear glass. This covering is just a film that sticks up with water. So, I applied it, and it looks great - stops anyone from looking in, and makes me feel a little more protected. We just had a sheet of paper on this door for years, and it was getting a little ratty. So, this was a quick and easy and inexpensive fix.
This past week, Jim and I went to see the rock opera "Tommy". I had always wanted to see the rock operas when I was considerably younger, but never went. I wanted to see Godspell, and Jesus Christ Superstar for example. My parents were not in favour to say the least. But, the 50th anniversary was this year and I dragged Jim to it. Saying it's one of the weirdest shows I've ever seen is an understatement. Jim and I agreed that The Who must have been on some really heavy stimulants when the music was written and even when the play was written... Very strange... we do not recommend. But, it was an experience, and my parents were absolutely right for not wanting their impressionable daughter to see it!
I got a little blurb from facebook AI analyzing my writing style... I am always nervous about writing the blog because I know I probably break all the rules. I have a sweet friend who is an English teacher and I particularly freak when she reads my blog - but, she has always been upbeat and affirming - even though I am sure she uses part of my blog to show her students what NOT to do... (love you, Lori) Giggle. I also have a brother who is a published writer, and I am sure he doesn't read my blog - probably would give him heart failure (he's on best seller lists etc...)... Anyways, AI says my style is "using a casual tone that feels conversational; has a strong personal relationship with her audience; uses humour; has an engaging tone, is relaxed and friendly, informal, treats the audience as family and overall, the writing style is engaging, personal, sarcastic and conversational, which suits her audience and Facebook platform"... (talk about a run on sentence!) And, my content is relatable and diverse. Ok... they're being nice! It made me laugh.
With that, the adventure continued - take life with a smile, and talk to you soon!
Love, Jim and Cheri
"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."
