Slowly... but surely.

 I am not sure if this is going to be the last post of the year...  But, here goes...

The ceiling tiles in the kitchen are almost all installed... and, I am totally pleased!  We had to purchase special can lights to go with the ceiling panels, and they also look amazing. The kitchen is coming along nicely.

And, the top cupboards were built and installed.  I had a gentleman from work who is a master carpenter build the cabinets for me, and he did an amazing job.  We just need to put the doors on - and they have not been shipped yet. Everything just takes time.... and, I'm not that patient.

I saw this fish on marketplace and couldn't help but buy it for Jim.  I told him it was to go with the "Big Assed Bass" that is in the bedroom.  It was bought as a joke, and Jim actually really likes it and put it up in the bedroom of all places.  So, the bass now has a friend.

My Kia Soul got into a fight with a truck, and kinda lost.  Actually, Jim was parked at a store and wasn't even in the vehicle when it got hit by some kid in a truck.  The kids wasn't particularly friendly, and the kid's insurance company, Progressive, has not been really co-operative.  We got an estimate today, and the repair company couldn't really give us an accurate number, because the hood is stuck.  They said when that happens, that the support for the radiator is broken along with who knows what else, so we have to get the estimate sent to the insurance adjuster... but, it's not looking hopeful.  I really like this car.... $30.00 worth of gas and I drive it for about 2.5 weeks.  It's great.

Jim and I took a quick trip to Arizona to see my oldest brother, and it was an amazing visit.  It was just relaxed and great.  Barron and I revisited different events in our youth and we laughed and cried and joked with one another.  I hadn't thought of some of these stories for I swear, 100 years.  It was such a nice visit.  

While in Arizona, Valerie, my niece, my sister in law and I decided to make butter tarts.  I found a really decent recipe in a Canadian cookbook called... Marty's World Famous Cookbook".  This guy used to have a restaurant in Bracebridge, Ontario... Jim and I would go there when we visited his parents.. and they had the best buttertarts...  So, we tried his recipe...  

We mastered the filling, but we really need to tweek the crust...  It tasted fabulous, but it was a little on the overly flaky side of life, and we had a hard time getting them out of the tart pan.... But, the flavours of the two were incredible.  And, thank goodness there are no calories, no carbs, no fat grams in buttertarts... It's like eating celery... Trust me.. Marty's restaurant in Bracebridge is no longer, but the cookbooks still exist... and, they're wonderful Canadian recipes.  Highly recommended.  Working with Valerie and Alicia was amazing...  I am blessed to have such amazing family.  While in Arizona, we visited with my brother Barron, his wife Alicia, their daughter, Theresa, and their daughter Valerie and her husband... and for the life of me, I can't remember his name... he's a tall kid with pretty eyes...  Giggle... (I'm doing a final edit, and I remembered Valerie's husband's name... Chris... I think...) 

We had so much fun making these little gems... It was just relaxed and so much fun.  Amazing memories.

Barron got up in the morning, and had to have another one.  Jim took a couple home with us, and he had two for breakfast the next morning.  

Jim and I worked the state of Utah election again this year.  This is the third time we've worked it, and it's beginning to be our thing.  Jim and I both agree that it's something a little different, it gets us out of the house, and even though we can't vote, we are contributing to the community... and, it's lots of fun.  It was a little on the cold side, so I brought along a quilt that my sister in law gave me when we were in Arizona.  She does absolutely beautiful work.  And, it's toasty warm.  Thank you, Alicia... You rock!

Here's Jim on election night.  He always get the job of telling people they are too late to cast their ballots...  And, I swear, we hear all kinds of excuses from..."I thought the polls closed at 9"... to "traffic was just too heavy"... to, this year we heard..."What if I just throw it in the box and you don't look".  Seriously?

And, the furnace is up and running!  Thank goodness, because it snowed for the last couple of days that Jim was there.  We are having a few programming issues - but, they are going to be sorted out next time Jim goes.

And, I always send cookies with Jim when he goes down to the cabin.  They are a great pick me up, and he really likes them. This time, I sent cookies from Great Harvest Bread, and I also sent a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread.  Jim loves it for toast late at night.  

Unfortunately, he still had cookies left over from the last time he went...  I told him he just doesn't eat cookies fast enough.  He just looks at me with that, "Do you want to kill me" look.  Giggle.

The work on the tongue and groove ceiling has been officially started and it's a lot of work, but looks fabulous.  I am totally excited.  It's going to take quite a bit of time, but it's going to be exceptional when completed.

And, the doors for the corner cabinet and the spice rack came in and was installed.  They haven't been varnished yet, but that's in the near future.  I am wanting them to be more of a honey colour...

And, here's what they look like opened up...

And, the doors for the upper cabinets came in and were installed.  I am absolutely thrilled with all the cupboard space there is... And, the whole thing looks amazing.  Jim does beautiful work.  I miss him terribly when he is gone, but I appreciate all the work he does.  Kinda love that man.

The tongue and groove ceiling wood has been stored down below the cabin, covered in tarp... so, it had to be brought up...

There still lots of work before installation, which includes cutting and planing... which makes tons of sawdust.  Jim bought a vacuum to suck us all the sawdust which made it easier to put into bags and throw away.  But, it's still super messy... Jim says he is glad that I haven't been there because I would be freaking with all the sawdust everywhere....

And, here's a little more progress on the ceiling...  It just looks prettier and prettier all the time.

Here's another shot from the loft.  The others are from the great room.

This is the planks of wood after they have been planed, cut and varnished.  I love the different colours in the wood.  

And, here's another update.  These pictures are taken over several days...  so, you can see the progress.

And, another update...

We had beautiful skies here in Utah last week. We were told we were going to be having a showing of the aurora borealis... But, the only colour we could see is... red.  But, I'll take it.  It was more prominent in Southern Utah than in Provo...

And, yep.... we had snow... snow for a couple of days... I still hate snow... It's evil.  In that respect, it makes me a really crappy Canadian...

It looks pretty, but I don't want to travel in it, or play in it.  I'm good with a roaring fire and a blanket... looking out the window.... and that's even a stretch for me.

And, after that beautiful snow fall.... (And, I'm being really generous with the word "beautiful") this is what we deal with... Like I always say, snow is of the devil....

Kane County doesn't feel it's their responsibility to keep our roads in good shape, so we fight this issue every fall and every spring.  

Jim came home with tons of mud on his boots and his pants...  Sigh...

I had laser surgery on my right eye while Jim was away, and it seems to be coming along nicely.  First of all, I didn't know I had cataracts, and then I had to have a little touch up work done.... still seeing halos and can't drive at night, but it's getting better.

With that, this edition is closed, my sweet husband is home for a bit - thank goodness (really miss him when he's gone) and, the adventure continues.

Take care, Jim and Cheri

Working, Working, Working.

 

Well, the wood burning stove pipes were fixed and Jim was able to have a warm, cozy fire in the cabin for a couple of days.... and, then... it warmed up again and there was no need for a stove.  But, while it was cold, the fire kept his tootsies warm and cozy.  (I think the stove looks positively beautiful and inviting...)

The work preparing the planks for the ceiling continues... There's a whole lot of work to be done BEFORE it gets installed... 

Here's the wood planer all covered up before it started raining... But, uncovered it does a fabulous job making the planks looks beautiful.

And, it does an amazing job making loads and loads of saw dust.  This is about the amount of sawdust it produces in a 30 minute period.  

And, here's what the camera on the balcony caught.... some guy stealing our planks...  actually, it's Jim carrying the planks onto the deck so he would plane them.... He just looks sneaky.  Giggle...

And, I believe these are planed and ready to be covered in shellac.  

And, here's the product all painted, drying and ready for installation.

Jim put a couple of the boards up to see what they looked like, and I really like it.  I think it's the right application.

We had the first cupboard made for the kitchen.  A gentleman at work made them, and did an amazing job.  It still needs a little bit of fine tuning, but the construction is amazing.  Two more have been made, but not installed yet.

Jim started the sheetrock work in the main level bedroom and I couldn't be more thrilled.  It's a lot of work, but Jim did amazing.

We got a weather advisory telling us there was going to be a major rainstorm from Thursday to mid Saturday, and the weather man was correct!  It started looking overcast and dark on the Thursday morning, and continued on until Saturday night..  Looks really ominous.

While it was pouring rain, Jim continued on with the sheetrock in the bedroom...

...and actually completed the part behind the headboard...

When Jim is at the cabin, I always try and send him a care package... usually filled with building materials and treats.  And, I always send cookies.  I didn't know, that whenever I sent oatmeal raisin cookies, this is how they arrive.  I didn't have a clue... Jim sent me this picture and said not to worry... they eat the same as the round cookies...  Giggle.  

Service Location:	BRYCE WOODLANDS
Service:	COOP Provided Electric Service
Amount:	$57.22
Due Date:	Nov 5, 2025

We get a monthly electric bill for the cabin, and this is the first time in all the years we have been building, that the bill went over $50.00!  Jim usually now goes for a couple of weeks at a time, and this is the result!  There is a base price of $36.00 a month... so we are really rockin' here!

I found this towel holder a couple of weeks ago, and I think it's going to look great with the rest of the wrought iron in the bathroom.  It's unusual, but it'll go really well.

And, here's my baby maple trees that eventually will be planted at the cabin.  These babies are going to spend the winter in the house, in the warm before moving down south.  I think the winter will be too cold, and living in the house will give them a little bit more growing time...I've got a silver maple and a red maple... It's the Canadian in me coming out.

With that, this edition ends.... the adventure continues...

Love, Jim and Cheri

Create with the heart; build with the mind

WE PASSED OUR 4-WAY!!!

 OH MY GOODNESS!!!  After years and years of working on the cabin, we had an inspection by the county, and we got our 4-way approved!  I am so excited and thrilled, you have no idea!!! This means, we have one more inspection before it's totally completed - and that's the final move in inspection.  There's still a lot to do, but this is a milestone!

Jim started installing the ceiling tiles in the kitchen this past week and I think it's looks amazing.  After looking at it, I think we are going to change the colour of the walls in the kitchen to match the ceiling tiles... But, that's something that can be easily figured out... Back to Home Depot paint department for me!

Jim and I were talking about the cost of the tiles versus the cost of the matrix to install the tiles, and from that, he stated that he's really a "bargain".  He paid for the matrix, and I paid for the tiles.... A lot of times, Jim is at the cabin and I am at the house in Provo, and it's easier for me to order supplies than for him to... We thought we could buy the ceiling matrix in Cedar City, BUT, found out that he actually had to pick it up in Salt Lake.... in the meantime, I ordered the tiles and, my tiles were about 10 times what his part cost... so, now, he thinks he's a bargain.  Giggle. (I told him that never in my life have I called him a bargain... I've called him a lot of other things, but NEVER a bargain... he stated that he's never called me a bargain either... Why do I love this man???)

Here's what the kitchen ceiling looks like now....

and, here's what it looked like at the beginning of the process....

I really love this look... kinda of old world.. very charming...

And, I really love the stained glass light fixtures that go with the ceiling tiles...

The work continues... This is for the washer and dryer on the main level.  It's going into a little closet on the main level, so I don't have to walk up and down stairs just to do the laundry...

I don't have a clue what this is, but it's something to do with hot and cold water.  Giggle.  I am sure Jim could explain it.. but, I'm in the dark...

I've been looking for all things wrought iron, and I found a bathroom tissue holder in just the right material... It's different, but I like it.  It's going to find a home in the main level bathroom...

And, a register went into the main level bathroom... Little by little, everything is getting completed!  My man is working VERY VERY hard... and, I appreciate it...

We're been looking for a cabinet to go into the little space under one of my stained glass sunflowers, and Jim found this one online.  The space is very small, and not a whole lot fits in there, but this piece does.  AND, it is solid.  I picked it up in my Kia and I couldn't put it into the hatch by myself... AND, it sat there until Jim came home from the cabin... I couldn't get it into the car, or get it out.  But, it fits beautifully.

And, Jim accessorized the space... I think it's darling.  Very old fashioned... I am not quite sure what I am going to put into the drawers, but I think towels are going into the ceramic basket.

Interesting situation:  I found a spiral staircase in Provo to be installed from the deck to the jacuzzi.  I paid for it, and set a pick up date.  Jim got trailer and went to pick it up.  The guy that I bought it from was not there, but his son was..... and, he was not really wanting to help.  We were told that they would put it on their forklift, and lift it into the trailer.  When Jim got there, the "gentleman" (and I use that word VERY loosely) decided he would haul it up with a tow truck.  When he lifted it, he slammed against the wall and caved in the side and the railing of the staircase.... and, at that point, the guy came unhinged, and yelled and screamed at Jim...  He made it sound like it was Jim's fault when in fact, he damaged OUR property and would not take responsibility.  Jim got in his truck and hauled it out of there - fearing for his life.  Jim called me to call the guy I bought it from... I called, and got the guy who was yelling at Jim... And guess what....  He was the rudest, more ignorant person to me and finally slammed the phone down... I don't think I have heard the F-bomb used so many times in such a short span of time in my life... Jim had the same sentiment.  And, all I did was ask for the owner.  We subsequently call the police to help with the situation.  Jim felt more protected with two police officers there... Very sad.  Jim decided that instead buying another premade set of steps, he'll just build them himself...  All I was trying to do was to cut down the workload on Jim... sigh... Never in my life have I felt so afraid just by talking to someone over the phone...  very sad.

The last time we were in California, I happened in a thrift store - I'm always looking for unusual pieces of furniture or something different, and I came across this shirt/jacket - kind of scruffy - sleeves ripped off etc.  ... It kind of amused me, so I bought it for Jim.  It's from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally from 2014 in Sturgis, South Dakota.  Though I have never been, and really don't have a desire to go, I understand it's a pretty big rally.  Anyways, I kinda bought it as an amusement for Jim.  When he saw it, he said it was cool and we left it at that...

When Jim goes to the cabin, I always try to pack enough clothes (plus a couple of days) to get him through the time he is going to be there.  This last trip, I anticipated him being there about 10 -12 days... Well, this trip went a little longer, and he had enough clothes, except for the last day.... He ran out of clothes.  When he got to the door in Provo, this is what he was wearing.  Made me laugh...  He said that every stop he made between the cabin and Provo, someone asked him if he rode motorcycles and they had a little conversation.  Jim asked me if I thought he looked like he belonged to a motorcycle club, and all I said was I thought he needed a haircut and his beard trimmed...  He got the message.  Giggle.  I am sure Boeing would have loved this look for their senior engineer...   

We needed to put a sealant on the ceramic work in the bathroom and on the ceramic on the floor around the hearth.  I purchased what the store suggested.  When we put some of the sealer on, it didn't look quite the same as the samples in the store.  Jim went back into the store and asked them about it, and they said the product I bought actually was a sealant... BUT, I should have bought and enhancer and sealant...  My question is:  Why didn't they tell me this in the store?  Well, we have the right stuff now... I didn't even know they had an enhancer..  I guess you learning something new every day.

Now that we passed our insulation inspection, we (actually, Jim is ready... I'm just riding on his coat tails...) are ready to start putting the tongue and groove wood slats on the ceiling.  They've been outside all winter long, so we had to get the wood planer out, put on the deck and have a little refinishing job done to them before installation.  This wood planer weighed about 600 pounds and it took a little manpower to get it up on the deck.  It started by lifting it up with the boom and swinging it over closer to the deck...

I swear, we use this boom truck for tons of stuff... beyond what you usually use a boom truck for!

We got the wood planer on the deck... with the help of three strong helpers, and the process has begun... Here's what a couple of the boards look BEFORE the process....

And, here's the after product... well, after the planing....

I like the look of the wood with all the little knots in it.  I think it has personality..

And, here's the boards with the varnish on them.. I really like the colour... 

And, these crazy people came from Alaska and visited with me on Friday morning.  FanX was at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, and Brad and his tribe came for three days of crazy dress up and fun. I am told FanX is a pop culture and comic convention... I didn't have a clue. Thank goodness for Google, or I'd be lost on a whole lot of topics... We got together for breakfast on Friday.  I arrived at the restaurant first and I told the servers that I was waiting for my kids and grandkids to show up.  About 5 minutes later, these crazies showed up, and the servers pointed and were commenting at the group... The servers said, "Check out these guys"... I walked over to them and said, "That's MY kids".. They had absolutely no response... just kind of stared at me....  Giggle.

And, this was Sunday afternoon after dinner!  The girls and I spent the afternoon shopping at Hot Topic (their choice) and snacking on acai bowls. We invited Brad also, but I don't think Hot Topic was really his jam... We had an amazing fun time!  It was so fun watching the girls shop for clothes... two sisters, and two completely different personalities and choices in clothes... Brea, the youngest, prefers things that are colours and bows... Mahayla, is into mysterious black attire... It's cute to see personalities develop.. I totally enjoyed myself just watching them pick out clothes and accessories... 

And, I'm gonna brag on my "little" brother for a bit.  He has a book he wrote for sale in the Strand bookstore in NYC.  He was a little surprised when he saw it, and I couldn't be prouder.  Eldon says there were two copies in the store for sale.

The Strand is the "Biggest and Best" bookstore in New York City... Eldon says he signed both copies... I was joking with him and asked him if his book was in second hand bookstores yet... and he told me he would love to see his book there....  I believe his book was the number one selling book on Amazon...  I don't want him to get a big head or anything, but I truly am proud of him... (At this point, if I were talking to Eldon, he would say something like... "You can be proud, but you are still 10 years older than me..."  sigh... he reminds me on a regular basis...  Giggle.

With that, this edition is signed and sealed...  The adventure continues...

Love, Jim and Cheri