Mossy Trees

Life changes

2020-06-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the long short of it about why and what has been the reason for the hiatus.

I had been hired on in our local school district in 2016. I loved the work and my co-worker. I was there for almost 2 years. The job and being a mom and having a home business and all the other activities put the blog to the side. The start of my 2nd year, I noticed my back hurt more than usual and the hurt was different. My leg and toes also started to feel weird. After months of battling with insurance and tests and Dr appointments, I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease and arthritis. Common, yes, but not so in people so young. Neurology said it very likely could be the result of my connective tissue disorder. The thing is, back when I was diagnosed with the heritable connective tissue disorder around the age of 12/13, it was considered of no significant impact. In the recent years, it is being researched much more and we are finding out more all the time. We now are recently finding out it can have several other multi-systemic issues that are associated. Learning about it has opened my eyes about all the "odd" things that have I have been experiencing over the past years. Things that have been highly disruptive to my quality of life and the specialist's only answer was "I don't know". But WHY am I house bound because of bathroom issues, in severe pain, have palpitations all day, pass out when I stand up, get injured by just walking down the hall or washing my hair etc... ? And the list goes on with no answers until now.
Learn more about HSD and Ehlers-Danlos at www.Ehlers-Danlos.com.
I have "successfully" lived with this condition, I believe, because I had great advice from the doctor who diagnosed me all those years ago. I followed that advice and I believe it helped lead me to my degree in human physiology, health and nutrition. That gave me the knowledge to keep me at my best for as long as possible.
I describe this condition as if your body ages at an accelerated rate. Things just can't keep up and break down much faster. For some, it is very early. In summer of 2018 is when it started to really escalate for me and have a big impact on my lifestyle and work. Now, my body just can't take it all anymore.

I just don't know if this will be the last post or not. With the disability, I have very little time anymore. Travel is pretty much over for me. The time I have is spent just getting the basics of life in and as much local volunteer service as I can manage fit in.

Stay safe, make healthy choices, love each-other and don't take the good times for granted.

Three new Hens

2018-12-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

My last post about chickens was when eagle and fluffy and hawk and tulley and nutmeg were still with us back in early 2014.
A lot has happened since.
Nutmeg was the next to go with complications of a heart defect.
All that was left was old Red mama and her hatched chicks.

Hawk declined and was euthanized. She had reproductive tumors.

Tulley fought hard to get over an infection (lash egg) but the complications did her in a few months later and she passed in her sleep one night. Leaving us with Fluffy and Eagle.

So, I needed more chicks and decided to order pure breeds from a NPIP certified hatchery to get the feather colors and patterns I wanted and to get all females. The chicken as pets movement is gaining popularity and there was finally a place or 2 you could order small batches of chicks from.

Awe... just look at them... soooo cute!

The "fantastic 4" arrived in late June 2015 and grew in a brooder in the garage.

Sue (black australorp) was not the strongest and died quickly.

They were slowly introduced to the big girls and were put out in a modified run in the big run.

After months of trying, eagle just would not accept them. I couldn't trust her around them as she would try to attack them every chance.
So sadly, I decided to try and re home her with her sister fluffy (so she would have a friend). Found the perfect match for them luckily.

Now, the flock was soooo much less stressed. It was so quiet and peaceful and red and the new crew get on just fine.

3 years have passed and here is their story so far...

Bennie.

The cutest thing made me just absolutely fall in love with Cochin. She is the bottom of the order. Loud, let's you know it if anything is amiss or if she just wants out. Very vocal! Tough as nails, fearless. Attacks anything that moves. Kills mice with a precision bite to the back of the head and a firm shake. Attacks my feet with the same fervor. She of a bit of a little toot. I think she thinks she is a cat. She will fall asleep on my lap but only when she wants to. She lays more eggs than I was hoping for. She keeps up with the rocks.
She turned out a little darker than I was hoping for but it's a good because she looks allot like tulley and has great markings and lots of fluff. And that fluff makes it tough when the temps get above 80F.
At 3 years old, she is a grumpy old lady.

Johnnie.

Lives up to her namesake as a super fast one. She is athletic, fast. Super scratcher. Sweet but scared of everything! She whines like a little chihuahua. Other than that, she is fairly quiet. She takes forever to lay her eggs. She has had a skin problem with her feet though every since she was chick and I have to check her and treat her with meds often. She hatched some eggs for me (that is another story). Was not the best mom. She comes eagerly when called. Likes to bite legs and feet of others.

Reede.
Oh my reede. <3

She was top of the order, after Red, of course. Although, sometimes she forgets and it's kinda funny seeing the look on red's face before she retaliates to remind Reede of the order.
She can be a bit of a bully. She loves people and people attention. She literally begs me to hold and pet her. She loves wing and shoulder massages. She talks a lot and trusts her mama and wants to hang out with me. Every few weeks I've got to bathe her because her neck isn't long enough to reach her backside. But, she loves drying time because it means she gets to sit on my lap and get pet and blown dry with warm air - she just loves it and falls asleep while leaning up on me. Reede feathers have blurry barring and some of the darker bars have brown tint. She took over mothering the chicks that Jonnie hatched, thank goodness. She tried to steal the babies from the moment they were put under Jonnie. She was a great mom! They had no choice to accept her when Jonnie kicked them all out from under her because she was too hot. Reede gladly accepted!
My heart just shattered when I lost my sweet Reede this past summer to internal laying. The vet was awesome and I got to spend some time with her before she was peacefully euthanized. She was a very very special one! She loved her momma, loved to snuggle and seemed to know when I needed a chicken hug most.

Red Chicken died the summer before last. She had heart failure and died on the exam table before the last injection could be administered. She was a pal to me. Never liked being held or pet. But had to be nearby. She just wanted to hang out. She was a perfect chicken. Quiet unless something was wrong. Survivor. Fair and just leader. Great mother. She was a chicken that seemed wise. Laid eggs like a machine until she ran out. Then, enjoyed the retirement she deserved.

New roof!

2016-11-10T16:55:00.001-08:00

Another BIG project.

This time... Just wrote a check.

A big. fat. check. But... It was so nice to just do that!

Background. The house was thrown together in 1980.

We knew we had some projects and a new roof was in the plans when we bought it.
Well... Last year the bathroom skylight started leaking. We patched it up and it held out until a month ago, just as the rainy season started.. Boo. Within the past year, things fell into place for us to be able to finance the much needed major repairs to the house. (The siding is coming up next year).

Needless to say...I have some cosmetic repair to do in the bathroom.

Anyways, I spent a few months looking for a roofer. We decided on a metal roof and a company called Coast Exteriors. The company had a spotless record, glowing reviews and great guarantees. A bonus was that they also could do the gutters! The estimate was in budget and reasonable. The crew were professional and kind. I even noticed that they had some music playing when I got home. It wasn't loud at all and... they actually turned it off shortly after I arrived. I can't say enough about these guys. They got our small roof done in one day.

It looks GREAT!

We chose the charcoal color for neutrality. But I am so pleased with the fact that is is neutral in color but surprised that it seems to catch the colors of the sky. Just look how great it looks in the bottom photo taken during a beautiful orange and pink sunset!

I was hoping to be able to hear the rain on a classic metal roof sound but... I can't. Because the roof is insulated. Yay. Hopefully, we will see better climate control in the summer. Oh yeah... it comes with a ridge vent. We also have 2 extra downspouts on the east side. Our old gutters were a joke that had only 2 downspouts and were installed with wrong angles and poured over in the rain and collected water in the far ends. Sigh. No longer. Yay!

Time will tell the rest of the story but for now, I'm very pleased!

The photos show a detail of the gutters and standing seam.

Front and back elevations with before (taken in the morning) and after in the morning and evening.

May garden 2016

2016-05-06T08:33:00.001-07:00

So it has been a while since I have posted. But that's okay I've been totally busy doing other things and recovering from an injury. Blogging is just not high on my to-do list. It takes a lot of time!

Here we are May 2016. One of my favorite times of year because everything just really starts getting going in the garden and in the forest.
This is when all of the hard work really starts to show. It makes me so happy.
In this post I'll give a pictorial tour of what's been going on outside.

I moved the blueberries from Blueberry Hill into pots & they love it. The hills past life as a gravel storage area made the soil too Rocky and alkaline for blueberries. I transplanted them into pots filled with compost and peat moss... nice and acidic. Now, I just have to keep them watered regularly.

I also moved the raspberries from their ground beds to raised beds. The ground beds were too shallow and we're allowing The Raspberries to spread beyond their borders. They handled the transplant well.

As you can see, the strawberry barrel didn't work out very well. For now, it is being repurposed into a flower planter until I can move it to a different location and decide what to do with it. The new strawberry planters seems to be working well for now. Time will tell. I have a pink flowering variety that I found as well as a variety called flavor fest. The pink is so pretty!

Potatos this year! I've tried bags and straw in the past with no success. Hopefully raised beds will help. Purple, red and yellow varieties.

Carrots seem to be doing well so far. Hopefully they won't get eaten from the inside out like they did last year. Lettuce is doing fabulous! We'll see how my second harvest of heirloom garlic does this year. Hope it's as great as last year. I tried to plant peas but the birds ate all the seeds before they could germinate.

From top left clockwise. I have one yellow squash and one zucchini and that's all I need. Tomatoes... I have 8 different tomato plants and one bed looks like my compost was still a little too hot. I bought a rhubarb start this year and it started growing just fine then all the sudden that happened now it's a corpse rhubarb. My asparagus is in its second year so I still have to wait before I can get a good harvest of that.

Now you get to see my mess. The top photo is of the Blueberry Hill. A tree fell on the fence and busted the posts but the deer fence mesh still stands. I have made two spots in the garden for two rain barrels and have a lovely arrangement from our high school FFA on the top of one. A few small hanging baskets are on some posts around the garden to attract the hummingbirds and make it more pretty. And the bottom is a panorama of the garden right now. Please excuse the mess it is still a work in progress and I am still trying to get some more seeds into some of these beds and finish up the pathway. Moles are still a constant battle.

The herb garden surrounds the vegetable garden. There are a little more than herbs in the herb garden. I have a buried clay pot with beautiful spring bulbs. This is also where I have put the baby Douglas fir trees until they grow big enough to not be bothered by the deer and Elk. I love herb!

Lots of flowers!

Now onto the forest...

I tried to propagate cutting last year of the blue raspberry without success. This year I am trying tip rooting. So far so good.

Salmonberry, huckleberry, salal berry, columbine (non native), native Blackberry, Oregon grape, hazelnut, wild strawberry. Didn't have a lot of nettle this year.

The orchard is a mix of good and bad. From top left and down...

The mystery tree that we transplanted from the forest is fruitng. Maybe we will see what it becomes (I think cherry).

Old Apple fruiting well. Fig transplanted again but is handing it well now that it is safe from the deer. My cherry trees I planted 4 years ago are crap, and the apricot died (I do not recommend rain tree nursery!).

I bought and planted a comice pear for my daughter... So far so good... Even has fruit this year.

The back 40 forest mystery peachy cherry has fruit too.

Happy gardening!

Summer 2015

2016-03-02T17:33:00.001-08:00

A quick review of our family summer trip to the coast.

A visit to Mt. Saint Helens.

Stopping on the way to Astoria.

Time on the beach.

Summer 2015 Beauty and the Beast

2015-08-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp 2015

Beauty and the Beast Jr.
ages K-7th

Spring break 2015

2015-04-10T22:24:00.001-07:00

Travel has been on the back burner with so many other things that have our finances tied up in knots this year.
My folks were awesome (as usual) and were able to use their travel points to fly us down to Texas for a family visit!

Since we last visited, there have been 3 new additions to the clan!
Three little boys all born within a few months. A set of maternal twin cutie boys to my brother and a handsome little dude to my sister. Making the grand total of grandkids 6 for my folks. And... there is a little gal still cooking up for my sister who is due a few months from now!

We headed down south with a 12 hour day of travel.

The next morning started with a day trip to Brenham to visit my dear Granny and my cousins and their families. It was a super short visit! But, always good to see and be with them!

Then Sunday was Easter with my immediate family.

Monday, my hubby and bro spent some bro time together while my mom, my kid and I babysat my sister's 2 kids.

Tuesday started with me not feeling 100%. The 3 of us took a morning trip to Mother Neff State Park. It's a cool little park. The 1st State Park in Texas and sporting phase 1 of an over 6 million dollar rehab / addition! It would be cool to overnight camp and walk the trails. We walked the prairie trail loop. Hiked to the cave, the water hole and the water tower. Checked out the bird blind. Drove around the park. Checked out the new interpretive center. All in under 2 hours (even with me slower than usual).

Enjoyed some Clay Pot!

That afternoon, went to the Waco Mammoth Site (hopefully, soon to be a US National Monument). That place is pretty cool. I don't know why it wasn't listed on my Google "things to do nearby". It is a 45 minutes guided tour of the site. The only place you can visit an active dig site of the largest known mammoths in North America. With 3 different ages of remains. Our guide Jeremy, was very informative and entertaining. Pretty darn cool. Hoping to be able to go back again in a few years and learn more as they keep discovering and learning.

Wednesday, our last day. I started off with a sore throat and not feeling too well. I skipped out on the Mayborn Museum but, my hubby and daughter enjoyed it.

We got to nosh some real tex mex - yum!
That evening was family dinner at my brother's place. I was getting worse by the minute and kept my distance from the kids. I love it when we siblings can get together!

By the time bedtime rolled around I was feeling bad enough for a visit to the urgent clinic. Another strep infection just in time for departure. Boo. Thank goodness I kept from the babies!

Thursday was a 14 hour travel day!
Miss my family.
So good to be home and resting.

Garden in review 2014

2014-12-31T14:03:00.000-08:00

It has been so good to garden this year!

I have been slowly adding raised beds as the opportunity arises. I refuse to pay full market price for lumber for garden projects so, I wait till I find a great deal on culled lumber.

Strawberry barrels - they dry out way too fast so I will be re-doing the soil mix and replanting the current one and, will make another. I love harvesting and weeding them. Super EASY!

Pepper Tires - I think i found my pepper solution in using these tires.

These were GREAT!
A mole screen, compost soil mix, keep them pruned...
my solution for growing great peppers in the PacNW!

I put the tomato in the raised beds and so far so good. Organic EarlyGirl Bush variety did the best. Still not enough though.

The shelling and snap peas were confused and i ended up just shelling all of them. Ended up with a gallon bag full and am not sure the time and real estate was worth it.

Summer squash were prolific.
I think I will cut down to 1 each for 2015.

Green beans did great. Gonna put those in the new raised beds next year.

Cukes love the containers so long as i keep them watered.

I accidentally ended up with lots more pumpkins than i thought i planted.

Wild berries were good this year.
Last Year, the Blackberries got all molded out by a freak rainspell just before harvest time (I lost my tomatoes to that rain spell too).

Springtime garden

I found all these pinks for under $15 a few days after mothers day!
I got rid of the sedum. It got too ratty looking during the winter.
Planted these and added the rock "mulch".
These smell FABULOUS when in bloom.

Garden in November with new raised beds

Great gardening year that produced about $700 worth of fresh, Organic Produce!

Looking forward to 2015. I think I am starting to get the hang of PNW gardening.

I will be trying corn again. Planting it closer together and a variety with a shorter time.
I have a PNW variety of garlic already in the raised beds and cant wait to try it.
I have found a new love of parsnips! Roast chicken and parsnips is a perfect combo.

The Wizard of Oz 2014 district production

2014-12-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

The school districts' 2nd annual production: The Wizard of Oz

Here is a photo run of the 2nd show.

There's no place like home.

Summer 2014 Peninsula and Astoria Trip

2014-08-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

Summers here are heavenly and all too short. Already nearing the end of another summer.

This summer started out with some great gardening and continues as I write this post. So far, I have harvested about $200 worth of organic produce and I am using only half of my potential gardening space this season.

We "remodeled" the main bathroom. That is another post later.

Earlier this year, hubby purchased a weekend in Astoria package at a charity auction. We decided to make our summer vacation out of it and drove the 101 around the peninsula on the way to Astoria.

We stopped in Sequim Bay State Park for picnic lunch. The park is really nice with short, well maintained trails, nice picnic areas overlooking the bay.

Before checking in to the cabin, we toured the Makah Cultural Museum.
This is a really nice museum and cultural center and a must-see in the area. The area is territory of the Makah tribe and they are so gracious to open and share one of the most beautiful land in the USA to the public. In my opinion, visitors need to take an earnest effort to learn about and give the utmost respect to the culture and the land.

We stayed in a cabin at the Hobuck Beach Resort. The cabins are great and the beach is phenomenal. We wish we could have stayed at least one more night. We relaxed in the cabin and played in the sand. We walked (and ran) along the beach, searching the tidal pools for sea anemones, hermit crabs, barnacles, clams and crabs. We made sand sculptures and drawings.

The hike out to the point on Cape Flattery is moderately challenging and the trail is well-kept. The overlooks are awe-inspiring.

This is the most north-westerly tip of the continental 48 states.

Note that these Cape Flattery photos, I did not re-touch them. Only used a UV filter on the lens and did compositing for landscaping and cropped. It is really that beautiful.

Ruby Beach was our late-lunch stop. We have been to Kalaloch and Beach 2 and 3? in the past. Most everyone that has an opinion of the beaches is of the opinion that Ruby Beach is the most beautiful. I did think it was beautiful but, not any more or less than the others. It is a small beach, rocky and a good elevation change to get down to it.

We took an unplanned stop at Fort Columbia. Hubby had visited years ago before we moved here, and I wanted to give it a go. Very informative, and cool place to visit. The interpretive signs are kinda willy-nilly stuck in the ground at odd places and the park requires a lot of up and down and climbing up steep hills but the military base is pretty much like it was. I enjoyed walking about, and found myself imagining the feeling of wool socks in laced up leather boots as I marched up and down the misty hills and stairs a midst the crumbling concrete and steel. The salty sea-wind in my face and the barracks at my back.

The Astoria Commodore Hotel is a bare-bones, retro/modern place in the heart of downtown. The service is extraordinary. The beds are fairly comfortable. We booked the river-view suite. A corner room with a queen and full couch with a full bath in the room. Most rooms are MUCH smaller with community bath. Amenities in this room included a shower/bathtub, toilet, sink, toilet paper, shampoo / conditioner / body wash in a dispenser in the shower, tissues, towels, a throw-blanket, TV/dvd (we did not use), table fan (very quiet), clock/radio/sleep-center with ipod station. That's it. It was very noisy the 1st nite due to the drunks hanging out in the street under the window (historic single pane windows here). The next night was typical road noise. They do offer ear plugs if you need them. The location is great and the building is cool. It is walking distance from just about everything to do in Astoria. I would surely recommend the place for a superior location, charm, service, price as long as you don't expect the modern amenities in-room and can tolerate a historic building downtown with all its sounds.

The Columbia Maritime museum is really good and a must-visit.

Eateries:
BlueOcean Thai is soooo yummy. The Bowpickers fish and chips boat is a must. Check the twitter feed for hours as they are subject to change and bring cash. I thought it was the best fish and chips style fish I have had and although their tartar sauce is great, I thought it was phenomenal with malt-vinegar. The chips are just steak fries from a bag and fried in the fish oil which does make them taste good.
42nd street cafe has good light breakfast. Pig n Pancake has good big breakfasts.
Fort George has 3 opportunities to dine and brew. The Pub is pretty much a pub. The tasting room is located in the brewery itself. It is intimate and urban-rustic with a light selection of nosh. It has a view of the operations. The restaurant is above the Pub and offers outstanding 3 sides of picture windows of the town and the river. It has pub tables, a few small seating arrangement but mostly heavy wood and metal family-style tables. A selection of games adds to the atmosphere. The beers - typical Oregonian IPA hopsy stuff. I am not a fan and should have expected as much. They did have one wheat and 2 stouts that I could enjoy. The food on the other hand was super fab! Smoked salmon spread with pita, apples and carrots - WOW especially on the apples. Elk burger cordon bleu style was tasty and the herbed mashed potato fried blobs were good but would have been fab with some tillamook cheddar in there ;-). The wood-fired pizza - super delish! Carrot cake - yum!

Astoria column - The artwork on the outside is wonderful but, the climb is not worth it not to mention that they just let people go up and down without any kind of traffic limitation - hazard waiting to happen.

Flavel House - nice house, not huge but not tiny either. It is nice but really not a must-see.

We spent 2 nights and felt like we don't ever need to go back. We did everything in one day. It is nice though if you want to get away to a small town that has great walking downtown, a decent river walk and great maritime museum, good food. I do suggest staying downtown as you can walk anywhere. The shops are cool (if they are open). There was an arcade a few blocks down. Yeah, a real one with Donkey-Kong and everything - old school kind - that was totally awesome.

On the way back we visited Cape Disappointment State Park. Also, a must see but give yourself at least a half day. Don't miss the North Lighthouse area. Renting one of the keepers homes in January I expect would be an adrenaline inducing experience.

We had to jot up into Long Beach for a late lunch before heading out. Bobs Chowder is a tiny tiny 9-seater tucked away in a "museum" just off the main drag. Menu is simple. Chowder is pretty much it besides fish and chips and crab rolls. I found the clam chowder good but a too thick and plain for my gold star stamp ( I like mine less potato-y and with more fresh herbs). The smoked salmon chowder on the other-hand was just knock your socks off good. Fish and chips also good as well as the tarter and the slaw had a surprisingly good twist with the addition of cranberries. Super friendly folks.

Then back on to home.

Summer Musical 2014 The Music Man

2014-08-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting to sit and write some blog.

The 1st part of the summer was a bathroom remodel while the kid was at workshops.

The kid was signed up for a 5 week theater workshop which she was reluctant to attend.

But, after the 1st day, she was super excited.

By the time the cast party rolled around, she was already to sign up for Beauty and the Beast next summer and audition for the school-year district-wide production of the Wizard of Oz this year.

She played Alma Hicks in The Music Man this summer.

The Switch from central electric heat to a Wood-burning Stove

2014-06-02T13:39:00.001-07:00

This "wall" in the center of our living and kitchen area just had to come down from the very beginning.

You can read about that remodel here.

We had to get rid of the big, loud, energy vampire of a furnace and fireplace.

We decided on this stove vs a new heat pump unit because of the following
- we have an abundance of wood and access to wood
- the house is tiny and the new stoves are so efficient that the wood use should be under 2 cords a year in our "mild" climate.
- the new stove burns with super low emissions.
- our summers rarely have temps above 90 so the use of a ac unit part of the heat pump is almost useless
- when we are without electricity we can still have warmth and cooking
- when in use, it can be used as a cook-top, reducing the need for the electric range in the winter.
- should save us about $400 in electric heating costs per year.

Now for the review of the stove in the 1st season

Stats

House: Split-level "kit" house with a walk-out basement. 1980 built. Crawl attic. The windows and attic insulation have been updated sometime since the 80's.
Stove is on the top floor where the living/kitchen area and bedrooms are located (appx 1000 sf).

Stove: Pacific Energy, Alderlea cook-top model T4 with, Excel chimney system.

I chose this model because of the high quality of the company. The model features steel box with "floating" iron for heat retention. Built in shield for reduced clearance from combustibles. Hinged removable iron grate flat top for a variety of cooking needs. Big glass door for ambiance. Features air wash flow for the ceramic glass. Size to fit where I needed to put it and for the area of space to heat. Price. ..although it is a top quality stove, they're are way more pricey ones out there.

When I get to old or tired of the work of split wood, I can buy and use pressed logs or convert it to pellets or gass.

Every time the inspectors come, they comment on the quality and say "This is a really nice stove".

Climate: Mild Pacific northwest USA. 10 months rainy season September-June. 7 months cold starts in October with daytime temps 60 F and under with nites in 40s. Winter cold is usually daytime of 40s and nites dipping down into the upper to mid 30's.
It rarely freezes here. We also have power outages typically in the cooler months due to downed trees from landslides, wet ground and high winds.

History: We have been acclimating to the cooler weather here. I notice that we like it in the mid-60's in the house at night.
I use a tiny space heater (milkroom heater) under my work table on "mild" days to get the chill off and it works great in the tiny upstairs. It allows me to heat up the hands and feet but not get too hot while working around the house. It has 1300 and 1500 watt settings.

Review disclaimer: I have not been paid for this review or received free products for it. The review is based on my experience and reflect my own opinions. Performance will not be the same for everyone due to type of wood, moisture of wood, climate, building size & energy efficiency and personal comfort preference.

Season Diary:

This is the boring part!!! I documented some boring details to help me keep record. The first few months are long and it tapers down. Scroll down for a Summary at the end.

September 2013

Early rainy season (fall/winter).
I fired it up on a nice 60degree, sunny day to let the paint cure and open up the windows.

HEATING

We fired it up again on a mildly cool day to knock the chill out and learn how it burns and cooks so we are not having a learning curve on really cold days or in a power outage.
It was 62 high 51 low F, rainy and cloudy with sun peeks in the evening.
The place got pretty warm (mid - upper 70's). So warm in fact, it was too hot to sleep comfortably.

October 2013

Fall-like weather

Oct1st...
Woke up to 60 in the house with overnite temps of mid-low 40's, current temps of 45 with forecast of 100% rain (of course) and a high of 55 dropping back to mid-low 40s at night.
Decided to use the stove to heat us up this morning and get the house warm for overnite.
Started burn at about 7:30am. By 10am it was 70 in the house. I opened the bedroom doors to let the heat in. Let the fire go out on its own around 3pm. 9pm still 70 in house and 50 outside. Kept the stove "cold" for the nite to see how we do in the 40's this nite.

Oct 2nd...
Woke up to 65 this morning in the house and about 45 out - nice retention house!

Oct 9th
I woke up to 36 degrees and it was a nice 65 in home. With just a maple log on low put in at 8pm - perfect.
It was a bit warm for me going to bed but the waking up temp was wonderful.
Supposed to get to 60 today and mostly sunny so, I just got a small fire going to knock off the chill as the house temps are dropping slowly.

October seemed a bit crazy with using a stove. It is that time of year where most of the time it isn't needed.
Starting up from cold (without coals) has its challenges.

Energy Usage Comparison for October
2012 - 1109.90 kwh Temp - 49avg, 68H, 32L
2013 - 990.87 kwh Temp - 47avg, 75H, 28L

= 119.03 less usage (about $15- savings)

November 2013

Nov 7th
Now it is starting to get "winter" around here in the Pacific Northwest. The 1st snow fell in the passes and we are pretty much a constant below 50F with cloudy skies. The stove is being used more often than not but is still on the low burn side most of the time.
Kudos to the house as I have been able to keep it between 60-70 all the time.
I am able to cook on it more often. But, I don't know how much it will help with the electric consumption as I realized I bake more in the cooler months. The oven is another electricity eater.

Nov 30th
It has been a strange fall in the western cascade foothills this year - clear and cool and very "Fall-like".
We have had cold snaps (below freezing at night) of about 3 days followed by about 5 days of typical weather (cool, wet and above freezing). This month I probably used about an 8'x3' row of wood.

Energy Usage Comparison for November
2012 - 1565.36 kwh Temp - 45avg, 66H, 23L
2013 - 1086.67 kwh Temp - 43avg, 60H, 19L

= 478.69 less usage (about $45-52 savings)
($ 80.32 actual compared to previous year November bill)

DECEMBER 2013

December 1st
We start of the month with 2 full cords left.

December 4th
Unusually frigid week. This is not the norm here luckily.
Woke up to 57 in the house this morning - boo. Got a learning curve here with below freezing.
Daytime is no problem. I have been going through more fuel and keeping it on medium to high for the day.
We had about 3 weeks of the coldest temps in a few years here. We got down to 8 one night.
I experimented with pressed logs (100% wood) and it went well. They heat well, evenly and leave a nice coal piece for overnite.

Energy Usage Comparison for December
2012 - 2282.625 kwh Temp - 36avg, 46H, 26L
2013 - 1466.58 kwh Temp - 36avg, 53H, 8L

= 816.045 less usage (about $80-90 savings)

JANUARY 2014

This has been a strange winter here in the PACNW. Not a lot of "warm" rainy days and quite a bit of sun and cold. Really really cold!

Energy Usage Comparison for January
2013 - 2432.37 kwh Temp - 36avg, 55H, 17L
2014 - 1424.6 kwh Temp - 40avg, 57H, 19L

1007.77kwh less usage = (about $110 savings)
($156.78 actual compared to previous year bill)

February 2014

The first week was another bitterly frigid week with lows in the low teens.
On the 7th the stove started smoking more than it should when we opened the door to reload.
The 8th, I cleaned out the ash. The CO alarm sounded shortly after I cleaned and started a new fire. We aired the house and I let the fire die. The alarm did not sound again but to be safe, we did not use the stove again and instead let the small electric space heater keep the temperature stable.

The 9th, I opened the window in case it was a pressure issue, and lit a paper fire to heat up the chimney and see how the smoke goes up the chimney. I noticed smoke coming out from the stove collar. So, a call to the certified chimney folks is in order for the morning.

Lesson: always have a backup or two.

All cleaned and chimney and stove all in good order. The spark screen was clogged. Good news is they said the chimney looked good for this time in the season and just recommended to have it cleaned again at the end of next season and to go up on the roof about 2 times in the season to clean off the screen and take a look at the chimney.

Energy Usage Comparison for February
2013 - 1835.31 kwh Temp - 41avg, 53H, 24L
2014 - 1578.495 kwh Temp - 38avg, 55H, 10L

256.815 kwh less usage = (about $25- $31 savings)

March 2014

At the start of March, we have gone through a full cord so far this season. There is a months worth in the log hold on the deck. I think it will last us thru the rest of the season. The weather is actually starting to show a warming trend. I have been lightning it up mainly in the evening around 3-5pm when it starts to cool in the house. March has used almost all the wood on the deck. I light up the stove usually about once a day to every-other day or just in the evening or in the morning.

Energy Usage Comparison for March
2013 - 1718.43 kwh Temp - 45avg, 71H, 24L
2014 - 1404.03 kwh Temp -46avg, 68H, 26L
314.4 kwh less for march

534 kwh less usage = (about $ 30 savings)
$373.37 march2013 ($ 77.86 actual compared to previous year bill)
$295.51 march 2014

April 2014

April starts with some nice spring weather. We also have about 2-3 days of wood "left over" from last month.
We had to use it 2-3 times in April but for the most part I use the small space heater most nites set to 65 degrees to make sure it doesn't get too chilly. Hubby turns the thing on full blast in the morning and I turn it back down after he leaves.

Energy Usage Comparison for April
2013 - 1270.82 kwh Temps - 48avg, 71H, 32L
2014 - 1161.71 kwh Temps - 49avg, 80H, 32L

109.11 kwh less usage = (about $15 savings)

May 2014

Typical spring weather for here. Cool days and nights with occasional warm days and unpredictable rain.
The start of the month, I used it once or twice on cool, very cloudy days where the high was in the low 50's.

Energy Usage Comparison for May
2013 - 948.96 kwh Temps - 55avg, 84H, 30L
2014 - 873.24 kwh Temps - 56avg, 86H, 39L

kwh less usage = 75.72 (about $10-13 savings)
$238.95 may 2013 ($23.60 actual compared to previous year bill)

$215.35 may 2014

so far for season - $338.56

Summary

Savings & Expenses

$338.56 for the 2013-2014 burn season as compared to 2012-2013 electric furnace use.

This is not as much as I had hoped for.
The only difference from last years' energy usage is that... The previous year with the electric furnace, I kept it pretty cool in the house during the day and bundled and used the space heater right next to me while working. There is also a heater in the well house that kicks on whenever it gets under 60F (I've got to fix that). I think the man-cave usage may have been the same. He likes it pretty toasty down there in the winter. This year... I kept it very cozy in the upstairs and if I were using the furnace as opposed to the wood-stove, it would have been a much higher bill. I can't go back past one year in my bill history. I do remember having 2 mid-winter bills in 2011-2012 that were between $500-$600. That is why I was so conservative the following winter. Comparing that to the 2 largest in the conservative year at $375-450, the savings would be a whole lot greater and... I do not have to bundle up so much and sit in front of the space heater.

"Hidden" expenses of woodststove life...

The annual cleaning and inspection which runs about $140 around here.

If you have to purchase wood, you can expect to pay $200-$300 per split cord in this area.

We did purchase a cord the first year as a just-in case. We used the cord and a little of our older stuff.

We do not have to purchase wood for the next 2 years (so far) as we have almost a full cord from 2 years ago, about a cord and a half from a downed maple from last year, and about a large cord from a dead fir we just felled and a dead maple and alder that will be felled next weekend. Looking at all the trees on our acreage that are on the way out (there was a maple disease a few years ago and the fir beatle that are killing quite a few trees around here), we should be set for at least few years after that. Hopefully with only a cord - to one and a half cords per season... our acreage will be self-sustaining.

Start up costs. ..

Stove

Chimney system

Floor protection

Install

Inspectors

Insurance will increase

Tools

Fuel

Fuel storage

Cleaning maintenance

Concerns...

Safetey

Yes, there is fire and carbon monoxide hazards. But... you could also have a fire start from the electrical wiring in your home, space heaters, ovens, toasters, fixtures and even the electric furnace. If you are a smoker, or light candles (or tend to burn food - guilty) etc... CO2 is a huge concern if you have gas lines of any use.
When a quality stove and components are properly installed and maintained and used, the risk is no more than any other appliance in your home.
We did have the CO alarm sound one day. Our spark screen had build up and was not allowing the stove to vent properly. A quick and easy maintenance that we could have done ourselves and prevented if we had checked it. After a cleaning and inspection from a certified sweep team, we were on our way. This was toward the end of our burn season anyway. Next year, we will check and clean the screen in December and check it every month.

Accidental burns...
Our stove is steel box surrounded by floating iron plates and a heat shield on the back. During normal burning, I can touch the sides, top, and back without getting burned. It is HOT but not enough to burn unless I intentionally leave my hand on there. The glass and areas of the front door are hot enough to burn as is the cook top (has vented iron cover). I have been burned twice when I have carelessly loaded the box with my hands instead of using tongs or fire gloves (the box is small). If I had a young one I would install a fire gate around the hearth anyway.

Messy.

Yup, it is messy. Wood sheds dirt, bark, moss and yes, bugs etc... in the house in the wood pile and when loading.
There is ash to clean. During the peak burn season I empty the ash about twice a month. It burns so efficiently that the ash is very minimal.
I vacuum, at least once a day around the hearth because I like it to look clean. I also wipe down the stove from ash and dust and clean the glass about once a week.
Compared to the central unit, there is no more dust in the home than before. And, I feel like there is less.

Glass Is easy to clean. Just a moist rag and a clean paper towel. Add a dab of white ash for tough areas.

Smell:

It only smelled of smoke when the chimney needed cleaning.
Outside smell - does not smoke except on a start-up and smells of a faint wood-burning scent.

Work:

Yes, especially if you split and collect your own cord wood.
That can be reduced if you purchase your wood and pay to have it stacked. Or use pressed logs. But, you still have to bring it in.

Convenience:

None unless when the electricity is out then, it is a HUGE convenience!
If you are gone most of the day it may not be useful except in power outages.
If if is cold in the house it does take 1-2 hours to get it warm depending on how cold it is in the first place.
We came back from Christmas break in Texas to about a 40 degree house at midnight and it was not fun staying up for the next hour to get the stove warm and going. That is when our bed heaters really were more than welcome!
On the super cold spells I would get up at 2am to re-load. I think i probably had to do that about 6 days out of the whole year.
I can be sure it is going well before i leave to go shopping, return 2 hours later and it is still good.
Sometimes it is really hard to start from cold. Part, I think was the quality of wood we purchased. I don't think it was fully seasoned. Next season we will be using our own wood and will know exactly how long it has been seasoned. I also have cut our own kindling - I like it much better.

Heating:

In the bitter cold (below about 25 F day time temps) it kept the house comfortable at a full burn 24 hours a day. In most of the burn season (non-peak) it is great and I can easily keep it between 60-70 in the house. In the October and April-May months it will get the house really really warm and I prefer to only light up on the occasional evening or morning and use the small electric space heater to knock off the chill and wear my house sweater.

You would think heat is heat and I thought people were crazy when they raved about the "feel" of the heat from their woodstoves. I am joining them in their crazy... I love the heat it makes. It feels natural and beats the forced air furnace in the way it feels. There is a difference.
It may have also helped fight off the SAD this year. Really, it does lift the spirit on a cold, rainy and dark day to sit in front of the stove and watch the flames and feel the warmth.

So far, so good.

Starting of 2nd Season. ..

My own seasoned wood is so much easier to start! Really didn't get started burning till Nov this year and had 2 freezing snaps. Emptied the ash 3 times and took a month to fill the ash bucket. I check the CO2 alarms almost daily. The numbers have been at zero except when I burn food. Oops.

Are you considering a woodstove?

There are so many options and situations. There is no one solution as a woodstove purchase and needs are custom.

Know your climate

Know your home

How much work do you want to put in?

Are you gone all day?

Do you like convenience and consistent, instant comfort?

Do you want complete off grid functionality?

Do you have a place for it to be safely installed?

Do you know of all the regulations in your area for use, maintenance, installation etc?

Are you aware of all the expenses?

Have you done your research?

Garden tour April 2014

2014-04-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

I know, I have not posted in a long while. Not a bad thing this time. Just a busy time.

I have been working on expanding and re-branding the shop and finding more green ways to do business.

The only shower/bath we have is over 30 years old and is showing signs that if we don't replace it, we will be replacing more than just a bathtub. I have been busy trying to plan a bath remodel within a super tight budget.

I have also split a cord of wood with a half-cord left to go. This has been a great exercise that I have found I really enjoy doing.

I have also been taking advantage of the nice bits of weather and catching up on the gardening.
I had the truck loaded up with 2 cubic yards of mulch from the local supplier and worked for 2 days.
In this post we celebrate spring and take a look at the goods...

The corner garden is a purely decorative garden to welcome us as we come and go and a little eye candy for the passer-bys. I have some daffodils for the spring and gladiolas for the summer. It had tulips but the deer like those too :-(. I pruned the rhododendron and the transplanted Rhodi seems to be growing well despite my horrible job of transplanting. Now that it has a fresh thick load of mulch - they should do much better this year.

A huge ongoing project is the Half-Moon / Japanese style garden. My hubby has been a huge help in this garden. It has been a ton of tearing up and moving rock. The first owners had laid plastic and landscape fabric under rocks and it has been a HUGE headache to clean up. For the most part - all the trash has been removed and I helped the hubby (a little at least) get the rocks out and move them to the rock wall.
The next step for me is to prune the trees. Hubby still needs to get some of the soil out and remove or "grind" the stumps. Then it will receive a huge load of mulch while the garden evolves.

The rock wall garden has received some mulch to help it out and the daisy's are doing great with some fragrant annuals to fill in the gaps. Looks like the calla lilies will recover from the deer munching.

I built a fence to try and help keep out the deer and the chickens. Time will tell how well it will help.

The sedum look pretty cool tucked in the crevices.

I had enough mulch left for the blueberries. Hopefully I will get to taste some this year.

The hill needs to be "scalped" and mulched and I need to clean up the rock-wall there too.

I took a lot of those rocks from the Half-moon garden and "mulched" the south side foundation bed till the perennials fill it in.

In the meantime, I put a few annuals in there to brighten it up.

In the food-garden...

The strawberry barrel seems to be working well. The plants are twice as big and are beginning to flower.

I have built 2 trellises for the peas - snap and shelling. So exciting to see the plants you want popping up, popping up.

Till next time.....
Happy gardening!

Happy Chickies 10 Months Old and other stories

2014-02-22T19:34:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well...

The babies are 10 months old now. Red is molting again. And...
I have not blogged in a month :-(.

It seems as it the last I posted about the birds is when they were 4 months old!
SO MUCH has gone on since then!!!

Here is a snippet of the one I was writing for 6 months update...
Imagine you are reading this part October 2013

Happy Chickies 6 months old

These birds are moochers. Still no eggs.

They are all a flock now.
Red will get her feathers in a ruffle every now and then and challenge Rooster.
They got into a big fight the other day and BB finally realized he was twice her size and a rooster.
Red just wouldn't let up and kept at him. She finally gave in after a few scratches and reluctantly gave him his space.

Nutmeg hangs out with them all but still will bite rooster in the face if he gets too close to her food.

Tully is tiny and tough. She likes Red and tries to hang out with her. Tully is the boss of the young ones.

Eagle still has a weak beak and has some issues free-ranging but is coping well and is the biggest of the young hens.

Hawk is just a sweetie. She likes people and will jump right up on you.

Fluffy is one feather short of a tail. She seems a bit on the "slow" side.

BB is growing into his own. Still a big clumsy rooster. He gets super exited if he sees me with something in my hands (thinks it is food). He still prefers to hang out near me when I am outside.

Here is a link to their 1st eggs.

Now, Here is a 10 month old update.

Rooster...

...soooooo.... BB had to be culled.
It was heartbreaking for me to have to do it and necessary.
He and Red did not get on well and were tolerating each-other until that fateful day last November -December (was it?).
I heard a racket coming from the coop and it was Red being chased like a bat out of Hades by BB.
I went over to the run and clapped loudly and yelled at them to distract them and calm the situation. That always worked if the girls had a spat and they would go back to "being friends". I guess it breaks the cycle or something. It did not work so I entered the run and that didn't even distract him. He was focused and I saw him manage to get her a few times before I could snatch him as he was chasing her between my legs.
I held him down to calm him and a few minutes later he was calm enough for me to pick him up and carry him and lock him in the coop (separated from the girls in the run).
I took a look at Red and she had been injured but would heal up soon. He was intent on killing her. She was so scared and just relaxed in my arms (something she never does - she is always alert). I could not re-home a rooster that attacked a hen, nor do I have the resources or the cruelty to let a healthy bird live in isolation. I was left with one option.
I prepared my equipment and my mind. I gave him time to cool down. I spent some time with him and tested him out by holding him outside the run and watching the reactions. The girls high tailed it to the other side in fear and Red literally tried to climb the walls to get away. He went quickly and was not wasted. His carcass provided nourishment and his feathers provided warmth.
His brother (I gave to a neighbor) had to be culled not to long after BB for the same aggression. Unfortunately, they were not able to stave the attack and their favorite hen got scalped. One of thier other roosters came to her rescue, saving her life. She healed after a month in "ICCU" (intensive chicken care unit).

Nutmeg and Red are 2 1/2 years old

Nutmeg has not laid in 4 months and I am keeping an eye on her. She is acting "normal" but is moving slower and rests more than her usual lazy self.

Nutmeg and Red are buds. I think Nutmeg would not know what to do without Red and may die of loneliness. Meg does not socialize with the young ones and mildly tolerates them.
Red at least has been caught socializing with Tulley. The others, she tolerates.

Red is going through a molt. Poor thing. I am giving her extra protein to help her out. She gets really mean and moody in her molt. She is still the boss but takes more of a back seat role, stepping in to assert her status when necessary.

Tully reminds me of Red except she talks more.
She is smart and tiny and alert.

Hawk is a big girl. She still loves people and is not at all timid. She will not hesitate to jump up on your arm or back. She is the alpha of the babies and is a little too alpha sometimes. She will be reminded who is still #1 and #2 by the old girls on occasion.

Eagle is now the bottom of the pecking order. She reminds me of Puff (RIP). She has so many feathers! She is not afraid of people but is timid. It is difficult to catch her. I usually have to get her in the flock and round them all up to get her in the coop. She does not fall for the treats in my hand bit. Her beak is still weak but she manages and her size proves it.

Fluffy is still a nutter!
She is sweet and friendly and trusting.

She has learned to stand up for herself when needed. She is quick to find treats and snatch up food and RUN! Fluffy does not look very fluffy. She seems to be lacking in the number of outer feathers and it causes the down to stick through everywhere and makes her look fairly sad. She has a wonky tail feather that grew out of her back side instead of her tail. It has since broken in half and doesn't look so bad. I wonder if it will grow in the same way after her molt. Yeah, that little white spike in the pic is what is left of it. Funny little thing.

Oh... as for the eggs...
The babies have been champs since they started and have laid all through the winter! Eagle and Fluffy tie for avg. 6 per week. Tully averages 4 a week and Hawk about 5 a week. Red has been her usual till the molt of course.

Christmas 2013

2014-01-01T11:18:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I posted. What a crazy year!

The last day of the 2013 year. I am sitting here getting all bloggy trying to catch up on all the "draft" posts I have hanging out in my account.

Due to our switch to wood-stove heat, we came home at midnight to just above 40 in the house (it was warmer outside :-/ ). We just got back from a 6 day tip. The house is now warm and I have had my nap.

My "niece" Wookie!

We were blessed to be able to go visit my family this season.
My precious little nieces are changing so fast. My sis is also looking cute with her little bump of my nephew growing inside. I feel extra blessed to have been able to visit my Granny this season.

4 Generations

Harper had to keep her distance and I had to force myself to keep from snuggling on her as she caught a respiratory virus a few days before we arrived. I did not look forward to a repeat of my last return flight. But kept the last 2 days before we left for some close playtime and snuggles!

Brooklyn really loved playing with her big cousin and luckily, took a shine to her "Uckl Muk".

For Christmas, we adults decided it was time we keep it focused on the kiddos, although we do love to get each-other things. We all have a kid now and really want to be able to get our nieces stuff (and soon to be nephew) and see them excited.

They enjoyed opening their gifts and seeing what each-other got. Even after a few toddler-style discussions on sharing, the girls let each-other play with their toys.

Sabrina read the Christmas story from the Bible for us. Her cousins were soo cute sitting next to her and were such good and intent listeners.

We took the bigger girls to the kid arcade.

this pic is from my sis

Sabrina spent the morning with her Brooklyn and Aunt A & Uncle Daniel at the museum while I spent some time with my mommy and a short visit to the farmers market where we met up with Harper and Jon and Kristen. It was a beautiful morning.

Sabrina and Brooklyn playing food.

The Girls have a dance party while the boys go to a movie.

Fun Times!

November 2013

2013-12-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

Cleaning out the photos (over a year later :-/)

Here are a few photos of fall-early winter of 2013.

Installing and painting the old pantry from the kitchen wall we tore out and re-purposing as built in storage.

Moved the wood drying shed from the orchard to the meadow and replaced the roof.
Filling in with the fallen maple from the west side.

Experimenting roasting a squash in the new woodstove.

Baking

Feels like the Holidays

Lichen for Santa's Reindeer Christmas Eve

The New Girls' 1st eggs 2013

2013-12-23T17:16:00.000-08:00

The babies are all grown up now and starting to lay.

Rooster is behaving more like a "gentle-man-rooster", taking a more careful watch and learning that falling leaves are just leaves and giving the girls his tasty finds.

September 29th 2013
Someone laid a "practice" egg off the roost. Just a tiny egg with no yolk. Don't know who but I am on the watch.

November 7, 2013

Eagle laid her 1st egg today!
Her eggs are a boring grey recycled paper color. Boo.

She knew just what to do thanks to the Red chicken. (I had to teach my 1st girls where to lay the eggs.)

November 25th, 2013

Fluffy lays an olive green egg!

December 1st, 2013

Tulley has a tiny, silky smooth, beige egg.

December 22nd, 2013

Hawk has a blue egg.

Yay Eggs!

I don't need to cope.

2013-11-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

How to cut crown molding with a miter saw and NOT have to cope.

* Don't be a dummy. Be safe when handling power tools by following manufacturer's instructions and always using appropriate safety equipment. *

My order of crown molding arrived and I watched a few how-to videos about cutting and installing.
All of them said you have to cope some joints. Coping is taking a fine hand saw and manually cutting an angle so the corners fit.

If you know me, I thought there HAS to be a better and easier way!
So I played with a scrap for about 5 minutes and found the answer.
C'mon guys! I am not a pro contractor or an engineer and it took me FIVE MINUTES to figure it out.

This is not an all-inclusive how to on crown molding - just a description of the 2 cuts to make to get 4 different 45 degree corners WITHOUT having to cope.
I don't do videos so, I hope this visual helps you to make quick and easy interior and exterior corner cuts for your crown molding install.

Tips:
Not all corners are square.
I cut about 1/4 inch longer than measured to give a little wiggle room to adjust.
Be prepared to make lots of minor adjustments because your house may not have square corners.
Order a few more pieces than you need because 1) there WILL be damaged peices in the shipping 2) you can practice with one 3) you can be less stressed about making a mistake 4) you have extra in case something happens later on.

EXTERIOR CORNERS

Exterior Right Corner

Set the saw angle at 45 pointed to the Right.
Set the molding upside down on the saw.
The corner you are cutting needs to be facing toward the Right and on the left side of the blade.

My hand is there to hold the molding for photo only

Exterior Left corner

Pretty much opposite of the right side.
Set the saw angle at 45 pointed to the Left.
Set the Molding upside down on the saw.
The corner you are cutting needs to be facing towards Left and on the right side of the blade.

As seen in the photo above... one cut makes 2 different corners. It depends on what side of the blade your cut is as to the corner you are making. Make sure your cut is lined up. I mark the bottom edge of the molding that touches the wall on the back side of the molding and line that up. But, there are other tutorials on the web that can show you how to measure.

INTERIOR CORNERS

Inside Left corner

This is an Inside Right Corner cut.

Set the Saw angle at 45 pointed to the Right
Set the molding upside down on the saw.
The Corner that you are cutting needs to be facing toward the left to make the cut on the right side of the blade.

Inside Right corner

Set the saw angle at 45 pointed to the Left.
Set the molding upside down on the saw.
The corner you are cutting needs to face toward the Right to make the cut on the left side of the blade.

So, That is it. Easy peasy.

More tips... I painted mine BEFORE cutting and installing. SO way EASIER!
I also used carpenters wood filler putty to smooth the joints, fill any gaps and fix minor damage. It can be sanded and painted over for a smooth and seamless look.

Happy Chickens 4 months old

2013-09-13T22:14:00.000-07:00

The chicks are on to adult feed and approaching adult-hood.

4 months old and going well.

The pullets are trying to mingle with the old girls and the old girls are tolerating them more and more. The rooster still is in the out and barely tolerated. He has his work ahead of him.

When they are out foraging, the old girls go off and do their own thing for the most part.

Here are the old girls.

Red
Still the powerhouse hen. I am really hoping she tolerates the rooster by next year. I would really love to have some of her offspring to carry on her traits.

Nutmeg
Number 2. She is Red's right-hand "man". Roo will try to make a move on her every now and then and she will not have any of it and retaliates with a vengeance! She fights back with beak and talon and proceeds to chase him down for a bit just to be sure he knows she is not a chick to be messed with.

BB
He is still a big sweetheart. Scares me sometimes 'cause I thinking he is coming after me but just is trying to run and catch up and see what I am up to. He follows me around a little too closely and has almost gotten stepped on. He ~~dances~~ tries to dance for the girls but, is still a bit clumsy and trips over his own toes sometimes. He is almost too good at scouting for danger. He screams for leaves falling and squirrels. Better over-cautious right?

Love his feathers - when he raises them it looks like he has spikes.

Lucky / Tulley
She is so tiny! And, sweet. She has guts and will try her hardest to hang out with the big girls and somewhat is accepted. She is the top of the pullet group. She is smart and shows cunning. She also is vocal and makes a kinda grunting noise while foraging.

Sunny / duck / Fluffy Butt
Bottom of the pecking order. Not the brightest. She has gotten to be kinda flighty but we are working on it.

Hawk (fka HiLite)
Really not afraid of me. She will jump up onto a lap (or a shoulder or back).
She is the first one to fly up into the branches.

Eagle (fka Trinity)
You know her by the sound she makes - she growls loudly. Her cute white beard has gotten darker.

Pullets in the tree.

60 second chickens movie

Ah-guest 2013: Part 2 - A Whale of a tale.

2013-08-29T20:52:00.001-07:00

mom n pop

The 2nd part of August hails in my folks from Texas. It is always good to see my parents and the older we all get, the more I soak in the moments (the good and the frustrating). After a busy week with my brother-in-law, we still had a busy week but it was slightly more laid back.

This visit was flipped from the last guest, with my hubby going to work and me hanging out with my folks for the most part.

We started the week off with a visit to the Space Needle. (Sorry all my future guests... Your visits to downtown Seattle will be on-your-own. Rent a car, take a cab, or transit there 'cause this train is done with the typical Seattle tourist hits).

playing with forced perspective - how fun!

Seattle Space Needle - my untested tip: Plan ahead...well ahead and make reservations for dining to visit the needle. No lines, no waiting and although there is a minimum per-guest charge, the view is free, the visit to the deck is included and you get chow. Plan a few weeks in advance because reservations are a few days to weeks out in the tourist season. Our family has been a total of 3 times (one regular admission, 2 VIP) and still wish we would have done dinner or lunch.

singing flowers

The next few days were filled with quality time with the parents and they with the grand-daughter.

Yum! goulash!

We had a campfire, visited the lake and gardens, completed school-shopping etc...

Then we took a 3-day weekend to "Beautiful British Columbia". We packed up like clowns into the VW Golf and took the Coho over to Victoria. Stayed in a nice little apartment near the Fishermans'Warf. Visited the Butchart, Craigdarroch, Parliament, and with all the walking we did... you would think I should have lost weight instead of gained.

Here is our experience...

Papaw and kiddo

Coho ferry my rate = 4/5 stars
departs Port Angeles on the upper OP, across the Strait of San Juan de Fuca into Victoria Harbour. Wear appropriate clothing to stand out on the bow of the ship and look out for sea life. We sighted Humpback whales on the way and back. If you have kids or are a kid at heart... get up to the bow right away and watch them cast off.

Craigdarroch Castle my rate = 5/5 stars
More of a mansion with a tower but, very cool anyways. The history of the building makes it interesting and how it is still in process of being restored after all the many faces it has worn. The docents are extremely knowledgeable and my hubby couldn't even stump them with his inquiries.

Parliament Building my rate = 4/5 stars
How fun is this. A bit of politics, a lot of detail and astounding beauty in this building. Makes ya wanna run for office just so you can work here. The great thing - free! The guides were lacking and we were on the weekend so, the group was huge and wish we could have taken more time as we could have during the week. The guides seemed like they were scripted and did not know much beyond the speech with the exception of the surprise period speaker (not sure if there is a different one each time).

Waterfront my rate = 5/5 stars
There is no lack of water-front on Vancouver Island. Walk the harbours, visit the parks. Fantastic! You can go at your own pace. Relax. Exercise. Eat. Watch the wildlife (people too).

Butchart Gardens my rate = 3/5 stars
My 1st visit was (clears throat) about 20 years ago.Yikes. Seems about the same except the time of year.
It took us about 2 -2.5 hours to go through. We took our time and read signs and such. It is nice and the sunken garden is really nice. I was quite disappointed in the rose garden (they were labeled) because they planted carpet phlox along the pathway and it really really masked the scent of the roses. Carpet phlox is kinda stinky! If you are a garden person then I would suggest it otherwise... you can get your garden fill just walking around the city. It is a private garden not a botanical so, the plants are not labeled.

B.C's licence plates slogan is well-fitting and is not just a slogan - it is truly Beautiful! I would love to visit again and hopefully see some of the upper-lands.

Ah-guest 2013 part1

2013-08-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

My daughter said that this year August is Ah-guest.
Rightfully so... the first part we were blessed with a visit from my brother-in-law all the way from the east side of the USA.

Most of the activities were done by my hubby and I chose to stay home for most of it. A whirlwind visit to Mt Rainier, visits to Pikes Place, downtown Seattle landmarks and tours etc... I am just not a high activity person and "once is enough" when it comes to city things. It also saves us a bit of cash for our next guests in 3 days arrival, and allowed Hubby and his brother some brotherly bonding time without having a wife to drag along. I know I appreciate sister time when I can get it.

I did join in in some things that I had been wanting to do or would do again (nature stuff of course). A first time visit to Mt St Helen's, a trip to the coast (been several times but who doesn't enjoy the coast?), and another visit to Northwest Trek (which turned out even better than the 1st time). And on his last nite here, we got to finally have the 1st campfire cook-out of the summer! I know, a bit late but, we've been kinda busy this summer. It was so nice to have him visit and hope he can come again another summer.

Time for a travel review...

Mt St Helens National Monument, Washington, USA

If you only have a day and it is your 1st time... Go to the Johnston Ridge Observatory.
This is only 5 miles from the crater and right smack dab in the blast zone. From here you can visit the center, watch films, read survivor stories, hear Ranger talks and go on Ranger guided hikes. This is THE premiere vantage point and learning opportunity for a day trip. Oh, and you can hike to Mt Adams from here (more than a day trip by the way).

It is not as easy to drive around this mountain as it is Mt Rainier. Mt. St. Helen's , although a smaller park, has a huge protective zone! This means you have to drive back out and all the way around to get to each of the other areas of the park from Johnston Ridge. Making for a 3 hour drive to the next section from Johnston Ridge, not including scenic stops along the way. And, you will want to stop. Along the road there are several vantage points and historic information from both the park and commercial ventures (much of the mountain was logged in the 1980's). A few commercial stops along 504 are the Forest Learning Center at mile marker 33 and the edge of the blast zone viewpoint and bridge around milepost 29 - the Hoffstadt Creek bridge and lookout point.

This area of St Helen's is amazing. It is fairly windy and the views are great (for now) because of the lack of old growth forest that was here merely 30 years ago. What a great opportunity we have here in the USA to be able to witness such a vast geologic history! We have old growth forest and ancient canyons to new-birth and re-birth of Earth like St Helen's.

Ocean City State Park, Washington

Ocean City is OK. If you are camping, by all means get a pass and go to the park. But, if you are going for a day trip to the beach... go south of the park down 115 onto Ocean Shores Blvd. into the town of Ocean Shores, visit some shops maybe and just drive onto the beach from one of the 2 access drives (Please know how to drive on the beach people!! We saw way too many people sink their vehicles and get stuck. Geesh! - Use some level of common sense.)
Now, it is not a pristine beach by any means. That's what you get when vehicles are allowed. There was an oily sheen on the "sweet spot" of the beach and who knows what other vehicular fluids and pollutants. There was also the pre-composted product from the business end of the horses (which is way cleaner than what the vehicles leave behind but the gross factor is still there). Considering the volume of humans, the beach was fairly litter-free which was the biggest, and most pleasant surprise.
Anyways.. pack a picnic lunch (don't litter you slobs), kites, a change of clean clothes, SUNSCREEN, and whatever else like... beach toys a shade tent to sleep under, wet-suits for boarding (the water is cold all the time) and just have some beachy fun.

Northwest Trek, Pierce County, WA

The 1st time I went was in the late spring and it was good. Now it is late summer here and it was even better. I want to go again in the fall for the Elk Rut and in the winter when all the undergrowth is gone and get a new perspective of the wildlife.

A collage of the little guys...

from left to right and top to bottom...

Virginia Opossum - recent introduction to Washington in about the 1980's.

Beaver

Skunk

Badger

Porcupine

Fisher

Carnivores... from left to right and top to bottom...

Grizzly bear - sleepy bear. Grey Wolf. Black Bear!!!! Bob cat - here kitty kitty. Coyote - mangy mutt.

Birds... from left to right and top to bottom...

Golden Eagle, Barn Owl, Bald Eagle, Snowy Owl, Crow

Herbivores / the Big Game Boys... from left to right and top to bottom...

Moose (one year old), Bison (very old), Bighorn Sheep, Caribou, Roosevelt Elk

The Garden 2013

2013-08-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

Instead of millions of tiny posts, I will put all the garden updates for this year on this one post.

2013 Garden

I am trying several "new" things this year.

Getting started earlier.

More plants in less space by using better planning and lots of compost and crop rotation and mixing.

Sun tunnels. For warming the soil and extending the season.

Early 2013

Made hoop row covers from rolled plastic pipe and painters 3 mil plastic sheets.
I used cut sections of pipe as clips to hold the cover on the pipe and rebar and similar metal spikes for anchoring.

Last fall, I planted crop cover and so, I mixed it under to prepare the rows for planting.

The only thing that I grew and harvested through the winter was the swiss chard. I did cover it with the hoop cover in the harsh parts of this winter (we are talking upper 20's harsh for this maritime foothills area).

April

I remodeled the strawberry beds.
The moles loves to make their way through the strawberries. The strawberries don't like that too much so..
I dug up all the berry plants and built raised beds with hardware cloth on the bottom. The project took about 4 days. In the rain. but, hopefully, this will work.

Later... It worked. Moles attacked but, the plants stayed safe. Can't say that for the path.

I just LOVE the look of red-veined swiss chard - SO Pretty!

April 18th

Everything is coming on nicely in the garden and out.

Tomatos are getting on well with the cover crop.

The berries are doing fine minus the loss of 1/3 of the blueberry plants.

Some flowers for the spring. Camellias came in just before a frost hit and most got burned orange. But, there are plenty of buds left.

Spring surprises in the orchard. Including the fruit tree I discovered in the deer meadow near the garden shed. We removed it, pruned it dramatically and plopped it in the orchard to see what would happen. Well, what do you know....? The darned thing is blooming. I can't wait to see what it produces!

After a strict pruning last fall I was hoping we would get more than one sad little lilac bunch as was last year's show. It worked and now that sad scraggly lilac bush is filled with buds on every branch tip! Looking forward to putting then in a vase in the house to fill it with that intoxicating fragrance.

On the wild side....

the forest has already given us delish nettle and we are looking forward to supplying our pantry with another year supply of homemade jelly!

August 1 2013

From about the start of June till about Mid July, I was out of the garden with travel, illness and remodel work in the house. Oh boy! The garden got WILD!

The re-located fruit tree didn't produce any fruits this year.

Tomatos are coming along well. the romas are in faster than the heirloom polish.

Strawberries - are huge but the fruits did not do so well because I was unable to prune them and they set out runners.

Blueberries did not do so well either. They are still small little things but only set out about 6 berries among the 3 of them.

Rasberries did GREAT! the Tulameen was wonderful and the Caroline had a decent spring crop and has put on a great deal of flowers for the fall.

Huckleberries - I got about a gallon this year. Could have gotten more but they started early this year and I was gone and ill.

I planted a few pototos and got 2 measly lbs but I guess that is not too bad for my 1st try.

I tried to get a few hazelnuts before the jays got them. I left a few on the trees and noticed the jays getting at them about August 1st and managed to get one off the tree. It's husk was a bit thinner than the previous and the meat was firmer.

Onion harvest - I think I needed a different variety. these were tiny and had a hard stalk from the flower. I tried removing the flower but did not seem to help.

Ginger did OK. I got 2 roots that were sizeable and the rest I put back in to make more.
I waited till the tops were dead and left the one in there that had the flower. I can't wait to see the flower it makes.

Gladiolas looking good!

Phase 6 tearing down the wall

2013-07-29T01:01:00.001-07:00

6 is about the stove!

I made the pad. Slate tile and black grout.

I picked up the stove and the neighbor guys came over to help hubby "man-handle" the 400lb stove up the stairs of the deck and onto the pad. After, we had burgers and beer and relaxation. THANKS GUYS!

view from the back door

I took a day to measure, measure, measure and measure again for the holes in the ceiling and roof. Once those are cut, there is no going back. Had to be absolutely sure everything was plumb and centered and had at least minimal clearance according to the specs.

view from the front window

Hubby helped to cut the hole in the roof and install the chimney, flashing, collar and flue pipe while I made sure everything lined up and maintained proper code clearance (don't want things burning down).

It seemed pretty easy, but when the instructions are vague and the manufacturer does not supply the right fasteners according to the instructions, things get a bit frustrating.

Everything (except the attic collar because I don't think it is the appropriate size and want to get a larger one) is in and I just need to get some stove paint for the scratches we put on the pipe and some edging for the pad. I also need to get an inspector out to see if we are ok. Then, we get to wait till a cool day to fire it up, open the windows and cure the finish before the cold sets in.

I was thinking that this is it for home improvement projects for at least 2 years. I want to enjoy next summer and need a break. Luckily, my hubby was thinking the same thing.

I will post a before and after once we get the details done.
But for now, the big stuff is out of the way and I can get back to some sense of "normal".

12 weeks old happy chickies - A Farewell

2013-07-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

I guess these guys would be called cockerels and pullets now. But, chickies is so much easier.

I have finalized my keepers and the rest have gone off to their new homes.

Lets start with the keepers.

These guys all get along well together. I have been separating them into groups to see how they interact with just each other and the big girls. The following get along well and are not timid of me. This is a very important factor as I do not want to chase chickens around to get them in the coop or tractor when I want.

"BB" (black beak) or "Mr. Crow"

He will be my test run for roos. I still don't really want a roo but, he is sweet and the feathers are beautiful!

I figure he can help me keep an eye out on the girls when I free range them.

If we find his crow too much or he becomes aggressive to the girls or humans he will have to go.

He has a cute little adolescent crow (for now). He practices almost every day.
It has not bothered us so far. I caught him the other day trying out a dance move. I don't think he quite knows yet why he got the urge to dance.

The girls are so cute when he crows. They all stop to look at him. One is super curious and gets up in his face and intently looks at his beak when he crows.

"Eagle" f.k.a. "Trinity"

This is the one with the beak malformed. She is good at the feeder and waterer but has trouble getting good bites of green on the range.

She is also a sweetie and has a pretty voice right now even though it is starting to get deeper.

She is curious and a "talker".

"Hawk" f.k.a "HiLite

I needed another hen in the bunch and she is sweet and gets along with the others I chose. She is starting to "bok bok" too.

What a cutie! Look at those poofy cheeks!

"Sunny"

The neighbor boy fell in love at first sight with the other buff bird so this one stays with me.

She seems to have adopted me. She will hang out nearby and when she is scared or confused she will run to me. She had barred feathers on her wings but is starting to loose them as she gets her adult feathering in.

She is also super sweet and will get under foot.

"Lucky"

I wanted to keep one of the Young birds so, I let my daughter choose between this one and "Dusty". So far she is the underdog. She is tiny but a sweetie. She will let you pick her up and carry her around without a fuss. She tends to wander from the flock and that worries me a bit. Hopefully Mr. Crow will do his job and keep them together when they are out.

The ones that were adopted:

These 6 went to the neighbor I got the 4 1st hatches from. They will have tons of free range room to roam and other barnyard animals to keep them company. Bear, Ned and Dusty are back "home" to live with their biological "family".

The photo to the right is their temporary pen in their new home. Just look at all that fun chicken playground space they have back there to fly and roam and hide!

Look at them all relaxed in their pen - they love it already!

Bear - roo - getting used to people and will come right up to you but still hates being picked up.

Ned - little firecracker - she is one bully of a hen - mean. Not keen on people but will get somewhat close with the group.

Dusty - sweet little hen, just doesn't like being picked up.

Ex - new roo suspect or aggressive hen - not too keen on people but will come fairly close

Brindle - wild little hen - flighty, nervous, absolutely wants to be the furthest from people as possible.

Rusty - This is the one the neighbor boy chose. She is a sweet little hen and loves to be near people. She is the first to get in her "big girl" voice. She will tug on your pant leg if she wants a treat.

Splotch - a little roo - really people friendly, will let you pick him up, alert and full of character. What a fun little guy. So far, I think he would make a great family rooster pet. He went to a home with some nice pre-teen boys and their 16 hens and small group of ducks.

video of rooster play fight

UPDATE 7/28/13
Ex had been caught trying to crow. I suppose my daughter was right on suspecting her to be a he.

Phase 5.2 Tearing down the wall

2013-07-23T08:01:00.002-07:00

Phase 5.2 of the ceiling is taping and texture.

I have a new found respect for drywall folks. It takes time time time! If you are doing a hand-done (not a hopper blower texture) it takes a level of an artistic eye and handiwork to get the stuff to to what you want it to do.
I did what is referred to as a "knock-down". I used a homemade hawk (a flat board with a handle under) covered with a scrunchy plastic bag and tapped the mud onto the ceiling. Then, knocked it down at the appropriate dryness level with a scraper. It mimics a stone/slate like texture.

One day on the taping.

The next day for laying on another layer on the tape.

Day 4 was cleaning up the taping
Day 5 was floating.

The 6th, 7th and 8th days were all about texture.

Day 9, 10 and 11 I worked on the wall texture and patching some holes where the thermostat and 3rd front door switch were.

Glad that's over with!