All around the grounds.

Now that the weather is nicer my free time has become all about cleaning up the grounds in anticipation for this summers festivities. After all that time indoors it sure feels nice to get some fresh air and sunshine. A few weeks back Reyna and I decided to plant a garden. We had the space so we figured we would give it a try. This is the first garden for both of us so we are pretty excited. We brought in some good soil, got some really nice plants, and went to work. I can't take too much credit though I am just the muscle. Reyna has really been the one tending to the garden. I can't wait for some good fresh homegrown organic veggies.



I also started collecting cobble stones from around the property. My grandfather had a thing for them. Many years ago he would bring a few home every day from work. I found quite a few buried throughout the yard and decided to put them to use. They make for a very nice border.



After we took the two trees down in front of the carriage house we were left with a bare spot which had never seen much sun. Reyna decided to do a little landscaping that is really starting to take shape and fill in nicely and I decided to plant some grass which is struggling. We also decided to buy a grill for my birthday and cleaned up the patio so we could enjoy it. AHHHH what suburbanites we are becoming or is it that we are just getting older.



My Dad brought in his portable saw mill so we could saw up some of the trees we took down. I must say it is a pretty awesome machine.



We made some nice lumber from the logs. We had a few small logs of Maple, Walnut and



a nice big piece of Fir. It's a little knotty but I got some nice thick slabs which should make some great furniture when the wood is dry in a year or so.



While cleaning out the brush around the house I decided to take out a stone planter box that was against the house. I think that it was contributing to some water problems in the basement. Behind the planter I discovered the original kitchen drain. It was a pretty cool discovery.



The gas company came and installed the new meter so we were able to fill the hole back in. One down one to go. Next week we should have the other hole filled back in as well.



Last week we decided while we were doing all this work we should probably insulate the walls. The walls are 20" thick stone walls with very little R-value and absolutely no insulation. Only one room in the house was furred out, lathed and plastered. In order to do it right we decided to tear it out. All the other walls in the house are plaster directly on the stone. We are going to eventually frame all the walls and add insulation. I am in the process of trying to figure the best type of insulation to use.

This room is going to be a living room and kitchen for what will be our apartment once it is finished. We will be staying here until we finish the renovations of the rest of the house. After that we plan to rent it.



I believe this was the original pantry area partly due to it's close proximity to the fireplace. You can see scars in the wall from what look to be shelving and cabinets. We are essentially putting the kitchen back into it original location.



I pulled down the mantle over the fireplace and exposed the original beam. You can see the hand tool marks, it is massive and really beautiful. We have been talking about leaving the beam exposed and possibly exposing the stone wall around it. We shall see.



Next to go is the ceiling, we need to run electric and duct work throughout. Cutting the old plaster without damage is no easy task. I think it will be easier to tear it all out then try to patch the old plaster. Plus it will look better. Till then I leave you with this.

My new ipod wearing technique.