Summertime Moments

We’ve been busy this summer – the weeks have just seemed to fly by. Here is a smattering of pictures (in no particular order) from our summertime activities…

A good day in the summer always starts out early….isn’t this a gorgeous sunrise?

When Jordan is planning to mow with a scythe, he tries to do it first thing in the morning while the dew is still on the grass.

wpid-img_20150605_190452.jpgThe kids would hardly sit still for a picture, but they were cute none-the-less.

Dishes sure haven’t taken a summer break.

wpid-20150719_100612.jpgAt least I have a good helper.

Picnic food!

The green, green woods

Alan helps Dada figure out a floor plan for the future shop.

Marian poses on the front steps after a wagon ride

I’ve done a few little sewing projects recently – this was was turning a stack of beautiful old printed hankies into bunting. I plan to decorate with it in the sewing room, and also use it for birthday parties and other such celebrations.

Alan looking ridiculously adorable while we hang out on the top porch.

Any day it’s cool I snatch the chance to fire up the stove and do some bulk baking. When we have our summer kitchen built I won’t have to wait for a cool spell to have my wood stove going. However, in the mean time I’m very thankful for my crock pot and electric skillet!

Marian napping with her stuffed beaver

Alan really knows how to rest.

Marian in her berry picking attire.

I found this sweet scene upstairs one afternoon. Jordan and Marian had both been taking a nap on our bed, then Marian apparently woke up and decided Dad’s back looked like a more comfortable spot!

Reorganized my kitchen shelves and pantry storage one day. Took SO long, but was so worth it.

How are we supposed to STAND the cuteness of this squishy baby!!?? He’s so adorable he makes my heart hurt.

Marian swinging with Grandad while we were in Texas earlier in the summer.

Well, there’s a little peek into our summer. I’ve got lots more pictures, but those had better wait for another post.

Porch Railings

Over the last few months, we’ve been trying to move forward on the finishing of the house. We still have lots to do. In the last two months or so, with the help of some dear friends, we were able to pretty much complete the porch railings for both stories of the house.

The railings were constructed of Eastern Red Cedar wood, which we logged last year from a place that had had their whole stand of cedar trees blown down by a tornado a couple of years ago. The logs were sawed into lumber on the sawmill.

wpid-img_20150623_195037.jpg

Fresh cut red cedar is so brightly colored.

Our two busy ‘helpers’ caught in the act dumping out and mixing up the various boxes of screws -again.

A new set of front steps also had to be constructed as the porch railings were being built. These were made from oak.

Cutting the treads for the steps:

Fitting the treads into slots cut into the side pieces, known as “stringers”…

The railings coming together upstairs.

wpid-img_20150624_094235.jpgThe Cedar wood has lots of character!

…and finished! The house looks very different externally with the addition of the railings. I think it makes the house look bigger.

Looks so good! It also makes the porch space so much more useable, especially upstairs, where the porch wasn’t safe enough to really enjoy and use much before the railings.

The two small gates that will close this opening on the first-story porch still need to be hung. Other than that, the railings are all done.