On Day 5...

It rained. Would have been wonderful if the rain had held off but it didn't. Rained a good portion of the morning. Russ came as soon as he was able and started right in.

So Friday put the progression on hold but will begin again on Monday. We are really wanting the roof on. We will have less angst when it rains once the roof is on. It is really taking shape and we are pleased.

At the end of day 4...

All 4 sides are up and he has started on the rafters. When finished there will be a total of 8 windows and one door on three sides. That is a lot of area to see out of! The last I heard the door was in at the lumberyard but the 8 windows were not. They were ordered 12 days ago. Hopefully they will be here by the time we are ready for them. Butch said it would happen fast once Russ started and I guess he was right. Sure glad the ol guy is right on occasion.

Rolling, rolling, rolling...

keep those doggies rolling ...ALONG!!!
The room is moving right along. We have possible storms this weekend so I would love to see at least a roof on it by then and by golly it looks like that may happen.
Here are the latest pictures:

Russ and Butch...They sure get a lot of conversation in, in a day.

Bug repellant results

I mixed up my first batch of bug repellant today. I think it will work but have not given it a good test yet. There is a BIG mosquito in my house named Butch that is repelled by it! 

He thought he needed to go outside due to the strong odor of the mixture. So you see why I think it will work! 

Leo's Ducks

Big Leo has a love of ducks. His duck order arrived today.

The rest of us do not love ducks as much as Leo. 

This Mornings Trail pics

Room with a view-Day 2

Walls are happening on day 2. We were able to open our west door in the living room and step out for a look standing on the floor of the new room. It is very strange looking at our back yard from a new perspective. I am sure we will love it and can hardly wait to see the finished project.
Here are photos of work in progress.

Russ

One wall up and two to go!

Russ and Butch

The work commences...

Russ came yesterday and placed the boards for the floor. Then Butch and I laid the moisture barrier in the bottom and then put in the insulation. Russ brought his grandson with him today to get the sub-floor down. I have a good view from my computer. I was just now watching Russ as he was waiting for his grandson to saw a piece of wood for him. Unknown to him Russ's hands were making the motions as his grandson was doing the work. Much like a mother works her mouth when feeding her baby. It made me smile. Grandson Tyson is a grown man but Grandpa Russ was mentally guiding him none the less.

Yesterday I tackled my hostas. They are on the north side of the house and have not been doing well. I thought perhaps they were getting too much competition from the grass so I cleaned them out and then placed some landscape fabric around them and laid down mulch. It was a big chore but they look nice now. I am hoping they will thrive. Also Butch will be able to tell more easily they are off limits for mower and weed eater.

Bugs for Breakfast

On my ride this morning I had to keep my mouth closed due to bugs. Not an easy feat  while biking. Also I had no desire to dilly dally at the bridge. I had sprayed myself with OFF! but that is limited in effectiveness. Then I read the magnolia blog and Kay V. had posted this recipe for bug repellant. A very timely recipe!
From Kay:

Mosquito repellant 

Citronella--60-70 drops

peppermint--30-40 drops

eucalyptus--20-30 drops

lemongrass--20-30 drops

1 Tablespoon of vinegar

water to fill rest of container.   Use a colored glass spray bottle size 4 ounce

I got my supplies from a health food store; total cost was around $28---sounds expensive, but I have enough to last the entire summer, and to make some for the kids too! After measuring out all those "drops"--the bottles have very little used.  It is easy to make, just turn the bottle upside down and count the drops!  Kay

More from me:

This morning I spotted a Baltimore oriole, a dead mouse and lots of baby bunnies. The baby bunnies can be a real hazard when they get all panicky. I have taken to ringing my tiny bell continuously from quite a distance to clear the trail of baby bunnies. I bet you did not know that baby bunnies could be a biking hazard.