Category Archives: Uncategorized

What have I been up to.

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Well I realized, that I have been lazy with blog updates, I have been posting most of the little projects on Facebook.  I suppose that happens when they are not big projects.  Those are pretty much done for the year.  So here is what has happened in the last month or so.

I built a water jug rack.

I built a water jug rack.

We made a bad ass pumpkin pie.

We made a bad ass pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving was amazing.

Thanksgiving was amazing.

Turkey's were eaten with relish.

Turkey’s were eaten with relish.

I made a red beet and apple salad for the julboard.

I made a red beet and apple salad for the julboard.

I learned to make decent Thai noodles. \

I learned to make decent Thai noodles.
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I made lasagna.

I made lasagna.

It got dark early.

It got dark early.

I took apart the microwave.

I took apart the microwave.

And then mounted the microwave.

And then mounted the microwave.

I learned to make sushi.

Lots of Sushi.

Lots of Sushi.

Tons of sushi.
Tons of sushi.
We headed south for the holidays.

We headed south for the holidays.

Someone built this amazing snow lego dude.

Someone built this amazing snow lego dude.

The wife got new ink.

The wife got new ink.

While in Milwaukee I helped pour some concrete.

While in Milwaukee I helped pour some concrete.

I was given a great way to spiral cut hams.

I was given a great way to spiral cut hams.

Installed the kitchen mac mini.

Installed the kitchen mac mini.

Started some electronics projects.

Started some electronics projects.

It snowed a lot.

It snowed a lot.

It got REALLY COLD.

It got REALLY COLD.

I took advantage of the cold and froze some veggies outside.

I took advantage of the cold and froze some veggies outside.

I got smart and started wheeling in the wood.

I got smart and started wheeling in the wood.

1/2 cord indoor log rack.

1/2 cord indoor log rack.

I built this log rack. It holds about half a cord.

I built this log rack. It holds about half a cord.w

DIY Cabinets, Pocket Holes, Holzmiete Construction.

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This weekend was cabinet weekend.  I have built 10 cabinets this past week.  I really enjoyed the project, the total cost was about $200 in materials.  All of the cabinets were built out of 12″ wide pine boards.  These were also my project using pocket screw joinery.  A popular name brand for this tool is the Kreg Jig.

I am using a Harbor Freight knock off, and it works great.  The major issue with this joinery system is drilling hundreds of holes.  Other than that it is strong, easy and pretty fast.  Less than 10 hours of work to cut, drill, assemble and hang a set of cabinets.  That is pretty good for an amateur.

We also finished filling the woodshed and started building a holzmiete.  This is a round wood stacking method that is native to several cultures.  The Germans call it a holzmiete.  Here is a good description on building one: http://www.holzmiete.de/.  It was a bit fiddly, when we started out but I think it will turn out ok.  Once I finish this one I am going to build another one and take better pictures during the entire process.

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Winter is Coming

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To quote the Starks of Winterfell, “Winter is coming.”  That is for sure, a few small snowfalls have us preparing for the inevitable large snow occurrence that will happen in the near future.

We really finished cleaning the yard this time, I put on the last 6 shingles on the shed, and we putzed about completing a bunch of small tasks that needed to be accomplished.

The big task of the day was clearing some brush on the side of the driveway to put the camper in there.  After running the saw for about 2 hours I had everything cut down, cleaned up and moved over to the wood area for splitting into next years kindling.

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Speaking of kindling, I have always wanted taller chopping block.  Something that is easier for me to work at with the hatchet without having to bend over.  I have aspirations of making a nice one with log legs and boring holes in the bottom of the chopping block.  Well, this was way faster.  It is not pretty but Works.  I think it needs a larger base to be a bit more stable but for now, It works great and I used more scrap lumber from my cleaning out my folks garage to make it.

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Work day, Fun Day.

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Finally got in a good work day around the house.  Finally nice weather and not having any immediate plans allowed us to get a bunch of stuff done today.

I started constructing the A-Frame temporary shed out of Aspen poles.  It took about 2 hours to get the frame up.  I have a bit of trimming to do then we can cover it with a tarp.  I am curious to see how it holds up this winter.

I got the wires tacked up for the surveillance cams.  I had these up in Greenfield, and I really like being able to keep an eye on the place.  Must be my paranoid nature.  Now I need to get some higher quality cams mounted on the other side to watch the wildlife.

I had some daylight left so I built a sawbuck, I think it is called.  I have been cutting a lot of firewood and the internet suggested this as an option for making it easier.  I don’t really like bending over and sawing on the ground.  The only problem with this system is that you have to lift the log into it.  I guess we will see how that works out with the really big ones.

The Wife cleaned up the whole house, and it looks amazing.  Tired now and getting ready to watch the Packers game.  I bet I fall asleep in the middle of it.

 

Started on the woodshed this weekend.

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We kept busy this weekend despite having some time for some serious recreation.  The Emergency Pig Out BBQ in Iron River, Fishing with Frank, and getting tough work done around the homestead.

We cleared a bunch of trees and scrub, picked up some lumber and started building a woodshed.  Should be done sometime this week.  There is also some more canning in the near future thanks to the produce fairy.

Hey we moved.

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So much has happened in the past couple days that I have not really had time to type out an update.

We moved.  If you would like my new address send me a facebook message.  I will seriously correspond with anyone who enjoys writing letters.  Send me some postal mail and I will surely send something back.

The fiber is installed and I am loving it.  Very nice guy came to do the install it took a few hours but when he left I have a phone that works, msg me for the number, and blazing fast internet.

As a side effect of moving everything is in a total state of disaster.  The shed was full of piles of stuff the house was full of piles of stuff.  The wife attacked the house and I did the shed.  I got some lumber and built a ramp as well as a bunch of shelves.  The ramp is really nice to walk up and down and that way I can get the lawnmower in there eventually.

I need the space for the tools in the shed so I can make more storage for inside the house.  Sort of an evil catch 22.  But each day I make some more progress.  That feels good and is important.  Have a wonderful evening folks.  I am totally exhausted.