It’s Saturday early evening, I’m sitting down with a beer and listening to Christmas music. For the next half hour or so I will have the equivalent of a day to myself, to relax and write.
In the spirit of the season, we went out and bought our Christmas tree today. It’s a live Norway spruce tree, or at least that’s what we think it is. They weren’t labeled at the tree farm. As is our tradition, we get the tree a few weeks before the holiday, then bring it inside a few days before Christmas and decorate it. After the holiday we plant the live tree in a pre-dug hole somewhere out in the yard. This year the tree will go out on the pond dike. Previous year’s trees can be seen just off the driveway. Once a tree graduates from home to yard, the following year it gets a string of colorful solar lights. The idea being that, let’s say we’re here twenty years. Visitors would be able to see twenty trees in the yard with colored lights on them. Fun.
Back inside the house, I’ve been slowly continuing work on the basement. I’ve started tiling my office area, and I have also essentially finished the full bathroom. Tiling is going slow, but I think I’m doing an okay job. I got a new tile cutter at Lowe’s and I’m very happy with its performance. I haven’t really ruined any tiles yet. I think it’s got a good sharp wheel and easier action, and that makes a difference. I do need a grinder though to angle cut some tiles around a doorway. But there’s no reason to spend $80 on a tool I probably won’t ever use again. I’m going to see if I can make a Dremel tool work or, worst case, rent a grinder.
In the bathroom, all of the accessories are hung. It took me a while to figure out where the blocking was for the towel bar. In the process of discovery I drilled about a half dozen holes in the drywall, all of which I had to patch up and repaint before mounting the bar.
While figuring out where to hang up the toilet paper roll holder, I discovered that you’re supposed to mount it about 8″ in front of the toilet bowl, off to the side. Well I don’t have a wall in that location. I could have mounted the holder on the adjacent cabinet, but the wife and I both voted against that. So, behind and to the side of toilet the holder went. I think it’s fine. I don’t see how just putting the roll in a basket or a freestanding holder does anything. It’s fine back there.
As time allows I’ll continue to tile. I want to make sure I get all the tile down as soon as possible, in case they discontinue the tile style. I don’t want to be left short of tile. Then I’ll really be in trouble.
Earlier today I extracted honey from hive No. 3. As I may have mentioned in a previous post, this hive died late this autumn. We got nine frames of honey. I haven’t weighed it yet.
Next year we’re just going to manage one hive. If it gets large enough we can split it. Otherwise, we’re not pouring any more money into beekeeping if we can help it.
Actually we’re not going to pour any money into any projects for the foreseeable future. I’ve got the materials to finish the basement, except the ceiling. That should keep me busy DIY-wise for a while.
One interesting side note, I’m finally selling my trusty Rabbit. The wonderful VW that kept me company throughout our new home build, and was mentioned in many a post, well it’s time to say goodbye. We need more space and more doors in a vehicle. If you know anyone who’s looking for a great, clean car for commuting, running errands, or just starting out, let me know. I’ll make you a great deal on our good friend.
Ok, here’s today’s pictures. Time for me to go back to the real world and all of its responsibility. Cheers!
Starting the office tile.
Day two of office tile.
Day three of office tile ugh.
Break off the dried mortar of the mixing attachment between uses.
Me, tired of working on the basement.
Not ideal, but I don’t see why the toilet paper can’t go here.
Our bathroom accessories coordinate with our faucet for a holistic look.
The shower curtain rod was fairly easy to install.
Oops…forgot to get shower curtain rings.
The finished bathroom. Looks pretty good to me.
The fox tree in the loft.
This tree gets white lights every year. I’m awful at stringing up lights. They never look very good.
The front porch got it’s illuminate snowflakes in a timely manner this year.
This little pine tree has been slowly growing for the last three years. I planted him as a little sapling.
The last three year’s Christmas trees.
After digging the hole for this year’s Christmas tree, we cover it with plywood to prevent the hole from freezing.
The hole in which we’ll plant this year’s Christmas tree on December 26th.
This year’s live Christmas tree waits it’s big day in a hole over by the playground.
I’m testing out LED light bulbs. In a future post I’ll let you know how it goes. We may have to change out our dimmers.
Last extraction of honey this year. Notice the two different colors of honey.
Cleared off my painting table today. It’s pretty cool looking.
Sadly it’s time to part with my trusty Rabbit. But this is your chance to own a piece of Nine Apple Trees lore. Runs great, no problems, 100K miles $4,750 or best offer.
nine apple trees 