Sunday, September 18, 2011

Witch Gazebo is Done? Well Mine of Course!


 It's DONE!
It's DONE!


 It started with a couple of drawings and a few photos.
It started with a couple of drawings and a few photos.


 We made a template and installed the footings.
We made a template and installed the footings.


We added landscape cloth and river stones to control the grass and weeds.
We added landscape cloth and river stones to control the grass and weeds.


 We built a platform sturdy enough to constuct a ten story building on.
We built a platform sturdy enough to constuct a ten story building on.


We added the corner posts to get it up into the air.
We added the corner posts to get it up into the air.


Getting the structure of the roof to the top of the posts was a bit of a challenge.
Getting the structure of the roof to the top of the posts was a bit of a challenge.


Along the way there were some heavy calculations done along with a lot of head scratching.
Along the way there were some heavy calculations done along with a lot of head scratching.


The upper roof was added but was quickly deemed to be too small in scale.
The upper roof was added but was quickly deemed to be too small in scale. We lengthened each rafter by a foot or so and came up with a much better diameter.


 Eventually the entire roof structure was completed.
Eventually, the entire roof structure was completed.


 We added some spindles to the upper air vents to provide a little style.
We added some spindles to the upper air vents to provide a little style.


Shingling the roof was a difficult exercise but eventually it got done.
Shingling the roof was a difficult exercise but eventually it got done.


The inside of the roof is a sight to behold. There are a ton of man-hours hidden up there somewhere.
The inside of the roof is a sight to behold. There are a ton of man-hours hidden up there somewhere.


 We closed in the two back walls to provide some privacy from the road and we filled the bottom of the other walls with plywood.
We closed in the two back walls to provide some privacy from the road and we filled the bottom of the other walls with plywood. This is about as far as we got in 2010, the only other thing we did was to cover the privacy walls with cedar shingles.


The first task of the new year was to install the floor.
The first task of the new year was to install the floor. It was so nice to be able to take the chairs inside and sit down that we started using it right away.


Then we added a set of stairs so we didn’t have to crawl in anymore.
Then we added a set of stairs so we didn’t have to crawl in anymore. This was much easier than expected to accomplish.


The window sills and casings were added next.
The window sills and casings were added next.


The trim was all painted and then the walls were covered in tarpaper before the siding was added.
The trim was all painted and then the walls were covered in tarpaper before the siding was added.


 The window screen frames were made and then covered with screen.
The window screen frames were made and then covered with screen.


 The door was installed next.
The door was installed next. We bought it on sale last year from the hardware store and painted it in the basement over the winter.


 The floor was finished off with a coat of Thompson’s Waterseal.
The floor was finished off with a coat of Thompson’s Waterseal.


The last task was to apply the water sealer to all the exterior siding.
The last task was to apply the water sealer to all the exterior siding. At some time in the near future we may add some electric power and some lights to the gazebo but for now the building is done.


This project did take up a huge amount of time over two summers.
This project did take up a huge amount of time over two summers. It cost a good chunk of money, too. We think it's worth it though and doesn't it looks pretty back here in the yard?

Just a last note on the budget. We planned to spend about $4000 for our gazebo and we came in just about right on target. In 2010 we spent $3940 and in 2011 it has been another $520 for a total of $4460. Of course, that doesn’t include any labour cost. Thankfully Hubby works for love and beer! Want us to come and build one for you? Not a chance!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Holiday Time!

I have 1 week left out of my three week vacation and the time has just been flying by. We have done lots of interesting, fun stuff and have spent a ton of money. I said I was on vacation right?
I bought myself a new bike!!!! I got one that fits my frame size with lots of accessories for serious bike travel. I can pack great lunches, throw in some beach clothing and away we go. We have been riding the trails and loving every minute of it. My legs are very sore but I guess I have just been that out of shape. There are lots of very steep hills in our area so my new bike gears are getting a work out also.

 Here’s my new bike on the day it came home. I got all the accessories to go with it, too.
Here’s my new bike on the day it came home. I got all the accessories to go with it, too. I got a bottle holder, a trip computer, a kickstand and a carrier rack including a soft bag big enough to carry lots of stuff.

 On its first day we took a ride around the block to see how it would go.
On its first day we took a ride around the block to see how it would go. I didn’t realize that it was that big of a block!

We have also been out for the maiden voyage in the canoe we bought from a co-worker this spring. The day was beautiful, sunny and calm and we paddled around for about 3 hours. I even got out into the middle of the bay without getting scared. I’m just getting so brave!

 What a perfect day to go canoeing.
What a perfect day to go canoeing. The water was just dead flat for the first 2 hours. We were able to travel around the entire bay and check out some of the homes that can’t be seen from the road.

 We paddled right out into the bay and under the bridge just to see what was on the other side.
We paddled right out into the bay and under the bridge just to see what was on the other side. Well, okay. We knew what was over there but we did get to see under the bridge!


We have visited lots of restaurants and sampled some of the finest foods out there. I’m glad to be exercising or I’m sure I would have gained 10 pounds easily.

I’ve had lots of time to fly my kite, build beach art and play Rummoli.

 I found this funky looking piece of driftwood at the beach and decided that he looked like he wanted to dance so I propped him up and gave him a stage.
I found this funky looking piece of driftwood at the beach and decided that he looked like he wanted to dance so I propped him up and gave him a stage.

 The dancer looked so good that I made him a dance troupe to back him up.
The dancer looked so good that I made him a dance troupe to back him up.

 Of course, every artist needs to sign her work!
Of course, every artist needs to sign her work!

 We’ve played lots of Rummoli this summer but this was the perfect evening to play outside.
We’ve played lots of Rummoli this summer but this was the perfect evening to play outside. Needless to say that I won again!

 There’s something so relaxing about flying a kite.
There’s something so relaxing about flying a kite. It just hangs up there fluttering in the breeze.

I’m leaving you with some great pictures and hopefully I’ll get back on track financially and will have more blogging time in October. Oh wait that’s Halloween Pumpkin season, the Witch’s favorite time of the year!

 No, this crab is not sun tanning. He is quite dead and I’m okay with that.
No, this crab is not sun tanning. I assure you that he is quite dead and I’m okay with that.

We’re not sure what kind of birds these are. They might be semipalmated sandpipers but that is just a guess. They were taking a siesta on a nice warm rock until we showed up.

 We’ve been able to spend a lot of time at this beach this summer.
We’ve been able to spend a lot of time at this beach this summer. The weather has been crappy all year but it has been perfect ever since I started my holiday.

 Now that’s a summer meal! Fresh oysters and corn heading off to the BBQ as a side dish for smokey chicken wings, mmm.
Now that’s a summer meal! Fresh oysters and corn heading off to the BBQ as a side dish for smokey chicken wings, mmm.

 This red fox came out to greet us while we biking down the trail.
This red fox came out to greet us while we biking down the trail. He was quite happy to pose for pictures and even brought a friend out to play.

 We found a small dockside café and had a bowl of mussels and a beer and then rode back again.
We had a great ride on this afternoon. We rode along the trail for 8 or 9 kilometres until we got to this fishing village. We found a small dockside café and had a bowl of mussels and a beer and then rode back again.

 Being on vacation means that there is lots of time to make breakfast and one of my favourites is blueberry pancakes and fresh fruit, peaches in this case.
Being on vacation means that there is lots of time to make breakfast and one of my favourites is blueberry pancakes and fresh fruit, peaches in this case.