Work or Play Time

When one is working hard, one appreciates help. My Big Guy was working hard last weekend, in the field, in the rain and miserable weather. He was staging the logs for sawing. I was asked to help “roll” the logs to an area. We are talking large logs. Huge. Heavy work! But I donned gloves and assisted. I helped when called and returned to the house to take care of my work there.

We communicate by radio since the logs lay in our side field. After a while, I thought I should check in. When the Big Guy failed to answer our calls, the kids and I decided to check on him. After all, he is working with a chain saw, the weather is bad, things can happen.

As we approach the worksite, here comes the Big Guy on a …4-wheeler. We don’t own a 4-wheeler and by now, the kids are excited, jumping and running around. Our good neighbor thought the Big Guy should use his 4-wheeler to help move the logs. Meanwhile, I am thinking, “he’ll be moving logs (a.k.a. playing on a big boy toy) all day now!

So, what does a father do?
2 excited kids + a boy toy = hop on…let’s go for a ride!



The little big guy was hooting during the ride around the field and upper pond. Our daughter, well, she smiled and sat on the back like she owned it! I had to run to the house to grab the camera and I clicked a picture or two before the 4-wheeler was returned.

Timberrrrr

The trees were falling in our field over the weekend. The big guy cut three black walnut trees down and one ash (it was in the way of the largest walnut). We went over to watch the trees fall. As they did, our two children shouted “timberrrrrr”. They had fun! I just wanted to make sure the Big Guy was safe. Trees are down. The Big Guy is safe and happy!



So weeknights we’ll help the Big Guy clean up the tops and stack wood for next year. He’ll also call to have a portable saw come over to saw these trees into planks. Then they have to dry. It’s not like he’ll be able to grab a board and start planing and cutting but he is happy to have wood for his drying racks.

Our neighbor assisted with the large tree as we wanted to avoid any mishaps. He “guided” the path of the tree as it started to fall. Thank you! In turn, the kids got to drive his tractor from our driveway to the field and back to our driveway. The little big guy was very happy as was our daughter.

Tree to Tables

In past postings, I have mentioned that my big guy makes furniture. Not just furniture but beautiful furniture. A couple of years ago, my mother gave him two cherry trees from her property. We had them rough cut and dried them in our basement. (Our coal stove is located in the basement.)

Throughout our house, you will find 2 end tables, a sofa table, 2 book shelves, and a round table. They are all beautiful. Plain and simple – shaker style or mission, and as they age, they develop that deep, dark gorgeous cherry color. The grain in each piece is amazing. I am a lucky lady to have solid wood furniture in our house. He also made other furniture pieces that were given to family members.

Currently, he is using the last of the cherry wood to make two benches. His lumber rack is almost empty and he is fretting. He tells me he is going to cut down some of our walnut trees. This time, I believe he is serious as he has been working in his shop and showed me the blades he needs to have sharpened before we hear “timber”. I love his hobby as he has talent and patience. Thus his finished products are beautiful and well worth the wait. Here are a few pictures…





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Bliss

Just browsing the King Arthur website – PREHEAT THE OVEN!!!!!

Buckeye Peanut Butter-Fudge Cake

Sure looks dangerous…dangerously delicious that is!




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