Bye-Bye Pee-Pee

I was going to have a guest post by Bob the Log Builder, but he got too grumpy after one sentence and refused to go on. C'est la vie. So, I grilled him about what he did yesterday and today and here's the story.

We've now moved on to the less savory aspects of building our log house, such as disposing of our *ahem* waste products. That's right, baby. It's leach field time.

Anne: What did you do today? Dug the leach field, right? Give me some details to work with here... I can't very well say "Hey. We dug a leach field. The End."
Bob: We laid a pipe back into the woods a ways where there was a natural corridor with no trees, and hired a small track-hoe to dig a trench to lay our leach field in.
Anne: What's a leach field?
Bob: *sigh* A leach field is the trench that you lay perforated pipe and small stones or gravel in. This allows waste water (like showers, sinks and toilets) to percolate efficiently into the ground.
Anne: Oh.
Bob: And make sure you say that I didn't use pyramid pipe! I'd rather pay for some rock and labor than pay some oil company for a whole lotta plastic!
Anne: Wow - what does that mean?
Bob: It's a plumbing thing.

So there, gentle readers, is a peek into the scintillating conversation around here at At Home In Logs.

It's Electric!

Life has gotten in the way of blogging. Sorry to disappoint you, myriad readers.
I'm back from a week-long residency at graduate school, though, and oh-so-glad to be home again in the wilderness.

Thought I'd dive back in with a little progress note on the house. (Which is, after all, why you're here.) We're electrified! Take a look-see:


Hello, electric meter.

There's only one outlet so far -- in the basement -- but at least it's a start, eh?

The middle of nowhere

It's my mother's birthday today. She loves to go on little adventures with family, so that's just what we did this morning. And boy! did we strike gold. I'm hesitant to even write about this little gem of a park we found out in the middle of nowhere, since I'm sure everyone will rush over there and it will be over-run with people before long. I figure I'm safe, though, since only 3 people read this blog anyway.

So my mother and I and the two grublets hopped in the car this morning with a picnic lunch and went exploring. We drove and drove back roads and ended up in Skerry. Betcha don't know where Skerry is. It's in the town of Brandon in Franklin County. Ohhhh.... Clears it right up for you, eh? It's in the middle of nowhere - although not for the people who live there, of course. It's a nice wee hamlet. We happened upon the little municipal park and oh, baby: my idea of park heaven. No one there but us, a brook running by the fire pits and picnic tables, and a little foot bridge. *sigh*

See for yourself:


Happy Birthday, Mom.

The Unexpected Christening of a House

What do you do when you expect around 50 people at The Lake for the annual 4th of July picnic and fireworks display.... and it hasn't stopped raining for a week? Why, you cross your fingers and hope for the best, of course. And then when it continues to rain and the temp plummets? You grudgingly let the picnic happen in your beautiful new log house, which, unfortunately, is perfect for hosting a rainy-day BBQ.
It's the most expensive picnic pavillion ever made.

This beauty was a big hit, though. I've provided a flag cake of one sort or another for years now, and this year I used a Barefoot Contessa recipe, brought to my attention by Pioneer Woman. Hmmm.... I'm starting to get all my best stuff from other blogs. (I *SO* would not make a good pastry chef, though, since my first priority is getting the decorating done quickly, and neat and beautiful is way down on the list.)

Fortunately, the weather broke just in time for.... July 5. At least the cousins got one blue-sky day while they were here visitin' from Dee-Cee.

Nature's Display

Happy Independence Day! Here are some natural fireworks for your enjoyment:

This is the side of the driveway back into our log house on The Lake. Manicured lawns and neatly edged flowerbeds have a certain charm, but nothing speaks to the soul like wildflowers.

Rocks

Yes, we love logs. But we also love rocks. I love BIG rocks. Nothin' like sitting on a great big rock in the sun and reading a book. (well, for 5 minutes anyway before running for the shade... this girl crisps a little too quick).

Right next to our log house.

Baby M loves rocks too. We can't walk anywhere without her trying to collect EVERY ROCK she passes. Pebbles. Stones. Boulders. Cute when you're out for a stroll, but frustrating when you're trying to get somewhere.

The Husband and I still haven't decided on the stonework for the chimney facing. By the time we get around to it, though, I suspect Baby M's collection will do the trick.