SO. The holidays were great. I zipped down to WV for some family lovin' and also made it over to PIT for some love from LP and her family. Xmas done well.
On Sunday, back to Tall Pines. WV to TP? Six and a half hours. Yum. Got back up here to find almost all the snow gone! We had a 60-degree day, I guess that'll do it.
RP is supposed to come to town for New Year's (health permitting), so I am working over the guest room. New paint! New floors! Photos to come, in a gallery once the room is done. For now, know that I am back in action.
This photo is the second floor deck, a holding area for wood panels that are about to become floor.
Who knew I could get so much done on my own!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Migration!
Geese? Birds of some sort, in formation, are headed due south. Making a hell of a lot of noise, too.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Back in the City
There was another ice storm coming Sunday morning, so I hopped the train and zipped back to the warm arms of my GF and her apt. in Williamsburg on Saturday night. Tuesday, back to Tall Pines for the holidays!
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Snow Has Stopped ... For Now!
And we got a lot of it. Easily a foot out there, maybe 14 inches. I was just out in the yard snapping some long shutter speed photos of the house. Got some good stuff back, click the photo for more.
I spent a lot of this evening having another of those disheartening "Why did I buy this place? What am I doing up here?" nights, but maybe the photos answer that somewhat.
I spent a lot of this evening having another of those disheartening "Why did I buy this place? What am I doing up here?" nights, but maybe the photos answer that somewhat.
Snow at TP
Well, here we go. First winter storm of the season. It's 2:30 in the afternoon and there's 8 inches out there already. Wow.
Just got back from a quick run to the store for "what if the power goes out" supplies. Candles. Lamp oil. Battery-powered radio. Batteries. Water.
So, now here comes the snow!
Just got back from a quick run to the store for "what if the power goes out" supplies. Candles. Lamp oil. Battery-powered radio. Batteries. Water.
So, now here comes the snow!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Lotsa Minor Changes
Hi -- Well, its nice and easy to make big projects into big blog news. You redo a kitchen, take some photos, and Pow! It makes for great blog post with Flickr backup. Less so when you've spent the last week working on minor edits like, "silicone caulk windows." Or, "Molding."
Yet, tasks at Tall Pines have been taking place. Weatherproofing. Waterproofing. Cleaning. Sealing. I reclaimed a Linen Closet. I organized the basement with the old kitchen cabinets.
Activity marches on here at Tall Pines. Its just not the headline-grabbing kind of work. But when you come up this summer for the First Annual Tall Pines Lawn Party, you'll notice it.
And don't worry -- there's plenty of big projects left to make for good blog reading all through the next year (Retaining wall! Hello!) Oh, yes. (Gardening! Hi!)
LP comes up this weekend and we're on a hunt for lots of cozy area rugs. That should make for some good art. In the meantime, check out the photos I have been diligently updating independently of blog posts ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tallpines/sets/
More TK!
Yet, tasks at Tall Pines have been taking place. Weatherproofing. Waterproofing. Cleaning. Sealing. I reclaimed a Linen Closet. I organized the basement with the old kitchen cabinets.
Activity marches on here at Tall Pines. Its just not the headline-grabbing kind of work. But when you come up this summer for the First Annual Tall Pines Lawn Party, you'll notice it.
And don't worry -- there's plenty of big projects left to make for good blog reading all through the next year (Retaining wall! Hello!) Oh, yes. (Gardening! Hi!)
LP comes up this weekend and we're on a hunt for lots of cozy area rugs. That should make for some good art. In the meantime, check out the photos I have been diligently updating independently of blog posts ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tallpines/sets/
More TK!
Monday, December 8, 2008
LP on Xmas
LP came to visit this past weekend. We hit a few of the local holiday parties (Lomala Civic Center, you know, worked the circuit) and then we did some holiday decorating. Well, LP decorated, specifically.
Pine on the fireplace, lights in the windows, wreath on the back door, and big red hand-made bows -- all courtesy of LP. She sent me down the driveway with a bow, a ten penny nail and a hammer and now we have a pretty bow at the end of the drive.
LP, in this picture is hanging a bow on the metal detail at the front door. She's smiling because she likes Xmas so much.
Thanks, LP. Because if not for you, there would be no lights in the windows or bows on the driveway. Its an LP Xmas at Tall Pines.
Pine on the fireplace, lights in the windows, wreath on the back door, and big red hand-made bows -- all courtesy of LP. She sent me down the driveway with a bow, a ten penny nail and a hammer and now we have a pretty bow at the end of the drive.
LP, in this picture is hanging a bow on the metal detail at the front door. She's smiling because she likes Xmas so much.
Thanks, LP. Because if not for you, there would be no lights in the windows or bows on the driveway. Its an LP Xmas at Tall Pines.
Friday, December 5, 2008
JCPenny Delivers via Sneakernet!
I was down by the shed, trying to get the lawn mower started (no luck). I wanted to chop up some more leaves, get a jump on things which I waited for JCP to come bring the sofa.
I'm yanking on this mower, priming the engine, pulling the cord. Still no luck. Then I see this big whit delivery truck go right pass my driveway and hit the brakes.
I've seen that a million times up here at Tall Pines. The Verizon guy. The gas guy. The lumber guy. My Mom. They all miss the driveway, and find themselves hitting the brakes halfway down the street.
So, this van hits the brakes, and I know immediately what's up: My couch and chair are here from JCPenny. I abandon the mower, and head inside to make some room for them and get the door open while they figure out how to turn the truck around and get it up the driveway.
I look out my front windoe to see how they're doing with the truck, and here I see one of the delivery guys (pictured, foreground) running up the damn driveway with the couch on his head, like it's the '70s blackout or something!
Right behind him? Another dude (pictured, center), running right up with the wingback armchair on his head! Well, I ran for the camera, and got this shot. Amazing work.
The best part is dude number three (pictured, background) who didn't carry anything at all. He could have helped with the sofa, but nope. Guy #1 didn't need any help. He had it all covered.
They were a jovial bunch and happy as hell. Turned down beers. Were real gracious about me giving them some "lunch money."
All in all, a great delivery experience.
I'm yanking on this mower, priming the engine, pulling the cord. Still no luck. Then I see this big whit delivery truck go right pass my driveway and hit the brakes.
I've seen that a million times up here at Tall Pines. The Verizon guy. The gas guy. The lumber guy. My Mom. They all miss the driveway, and find themselves hitting the brakes halfway down the street.
So, this van hits the brakes, and I know immediately what's up: My couch and chair are here from JCPenny. I abandon the mower, and head inside to make some room for them and get the door open while they figure out how to turn the truck around and get it up the driveway.
I look out my front windoe to see how they're doing with the truck, and here I see one of the delivery guys (pictured, foreground) running up the damn driveway with the couch on his head, like it's the '70s blackout or something!
Right behind him? Another dude (pictured, center), running right up with the wingback armchair on his head! Well, I ran for the camera, and got this shot. Amazing work.
The best part is dude number three (pictured, background) who didn't carry anything at all. He could have helped with the sofa, but nope. Guy #1 didn't need any help. He had it all covered.
They were a jovial bunch and happy as hell. Turned down beers. Were real gracious about me giving them some "lunch money."
All in all, a great delivery experience.
JCP Linden Club Sofa
OK so you know -- it turns out that JCPenny had some really great leather couches, and all on crazy-bad-economy-sale. The sofa I wanted? Yeah, it was $1,939 marked down to $989 -- basically a thousand dollars off.
Then, because I went on Black Friday, it was on special sale -- buy the sofa, get the Houndstooth Wing Chair ($899, on sale for $499) thrown in for free.
After the delivery fees, taxes and a five-year extended protection plan on the sofa, I was out of there for $1,225.
Then, because I went on Black Friday, it was on special sale -- buy the sofa, get the Houndstooth Wing Chair ($899, on sale for $499) thrown in for free.
After the delivery fees, taxes and a five-year extended protection plan on the sofa, I was out of there for $1,225.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
First Frost at Tall Pines
Well, its not exactly snow, but it frost is a new element. A nice juxtaposition to all the summery photos I have been posting. These were all taken on November 30, the first frost of the season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
