You know, my feeling is: If you're going to do something, then DO IT. Commit, damn it. So? Winter in the country? Fine. Look the damn part. Wanna commute? OK, let's commute!
"Tall Pines" is more than just a house that's a bit farther out than Brooklyn. This is lifestyle change, people.
(still ... I can't wait to get out of all these whiskers, clothes and darkness and get my suntanned physique onto a sailboat in the Hudson!)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
More snow.
So what's new at Tall Pines today? How's about a good seven inches of fresh powder? There you go! And this photo was taken at like 11 AM ... so now there's more out there -- and covered in a tenth of an inch of ice, too! Sigh, more rock salt please.
See that gas grill? Well, no more snow grilling for me (a favorite pass-time of mine) because I ran out of gas while doing some steaks Friday night. And it doesn't look like that picnic table's going to see action anytime soon.
See that gas grill? Well, no more snow grilling for me (a favorite pass-time of mine) because I ran out of gas while doing some steaks Friday night. And it doesn't look like that picnic table's going to see action anytime soon.
Passive Solar Project, Pt. II
See, so as to get as much sun as possible into these stones, you need a dark surface. Know what's dark? Matte black stain. So here we go. Same stones, stained as dark as can be.
Of course, this is a night shot -- I am anxious to see how they look in the day (and also how much heat they absorb!) but that will have to wait for a sunny day. Not today. See my next post.
Of course, this is a night shot -- I am anxious to see how they look in the day (and also how much heat they absorb!) but that will have to wait for a sunny day. Not today. See my next post.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Passive Solar Stone Top
So new year, new ideas. This is a hare-brained stab at doing something quasi-scientific and interesting. What's pictured is a Heywood Wakefield cabinet with three slabs of 18"x18"x2" slate plopped on top. Heavy as hell. The stones are sitting on pieces of quarter-inch cork to protect the cabinet.
This week, I'll stain the slate black as death -- which I think will look great. Then, these heavy little buggers will soak up the sunshine all day long ... and give the heat back when the sun is gone.
I don't really expect this to work well. At all. But, we'll see how it goes.
This week, I'll stain the slate black as death -- which I think will look great. Then, these heavy little buggers will soak up the sunshine all day long ... and give the heat back when the sun is gone.
I don't really expect this to work well. At all. But, we'll see how it goes.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Into the Wintery Beyond
Enthusiasm has taken hold of me in the new year, and I have resolved myself to power through the cold weeks of January and February, and then stop, look around and reassess everything on March first. So from now 'till then, lotsa hard work (at work), commuting, keeping warm and working on my photo series "The Wines of Tall Pines" (previously known as "I Drink Alone ...").
New Year's Eve (and week) was a fine time up at Tall Pines. RP was supposed to come stay with his GF, MC. But at the last minute, Rich slipped on something (ice? snow? lemon wedge?) and knocked his back out. In bed for 5 days on Percocet in DC. Meanwhile up at TP, LP and I slept, cooked and red-wined our way through five totally relaxing days together. Thanks to LP's mom for the Slow Cooker -- and Rodale for Slow Cooker magazine. And it snowed on the very first morning!
Since the winter started, there's been no less than four bona fide winter storms, all leaving me with like 10, 6, 8, and 6 inches of snow, plus a whole lot of ice underneath that. Also, last night's low temp? Seven degrees. Surprisingly, I am only a little bit wondering why I didn't get a country house in California. Oh well, maybe for my second country house!
Yesterday, we had a beautiful light on the grounds, and I had the opportunity to walk the property with my trusty dSLR and take some nice photos. You know, snow on tree branches, glistening in the winter sun -- that kind of thing. I'll post some of them later.
Fast forward to March -- We move from the indoors to the outdoors. Spring promises to bring all sorts of projects, and I think through spring, summer and fall, its going to be a very active time at Tall Pines. Yay for spring!
New Year's Eve (and week) was a fine time up at Tall Pines. RP was supposed to come stay with his GF, MC. But at the last minute, Rich slipped on something (ice? snow? lemon wedge?) and knocked his back out. In bed for 5 days on Percocet in DC. Meanwhile up at TP, LP and I slept, cooked and red-wined our way through five totally relaxing days together. Thanks to LP's mom for the Slow Cooker -- and Rodale for Slow Cooker magazine. And it snowed on the very first morning!
Since the winter started, there's been no less than four bona fide winter storms, all leaving me with like 10, 6, 8, and 6 inches of snow, plus a whole lot of ice underneath that. Also, last night's low temp? Seven degrees. Surprisingly, I am only a little bit wondering why I didn't get a country house in California. Oh well, maybe for my second country house!
Yesterday, we had a beautiful light on the grounds, and I had the opportunity to walk the property with my trusty dSLR and take some nice photos. You know, snow on tree branches, glistening in the winter sun -- that kind of thing. I'll post some of them later.
Fast forward to March -- We move from the indoors to the outdoors. Spring promises to bring all sorts of projects, and I think through spring, summer and fall, its going to be a very active time at Tall Pines. Yay for spring!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year's Day!
Well, goodbye and good riddance to 2008 -- bad year all around. Well, the first half was okay, but man, as the year wore on ...
Anyway, its all behind us now and 2009 is here. Whew. So from all of us up at Tall Pines, Happy New Year! I know we're all hoping this year is going to be better than the last ...
Pictured, the afternoon sun warms up the TP landscape this afternoon.
Anyway, its all behind us now and 2009 is here. Whew. So from all of us up at Tall Pines, Happy New Year! I know we're all hoping this year is going to be better than the last ...
Pictured, the afternoon sun warms up the TP landscape this afternoon.
New Year's Eve!
Well, New Year's Eve, Tall Pines gets hit with a lovely 6-inch blanket of snow. Just great -- who doesn't like a white holiday?
Monday, December 29, 2008
Guest Room Reno
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!
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!
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.
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