Sunday, November 29, 2009

The kitchen takes shape.

With all the 'winter preparedness' tasks completed outside, I've been able to spend more time working in the barn lately. The kitchen is the focus right now, although I always seem to have several big projects going at the same time. We purchased new appliances during the summer, so I would know exact sizes/locations before starting to build anything. I made the cabinets from 3/4" Skyblend particle board- an FSC-certified, formaldehyde-free material we got from Certified Wood Products. The cabinet fronts and timber posts were milled from our old barn beams. The horizontal paneling is 30 year-old material I found at an estate sale (this is the leftovers from the hayloft flooring project in July). With help from Lisa and my mom, we got everything painted and put back in place.
This paneled wall that hides the cabinet backs will support a pine bar top (still working on that, though). The opening on the left provides access to the utility lines that come up through the slab under the cabinets).
I also finished the ceiling by attaching drywall to the subfloor in each joist bay, leaving the timbers exposed from below. We painted it with Bioshield clay paint to match the walls. Time to build some countertops!

Sunday, November 01, 2009

On The Run

We took time away this fall to play a little. In early October we went to the cities and we both completed the Twin Cities Marathon. It was a little chilly, but a good day to run. It was my first long distance run and my goal was to just finish. This was Shawn's 2nd marathon of the summer and he set out to run under 3 hours and to qualify for the Boston Marathon. All goals attained!
No pain here! Oh, the pain! I think I can, I think I can... After passing our cheering section...
and a little pep talk from my sister... I did it!
Last weekend, we went to Door County, WI where Shawn did the Fall 50.
Yes, the 50 means 50 miles. It was an absolutely gorgeous course. The leaves were still brilliant and it was mostly on sparse roads next to the water. I was signed up to do the race as a team, but got sick that week and was unable to run. Luckily, I had a very understanding team that did very well without their 5th person. So, instead I was able to follow Shawn. He did terrific! Made it look very easy!
Rounding the corner to the finish line!
He did it!