Attempt 1: self supporting, wired together, failed miserably.
Attempt 2: zip-tied to PVC and wire frame, a bit wobbly, stood 4 days, toppled by exuberant 4 year old. She's sorry, and she cried, but we explained that it wasn't really her fault.
Attempt 3 pending: plan to repeat attempt 2 with increased structural supports. All parts are purchased, we're just waiting for a warmer day. It's been down in the 50's, and a bit chilly. :)
Topper and Fam
30 November 2007
24 November 2007
Watch out OU! Here come the Tigers!
I've been trying to get youtube to post a video on here for about a half an hour but it isn't working so you'll just have to click on these for now on you're own. Go MIZ-ZOU! What a fun game!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wtHvipp8yw&feature=related
https://secure.pursuantgroup.net/pursuant4/mizzou/muselect/flashstory.asp?tpgid=AAAAAS06E800000054800000281340&sn=1
Apologies to my Jayhawk friends, but this is sorta cute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl2ZOpkJVxk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wtHvipp8yw&feature=related
https://secure.pursuantgroup.net/pursuant4/mizzou/muselect/flashstory.asp?tpgid=AAAAAS06E800000054800000281340&sn=1
Apologies to my Jayhawk friends, but this is sorta cute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl2ZOpkJVxk
20 November 2007
Testing new photoshare. Halloween Mosaic
(Click on a photo to see complete image, then roll over the others)
19 November 2007
Baby Dolls
A while back we had a quite afternoon, (don't know how that happened, must have been a Sunday) and decided to make these little blanket baby dolls. The girls had a great time sewing on the hair, and stuffing the little bodies. They did really well! Everyone was pleased. Here are the pics.
15 November 2007
Using our resources
When we moved in a year or so ago our palm tree out front looked like this.
Actually, this is the best "before" picture we have. I guess with how overgrown everything was, we didn't consider the palm a priority. However, as we've been tring to improve our 'curb appeal' the palm was looking more and more like a huge lollypop. (The big 12 inchers that you always hope no one gives your kids. ) -but I digress. Five feet from the bottom you can see where the old fronds had been sawed off, but the bases remained against the tree. Those old bases continued up the tree for another 7-10 feet under the dead hanging fronds. Then we had about 3 feet of dead palm fronds to remove before we hit the newer growth. FYI Palms grow pretty slow and only need to be trimmed every 3-5 years. Ours was due.
We borrowed a pruning saw (funnest tool ever, highly recommend one) and set to work.
Fortunately for us it rained very heavily the night before. (Now that I think about it, it hasn't rained since.) But what we found the next day was that the rain had softened the debris and fibers such that after we knocked off the old trimmed stuff with the back of the saw, we were able to PULL off all the fronds that we could reach! Which, though MUCH easier than sawing, was still quite a workout.
We actually did have to saw off the highest ones, 'cause we couldn't reach anymore, and after a couple days working on it, it was starting to dry out and get tough again.
-And now it really looks great. We have a much better view of the mountains.
...The onnly problem is that I couldn't just let the garbage man carry off such a novel resource as the dead fronds. We have a ton of them. We carted them into the back yard and have made an attempt or two at making a fort out of them. So far unsuccessful, but determined. Any design ideas are welcome. I think we are going to have to build a 2X4 frame of some kind and nail them on.
(Also, they make pretty good kindling.)
Actually, this is the best "before" picture we have. I guess with how overgrown everything was, we didn't consider the palm a priority. However, as we've been tring to improve our 'curb appeal' the palm was looking more and more like a huge lollypop. (The big 12 inchers that you always hope no one gives your kids. ) -but I digress. Five feet from the bottom you can see where the old fronds had been sawed off, but the bases remained against the tree. Those old bases continued up the tree for another 7-10 feet under the dead hanging fronds. Then we had about 3 feet of dead palm fronds to remove before we hit the newer growth. FYI Palms grow pretty slow and only need to be trimmed every 3-5 years. Ours was due.
We borrowed a pruning saw (funnest tool ever, highly recommend one) and set to work.
Fortunately for us it rained very heavily the night before. (Now that I think about it, it hasn't rained since.) But what we found the next day was that the rain had softened the debris and fibers such that after we knocked off the old trimmed stuff with the back of the saw, we were able to PULL off all the fronds that we could reach! Which, though MUCH easier than sawing, was still quite a workout.
We actually did have to saw off the highest ones, 'cause we couldn't reach anymore, and after a couple days working on it, it was starting to dry out and get tough again.
-And now it really looks great. We have a much better view of the mountains.
...The onnly problem is that I couldn't just let the garbage man carry off such a novel resource as the dead fronds. We have a ton of them. We carted them into the back yard and have made an attempt or two at making a fort out of them. So far unsuccessful, but determined. Any design ideas are welcome. I think we are going to have to build a 2X4 frame of some kind and nail them on.
(Also, they make pretty good kindling.)
14 November 2007
Potato, Potata
A friend of ours is doing a bit of "research" and would like any and all input he can get.
He's posing a regional/mormon culture question about scones. Intrigued? Please visit:
http://zachandginet.blogspot.com/2007/11/participate-in-ground-breaking.html
He's posing a regional/mormon culture question about scones. Intrigued? Please visit:
http://zachandginet.blogspot.com/2007/11/participate-in-ground-breaking.html
Happy Birthday Dad!
In all of our October madness, I neglected to post that the Master had a birthday. We celebrated in true form. We celebrated all month! Going out to eat, out of town, shopping, shooting, you name it. (We had other reasons for spending extra time and focus on our wonderful Patriarch of the home, but if you don't already know, you'll have to call and find out. -No!, no more babies. Guess again.)
Here are some pictures of him and his little girls.
-And yes, that is a dutch oven on the table. I believe it had his birthday pie in it.
In an effort to keep the oven off in the house we cooked a very large percentage of our meals in dutch ovens this summer. Very Fun. We even won a contest, and the prize was... another dutch oven. Oh brother!
Here are some pictures of him and his little girls.
-And yes, that is a dutch oven on the table. I believe it had his birthday pie in it.
In an effort to keep the oven off in the house we cooked a very large percentage of our meals in dutch ovens this summer. Very Fun. We even won a contest, and the prize was... another dutch oven. Oh brother!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)