tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85914571677378762822024-02-19T18:51:03.850-08:00The Swallow's NestThe Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-16875223239117893682013-05-21T13:01:00.001-07:002013-05-21T13:01:43.454-07:00Successive Plantings<p>The gardens continue to evolve as we continue to ponder and tinker. Below you can see that Paul is relocating one of our square-foot gardening boxes to the side of the house where we can grow cukes or beans on the Triple-H arches. The salad greens should enjoy a cooler summer in the shade of the vines, too. Never mind that the winter's plantings are already bolting; we'll be sowing a new crop just about as soon as he's done putting it all together, anyway.</p>
<p>It's a lovely spot where I sit and watch him work. The aspect is lovely, anyway. :) I can't help but notice another series of successive plantings: the peaceful parade of purple blossoms, from the chives and sage in the winter garden to the columbine and bicolor irises in the foundation plantings. Next year I'll add some of the larger allium that are blooming in the backyard.</p>
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<p>Perfect conditions for gardening, I thought.  Not too hot, and not so blinding.  I knew just the place to transplant some of our shade-loving perennials in preparation for the septic installation upheaval.</p>
<p>Then the following week the clouds departed and the strengthening  sun blazed forth, clearly illuminating the boundary between shade and not-shade.  To my horror that area, so deceptively close to our neighbor's tree canopy, in reality bakes in the sun for most of the day.</p>
<p>I did what I could to save the poor, limp transplants by creating a true shade garden directly under the tree canopy, but the old not-shade garden lay mostly barren and cracked all summer long.</p>
<p>But not this year, Lord willing.  My Renaissance man started some flower seeds back in March, and today we planted the SUN-loving flowers in the sunny garden bed.  If they survive, and if they bloom, then we've just achieved another gardening first: starting flowering plants inside during the winter in plenty of time for us to actually get blossoms before fall returns.</p>
<p>So here's what we planted:</p>
<p>- Perennial wall flower, 12 to 18 inches with small orange blossoms<br>
- Perennial Cupid's Dart, light purple, and Coreopsis, golden yellow, both 18 to 24 inches<br>
- Annual Cosmos, pink and white mix, about 24 inches</p>
<p>But then there are also some clumps of something we don't recognize or remember from last summer's crusade against the invasive bittersweet but which overwintered nicely in the compost pile, plus another plant which produces pretty little orange lilies.</p>
<p>So we could potentially end up with a lot of different colors blooming at once.  How is that going to look?  I don't know.  I'm hoping it at least stays green this time.</p>
<p>Oh, and what's protecting the soil?  Why, the leaf mold we started a year and a half ago.  It's not fully matured yet, but it will do nicely.  And I mustn't fail to point out the watering can staged in the photos below.  It was part of my birthday gift last year.</p>
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<p>Last spring we had moved them from their endangered location in the then-future septic leach field to this location, but lamentably, we weren't able to harvest any fruit last year.</p>
<p>Too much of a disturbance for them during their flowering and fruiting season? you may well wonder.</p>
<p>No, too many birds with unlimited access. But not this year, though. Not if we can help it.</p>
<p>The plants themselves, however, are volunteering a little of themselves by growing beyond the confines of the netted hoops. That's fine. As long as our labors are rewarded with the fruit contained within, we're happy to be the means by which God provides for His little creatures.</p>
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<p>And so much better than what used to be there.  I like the casual formality of it all.  Besides, there's a certain grace about the fact that the raw materials were gathered from our spring prunings.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-k03bsfgmxdWpS2L8NjRRCccdB0nqSub3U0pSssWd8efBVFEQEZA92y4_9_Y-YPRemu7tYA_umOKWPF5UWujbfoNLqdyUQ_gB7b37RY_wGHkyFawCeYc6H5JwI7DXEmoD-LOtTjZn7I/s1600/CAM00325.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-k03bsfgmxdWpS2L8NjRRCccdB0nqSub3U0pSssWd8efBVFEQEZA92y4_9_Y-YPRemu7tYA_umOKWPF5UWujbfoNLqdyUQ_gB7b37RY_wGHkyFawCeYc6H5JwI7DXEmoD-LOtTjZn7I/s400/CAM00325.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUMogsCw7F3QcMQ4ZLcwCfD4RJqtXEBno-48qnmclDUS-xNP-cVO-BAOWYAITaTQevUCzjLumrmpEThT89EEcH7TkWrkOlBKhl1vrNcwtetPTWDE1P-RqBBvsuQZSJBc-bCTHb8kfCEQ/s1600/CAM00324.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUMogsCw7F3QcMQ4ZLcwCfD4RJqtXEBno-48qnmclDUS-xNP-cVO-BAOWYAITaTQevUCzjLumrmpEThT89EEcH7TkWrkOlBKhl1vrNcwtetPTWDE1P-RqBBvsuQZSJBc-bCTHb8kfCEQ/s400/CAM00324.jpg' /> </a> </div>The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0Arlington, Arlington41.473644 -89.24925tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-17705418337543615922013-05-03T18:05:00.001-07:002013-05-03T18:05:24.458-07:00He's Gonna Catch It<p>Yes, we've had our share of rain lately, but we also like to have a watering can of rainwater handy to sprinkle around the seedlings that are still gaining ground.</p>
<p>Some say that necessity is the mother of invention. In that same spirit I like to say that restrictions give life to creativity. It's amazing how creative people can be when they can only use what's already available to them.</p>
<p>My husband proves my point time and time again. But to our list of restrictions in this case perhaps someday soon we should add the requirement that it be... attractive. =)</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6EYcMP3nGoKzZhyphenhyphenEXG7r8zp5KLQ7aFP5rw4DYcEOrr5cWAjXBJ3rqeezrdz8v6D5K7JHMlLINVB9Ni_kDLyBqo8LvCeEjqHKNkCRkLgRU9O_CvjQ8mFb-B6ok6W8OgqnHIE0Z0fv9qU/s1600/CAM00306.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6EYcMP3nGoKzZhyphenhyphenEXG7r8zp5KLQ7aFP5rw4DYcEOrr5cWAjXBJ3rqeezrdz8v6D5K7JHMlLINVB9Ni_kDLyBqo8LvCeEjqHKNkCRkLgRU9O_CvjQ8mFb-B6ok6W8OgqnHIE0Z0fv9qU/s400/CAM00306.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRsx63jgV19objmjpwXpZZfOonNi0sBJV6ThkLgj3BvqDHNMPxbFO8xYQUyvdHghOmZw_yGRE1SSe7mGLEhP1Y49CS9ngQkL-ssbFqc47OTnZNniROntyef5aG_5-cr0GdqTBMkMTfh8/s1600/CAM00307.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRsx63jgV19objmjpwXpZZfOonNi0sBJV6ThkLgj3BvqDHNMPxbFO8xYQUyvdHghOmZw_yGRE1SSe7mGLEhP1Y49CS9ngQkL-ssbFqc47OTnZNniROntyef5aG_5-cr0GdqTBMkMTfh8/s400/CAM00307.jpg' /> </a> </div>The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-16470497712831957832013-05-01T09:16:00.001-07:002013-05-01T09:16:55.911-07:00Weep Not for Me<p>Maybe it looks a little funny now, but tying the young cherry branches into a weeping growth habit will boost the production of fruit.  The principle is simple: aided by gravity, more health-giving sap will flow to the very ends of the branch, and the branch will produce more blossoms and tastier fruit.</p>
<p>It's not hard to draw a metaphor from this: as we humble ourselves, the life of Jesus Christ flows through us to produce more and more of His delicious fruit.  To God be the glory!</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMfe0mbHONuZnf8WM-qgtLdydOY_d7v-cEHrFbHi1P4WleE3Kcvdy7zJqP3Epl5X7abf6545lYyYqeBaEtpV1eV5CBbK_tYm0sGC2TL-tHit1r70kbRT0CJEduBUeec0bjXGHqlhmekM/s1600/CAM00299.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMfe0mbHONuZnf8WM-qgtLdydOY_d7v-cEHrFbHi1P4WleE3Kcvdy7zJqP3Epl5X7abf6545lYyYqeBaEtpV1eV5CBbK_tYm0sGC2TL-tHit1r70kbRT0CJEduBUeec0bjXGHqlhmekM/s400/CAM00299.jpg' /> </a> </div>The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-65958611444108125442012-04-02T21:21:00.002-07:002012-04-02T21:21:46.568-07:00And Now You Know The Rest of the Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remember <a href="http://dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2012/02/it-started-with-storage.html">this story</a> about storage under the stage? Paul hadn't finished it yet when I posted it, so here's how it turned out:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEho5_mVclbGO0aUsjRmW021ErxuhlqTl-xStXM1v9cD3rO04gwOVQC6aASNMa-C6HQy4wq6xFxeohqYeczuin5zq4gFA-biNeMjDqAZSTgnkER8K68kPUP-LsGQfG-0cULCqRDSmFcG4/s1600/IMG_5398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEho5_mVclbGO0aUsjRmW021ErxuhlqTl-xStXM1v9cD3rO04gwOVQC6aASNMa-C6HQy4wq6xFxeohqYeczuin5zq4gFA-biNeMjDqAZSTgnkER8K68kPUP-LsGQfG-0cULCqRDSmFcG4/s320/IMG_5398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The rounded part of the stage is an addition to the original, so the floorboards never matched to begin with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyBC645vp7xnW5-HVQcZZdL6qdieD4s51C-0SkqNyjHP9HrrxNm8jUAN8JoBjzYiBgmGzcliRM7_LW6UAk0sx-htzhcEwCpk5N1g8OXmhjtrJo2GsN9ULWROQYPVEB758kmVwPkQvt80/s1600/IMG_5400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyBC645vp7xnW5-HVQcZZdL6qdieD4s51C-0SkqNyjHP9HrrxNm8jUAN8JoBjzYiBgmGzcliRM7_LW6UAk0sx-htzhcEwCpk5N1g8OXmhjtrJo2GsN9ULWROQYPVEB758kmVwPkQvt80/s320/IMG_5400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Using a good friend's suggestion and an old piano hinge, Paul turned what had originally been a plan based on pull-out drawers and made something fabulous and immediately vulnerable to stashing.</div>
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Someday we'll get more serious about organizing it, but for now it works great. Especially when we can keep the cats out of it.</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-20624953374617566112012-04-02T19:48:00.001-07:002012-04-02T19:49:41.914-07:00Storing the Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8L40MzmYu40uu9FKCesbRWTTXS_hXGF4WfvzFg2Z7RqVbYrtFHlG5vRF-mRjok1fr4kI3wxrcZTDI4qF98eQywGmOOOCEMmgh8XXvllISuTUarImu-sULwNtOn65gP1Fn3KadKAk194/s1600/IMG_5396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8L40MzmYu40uu9FKCesbRWTTXS_hXGF4WfvzFg2Z7RqVbYrtFHlG5vRF-mRjok1fr4kI3wxrcZTDI4qF98eQywGmOOOCEMmgh8XXvllISuTUarImu-sULwNtOn65gP1Fn3KadKAk194/s320/IMG_5396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What do people do when, on one hand, they need lots of seats for hosting several families at once, and on the other hand, don't have lots of space to store the seats when they aren't hosting several families at once?<br />
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The answer: they make storage table benches and store the benches as tables. At least, that's what the people at The Swallow's Nest did.<br />
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I always loved our antique coffee table. My grandma tells me that my great-grandfather adapted it from a discarded library table by cutting down the legs. You can see a picture of it at the end of <a href="http://www.dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/moving-in.html">this post</a>.<br />
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What you can't see in that picture is how incredibly small and inadequate this pretty piece was in our living room configuration after we moved more furniture in. <a href="http://www.dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/home-is-where.html">Here is another picture</a>, but we've never kept our chairs and sofa as close together as they were when it was taken.<br />
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Even from the start, though, we knew we'd need something different. This is where we turned to one of my favorite blog authors: Ana White of www.ana-white.com. With <a href="http://ana-white.com/2010/02/storage-bench-coffee-table-save-300-or_1224.html">some simple instructions</a>, we were able to turn out three of these great benches in one weekend, and with plenty of time for us to put them to use during our hymn sing on Sunday night.<br />
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They worked beautifully! We had plenty of room for plates and beverages during the meal while the kids ate outside, and when everyone gathered around to sing, none of the 33 people here had to sit on the floor.<br />
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Add to that the additional storage under the flip-top lid and the shelf below, and we have great potential for tidy organizational happiness. *contented sigh*<br />
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They still need to be stained and finished, though, so you haven't seen the last of this project. We made them out of pine, so I don't expect them to look like fine furniture when we're done, but we'll get them as close to it as we can. <br />
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In the meantime, it's time to purge in preparation for this weekend's garage sale!The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-74740565670173371572012-02-23T11:00:00.000-08:002012-02-23T11:08:19.263-08:00If It Looks Like a Duct...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Are you ready to reach a new, deeper level in your friendship with our church home? Take a deep breath and join me in the basement.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9p-_UVrmpSaVXAD9xOe3xW4qDYwe81jbHrkJmcwMt26W1Tv3MpHi3bH0y9nWkUmF1hjqlTsiP08zpUb8sTotJk6p0eA9proM-JCaQoK3jJCSvxr-DbZauSXbnAyxG1PJr1J8vmj5Uds/s1600/IMG_3855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9p-_UVrmpSaVXAD9xOe3xW4qDYwe81jbHrkJmcwMt26W1Tv3MpHi3bH0y9nWkUmF1hjqlTsiP08zpUb8sTotJk6p0eA9proM-JCaQoK3jJCSvxr-DbZauSXbnAyxG1PJr1J8vmj5Uds/s320/IMG_3855.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, so far I've been very selective in the views you've been getting of the place. I wanted to spare you the shock and discomfort at seeing how we really live. =)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ6hv8QVqz7DhPWqJJdnGfuP6SiG7xjdn0YDzNeuxu-2mG1UuOy-TNeX2ivaqdhp-toxWMXgofHDPTczZlPYfGReU7xVfmtM22u3Jf5Zn-SQFF57TMlQiJOiezZJysQPlvhGho7QZ9V0/s1600/IMG_3859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ6hv8QVqz7DhPWqJJdnGfuP6SiG7xjdn0YDzNeuxu-2mG1UuOy-TNeX2ivaqdhp-toxWMXgofHDPTczZlPYfGReU7xVfmtM22u3Jf5Zn-SQFF57TMlQiJOiezZJysQPlvhGho7QZ9V0/s320/IMG_3859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm still being selective.</div>
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Do you remember when <a href="http://dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/meet-parents.html">Paul's parents</a> were<a href="http://dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/place-to-call-home.html"> staying here</a> and <a href="http://dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/toilet-installation.html">helping us get the bathroom ready</a> for us to move in last winter? The basement hasn't changed much since then, except to fill up with our stuff when we moved in.</div>
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We're not in a position to make any changes just yet, but it's nice to have a plan. I looooove to plan, but up till recently, I kept running into problems with the infrastructure of the downstairs space. The most prominent feature down here is the ductwork, and second to that are the beam supports.</div>
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I just didn't know how to work around them. Oh, if only they didn't need to be there!</div>
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Well, do you remember how I said I'd we could <a href="http://dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2012/01/no-smoking-please.html">replace our furnaces</a> with something better? That something better is radiant floor heating. Beautiful, comfortable heat right where we need it. And even better: no forced air, no ductwork!</div>
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How liberating!</div>
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Freshly freed from the metal monster, I set down this week to explore the limits of a space which still needed to:</div>
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<li>have at least one window for each bedroom.</li>
<li>maximize the amount of natural light from the windows.</li>
<li>allow for the beam supports.</li>
<li>provide a place for using both of our vintage stoves, one gas from the 40's and one electric from the 50's.</li>
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Little did I realize that I really could get a master bathroom out of it! A friend of mine had suggested as much, and now we can make it work!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ2NS7DF84a0q82r1pmGo7yx50tmy9RRICSSEiUaCU0oYdDvdduCjJ6b2HAKOIWHJYB8hwTcgo_dSHHeC2RB4iyvxCoP5Z3vCXX3DBF_LCdG4K_6oUDGblEdVWQD1ONZSmIu6QxDQyBg/s1600/The+Kitchen+and+Bedrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ2NS7DF84a0q82r1pmGo7yx50tmy9RRICSSEiUaCU0oYdDvdduCjJ6b2HAKOIWHJYB8hwTcgo_dSHHeC2RB4iyvxCoP5Z3vCXX3DBF_LCdG4K_6oUDGblEdVWQD1ONZSmIu6QxDQyBg/s320/The+Kitchen+and+Bedrooms.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, but there was one detail that really made Paul uncomfortable as he peered over my shoulder at my developing plans: how were we going to get the waste water to the septic tank?</div>
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"Easy," I said, without really knowing what I was talking about. "Upflush toilets!"</div>
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And so we researched them a little and found that, while the system is not going to be cheap, it will be a solid choice for both the bathroom and the kitchen. And so worth it.</div>
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For those who are prone to study the floor layout, here are a couple of points not to be missed:</div>
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Paul thinks the below-grade wall on the right which separates the basement from a dirt-filled crawlspace can be pushed back a foot or two, giving us more room. If we can accomplish this, then the bathroom and pantry will also shift over, giving us more room to access the dishwasher in the kitchen. One could say that I'm rather counting on that being the case.</div>
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This layout doesn't show the entire floor plan of the basement; on the other side of the wall on the left is the bathroom and the water heater. Our freezer and table saw currently occupy the future laundry area, but you'll see that we've made room for the freezer in the pantry. Until we have a storage shed built, we'll have to let the table saw stay where it is.</div>
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The light gray features in the drawings indicate features that currently exist but will be removed to make way for the new features.<br />
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We will open up the stairway to unite the upstairs and downstairs living spaces. The area below the stairs will still be for storage, and the new electric panel is already located there, waiting to be hooked up to a new electric service.<br />
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Having an open stairway will be a happy change for the cats: being downstairs is like obtaining the holy grail to them and their little questing spirits.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFaKTEo8AAb-gUJytR3yOZlRqQhySO4GBo086R_FQsc4uw55HmDmPl5ShDe-L9LXx0I5kdgK1ZScxAGT-qwFyHhMaJwlD6R177bUpRypaafbRq8Xvgo9fEVOH5PFTRMUf7E1ELkof18Y/s1600/MVI_4520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFaKTEo8AAb-gUJytR3yOZlRqQhySO4GBo086R_FQsc4uw55HmDmPl5ShDe-L9LXx0I5kdgK1ZScxAGT-qwFyHhMaJwlD6R177bUpRypaafbRq8Xvgo9fEVOH5PFTRMUf7E1ELkof18Y/s320/MVI_4520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-26095181218451567242012-02-22T20:22:00.000-08:002012-02-22T20:22:00.460-08:00Organ Donation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remember how we used to <a href="http://www.dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2010/12/setting-stage-for-repeat-performance.html">sleep on the stage</a>? Well, the kids were the first to move their quarters to the basement. We moved them down there before the heat of summer set in.</div>
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And I loved having the entire nave as a bedroom. It might have been a little weird for our guests to walk into our master bedroom, and all the cats may have started pa-dumping across the floor and around the furniture just as we were ready to get serious about falling asleep, and it may have been hard to fall asleep in an 88-degree room, but I really liked it up there.</div>
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Only something really great would entice me to give up that spot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoELVAzid4cNh2J8OjyLun4LlJsrQVMdQ7AhvyGjlFz7OYFFCPmuJx9IqHTTKijyin76SOpCgoRd20uYwlKZ55ReNhXMiSOTZTyHHcNVcStka_0WLuq3qF3VnHzOHmFj4GHt48pVOz7Dc/s1600/IMG_4113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoELVAzid4cNh2J8OjyLun4LlJsrQVMdQ7AhvyGjlFz7OYFFCPmuJx9IqHTTKijyin76SOpCgoRd20uYwlKZ55ReNhXMiSOTZTyHHcNVcStka_0WLuq3qF3VnHzOHmFj4GHt48pVOz7Dc/s320/IMG_4113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A couple weeks before my birthday we received word that a family had moved away from their home, leaving behind an organ. Yes, they were offering to be an organ donor.</div>
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The perfect birthday gift, and perfect for the birthday budget! I'd often dreamed of owning our own church organ ever since we'd moved into our own church building. And so my darling, wonderful husband man, with a lot of help from some really kind men, loaded it into and out of the van, hauled it up the stairs, and into its new home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaIxpAmVPhNuifSVicRLlexWsu-MM4ouNfMJD4KzM8Qrlx6cEoIZykOH5dQjXO5174V_XDfujsoaJ1lsG5pPUSlGL4QYRpMyotlrrw5RveTIwmV0SClCrerTItHjoupZ6lS76KVyhVmk/s1600/IMG_4114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyaIxpAmVPhNuifSVicRLlexWsu-MM4ouNfMJD4KzM8Qrlx6cEoIZykOH5dQjXO5174V_XDfujsoaJ1lsG5pPUSlGL4QYRpMyotlrrw5RveTIwmV0SClCrerTItHjoupZ6lS76KVyhVmk/s320/IMG_4114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not an organist, but I'd like to play well enough for congregational singing. Mastering some good organ literature wouldn't hurt, either! I just wish I could dedicate more time to practicing. *sigh*</div>
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A funny thing about Pipes: she, of all the cats, has been the most interested in befriending the organist. How sweet that she's so aptly named!</div>
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<br /></div>The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-74089605232227986582012-02-20T19:51:00.000-08:002012-02-20T19:58:09.699-08:00It Started with Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Paul figures we spent 5% of our income this past year on paying rent for our storage unit, and he rightly observed that it's like buying all those things we're storing all over again. Arg.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr_0F9mgThRbdEswyPZj1BjYqA2Z6aKpyR0vcmrVr7N98TgGnSZVbEH-DoKbGTuOdKJ7jd5GdN3T-LbEpmvMRhY58WCF1cPTmxYd1sLba1t3o634dJStnseIpYSAwepqLHNdka9q0bAQ/s1600/IMG_5135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr_0F9mgThRbdEswyPZj1BjYqA2Z6aKpyR0vcmrVr7N98TgGnSZVbEH-DoKbGTuOdKJ7jd5GdN3T-LbEpmvMRhY58WCF1cPTmxYd1sLba1t3o634dJStnseIpYSAwepqLHNdka9q0bAQ/s320/IMG_5135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So until we can purge our unit of stuff we don't need, and until we can build a storage shed on the property, we're exploring how we might use what we already have at our disposal.</div>
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I've long had my eye on the space under the stage: it seems like a perfect place to store camera tripods, light stands, and other such equipment. But we wouldn't know for sure until Paul could open it up and look at it himself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4stfYAdzIqon4BLIeMdKzksswL10WWJ-grzEg4LFoFNHf0bhTEJ413SQUy_wzBBjM74UhP1gsjzsfAeynHKrvRShqIrjNz63xSOLcDLcJb4SkQSCe7LOX5503mLEmKKK1HD7xe41jyw/s1600/IMG_5147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4stfYAdzIqon4BLIeMdKzksswL10WWJ-grzEg4LFoFNHf0bhTEJ413SQUy_wzBBjM74UhP1gsjzsfAeynHKrvRShqIrjNz63xSOLcDLcJb4SkQSCe7LOX5503mLEmKKK1HD7xe41jyw/s320/IMG_5147.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The cats enjoyed their look under the stage, too. Elliot dubbed this chubby guy "Dust Bunny Dilly." The <i>top</i> of his feet are dirty? Hmm...</div>
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The portion of the stage that Paul tore up was an addition to the original stage and was built on top of the original flooring, so he took advantage of the exposed floorboards to replace a plywood patch in the floor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCX-YWbvlFAgIuWQDQqibIYpC6sP_srk3gPHHM0XP4nYoB5FefevhLor5iGlsqz8yOZFhKHaV_I6uc944bHc30Q0i9JcQ6k4sssU-rJGOabft3jFddcVmv78ns_4Y2HGDSQVT731XfP0/s1600/IMG_5151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCX-YWbvlFAgIuWQDQqibIYpC6sP_srk3gPHHM0XP4nYoB5FefevhLor5iGlsqz8yOZFhKHaV_I6uc944bHc30Q0i9JcQ6k4sssU-rJGOabft3jFddcVmv78ns_4Y2HGDSQVT731XfP0/s320/IMG_5151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The crisp boundary and color difference between the old and the replacement don't really hide the fact that it's a patch, but we figure that it will look better once it's refinished. Besides, it's part of the building's history, and it's a lot nicer than it used to be:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtg-CQecbkrZ2rU084VYmpI_UQroFL2iyaDy6vgAG1fEFBxbsgB22ACzglMXHVYO5TGucMCnoI_SEWNxYFkyu7XG31MEIF8aJCxfr5IL5qgYxj9ROX9PXmd_he8rMqyZPePRec95ndhH0/s1600/IMG_3596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtg-CQecbkrZ2rU084VYmpI_UQroFL2iyaDy6vgAG1fEFBxbsgB22ACzglMXHVYO5TGucMCnoI_SEWNxYFkyu7XG31MEIF8aJCxfr5IL5qgYxj9ROX9PXmd_he8rMqyZPePRec95ndhH0/s320/IMG_3596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0yCaVKXvFR20cEVjqfFLQ7sic9BYhUpTVyXxntmEImlL1XHHey-TvaN_j6E5khXG8VuOX8fN_FPKI15DHg-lNWUnBXZojDbkY_BFzyoto9i3AjLjCAojfOh0tnd53CFrwBE5dtF0hug/s1600/IMG_3598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0yCaVKXvFR20cEVjqfFLQ7sic9BYhUpTVyXxntmEImlL1XHHey-TvaN_j6E5khXG8VuOX8fN_FPKI15DHg-lNWUnBXZojDbkY_BFzyoto9i3AjLjCAojfOh0tnd53CFrwBE5dtF0hug/s320/IMG_3598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Naughty kitties.)</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-10264558705659472972012-01-21T19:55:00.000-08:002012-02-10T20:01:52.278-08:00Cat Fur fer Kitty Pants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whenever Grandma didn't want to bother answering my "What for?", she would reply, "Cat fur for kitty pants."</div>
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I don't think I ever thought to ask who made these kitty pants and if they were sewn or knitted from homespun cat fur. I suspect that was beside the point, but if I were to make kitty pants today, I would prefer to sew them. However, as I'm sewing them, I could also collect the cat fur from the project fabric and spin some cat fur yarn with what the cats leave behind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0EFjpdbYOmxzxKOeW-PbkZHNZEFWZnj6Z1a4Z4S0Mr4y14Gx5LyzVWZI5y6GKPvju4sN2VSbf5N21aVbTC04gGa64nSSfvkOe-5XYX3kR-NcTVn5igFrfBL2yLXoiKkLPrjkJk8TUFE/s1600/IMG_5009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0EFjpdbYOmxzxKOeW-PbkZHNZEFWZnj6Z1a4Z4S0Mr4y14Gx5LyzVWZI5y6GKPvju4sN2VSbf5N21aVbTC04gGa64nSSfvkOe-5XYX3kR-NcTVn5igFrfBL2yLXoiKkLPrjkJk8TUFE/s320/IMG_5009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you can imagine, I haven't been overeager to set up shop where the cats are ever looking for that novel surface to lie on. Until...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07yLtJ85-RldRrog0orEvCIsYAzu4T5dRMGCm0U7FSwNObGyTXCpaJQI47CUu994CGQZULLsM-eOgAg9tU25dEa70dWs6QDvII5EKrDzF0KOULhqyB1lbxbWXPi4T9UgfDtrhq70VoF0/s1600/IMG_5008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07yLtJ85-RldRrog0orEvCIsYAzu4T5dRMGCm0U7FSwNObGyTXCpaJQI47CUu994CGQZULLsM-eOgAg9tU25dEa70dWs6QDvII5EKrDzF0KOULhqyB1lbxbWXPi4T9UgfDtrhq70VoF0/s320/IMG_5008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We weren't using the cracker jar in the kitchen. Perfect! Now I can decorate with the pretty fabrics I'm sewing together even as I keep them safe from the cats and their kitty pants.</div>
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I'm very happy with the solution.</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-73728546309080658612012-01-18T19:27:00.000-08:002012-02-10T19:37:12.698-08:00No Smoking, Please<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While the weather forecasters were predicting a cold, snowy season, I was praying for a mild winter. For some reason He saw fit to provide us with just that.</div>
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Even so, it gets cold around here. The building is poorly insulated, and it would be irresponsible of us to set the thermostat for our casual comfort. So instead of relying solely on our 60-year old furnaces, we turn to our soapstone wood stove for some zone-specific heating.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwRZdIBYQxup6VNaS9Eoe2KPBQvSjch_WeZBFMXA5b_zwWf44aln5FD0dFNpXFWASGBZVB5NnRDRy4hVWuqg-CWbzsmZPO3Q52Yt7f5gqoaAXIqM0KhM5E2Mu3Bo4yLt-Z41pSpsS3ug/s1600/IMG_4998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwRZdIBYQxup6VNaS9Eoe2KPBQvSjch_WeZBFMXA5b_zwWf44aln5FD0dFNpXFWASGBZVB5NnRDRy4hVWuqg-CWbzsmZPO3Q52Yt7f5gqoaAXIqM0KhM5E2Mu3Bo4yLt-Z41pSpsS3ug/s320/IMG_4998.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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However, the ridge on the roof is impossibly high for getting a good, consistent draft in our chimney. Far too often the smoke would either refuse to go up the flue or it would play nice for awhile, then wait till we were asleep before it would retreat out of the wind and into our living space.</div>
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Choking on smoke and smelling like stale smoke has a way of making a person feel impoverished. So I urged Paul to purchase an electric motor draft inducer which is installed directly on the chimney pipe. It's visible in the picture above.</div>
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What a great thing! Aside from occasional user error, we no longer have smoke billowing where it oughtn't. It's wonderful!</div>
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When he installed it, Paul made a couple modifications to our set-up: instead of hard wiring the draft inducer to an electric box, he attached it to a cord with a 3-prong plug. This allows us to plug it into a timer so that the fan can be turned on and off at regular intervals when we're not attending to it ourselves.</div>
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Paul also connected the wood stove air intake to a piece of conduit that he fed through a freshly bored hole in the concrete wall. Now the fire consumes cold air from outside instead of drawing from the warmed air inside.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSHaY9MeZUkx_6X1PZgq6_rto9vVPKQzldrbTEFJvxWSnQN9ZQL9L6YKaaxt7GtnjRNcVZZ4gdvU-HccxXBDKuc0LXNIDwREtgeXS29_HgZVpR96HZYmb0SvnTpXOqj47T1ezf12rbwM/s1600/IMG_4981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSHaY9MeZUkx_6X1PZgq6_rto9vVPKQzldrbTEFJvxWSnQN9ZQL9L6YKaaxt7GtnjRNcVZZ4gdvU-HccxXBDKuc0LXNIDwREtgeXS29_HgZVpR96HZYmb0SvnTpXOqj47T1ezf12rbwM/s320/IMG_4981.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A homesteading book in our library speaks well of newspaper logs. Rolled tightly and held together with wire, they burn much like wood logs. We appreciate how they help make the wood stretch, and the post office always has a nice stack of newspapers for us to take. We have giving friends, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_KYySvemeovXgKZ1m3rY56VhlWCUf5xsMzc5bSS8bxU0NwQx51vWBFPAdSG2bd5ni6virONhG7s7NhQO3rervgv4YqYcu8gHBNvhBoYThPfl_LTchyJu-tyTFDLM-RORaFC_0BgGjBo/s1600/IMG_4656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_KYySvemeovXgKZ1m3rY56VhlWCUf5xsMzc5bSS8bxU0NwQx51vWBFPAdSG2bd5ni6virONhG7s7NhQO3rervgv4YqYcu8gHBNvhBoYThPfl_LTchyJu-tyTFDLM-RORaFC_0BgGjBo/s320/IMG_4656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The door to the 3-H is on the left, and the door to the basement is on the right.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The bright green balls are osage oranges placed there to supposedly repel the bugs. We really don't need them to come in with the firewood.</i></span></div>
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One man's trash is another man's treasure, and we treasure the cast-off wood that we've gleaned from our friends. Fred needed some trees removed from his property, and Bill and Patsy had some demolition wood from their kitchen redo. So did our new neighbors who just bought the property across the street. God has blessed us with wood enough for our needs so far, and we haven't even considered buying any yet this year.</div>
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Of course, all of this is just to get us by until we can replace the furnaces with something better. I have an idea, but I'll save that for a different post. =)</div>The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-55268392377316156172012-01-13T11:13:00.000-08:002012-01-24T11:16:48.684-08:00The Social Ladder<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ9v1BCtCAbLCf2yRvAWl2w98sh4Wq7RZ38sMTXinOeIsqi-6ij2KqA16W5eeBZR_p3O8uP9YCOJCZaA7q_fMWiOx5XIxgJ3dCNvizJ6qZwr2BfPzjcX3lN-6gEL2-MQa4Do58llt9Z8/s1600/IMG_4937.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ9v1BCtCAbLCf2yRvAWl2w98sh4Wq7RZ38sMTXinOeIsqi-6ij2KqA16W5eeBZR_p3O8uP9YCOJCZaA7q_fMWiOx5XIxgJ3dCNvizJ6qZwr2BfPzjcX3lN-6gEL2-MQa4Do58llt9Z8/s320/IMG_4937.JPG" /></a> </div>
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It's<a href="http://dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2010/12/keeping-warm.html"> that time of year again</a>. Only this time we have have curious cats to deal with. Most of the climbers managed to find their way down without falling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yVl8CgGVT_74I9_ktAfFUIlcv3hXJji5Am2SqutJ_5bemArDdrImVrMk9Yn_D7Lh4bix4B95pgGkDkQIqB59OQ27EYVW44G5WuZ_WheYCVvU8ulAQFw8nLCQOWPuPTwXYdc9ZHiwg_E/s1600/IMG_4959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yVl8CgGVT_74I9_ktAfFUIlcv3hXJji5Am2SqutJ_5bemArDdrImVrMk9Yn_D7Lh4bix4B95pgGkDkQIqB59OQ27EYVW44G5WuZ_WheYCVvU8ulAQFw8nLCQOWPuPTwXYdc9ZHiwg_E/s320/IMG_4959.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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But oh, they're so naughty!<br />
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(Paul was not amused. He was less amused than I was when we came home from church to discover the full length of the nave floor covered in a complex web of yarn one Sunday afternoon.)The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-43465550456528779622011-11-02T09:00:00.000-07:002011-11-02T09:00:00.179-07:00Nestling Leaves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjS7o-5Ns-HYQ7w6MMozhpRshqe7SrCXoL8hsHaLCTJdzEVoWaeR603PnOGyMmAEPE8SrXK96o9j_AcaTgceWylBpk7bs_AMTQC7RkE1z_HLAeHncrLokumtlXcKhVvgadpNpBhMGINg/s1600/IMG_3844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjS7o-5Ns-HYQ7w6MMozhpRshqe7SrCXoL8hsHaLCTJdzEVoWaeR603PnOGyMmAEPE8SrXK96o9j_AcaTgceWylBpk7bs_AMTQC7RkE1z_HLAeHncrLokumtlXcKhVvgadpNpBhMGINg/s320/IMG_3844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isn't autumn beautiful?</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-10778009159677030182011-11-01T12:00:00.000-07:002011-11-01T12:00:05.655-07:00Answered Prayer...in Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remember <a href="http://dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2011/10/mulch-to-think-about.html">this post</a>?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70wNl41w9MPYNnncxgfyHyREl6RveZeXFncNqRXk0hLBekgRhxh18RO7dxeGOxbq3r2w6XYtQCk3p36Eqw9WnB61QxUzM_xZowxBFd-2GIcDaVdJihyH5S3Gc09IxoXGCky7Y5PrJ-1I/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70wNl41w9MPYNnncxgfyHyREl6RveZeXFncNqRXk0hLBekgRhxh18RO7dxeGOxbq3r2w6XYtQCk3p36Eqw9WnB61QxUzM_xZowxBFd-2GIcDaVdJihyH5S3Gc09IxoXGCky7Y5PrJ-1I/s320/IMG_3827.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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God provided the shredder! Okay, it's not ex<i><b>act</b></i>ly what we had in mind: it's pretty old; it's only a shredder and not a chipper, so we can only shred branches up to 1/2 inch in diameter; it doesn't work. Yet.</div>
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Here's what we've learned from this: when a person offers to sell you an item whose functionality is unknown for a certain price, offer half that amount until it is known if the item is in working condition. If it works, pay the full balance. If it doesn't work, fix it, then negotiate a lower price and pay the balance of that reduced amount.</div>
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We thought of this after we discovered that the shredder doesn't work. Paul's still working to fix it.</div>
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But we don't regret the $20 we spent on it. With the trimming we'll continue to do on the fruit trees, we'll have plenty of opportunity to use it. And wood chips are far more useful to us than a column of smoke and a pile of ashes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXIztXngHV0Sf8hzjHvXU-8lLY7_yxlJMUjUp_TjjL25qPURKiiBrMkvDUJzR20TSeedMKGxVufjoRbtJQG9ApGLWVPaqhqTsfhF-rYiicBiWXGqD49hz7hJsrRT-0nEqS8VCWU_yqG8/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXIztXngHV0Sf8hzjHvXU-8lLY7_yxlJMUjUp_TjjL25qPURKiiBrMkvDUJzR20TSeedMKGxVufjoRbtJQG9ApGLWVPaqhqTsfhF-rYiicBiWXGqD49hz7hJsrRT-0nEqS8VCWU_yqG8/s320/IMG_3828.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yeah, it's pretty old. Pray with us that replacing the coil will be easy and cheap. =)</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-21516721440144029732011-11-01T09:00:00.000-07:002011-11-01T09:00:06.600-07:00Floating Row Covers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcfzn1ZLcAJwIUW8n4On4rEQjTIJlx2OmBIOCMxGKc-0EjZe_YmE6QJUT1C8Mu82S_9caUEfjz7rJezy1Wwui4ci0nVH96tDbr0V58FCXOdKZwMwPBChJQG61NK7OAiPt9ESakcqY2Go/s1600/IMG_3866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcfzn1ZLcAJwIUW8n4On4rEQjTIJlx2OmBIOCMxGKc-0EjZe_YmE6QJUT1C8Mu82S_9caUEfjz7rJezy1Wwui4ci0nVH96tDbr0V58FCXOdKZwMwPBChJQG61NK7OAiPt9ESakcqY2Go/s320/IMG_3866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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They might not be pretty, but Paul made them from the materials we had on hand, and they will provide the greens that extra layer of protection that they'll need when it gets very cold.</div>
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And just what are the floating row covers protecting?</div>
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Lettuce (<i>without </i>that little weed in the foreground; I plucked it after I saw it in the photo):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kn9w9j7PbRwyOsIHWFMvGi3xt250ILM2LOxIM94PsoaQkrtBrg-Su2xE8uGrH1jB05qBS1LM6nGAQr6PNbtLJAzly9IweeLvE2Dm4pV_Gb35R6wuAHNaqXhnxEHIHwDYIAxh5AddjO8/s1600/IMG_3818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kn9w9j7PbRwyOsIHWFMvGi3xt250ILM2LOxIM94PsoaQkrtBrg-Su2xE8uGrH1jB05qBS1LM6nGAQr6PNbtLJAzly9IweeLvE2Dm4pV_Gb35R6wuAHNaqXhnxEHIHwDYIAxh5AddjO8/s320/IMG_3818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spinach, with onions in the background:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGwRdUXm0Lbp66HPCPq56wS2aGcbmac95c3Xlb-4Rqcz7z8elyU69B2ucoJYV0yyjtnxm7PeB25z2DzwmxoIW7HnEObVOjdjpaHu1arsimGEsoD-KV643FPXK_cd20cTjdgQLIyrFsVg/s1600/IMG_3821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGwRdUXm0Lbp66HPCPq56wS2aGcbmac95c3Xlb-4Rqcz7z8elyU69B2ucoJYV0yyjtnxm7PeB25z2DzwmxoIW7HnEObVOjdjpaHu1arsimGEsoD-KV643FPXK_cd20cTjdgQLIyrFsVg/s320/IMG_3821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The successive plantings of radishes:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDa8lbwAHEZq9w1C0kC8M4RedleRBoyl9Db8dfCl6cWihsevt0ulnL4Uv_Kr-Sib6vY_-nDmYq5pCcXKR6eLZO9U3V3FfCQsPIKV9O_RujEXPpwEjz1BdqUJj6cLYCO4EwMpTlRvaLCg/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDa8lbwAHEZq9w1C0kC8M4RedleRBoyl9Db8dfCl6cWihsevt0ulnL4Uv_Kr-Sib6vY_-nDmYq5pCcXKR6eLZO9U3V3FfCQsPIKV9O_RujEXPpwEjz1BdqUJj6cLYCO4EwMpTlRvaLCg/s320/IMG_3824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the mâche:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMcZWPsCxUFbWRoOtO6B_p0tXsLeUdp7o-tfPK-Effbh1xftbHJwEYHIWVxQjexNFJInV0oWSFQv3VVpiCKKizYgOXN8ih90G-UgAh7AYsCNogTgRHYdSkOhScUbvmhtOVlFzgUelBG4/s1600/IMG_3814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMcZWPsCxUFbWRoOtO6B_p0tXsLeUdp7o-tfPK-Effbh1xftbHJwEYHIWVxQjexNFJInV0oWSFQv3VVpiCKKizYgOXN8ih90G-UgAh7AYsCNogTgRHYdSkOhScUbvmhtOVlFzgUelBG4/s320/IMG_3814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've read that it's important to keep the plastic from touching the leaves so that the condensation won't freeze the leaves to the plastic. Our row covers float over the large raised bed about 15 inches from the box and about 12 inches over the narrow bed. Hopefully this will be enough to keep everything protected from both the harsh winter and the moist plastic.</div>
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<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-20512979512659929432011-10-31T11:42:00.000-07:002011-10-31T11:42:27.421-07:00Raspberries!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0Y0Zg0-gUGZCjdqPkIfeoafIJQA9OD7a6jg7srjDvDo_ZNtrwt3INt-1BE0ZhxImDmobKHKNrFCTRlW1dtT4LOa3krq6c00MZHM2Pf9FRj3kr4N3ZxQukYWdgeylinwKbsExglpQgYk/s1600/IMG_3838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0Y0Zg0-gUGZCjdqPkIfeoafIJQA9OD7a6jg7srjDvDo_ZNtrwt3INt-1BE0ZhxImDmobKHKNrFCTRlW1dtT4LOa3krq6c00MZHM2Pf9FRj3kr4N3ZxQukYWdgeylinwKbsExglpQgYk/s320/IMG_3838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I never knew that raspberries would flourish so well in the waning days of summer. This second flush of berries impressed us far more than the first: they're bigger and they're more plentiful.</div>
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All told, we've picked almost 10 pounds of raspberries. I realize that berries are most often sold by volume, and not by weight, so it's hard to compare the value of what we find in a supermarket. Of course, we all know that there is no comparison between homegrown berries and supermarket berries. =)</div>
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However, if you sadly do not know this for yourself, drop by our place sometime next September, and we'll share the pleasure of allowing you to experience it for yourself. MmmmmMMM! Words cannot describe it.</div>
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The hard frost is coming soon, and our harvesting days are drawing to a close. We praise God for the blessing of the bounty.</div>The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-33981182559455047892011-10-31T11:20:00.000-07:002011-10-31T11:21:22.515-07:00Cat-alog<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz9V6UMzkR9uvpgGV4JNafQWaJW7RCGyN5tNNuQROlsztJKtISO9uqZGT-gBNn1p-6qBPL3mRmVRL-lLblANkYqE8llryiB4eein-kVCJ2lTnTePSVDTU4fa9nwxWDZ_-425CFqjHuoo/s1600/IMG_3872.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz9V6UMzkR9uvpgGV4JNafQWaJW7RCGyN5tNNuQROlsztJKtISO9uqZGT-gBNn1p-6qBPL3mRmVRL-lLblANkYqE8llryiB4eein-kVCJ2lTnTePSVDTU4fa9nwxWDZ_-425CFqjHuoo/s320/IMG_3872.JPG" /></a><br />
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<em>Pile o' Cat</em> comes in sizes S, M, L, XL, and LOL.<br />
Size shown: M.</div>
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-52115037741516143582011-10-24T08:07:00.000-07:002011-10-24T08:07:26.349-07:00Stink Hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG0XTAI1AzWfpTlE53_XuitBLcnFEN2fNHVYF4n_eVUdZufSgfkUp3O-2fY2RAt6XY-u9yQ1-wm5RUv8it7dSC1UzaZicySyvxLSh9RWOhlLz825kcbnAAwIKZnPHaye151n0b3Silbc/s1600/IMG_3562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG0XTAI1AzWfpTlE53_XuitBLcnFEN2fNHVYF4n_eVUdZufSgfkUp3O-2fY2RAt6XY-u9yQ1-wm5RUv8it7dSC1UzaZicySyvxLSh9RWOhlLz825kcbnAAwIKZnPHaye151n0b3Silbc/s320/IMG_3562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Under that board lurks a hole. In that hole skulks a tank. A septic tank.</div>
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It sounds sinister, but it's actually good news: given the age and the purpose of this building, we weren't completely sure we had one. The previous owner absolutely refused to allow a septic inspection before we purchased the place, so we went ahead on the assumption that it would absolutely need a new septic system installed, and we settled for a percolation test to see how suitable the land would be.</div>
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Talking to the neighbors in the old parsonage one day, it became crystal clear why the previous owner refused that inspection: he thought the church and the parsonage were on the same system. This seemed to be common knowledge with the renters and the landlord of the property next door, but it seems not to be so.</div>
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Talking with the owner one day, he indicated that his tank was on the opposite side of the parsonage yard. However, we could see very plainly from the hole that Paul had already dug that we also have a tank on the opposite corner of our building. This was very welcome news to us.</div>
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The question now is whether or not we can have the tank pumped. On one hand, it is an old steel tank and if it is not sound, it could collapse. On the other hand, if the rest of the dirt is dug out, there won't be any significant weight to strain the integrity of the structure, and pumping it could be safely and easily done. Then, after a few showers and the tank has been filled, the hole can be refilled.</div>
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While the septic system really does need to be brought up to legal standards, we no longer feel like we're living on borrowed time. It would just be really nice to be able to deal with this before winter arrives, so we're praying over this project, too.</div>
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Thanks for joining us.</div>
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<br /></div>The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-70654752381811490462011-10-23T12:00:00.000-07:002011-10-23T12:00:00.142-07:00Leaf Mold: A Real Windfall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Mom, please don't take a picture of me. I haven't had my shower yet."</div>
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And since it was her birthday, I said, "I'll just take a picture of what you're doing."</div>
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So here she is, helping us create gardening gold with a resource so cheap that it falls when the wind blows. It's a real windfall!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-eXuPK06HmETml-QYahim4YU01W-iiWZRuJCqedWxMDtsDPKnqssLgZfLDGQE5kPNmsm15dRbTn6mF-A8-JAp56m2h4OdrEljv8YrzJvjSXxx6xH8gbhUeRCuFN-LaUtDWzt6kmhyQg/s1600/IMG_3543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-eXuPK06HmETml-QYahim4YU01W-iiWZRuJCqedWxMDtsDPKnqssLgZfLDGQE5kPNmsm15dRbTn6mF-A8-JAp56m2h4OdrEljv8YrzJvjSXxx6xH8gbhUeRCuFN-LaUtDWzt6kmhyQg/s320/IMG_3543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mowing the leaf pile chops the leaves into small pieces for a quicker decomposition.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGMjUUso-vtpBdbJ2rdANVlAcuIcU5NiG9VG1pkoBJblcH9CdtNd-yFapfguluZYwmBV2FhPgJ8tz93ONRWsDUBr3r5YyOtAFsvZWHm3uVifJLZjpwCGf9W5Lh-TQUNpDG45UxmFaGYA/s1600/IMG_3568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGMjUUso-vtpBdbJ2rdANVlAcuIcU5NiG9VG1pkoBJblcH9CdtNd-yFapfguluZYwmBV2FhPgJ8tz93ONRWsDUBr3r5YyOtAFsvZWHm3uVifJLZjpwCGf9W5Lh-TQUNpDG45UxmFaGYA/s320/IMG_3568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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She collects them onto the tarp and carries them... to the compost? No, we don't want them to compost with our other plant material. Since leaves break down through fungal action instead of the bacterial action like the compost pile does, we put them into a pile of their own, where they break down into a beautiful soil amendment that can<a href="http://organicgardening.about.com/od/compost/a/LeafMold.htm"> improve the moisture-retentive quality of soil by as much as 50%</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vuV2zU345xswf3_swYZWuL_2CnERIhVZuO2mJ5_z745IB48izbePFkQuOcIb1h6RcB8NTQTUhrur4moFVlWjl7gWmCiYQodIJ0XG4sgcPEYMuG0VdFf37aonNCrRmp6o6WYqhcFeD1s/s1600/IMG_3563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vuV2zU345xswf3_swYZWuL_2CnERIhVZuO2mJ5_z745IB48izbePFkQuOcIb1h6RcB8NTQTUhrur4moFVlWjl7gWmCiYQodIJ0XG4sgcPEYMuG0VdFf37aonNCrRmp6o6WYqhcFeD1s/s320/IMG_3563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had exactly enough fencing leftover from our compost bins this spring to make this cage for the leaf mold. Perfect!</div>
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Aelsa dampened the leaves to get the process started, and now all we have to do is wait for more of this windfall to come our way. I have a feeling that it will:</div>
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From the maple tree in the front corner,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjaGZHLZvgcGb7XyEPxWm-RHOgnZWbfM9AQCb4qthLVpN7WpmQQUHClL-b9iAqZWjFp8kk-e-CIu-YBQjXnqIQFJuf-X8ItUFeRgbSP6S6lmGmQhv2zUR8UbDWkUt-Edhm6jOZ2JHKbs/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjaGZHLZvgcGb7XyEPxWm-RHOgnZWbfM9AQCb4qthLVpN7WpmQQUHClL-b9iAqZWjFp8kk-e-CIu-YBQjXnqIQFJuf-X8ItUFeRgbSP6S6lmGmQhv2zUR8UbDWkUt-Edhm6jOZ2JHKbs/s320/IMG_3580.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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from the fruit trees in the back,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDtMbo0mLPc1QiNVg4lHSxdFSouFMfV7b7f4d8OgKMJRMOBtGyQCEjAYfreHhVrkdGudmnQi7ZVa44B0qr-EGr9ovfVqUuzSQFJLdyZUvSRhaQv1Dht9jzNe1L9nWzo_adzSMHOGOEqw/s1600/IMG_3579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDtMbo0mLPc1QiNVg4lHSxdFSouFMfV7b7f4d8OgKMJRMOBtGyQCEjAYfreHhVrkdGudmnQi7ZVa44B0qr-EGr9ovfVqUuzSQFJLdyZUvSRhaQv1Dht9jzNe1L9nWzo_adzSMHOGOEqw/s320/IMG_3579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and from the burr oak tree in the back corner.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjf3NJsYLROEzPqP_iMy3Xrln5GJr0mPoge-Zw6cX2XQHPiJ9_BuKuMRs8URxxYg9BTBlVjArJVURXfcxoPHO-RpcJ5y0-1XChPgcV5ybc1x8ZoYkjma4ATyvlbS6esAwq7nj3JuAWRI/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjf3NJsYLROEzPqP_iMy3Xrln5GJr0mPoge-Zw6cX2XQHPiJ9_BuKuMRs8URxxYg9BTBlVjArJVURXfcxoPHO-RpcJ5y0-1XChPgcV5ybc1x8ZoYkjma4ATyvlbS6esAwq7nj3JuAWRI/s320/IMG_3578.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Join us for raking, anyone?</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-52509432979958395692011-10-22T14:46:00.000-07:002011-10-22T14:46:18.613-07:00Escape!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What happens when the window is wide open so the paint on the window sill can dry? Is this a trick question?! Of course the cats try to escape.</div>
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Yes, Mama Catt climbed head first down the entire ladder... three different times. She became pretty quick at it, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcY5LAabtU7E_ZEZORKOUzqqgDBTDXJsKHG_jBQj3xzdGtOsAh5_5S86n2R8rS7a99npyrLH9bOCIoz6u280hKDAPuuJYImv3NDqlMe2hbhylPLobZd5f6rGsYVqZA-RXCAEDI3i_Mlo/s1600/IMG_3554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcY5LAabtU7E_ZEZORKOUzqqgDBTDXJsKHG_jBQj3xzdGtOsAh5_5S86n2R8rS7a99npyrLH9bOCIoz6u280hKDAPuuJYImv3NDqlMe2hbhylPLobZd5f6rGsYVqZA-RXCAEDI3i_Mlo/s320/IMG_3554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pipes really wanted to follow, but she was too timid. Robin tells her to "Get off."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfbt28M8v7fPaqlsEKDzqH8LjBrB-R1_cYj1NjWmdzOyLU6SCUI2A_bwNbmyxLrN1DOSGE49AJbZDDQtCjD-ATuYbCGvYreLy-HFxLjuvws8o5iazYEG3Q7ASOJ-y2Vsjg5ohLMR_7pM/s1600/IMG_3566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfbt28M8v7fPaqlsEKDzqH8LjBrB-R1_cYj1NjWmdzOyLU6SCUI2A_bwNbmyxLrN1DOSGE49AJbZDDQtCjD-ATuYbCGvYreLy-HFxLjuvws8o5iazYEG3Q7ASOJ-y2Vsjg5ohLMR_7pM/s320/IMG_3566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Elliot brings Mama back,</div>
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but even this couldn't keep her in:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHXJR8NdT2X3AWMYE8z1G6wuj8m6yGcVwg6QO-JJ611ch_oRLbGweYg0NFPkuYQXk-7usFpgNfYHpHPhNkxNaaT9BaBhAwqNiVLiimfaPwXKC1JUGhKTx3Xjd4xFfvBZHsLZPQ_qKdGU/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHXJR8NdT2X3AWMYE8z1G6wuj8m6yGcVwg6QO-JJ611ch_oRLbGweYg0NFPkuYQXk-7usFpgNfYHpHPhNkxNaaT9BaBhAwqNiVLiimfaPwXKC1JUGhKTx3Xjd4xFfvBZHsLZPQ_qKdGU/s320/IMG_3581.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Since she lived on the street by herself for a year, I often wonder if she would leave for her freedom and never come back. I don't really want to find out.</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-90848233185841836532011-10-22T14:00:00.000-07:002011-10-22T14:00:45.183-07:00Mulch to Think About<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some weeks ago, a friend of ours sent us <a href="http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/">this link</a> to a film featuring the woodchip-mulching technique that a man uses to sustain his garden in the rain shadow of a mountain--without ever watering it.</div>
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Ever since, we've been praying for a wood chipper to borrow. After all, God seems to have provided us with plenty of raw material to work with:</div>
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The tree we cut down to allow more light to shine on the patch where we'll transplant our strawberries:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ7T6sx1VvMBXUvsaoRsouIHXk3sOG1bZ5_AiAx_vuHZLizqY85oZj6nXlC3ZHEqJxhyVNLAqj8l8m6lzTy8m5epRN5pkYVJmI26ZT_m45DZiK-b9bCBEn6qFiFX0WllF81vxQmDyGi0/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ7T6sx1VvMBXUvsaoRsouIHXk3sOG1bZ5_AiAx_vuHZLizqY85oZj6nXlC3ZHEqJxhyVNLAqj8l8m6lzTy8m5epRN5pkYVJmI26ZT_m45DZiK-b9bCBEn6qFiFX0WllF81vxQmDyGi0/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The part of a clump of trees that fell down when the boys were climbing on it (no worries; no one was hurt):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77zWugB1vSv5Zg6YYXCQHjwpZg4yCfOmUfva-alO1jRsLZmkYBrGxwK3vcnbDX2OBXZgmqmobAKc2dghL-zaQDPeutvq05vJeMBPgjDIes94nvWx22rUZYXkpBkWaW71YmWTH-LPkcbo/s1600/IMG_3561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77zWugB1vSv5Zg6YYXCQHjwpZg4yCfOmUfva-alO1jRsLZmkYBrGxwK3vcnbDX2OBXZgmqmobAKc2dghL-zaQDPeutvq05vJeMBPgjDIes94nvWx22rUZYXkpBkWaW71YmWTH-LPkcbo/s320/IMG_3561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the vines that grow so obnoxiously on, over, and around the southeast fence:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIojML9m1btOAqS-agai4p6EgHwHp0zA-kdXYlUL8eyOqX1qFPp2I6bTxR_LpIxM5bKgqwZG592FuWHuZl5GdvRWQGDFO00heq27wS0KWuf6PbOUH0-ZLPrcnClQjOBK7dx0QulDveHY/s1600/IMG_3548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIojML9m1btOAqS-agai4p6EgHwHp0zA-kdXYlUL8eyOqX1qFPp2I6bTxR_LpIxM5bKgqwZG592FuWHuZl5GdvRWQGDFO00heq27wS0KWuf6PbOUH0-ZLPrcnClQjOBK7dx0QulDveHY/s320/IMG_3548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A man in town told Paul he thought he might have a chipper we could borrow, but we're still trying to get connected on that. So we're still praying.</div>
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Pray with us?</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-78259934051736827562011-10-22T12:56:00.000-07:002011-10-22T12:56:54.412-07:00Undo, RedoIf only it were as easy as ctrl-Z and ctrl-Y; we would be able to get all six windows done before winter strikes. But by now we'll be pleased if we can strip and then repaint the frames and trim around just two of our windows.<br />
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Undo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPc_laMwZK2JWRooyk4mdvqFUWSxbfO6Mb4rUTFyE2kDsHxaXlnY6f2JAncuK99l6Sn4kydmJOuPurM2HlEyeFwoffiXlubOL14t8EDYp4MrAJwxOkQEGXjDUzp4Ni9SrxeOIc70hoQ4/s1600/IMG_3467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPc_laMwZK2JWRooyk4mdvqFUWSxbfO6Mb4rUTFyE2kDsHxaXlnY6f2JAncuK99l6Sn4kydmJOuPurM2HlEyeFwoffiXlubOL14t8EDYp4MrAJwxOkQEGXjDUzp4Ni9SrxeOIc70hoQ4/s320/IMG_3467.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Redo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vGPZHKKZLOGpEMNh99kamsbweqpw60QnNcvlkxACgCcci4NIvBlfEXpzgmH2gvFHVZLIWkIODXXgt5DEu74lYJdbZSOFROERfyPrLwGai8ZllfCBthLzOoR5BGkTLXcfs2ngdKd-_rI/s1600/IMG_3474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vGPZHKKZLOGpEMNh99kamsbweqpw60QnNcvlkxACgCcci4NIvBlfEXpzgmH2gvFHVZLIWkIODXXgt5DEu74lYJdbZSOFROERfyPrLwGai8ZllfCBthLzOoR5BGkTLXcfs2ngdKd-_rI/s320/IMG_3474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Undo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ46OgZilvogqSDltNUQIzvMlY9eDQsI9qLb4Wlje_Qr-EYLCnNBR8ndZ9rcbC8LzEw02f7Otf49EZmSJldFGNpuuqxq3W_7ZKy7KhssWyGJQUMCl0mhmyPw70rcZom_RN8Raw2oxXL4/s1600/IMG_3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ46OgZilvogqSDltNUQIzvMlY9eDQsI9qLb4Wlje_Qr-EYLCnNBR8ndZ9rcbC8LzEw02f7Otf49EZmSJldFGNpuuqxq3W_7ZKy7KhssWyGJQUMCl0mhmyPw70rcZom_RN8Raw2oxXL4/s320/IMG_3320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Redo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo16KWjcoXbPdQ6tbaieOmO2f3jpmRvUfGD43mcwbFtLjDyExlNZT2XbB2mOhC_GlaD00EfoiN7hXNbtbtf-uE-Okk3GTMD8YbLsz6jKaTQUS7bT_gzq_jgeP-dMwAHCCZ85hEy1_jNxM/s1600/IMG_3455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo16KWjcoXbPdQ6tbaieOmO2f3jpmRvUfGD43mcwbFtLjDyExlNZT2XbB2mOhC_GlaD00EfoiN7hXNbtbtf-uE-Okk3GTMD8YbLsz6jKaTQUS7bT_gzq_jgeP-dMwAHCCZ85hEy1_jNxM/s320/IMG_3455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If it looks like I don't know what I'm doing, it's because I don't. However, I've glazed a few panes since then, and I'm much handier at it now.</div>
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And while I'm dreaming about ctrl-z, I sure wish I could tap my fingers and undo the breaking panes of glass. For one, those old panes reflected back little wavy distortions characteristic of old glass. For another, replacing them will cost us more money than we'd like. Finally, missing panes of glass delays the whole project from being completely finished.</div>
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But we're still making progress. Undoing. Redoing.</div>
<br />The Butlershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708767246122734221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591457167737876282.post-48818748633150837422011-10-07T18:02:00.000-07:002011-10-07T18:03:49.051-07:00Radish Tops<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2DX_dCmIM9lqAdN0g6Q8X1q1fDdp5KIWzFiDjAEvLSZWlS8JVcrnihkmMnidey2D32FRfIO7UwdJUXhp7br8CGE_-St0L1RvLML4XRYn1qrDCS-OjODp3jRscd_MrwQoWwXAA_wUGLk/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2DX_dCmIM9lqAdN0g6Q8X1q1fDdp5KIWzFiDjAEvLSZWlS8JVcrnihkmMnidey2D32FRfIO7UwdJUXhp7br8CGE_-St0L1RvLML4XRYn1qrDCS-OjODp3jRscd_MrwQoWwXAA_wUGLk/s320/IMG_3438.JPG" /></a> </div>
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The radishes looked like this before we left at midday on Wednesday. Can't wait to see what awaits us in the <a href="http://dwellinginyourhouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/introducing-3-h.html">3-H</a> when we get there!<br />
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