Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Jessie's Driveway Walk

Jessie Cathleen, taking a walk up my parents driveway, in Friday Harbor. A fun glimpse into the mind of a three-year-old.

Friday Harbor Firewood

Dad, Ryan, and I - cutting down a dead tree for firewood.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Jake's Cabin

Jake has been begging me to build him a "shack" for about a year now. He became interested after watching the ferry workers in ticket booths, thought their space looked just about right for his needs as a 9 year old introvert.

It continued from the ferry booths, to latte stands, sheds outside Home Depot, etc. He'd say - "Dad, if that building was about half the size, it would be perfect for my shack!".

He very specifically wanted a small footprint; enough space for a small desk, chair, some shelves, and that's it. Originally he was hoping to have his shack near the road, with a window to sell candy to passerby's. That got vetoed by Mom and Dad, sorry Jake.

Then, I got the idea to use logs, since we were clearing the back yard out a bit anyway (always extra downed trees around our place, Lord knows...). So we started last Friday, with the revised Log Cabin project:

A couple logs, nestled outside the back door under a cedar tree..






Most of the work was done last Saturday and Sunday, but I have to tell you, Jake is a slave driver. He was frustrated that I wouldn't work past dark (midnight, to use his term), and every day of the week, after work, he'd ask what the plan was for the cabin.
To be fair, it's an exciting project for me too, but I have been surprised at Jake's dedication. We finished the electricity yesterday, after a day of troubleshooting tripped GFI outlets (I wired the light switch backwards)... Here's Jake at his desk, sometime before "midnight".



We just need to finish the back window, and fill the cracks a bit, and then we're done! Although, Jake REALLY wants me to add a stone fireplace out the back of the cabin. Or if not, can he take the electric space heater out there? Please Dad!?!...