New Stash Management

We had been using a large (very large) carpenter's toolbox as a coffee table. To be honest, it was a little too big for the space. A fabulous piece of workmanship, but very large. It looks better at the end of our bed.

DH brought home another carpenter's tool box that was just the right size, so I claimed it as our new coffee table. It is gorgeous (now that he's worked his magic on it), made from maple and mahogany and is just right as far as scale.

Not only that, but the trays in it are just ideal for such things as needlework tools, needles and a whole bunch of yarn! The contents of one plastic bin (and I usually get the ones with the attached lids), just covers the bottom

of this chest. There is much more room available in this one for future expansion.

I had offered the inside of the other one to DD for off-season storage, but since she hasn't taken advantage of the offer, I believe I'll just fill that one up, too!

On a completely different note, DH and I were off gallivanting the other day and passed by one of those new windmills that there has been much controversy over. Mostly the "not-in-my-backyard" variety. I had always wanted to get close enough to one to hear just how much noise they really make. We could park directly under this one. There was a nice breeze yesterday so it was operating. Let me tell you this, you could barely hear a slight swish that most any other noise masked (like a passing car or even the sound of the breeze through nearby greenery). As far as birds flying into them, well, let's face it, birds fly into houses all the time (and they don't move) and I bet they fly into trees, cliffs and other natural obstacles, too. For that matter, so do people...ever notice how there is often a rash of incidents that involve people walking, bicycling and driving into buildings? Are these buildings leaping out in front of them? Am I missing something (besides buildings)?

Note: Amy asked where to find carpenter's tool boxes. Please send me your email address and I'll ask DH if he has any similar pieces. dseelyATfrontiernetDOTnet

Busy, Busy, Busy

Summer is always a busy time for all of us, including me.  Besides the so-far-unsuccessful job hunt, I've been trying to catch up on various loose ends and UFO's around the homestead and even succeeded in some cases. 

Mom took me on a short bus trip over the 4th of July 

holiday to the Hudson River valley.  The highlight of the trip was the boat ride down the Hudson and mooring in the river to watch the Macy's fireworks.  There were just no better seats to be had...there was nothing between our boat and the fireworks but the Coast Guard.

Outside stuff is underway for the season.  Various projects are in process or in maintenance mode:

--Like weeding (it never ends, especially with all the rain we've had)

--Keeping the pool clean enough to use in between previously mentioned rain showers

--Getting some much neglected gardens beaten into submission (also in between the rain showers).  

--Being a horse show Mom...actually I'm more of a fence post, but it's nice to be needed.

Actually, the rain usually comes in deluges; we have l

iterally had a stream running through our back 40 quite often this summer.  Thanks to some raised beds that DH put in last year, the veggies are not drowning and are growing, well, like weeds!

The inside stuff list actually has some things completed:

--The floor in my sewing room/office has been tiled (to match the kitchen floor).

--Everything is pretty much back in the sewing room (no small feat there)

--I have boxes of stuff marked and ready to go to the flea market with a friend, or sell on craigslist or ebay (or maybe even having a garage sale? eek!)

Inside stuff that's partly done:

--DD's western show shirt (needs final fitting, collar, cuffs & bling)

--Business plan 

Business plan, you say?  Yes, even though the economy is pretty shaky, I'm looking (seriously) into starting up my own fiber processing mill.  I have an appointment this week with an advisor; it's amazing what help is out there for the asking.  I've got my plan to the "needs editing" point.  There's a good chance that we (need DH for advice) will be visiting some mills later this week to see different manufacturer's equipment in operation.  

If you'd like to participate in the planning, I've created a little survey that will help me determine my future customers' needs.  It's at Click Here to take survey (it's on Survey Monkey).  Thanks, in advance, for your help!