Visitors

Last night we got home from a social event and I found this guy on my kitchen window ledge. He wasn't at all bothered by my talking to him from two feet inside the window. The window was open a little, so I reached up and closed it so he would have a bit more room. Because he was so patient with my activities, I thought he might be sick.

I went and took a picture from another angle so I could try to identify him. His feathers were so white and he had a pretty crest, so I thought at first it was a cockatoo, but the beak was definitely not a hook-bill! I heard a kafuffle at about 5:30 and thought it was him leaving. When I got up later, he was gone.

At about 8:00, this lady showed up on my other window ledge. She had the same weird feathers around her legs (They looked very cumbersome!).

She tolerate me for a few minutes, then flew down onto the lawn. So I went out the front door and looked into the garden and this is what I found.

Now I'm convinced that he's hurt as he didn't even try to move when I got close (about 6 feet away). I'm going to call the local wildlife rehab place this morning and see if they can help hm.

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I spoke with the wildlife rehab centre and they told me that they are homing pigeons, based on the description. They need some food, water and rest and in a day or so, they'll head home.

I put out some rice, corn and split peas, all uncooked, and some water (it needs to be at least two inches deep for them to be able to drink it (who knew?).

They have both relaxed and preen themselves and each other and have now moved up into the kitchen window. Don't know if they'll be here tomorrow, but they're fun to watch!

Klutzes

So last night, the mister and I went to a meeting with Devon and Andrew. Details maybe later.

As we left Sh'less Joe's, I pointed to a plant and said to Devon, these are so soft, feel it. As I leaned forward, there was a brick in the sidewalk sticking up and I stumbled on it, falling almost on my face right in the middle of this lovely plant. The whole thing was hilarious!

Later at their house, The Mister was coming down the stairs and slipped (wool socks on hardwood) and fell on the stairs.

After some laughing and talking, we went to go to bed and I couldn't find my glasses. I called the restaurant, and was told that they hadn't been left on the table. I went downstairs to look for them and couldn't find light switches. I asked Devon where the switch was, by then everyone was up and looking around. We looked all over the house. Nada. Andrew called his parents in case they had inadvertently picked them up. (Long shot, but hey, you never know!)

I remembered back to my clumsy manoeuvre from earlier and decided to drive back to Sh'less Joe's. Yup, there they were, right in the middle of the plant I had previously squashed.

As we left for the airport this morning, Devon cautioned us ... "Don't fall".

I texted her when we landed. She texted me back, "Have ya fallen?"

Brat!

I keep thinking about it and laughing till I'm in tears.

Dinner at Meg's tonight .... first of two graduation ceremonies tomorrow.

Viola Update

Having blistered the end of my thumb to the point that I couldn't hold a pen for the rest of the day, I got a good start on carving the inside of my viola.

Here is the front and back, It's hard to see the carving and shaping, but take my word for it ... it's really nice. I've done better on this than I did on the violin that I made.

I've drilled these holes inside to 1 mm less than the amount that will have to be carved out for the correct thickness.

This is where the blister came in. I got down to the bottom of most of the holes on the front. Nice, easy spruce ... but the maple of the back doesn't give up so easily! Once I've gotten rid of all the drill marks, I'll take it to the exact thicknesses. (generally speaking, 2.8 to 3.0 mm)

This is the scroll, I'm taking it with me when we go away so I can mark all of the measurements on it (I'll have a few hours on the plane). The sides just need about 1/2 an hour of work and they'll be ready for the glue.

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Note: I have the font size on my computer set so it is always the same. When CG was here she commented on how the letters on my blog are huge ... I didn't realize I was doing that because of how it shows here. This should look more reasonable.

They're All Done

*** PRESENTING ***

The window toppers

They are all finished and hung.

The corners have a flirty little flip up in the corners.

Here's a close-up.

This pic turned out better than the one I took after I'd stained the rod. The Mister made the rods and brackets.

Next is matching cushions in the bay window and placemats.

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And The Wall Came Tumbling Down

Since the first time we looked at this house, we have wanted to open up a wall in the kitchen. That way it opens the sitting room to the whole kitchen. It wasn't top priority on the "to do" list, but it finally made it to the top.

The plan of attack being discussed.

Take off the first piece of pine and make sure there are no ugly surprises, then start to cut out the rest of the pine from the sitting room wall.

The circular saw is heavy when you're holding it over your head. Taking turns makes it easier.

Just about finished.

Pulling the nails that held the pine on.

Now to start cutting the kitchen side.

It's hard cutting the drywall above your head and between studs on the wrong side of the drywall - or I guess it's the right side of the drywall.

The first peek through.

Trimming the edges.

Getting it ready to put trim on.

There we go ... time for beer. Now we have to go shopping for trim and a railing.

Then there will be flooring and furniture.

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This wasn't part of the wall. Ken brought me some roses the other day and the picture turned out so pretty.

The Valance Project

The valances in our kitchen are tired. Very tired. They are navy blue, that has faded, and they are "old fashioned", I'm told.

My friend Carolyn, who makes all kinds of "window treatments" and gets paid big bucks for it, told me that she was going to teach me how to make valances for my windows. (How hard can it be?) I got the fabric and yesterday afternoon, we started the project.

First we had to measure and cut all the pieces for all five of the windows. That took us most of the afternoon. This is Carolyn working on one of the pieces.

This is me cutting one of the long pieces. This fabric is so pretty and cheerful!

We cut out the pieces for 48 tabs for the tops of the valances. This is me sewing them together after Carolyn left. She loaned me her sewing machine.

After they were all sewn, I trimmed them.

The next step was to turn them right side out and press them. Here they are all sewn, pressed, folded and ready to sew on to the tops of the curtains.

Stay tuned, next Monday is phase two; sewing the valances together and hanging them.

(And wait until you hear about my next 'how-hard-can-it-be' project. Response from my partner in crime for this one - "I'm stoked Granny")

The Viola Progress

With the move I kind of got behind on my viola. I've been back to it and getting some work done on it the past few days. This is the front and back with the purfling set in the groove. Tomorrow, I'll take it out, trim it and glue it in place. I'm pleased with how it came out and now I'm pumped about getting it glued and starting work on the insides.

To give some size perspective. This is the back of the viola alongside the violin that I finished making last year. The size difference shows when they're side by side. When I start my cello this summer, there's a huge size difference. Not to mention the double bass that Bethany and I are going to start making later this year.

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Did the purfling today. I can see the barn door now!

The Visitor

The visitor strolls into the yard, I see it out the window.

It sniffs around and finds a comfy spot by the rhubarb.

Settles in for a little snooze.

Hears Muggins bark, so heads off into the trees behind the antique sattelite dish.

And that my friends is why I am not going to compost!

Stuff

As the weather gets nicer, the guard cockapoo spends more time watching for something to bark at. This week she found a new chin rest.

This was the state of the woodpile on April 5th. This is for next year's heat (our furnace is wood/electric). The Mister has been working on it almost every afternoon. Uncle Roy taught him to sharpen his chain saw, so that saves a lot of time, trips to town and money.

Here it is today .... he's "gettin' 'er done".

While The Mister was out cutting wood I was looking in the "back yard" and found this secret garden. There are hundreds of trilliums budding and blooming right now.

They are so pretty!

No more lollygagging, I have work to do.

The Kids Are Here - Day 4

Today is the last day that the kids will be here. We wanted to make it fun, so after everyone was up (Mya slept in) and going, we went out on a field trip.

We went to Minden to the playground behind the town offices. (The only one we knew of.) We wanted the kids to get the full meal deal, so here's Devon and Gavin going down the slide. He asked for this one a second time, but that was plenty.

Mya played in the sand until it was her turn for us to show her how to have fun with us.

She got to go in the swing, she looked all panicky for the first forward swing, then after that she sat with a completely bored look on her face and endured it.

Gavin wanted to go on the big kids swing. Trying to put him on it was hilarious. We both tried, but it was like trying to put jello on a stick. They were the stupid rubber strap swings. I put this picture here because Devon looks so funny in this pic.

After we both tried, she had a little swing with him on her lap. I do mean little. He was not impressed.

After that we there was teeter todder and monkey bars.

Next stop, Kawartha Dairy. We figured we were going to have a gargantuan mess on our hands after this one.

Nope, a few baby wipes and we were on our way.

We got back to the house with time to sit and chat for a few minutes then load up. The kids' patience was beginning to deteriorate at this point. Devon was headed for Cam's place where Johanne is meeting her and taking over with the kids. Devon is getting Cam from the airport this evening.

This is Granny, locking the door as they left to ensure that nobody could get back in. Granny needs a break from the chaos ... a huge break.

That's why CG is coming up tomorrow .... so Granny doesn't get a break.