Lattice Under Porch Started

Stocked up on some lumber at Lowes Wednesday morning for the lattice/garden storage project. I wasn't pleased with the quality of the lattice particularly the way they were put together. Looking closely (above) at the way these things are manufactured, a better staple would work better as they tend to fall apart too easily unless handled gingerly.

Simple carpentry chores is a good change of pace from the sometimes grueling landscaping I've been doing the last few weeks. Unfortunately there isn't much of this work left. Anyway, the west side of the cabin is beginning to improve.

You'll probably notice there aren't many pictures from these angles. I have never been fond of the addition that was added within the last five years by the previous owner that serves as the laundry area. A stacked washer and dryer had been located in the kitchen making it quite crowded I would guess.

The addition did not take the stain job the same as the white pine logs because it's rough panel type plywood. Additionally there is no chinking. Maybe a solid stain paint job with off white chinking is in the cards? Once I spray paint the lattice I may have a better idea of the color. The same color looks well matched on the creek side of the cabin with the larger storage area.

Before starting the project...

This larger open area accesses the water shutoff valve from the spring. I thought about creating a swinging door for it but laying a loose panel in the area works just as well (below). It also serves as a good lumber storage area.

A wider view before...

And halfway into the project...

From another angle...

Now the hard part; how to frame out the enclosed storage area. I may have some pictures by the end of the day.


PM- With a paint job...

Started framing...

It's Gotta Go - Rain Barrel

Every time I walked past this spot (several times a day) I kept saying to myself, "it's gotta go." Last year it was a good idea considering the drought in the area, but this summer's rainfall looks to be average after a wet spring. And besides I can always pump water out of the creek if need be. What to do with it? Pull the chainsaw out and cut 'er in half for some flower arrangements? All the weeds are gone. Good spot for a big bushy thing that covers the whole area?

Let's see what Jennifer the landscape designer says Thursday. Oh, I didn't mention that? I spent some time at Little g's Nursery in Cherrylog (about 20 minutes northwest) last Thursday and was informed one of the owners can pay a personal visit and put together some ideas for a fee. At least this way I'll know what could grow here and there instead of the mass experimentation going on around here. I suggested a trade for ideas to increase her web site visibility.

I should get into more bartering. I had the stone place interested but they suddenly closed up shop earlier this year. River Street Grille was ready to go in exchange for food, but he closed down too:(

Some pictures at Little g's...




And about those other projects I was gung ho about? I needed a rest from the heavy manual work for a few days and pay attention to some book work. A few bushes that caught my interest.

Burning Bush - turns a bright red in the fall. It sounded good until I read this blog article.

"Full sun for best results." Not a whole lotta that around here.

Some color in the winter months?

Yuletide Camellia

Some Misc Pictures

Looking through pictures taken last year. View going east on 52 about 1.5 miles from home. Hillcrest Orchards (apple house) on right. Very busy place in the fall that includes an animal petting farm. On the left the Cartecay fire house.

Here's one taken about ten miles east of the above location looking west, also on State Road 52...

Looking northeast from 52 to Southern Road across a corn field...

Two restaurants in town have closed this summer. Here's on I visited once. It had been the location of the Davis House Restaurant that has since moved out of downtown. Website is far out of date. I spent some time here but after they moved it wasn't the same.

And my favorite restaurant River Street Grille (below) closed down as well. Apparently not enough business, yet the owner Steve did a great job with it in my opinion. I only wish him well in wherever he surfaces. Another honorable mention, especially for breakfast goes to the Cornerstone Cafe located just off the square.

I couldn't forget to mention the Cajun Depot Grille. Sorry no website or pics. Nice spicy down south Cajun food. Pretty waitresses too!

Here's the big movie house up in Blue Ridge!

These things practically fell apart after a few weeks...waste of money. DCon works just as well, but I think the mice may be into the wiring again as the AC hasn't been working this summer. Haven't had the need. The ceiling fans cool the place nicely.

On the porch last August...in shorts after a morning workout! Danged chiggers are still around. Long pants and boots this year:( Hopefully cooler September weather will send them packing.

And the Chinese restaurant. Great folks at Tin Loong and a good buffet. Not a lot of restaurants serve liquor up here if that's a necessity. East Ellijay, yes. Ellijay, no.

Q - "Hey, whatcha taking that picture for?"

A - "I am a mysterious restaurant critic"

Photos From Higher Up - Roof

I'm able to get on the flat part of the roof for a different perspective. Above shows the new garden area, termed Pete for thew time being. Lot's of room here for ??

Roughed up pressure treated 6 x 6 garden and extra parking area completed about a week ago. It's a tight fit but ideal for a compact car. Makes turning around much easier now. I didn't consider the size when planning. But oh well, mountain terrain was never made to be simple or easy.


In the next one, I thought the creek would stand out better in the background.

This one shows how the wood chip trails disappear into the woods.


And on the southwest side; area near the stone bench. Now you get an idea of the lawn browning I've complained about.

I have certainly been doing some updates recently. Hopefully I can keep it up. Now and then there comes a time when I don't have the desire to. Quite frankly I thought I was running out of things to do around here until gardening became an interest.

The property has so much diversity to work with, specifically the east side of the cabin on the other side of Pete. There's an area that holds quite a bit of rain and spring water runoff that should prove interesting to play around with.

Here's a pic from last winter showing the area. Well, uhm...it must be on the desktop that's been giving me problems. Maybe when I get that bugger looked at. Incidentally the other laptop is repaired. Headed into town to pick that up. Perhaps many pics dating back to 2007?

Not so.

Neglected Projects - Back To Life

I've abondaned a few projects along the way. It's kind of... well...I'm not in the mood for that today. One in particular is this cabinet I was going to make to store all of my video equipment. Started in late June, it still sits on the side porch under a tarp.

I spent a half day on that one and was asked "are you sure you want to start that now?" Somebody was right. Six weeks and no progress. I'm still not in the mood. When finished it will stand eight foot tall by about 44 inches wide and will go against the wall where the clock is.

Here's another stalled project down near the creek. This one has been going on since last September. I had ideas to stick a fire pit in there somewhere but...I may have other places for it. I may just extend the same dimension for the path and create a low growing garden in between it and the creek?

And the next one has really been bugging me. What a frigging mess. I do need a little extra area underneath to store stuff especially the plant things as they are begining to get numerous. You would think there's enough room in the original storage/tool shed but half of it is taken up by furniture that I brought up from Florida. I had plans to put an addition on this place where Fred now "stands." But I don't think it's a wise choice for now.

So. I'm going to give it a whirl and create some space under there with a lattice cover. This one sounds promising. I just may head out to Lowes for some lumber. Somebody, I wonder who? Hinted at creating a small space for garden stuff and I think she's right. It would fit in nicely.

Hopefully it will look something like this, but not white.

Before on east side...

After...