Dec. 26th

Ceiling fan getting installed. We need to get wall built on right side of stairs so wire can be worked down to the switch box.

Wow 40 degrees today. Nice day to be up north, blue skies too. Ben tried out his pellet gun out back. Woodstove kept place very toasty.

I'm sick of posting pictures of the stairs, but we got to the last two and then they will all be installed. Need table saw to cut two risers and then we will be done.

Anyways enough steps were done that kids and dogs are going upstairs. Hank was totally freaked about being upstairs, funny since he climbs trees at the drop of a squirrel.

Hunter was sleeping next to me while I sat in chair. We built a safety rail on end and need to fill it in a bit to keep everyone from leaning over the edge. First step is a doosie.....

Dec. 18th

Mr. Hank trying out the first steps that are completely nailed down. Actually screwed and glued....
Remianing steps will be done next trip. We had to repair the center support and let it harden(gluewise) and we ran out of shims for the face risers.

We built the scaffolding back up in the living room area to install the ceiling fan next.

Need to build wall upstairs to allow for wiring to travel from crawl space to upstairs too.

Turkey day

Well weather held off and temps were in the mid-50's. We went up on Friday and slept over night. The woodstove did its job, will be really nice once the insulation gets done.





On Saturday, the stairs were assembled and screwed into place. The treads are still loose but everything else is screwed down. I ripped the risers to correct height and they are ready to go.

Next step is to glue and screw the treads down. From the measurements, it does not look good for the stove unit, it is too tall to fit in the place we need it to go. If it did not have the microwave it would be ok. Oh well Craigslist I guess.

Raked more leaves up around outside and picked up more junk to throw out. Yard should be ready to be setup for porch next year. Need to move the dog run.

november 12th

Another short day trip. Weather was nice and we ended up in the mid-50's. Took time to rake leaves out front and play with woodstove.

Anyways, the stairs had a bit of a out-of-square issue that needed to be addresed. We ended up adding a 2x4 "shim" to one side to bring the top into square. WOW really off. There was also a problem at the bottom as the floor drops off 1/4inch on one side.

Dealing with that kept the stringers from being cut which would have messed up the stairs. Everything in the picture is held together with 2 long woodscrews currently, do not walk on the steps!!!

Next trip we need to trim the risers and start the glue and screw.

Told the neighbors work crew I do not like their idea of dumping their leaves into my front yard especially since I just raked my yard. A "gran torino" moment.

stairs stairs stairs

Well October 30th was mild and clear ( for once). Woodstove really worked to get cabin into the comfortable range ( 65-70 degrees).

Our only task was the staircase, taking the trial run and adjusting our "real" 2x12's took two tries but better right then making firewood.

Pictures show the efforts made, the system of parts are tacked in place, the cutting and moving and re-marking wore me out. Know when to quit!!!! Took time to stare at it and drink a hot tea ( Earl Grey of course).

Had a really cool looking red headed woodpecker eating at the birdfeeder. And lots of squirrrels.

Next trip we will make final adjustments to the stringers and then glue and screw time. Need to setup table saw to cut the stair treads.

Oct. 23rd leaf raking day

R we there yet???



Sheesh everyone grumps about driving up north sometimes, or they are all asleep.




Fall 2011 from the front porch. Would be nice if those two buildings went away, you can see the lake but the camera doesn't show it very well.




Self portrait. Nice day at cabin, we were there by 11AM and had a good time, pizza for lunch. Temps in cabin were 40ish and within an hour had it up to 65 then to 75 with the woodstove working. Heat is definitely upstairs not worried about heating house as I was previously. hunter was snoring on couch, all tired out from walking and playing outside. Hank curled up in front of stove.

Zone electric should take care of bath and bedrooms. Really wished we could have done the insulation this year. We got the stairs template cut out. I used a scrap piece of wood for our first run, really hard to visualize the whole thing till I cut it out then it fell into place. I can see why some carpenters do not do stairs and leave it to others.


And yes, it is a tad low where we want to put the oven unit. Try not to notice that detail just yet. Or the really small closet space that will be created behind the stairs. Oh well.

October 1st- feels like November

Well every year has this day,time to shut down the cabin. Night time temps were about 33-35 degrees and someone had to stay up to keep the fire going. We camped out and did ok, burned a lot of wood though. Breakfast was a culinary delight and even the boys got a plate of eggs and bacon with side of potatoes. Hank and hunter are working on "wait" in the picture .
Ben is learning the hatchett. He has a bit to go in that department.
End of the year, flannel season will commence!!! The coathook will get installed next year as soon as we insulate the walls and such. We will still go up and play but no overnites at the cabin during the winter.

We have several projects to work on too, stairs are all stained and ready to go. That would be a big help in working on the upstairs. Electric needs to be run and in place then we insulate.

Finish the bathroom, insulate ceiling and hang drywall, install tub etc.

Plenty to do, supplies are there waiting for us to install.