ICE STORMS make for lazy days and great photos..

New Year and unfinished projects!

Ahh, the New Year and the reality of things not yet done...Must get busy, motivated and finish this. I can't begin to tell you how a condition like A.D.O.P. can effect my life. I get these "ideas" and usually jump in head first.

 The garden behind the fence is going to be moved to this side, inside that rock lined area!!

It became apparent to me that the sitting area I favor is not roomy enough for me and my crew. So, taking off the front porch railings, removing a garden, while expanding a rock walkway into a patio sounded reasonable to me. Out comes my trusty sledge hammer!

Done! It actually took me a looonng weekend. Then the summer drought set in!! Never fear I have a sprinkler...

Stairs are out. Now, bring in the new and improved...Love doing this kinda work...It last, unlike my attempts at laundry, dishes and leftovers!

2 weeks, later!! For those of you who noticed the weird little cardboard brackets on either side of the porch post...Well, that's my idea of a visual aid...I removed the railings and noticed how dinky my post were...Hence, they need a little architectural pick me up. Trying to describe what's in my head is difficult at times...Most of the time.

Now, if I can only find a sawmill that can cut me 5, 3"x 8"x 8 foot rough cut boards!! I'm still waiting for that lead...

These are the times I like to sit back a smell the flowers....and dream of the day when the rock rose and other sedums will cover the crevasses of my patio...

Houzz is calling!!

Got some exciting news today. Houzz.com published an article on my Upcycled Greenhouse! A few months ago they contacted me a ask if I'd be interested in having a featured article covering the project...??? Woo-Hoo!! I had a string of emails to and from, along with a very pleasant phone interview. The final article is very well done and I couldn't be more pleased. Here's a link if you'd like to check it out.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5166320/list/Scope-Out-a-Family-Greenhouse-Grown-From-Scraps

Next! Windows Are Limitless Fun...

I had this very pretty, little window in hopes of incorporating it into my "green" house...But, since it would throw off my ideal of a symmetrical design, it had to go elsewhere..Ooo!! Another stained glass window in shades of pale blue and aquas. That would be lovely...

This little shed has been begging for a makeover....Let's get started ...Mama wants her own workshop!

I simply placed the window in my desired locale and traced it to mark the cut out. I set my circular saw to the board depth and ta-da! The remaining"insulation" was cut out with scissors, hijacked from my sewing room... I had to relocate the electrical outlet and trim the support back...

Next to finish cutting the trim and paint/stain it all. Should be done by next week...I have so many lil' irons in the fire! I'll post the finished pictures then...This weekend should include gathering rock for my stone floor/porch in the greenhouse...

      And it's done!! Love my view...This should become quite the 
                            inspirational vantage point!! 

                     Changed my mind on coloring the glass 
                         the simplicity is just workin' for me.

Upcycling is the coolest thing ever!

 Recycled wooden windows = My Greenhouse!!

The foundation is level and square. I anchored it with re bar in place.

and we began...

It took about a day and half to erect the walls..I still had laundry and meals to supply the troops...This though was rewarding work and time well spent with my lil' 3 (kiddos)

I originally envisioned doing a gabled roof. Wow, the cost of those roof panels are ridiculous...and this used  a lot less...My motto, Over come and Adapt! Besides, I've always wanted to have exposed decorative rafters!!

 

I pondered on this...???  
Hum, How do I close up that roof grade?
I used the trim from the roofing panels...

I'm very pleased with the rustic appearance 

...beautiful view...

It dawned on me that the land grade was gonna make it impossible to open the door ...
That is when I get one...I want to make a "Dutch" door. 

I'm gonna use the excavated soil to back fill the greenhouse and level the inside floor.
I have an abundance of wonderful stone on our property
and I plan to make a stone floor and front patio...

I want this to be the top half of my "Dutch" door...

As you see I still need a few more windows and to construct the door...Patience is a virtue...
But, I have other projects underway to keep us busy and learning...



Well, let's jump back a ways and share some additional photos...

Again, ignore the photo dates...I'm NOT good with electronics...This was the beginnings. As, my family sat on the porch looking puzzled...I began to see a pattern...

 This is my kiddos "raised" bed we built earlier in the spring. It gave me the idea for the greenhouse foundation.

I got a door! $15!! It was actually sitting on the porch of a lovely farm house a few miles from us...I took a chance and stopped to inquire...After all the worst thing that could of happened was being asked to leave, escorted by a shot gun!

I took the lock apart, cleaned it, added a little WD-40 and it works! I still need to go key shopping. Not that the greenhouse needs to be locked but, Anna my 10 year old does.

   Building the door framing was simple enough. The trim part was fun. I used a scrap piece of plate rail to create a decorative header. Then purchased 2, 8 foot lengths of this little vine embossed trim to hide the seam from the rough framing.

I installed a closet catch to accommodate the antique locks dual dasher.

The kiddos & my hubby to the rescue! We have an abundance of wonderful stone on our property but gathering can be a chore. This where again my Papa's words come back to me. "Many hands make the work light." The floor and foundation are in and beautiful. I still have the lil' porch area to do...

Aww, I'll get there.

 Two more window areas to do...A transom is going to be over the door and another fixed window to the left of it. I'm fairly convinced that I'll have to find/purchase glass and construct a frame for these areas.

Love the door. Stained and trimmed it looks like it's been the for all of it's 104 years of life!