Mostly for the past couple of weeks, we've not been working inside the house but rather working on getting the interior of the garage finished. That, in itself, seems a project that just may go on forever, but I know that's not really the case. (Pul-eeze tell me it's not the case.)
We've gotten the three-sided storage area on the back end of the garage completely closed in now with a wall and good, stout door.
This little room will be primarily for storage of our generator.Today we decided to tackle getting the wood stove back into the house and hooked up in the living room. (I know it's hard to imagine that it will be cold and we'll want to use it someday despite the fact that we currently feel we'll never again long for the warmth of a cozy wood fire.)
The stove is an air-tight, solid cast iron one and after today I'm convinced it weighs about 2,000 pounds. Actually, the weight is closer to 300 pounds but after having to man(andwoman)handle it today, who cares? It felt like 2,000 pounds.
It may look like it would have been an easy project but it was quite the feat getting the stove not just through the whole house and into this corner of the living room, but then maneuvering it into just the right spot so the stovepipe, when hooked up, was level side to side and front to back. I can't begin to count how many times we moved it a quarter inch this way, a half inch that way.
Whether it's perfectly placed now or not, that's where it's going to stay! Cross that item off our list. Whew.I took a slow tour of the garden this morning and found no army worms. But I did find another variegated cutworm on the same peas that we found the other ones yesterday. I made myself (wearing gloves) remove the worm, throw him on the ground and smoosh him completely. Utterly. Totally. Nuthin' resembling a worm left.
I had a very nice note from a blog friend in Wisconsin saying she had a terrible variegated cutworm infestation about a month ago. She's had success eradicating the buggers from her flowers and veggies using spinosad, a biological pesticide.
I could have picked strawberries again today but put that off until tomorrow so we could work on the stove project. Good thing I'll have something to do tomorrow!
Better you get the stove in before you need it than wait til there is a sudden cold snap. Enjoy the strawberries tomorrow. The door looks great .... looks just like the one I had put in to replace the old wood door to my back porch. I got the one with the blinds in the glass, love it, since porch gets so much afternoon sun.
ReplyDeleteTombstone Livestock - I've seen the doors with the blinds encased in the glass, but have been afraid of them since what in the world would you do if the mechanism goes kaputz? Call me a Worry Wart. :o}
DeleteThe stove looks so nice - all ready to go. We actually were using our wood stove just two weeks ago when it was dipping in the low 30's. But like you, we have the hot weather now and red flag warnings for thunder and lightning storms - we are between storm cells right now.
ReplyDeleteYour addition to house your generator is such a great thing. When winter does finally arrive again, you will be resting comfortably!
2 Tramps - Yup, it didn't make much sense to have a generator for emergency situations if it was sitting out in the frigid weather and wouldn't start!
DeleteWe've needed to armstrong a stove or 2 and those suckers are heavy! & I'll have to say we were never able to get the pipe straight with out a few *colorful* words tossed in
ReplyDeleteKatidids - There were many grunts and groans and "colorful" words flying around here yesterday. Fortunately, we were both still able to get out of bed this morning!
DeleteYour wood stove looks perfectly placed and so cozy! Have you ever tried diatomaceous earth? I am new to using it this year, but I had worms in my lettuce and just sprinkled some on and around and it got rid of them, and I haven't had any since. It is safe for animals (actually good for them), and humans if you come in contact with it.
ReplyDeleteShannon - Yes, we've had good luck with diatomaceous earth in the past. Also (sigh), some instances where it didn't seem to do a thing. But thanks for the reminder to give it a try again.
DeleteYour living room is looking good. I really like how the stove looks in that corner.
ReplyDeleteWe hit 40C today so there was no going outside.
Sparkless - Thank you, ma'am! Ugh to your weather! Ours is starting to moderate and it feels heavenly after sizzling for so long.
Deletewell look at your room,fancy pansy--so art deco look,seriously,our 100 year old cabin in the north woods, never had this beauty and we were always straightening the smoke stack.It may not have felt its wt. today but till winter comes ,I bet heat a lot good things about it
ReplyDeletejudy - We felt a little silly making the big push to get it totally installed yesterday (while we were sweating) but you're right . . . wood heating weather will be here before we know it!
DeleteI left a little something for you on my blog
DeleteOh, you silly gal. Is there ever NOTHING to do?
ReplyDeleteLOL!
But, I like it that way. Keeps life interesting.
Glad you got the stove in without busting/injuring/mutilating something. It'll be worth it in a couple weeks when winter is back.
Sue - Who says there was no busting/injuring/mutilating of body parts? Actually, I'm surprised I don't feel some achey/pulled/torn muscles this morning. Guess it goes to prove that I'm a tough old duck. Quack.
DeleteI love your stove...so unique looking. I'm looking for a nice wood stove to replace the pellet stove in our Great Room. I just never "warmed" up to it...
ReplyDeleteLynda - Thanks for the nice words about our wood stove. We like it because it also opens up into an open fireplace for enjoying on cozy winter evenings. Hope you find a great replacement for your pellet stove.
DeleteThat is the CUTEST stove! And doesn't it look perfect with your bricked-in wall behind it. I tell you, Martha Stewart will be knockin on your door! (Just don't let her in..heehee)
ReplyDeleteSusan - To me, the living room is still looking very bare and undecorated. (Maybe because that's the way it is? :o\) But I just haven't put the time and effort into making it "just right" yet. If Martha wants to send a crew and $$$, I'll get it done real fast!
DeleteHey Mama Pea ~ love LOVE your wood stove nook! Your place is coming together so beautifully!! What, um, 'fond'(?) memories you and Papa Pea can reminisce over as you warm yourselves near your lovely wood stove this winter. :) You two are so hardworking.... and I love hearing, and seeing, about what all you're doing.
ReplyDeleteLisa - We were lying in bed last night talking over how very slow the finishing of the new "generator room" is proceeding and said (trying to encourage ourselves) that once it's done, it will be done forever and we'll forget this period of struggle when everything is going so slow.
DeleteWhat a nice little stove. And I love it's little corner. You're right that remodeling is never ending. Or so it seems. sigh
ReplyDeleteLeigh - Thanks! I know we've gotten great amounts done (as you have!) but it's hard not to keep looking at that list of ALL that remains to be done. Ugh. Sigh.
DeleteThe stove and surround looks great! I'm jealous your generator has a room LOL you should see mine - when it gets fired up after a hurricane I have about 3 lock cables snaked around it and lock it to the deck so it doesn't get stolen, pretty redneck but it's better than none at all hahaha!
ReplyDelete