tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81995276460208820172024-03-15T21:09:57.708-04:00DuWest RenoKaren (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-10250729929164073412014-09-26T09:37:00.001-04:002014-09-26T09:37:52.076-04:00Go Sens!!!With two boys and a husband who (to my great surprise) has revealed himself to be a hockey nut, a lot of our life revolves around the game. Never with as much excitement as Wednesday night, though. It even far surpassed the great <a href="http://duwestreno.blogspot.ca/2013/05/the-hockey-trifecta.html" target="_blank">Flying Puckheads victory of 2013</a>. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Alex suited up with the Ottawa Senators for an exhibition game agains the Leafs!!! We played hooky and headed off to Ottawa to see him play in his first NHL game. Surely that's a good enough reason to miss a bit of school... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKoFG5kyeTqWDzlHPcdDMFgAdUUuhszqzQ0VzgszcMcZJTGIimaBXylaJRJ81m90YrTZTXsv0eUgMOAqc7actd7Hh_W2fbVmrJ8OWbh53qD1RyIPv8FhVcGFxbC9zaHtdD3FM006is-Q/s1600/IMG_9205+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKoFG5kyeTqWDzlHPcdDMFgAdUUuhszqzQ0VzgszcMcZJTGIimaBXylaJRJ81m90YrTZTXsv0eUgMOAqc7actd7Hh_W2fbVmrJ8OWbh53qD1RyIPv8FhVcGFxbC9zaHtdD3FM006is-Q/s1600/IMG_9205+-+Version+2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
For the non-hockey fans, that's him in red. It was amazing to see him play out his dreams and to see the effect that it had on our boys. Suddenly anything was possible if you worked hard enough for it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkgbLvj-HOFvFogrR0u_p9yzo2lCbElgbx_zvtviDTN1xoqKi3jDIdAGO6Ylb5GxAAxqUdvilL2li8RKM8MhgQSSropLxeGXgTiAcGn7NJMxOKWVeBxJoCtKbj8I8uKrSb6yXVr1YBzo/s1600/IMG_9108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkgbLvj-HOFvFogrR0u_p9yzo2lCbElgbx_zvtviDTN1xoqKi3jDIdAGO6Ylb5GxAAxqUdvilL2li8RKM8MhgQSSropLxeGXgTiAcGn7NJMxOKWVeBxJoCtKbj8I8uKrSb6yXVr1YBzo/s1600/IMG_9108.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During the game Cal solemnly announced that he decided that when he grows up he is going to play for the Senators, because he's just like his cousin. Poor lamb doesn't realize that neither Alan nor I have the energy to ever get him there, even if he had the talent. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the end I can't really decide who was the most fun to watch. Alex, the boys, or Uncle Stew, who I feared might have a stroke before the game even got underway! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRVdNSb5X1q73foVnbQuPECCIy3CUhgiFECERru28eglIxf03D1hgqltJEThFUtGuOt98fTGkMpNR2yftlh6kvL7AJgtlEGQkM_Km91yqJSstSUi-zl_SZ1H2GThUIqyktg6yshnwk3c/s1600/IMG_9111+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRVdNSb5X1q73foVnbQuPECCIy3CUhgiFECERru28eglIxf03D1hgqltJEThFUtGuOt98fTGkMpNR2yftlh6kvL7AJgtlEGQkM_Km91yqJSstSUi-zl_SZ1H2GThUIqyktg6yshnwk3c/s1600/IMG_9111+-+Version+2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELz9i1x2yQiMncUQqL_YApXHpULWbpvzCVmCg1m107d4MfbKj87KoqQQsutHVYuKJacWTlGaN3cWQRMwRIdNstcCYTbyiEY6UjLbawuY465Upwy1HXDCsTXIqLheZvoSs6qC1soV2tEk/s1600/IMG_9137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELz9i1x2yQiMncUQqL_YApXHpULWbpvzCVmCg1m107d4MfbKj87KoqQQsutHVYuKJacWTlGaN3cWQRMwRIdNstcCYTbyiEY6UjLbawuY465Upwy1HXDCsTXIqLheZvoSs6qC1soV2tEk/s1600/IMG_9137.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDoROyVqa863YbdrtF94PVNhD-I3JWq5qdbFe_Fe440z07HexIGqj-pp9iywPmWP1t8dwV0cwUg26Pl6kf4-DE2ICjbXYHyVWDv-bQWo71d7n2wW_XDB3SN9eLoTwRsoTjFcf2mEj2uY/s1600/IMG_9182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDoROyVqa863YbdrtF94PVNhD-I3JWq5qdbFe_Fe440z07HexIGqj-pp9iywPmWP1t8dwV0cwUg26Pl6kf4-DE2ICjbXYHyVWDv-bQWo71d7n2wW_XDB3SN9eLoTwRsoTjFcf2mEj2uY/s1600/IMG_9182.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To add to the excitement, Ryan managed to get us into the Canadian Tire box so we had comfy seats right behind the Leafs goal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcPnAjnXJw_Edlz3AJsZ8EMiRo4SEUNeB5aFzosPSEovKD34wNAls_wdrq8D53ghXlxsJFNZbvcfyn35Ecr0I60HlluvK5yByHy7vO_arWDTn_Ue_IZ99Fg845E_P8FjYb1YcuwU0Ps4/s1600/IMG_9149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcPnAjnXJw_Edlz3AJsZ8EMiRo4SEUNeB5aFzosPSEovKD34wNAls_wdrq8D53ghXlxsJFNZbvcfyn35Ecr0I60HlluvK5yByHy7vO_arWDTn_Ue_IZ99Fg845E_P8FjYb1YcuwU0Ps4/s1600/IMG_9149.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IoPGLrqoRJm36miwGPI0ISqVIqH3jmTWyMe7QstATfrxgbd-eTnnNg1EfMNe-OvoE2rVI0jYvUoaQ19BzM866qNoPjGLL_oSA07Qx2P_jyhdLWiOCmyi3_SVWUVE7hfmDZWSC6h4rSk/s1600/IMG_9226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8IoPGLrqoRJm36miwGPI0ISqVIqH3jmTWyMe7QstATfrxgbd-eTnnNg1EfMNe-OvoE2rVI0jYvUoaQ19BzM866qNoPjGLL_oSA07Qx2P_jyhdLWiOCmyi3_SVWUVE7hfmDZWSC6h4rSk/s1600/IMG_9226.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's not forget that it takes a whole family to raise a hockey star. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjht8jTGFh7aocBJ8gG6g0TbTt2C4a4HD0Tba1_GIMinrfUJuVX8WtIDSZFPxbLJxgSjoSoQgSy6Y4PdiA2zMwu56UidNg-ESIy4ViKXE5teNWAGNOWQXqrA9Kg5lN_6zDiAJ7V_uj6NM/s1600/IMG_9229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjht8jTGFh7aocBJ8gG6g0TbTt2C4a4HD0Tba1_GIMinrfUJuVX8WtIDSZFPxbLJxgSjoSoQgSy6Y4PdiA2zMwu56UidNg-ESIy4ViKXE5teNWAGNOWQXqrA9Kg5lN_6zDiAJ7V_uj6NM/s1600/IMG_9229.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iTPM-lm7hp8m0n_Cj5UjySp-DVXJNo_Bws3pozcmlf8sz-Nei2me5fyYa4leHi1exEijgYy98eq9v8Qu6v95mZPDDeWV_bqf9pXY9Vmo8ieDnQTnTJgu4LN0W3pWJzhOSbpWxk8uu4g/s1600/IMG_9262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iTPM-lm7hp8m0n_Cj5UjySp-DVXJNo_Bws3pozcmlf8sz-Nei2me5fyYa4leHi1exEijgYy98eq9v8Qu6v95mZPDDeWV_bqf9pXY9Vmo8ieDnQTnTJgu4LN0W3pWJzhOSbpWxk8uu4g/s1600/IMG_9262.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was a long, hard road, but he's finally arrived. Congratulations, Alex! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNT2paRRk_zV7gb2KCwnY_-OVJUZh5Um62VsZfpOm-Be76UPhhOuVxVu0fgId8aPY34lLpoGyXgX_DyY8TggDIs4tfv5sqGhZVidSWyIRK2Pb9-SSjWyE4ThuDYCkSsSA48b9yHCmYpM/s1600/IMG_9209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNT2paRRk_zV7gb2KCwnY_-OVJUZh5Um62VsZfpOm-Be76UPhhOuVxVu0fgId8aPY34lLpoGyXgX_DyY8TggDIs4tfv5sqGhZVidSWyIRK2Pb9-SSjWyE4ThuDYCkSsSA48b9yHCmYpM/s1600/IMG_9209.JPG" height="552" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-54189246070594787672014-09-20T16:28:00.001-04:002014-09-20T16:28:09.302-04:00Truly nerdy art...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
... or how to repurpose random crap from around your house into art for your husband's office! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAa_ORK02yl-AIUoPi41JznyBOnoQ-09yTl8-iZAlOJntq_S6SQ98Xs1QwI2bJmf4cJJQS7KmJg4_AaeCdI7iAqiOluFWBUoFgt1DohMsbF3O06Rki6BWWz0tzbEHSGpR9o4IlI4mgMc/s1600/IMG_9034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAa_ORK02yl-AIUoPi41JznyBOnoQ-09yTl8-iZAlOJntq_S6SQ98Xs1QwI2bJmf4cJJQS7KmJg4_AaeCdI7iAqiOluFWBUoFgt1DohMsbF3O06Rki6BWWz0tzbEHSGpR9o4IlI4mgMc/s1600/IMG_9034.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
It's September, and I've been struck once again by fall clean-out syndrome. I don't know why it happens, but every year when school starts I'm struck by how many home improvement projects I have on the go and how much junk we have that I'd like to get rid of. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So earlier this week I made a "gentle" suggestion to Alan that he might want to go through his clothes and perhaps get rid of several hundred old t-shirts. He <u>really</u> likes t-shirts, and has a bigger collection than anyone I've ever met. The majority of which he never has on his back - they just take up space in our closet and drive me little batty. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, he dug out these beauties that we get at our departmental retreat every fall that he never, ever wears. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDHendvvSgAEInrcR1EeWJz_Sh7VWU5OQvHeqK6FjNfm_yTBVGdUIyfw4TBo8frH8tgJZmy-8ntqZzHRmu2bNTY_cLiHCUjLm_fi82MxvNumP2Rk1EH1SUa1uB-7HHI663bWlZSyZHgE/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDHendvvSgAEInrcR1EeWJz_Sh7VWU5OQvHeqK6FjNfm_yTBVGdUIyfw4TBo8frH8tgJZmy-8ntqZzHRmu2bNTY_cLiHCUjLm_fi82MxvNumP2Rk1EH1SUa1uB-7HHI663bWlZSyZHgE/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" height="312" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He felt kind of bad throwing them out (hence the squirrelling them away in the closet), but it's unlikely that he'll ever wear them. So I chopped them up and stapled them to some 12"x16" canvases that I had hanging around in the craft room (he's not the only squirreller - I think that I bought the canvases when Cal was an infant for some big art project that never materialized...). So this actually killed two <strike>squirrels</strike> birds with one stone. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They turned out pretty well. Amazingly, the canvases I had were the perfect size to stretch the front of the t-shirt around. I have a couple more to do, but I need more canvases to mount them on. They're going to look good in Alan's office; it's in the interior of the building, with cinder block walls and no windows, so some bright stuff hanging on the wall will make a world of difference. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now to see how long it takes him to actually get them up... </div>
Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-91859257675308823562014-09-15T21:21:00.001-04:002014-09-15T21:21:26.268-04:00Queen West Art CrawlYesterday my mom came into town and we ventured off to the Queen West Art Crawl. Well, we took in the Trinity-Bellwoods portion of it - we had both Cal and Tessa in tow, so we were lucky to see most of the displays in the park before things started to fall apart.<br />
<br />
I was really impressed with how many incredibly talented artists were there. It was similar the One of a Kind show, but better because it was outside on a beautiful fall afternoon and there was live entertainment that could be heard throughout the park while we were browsing. It'll definitely be on my calendar next year, but my mom and I will be smarter and trade in the boy and the dog for my sister/SIL/nieces, who would add greatly to the fun.<br />
<br />
While I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I did end up making a couple of purchases. First was a new addition to the boys' skull collection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AaJ1LrjisyqHYe31ysiAjqkirbkz5QrFDQDaJb7CnjCFcR1nPYLJi8Bccx66zImoJwQLsPaPaZ_DkrsNCiZPbzGLZHfIu9Tin1_GQkDI-CYJOzipS7RkuESPMq8zUv76xcXdk2A3tek/s1600/IMG_9024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AaJ1LrjisyqHYe31ysiAjqkirbkz5QrFDQDaJb7CnjCFcR1nPYLJi8Bccx66zImoJwQLsPaPaZ_DkrsNCiZPbzGLZHfIu9Tin1_GQkDI-CYJOzipS7RkuESPMq8zUv76xcXdk2A3tek/s1600/IMG_9024.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I picked out the one on the right for Matthew, and Cal chose the one in the baseball cap for himself. Matthew was thrilled with it when I brought it home, but when I mentioned putting it in his bedroom he flatly refused. He said he didn't want it watching him sleep at night. Can't say I blame him (imagine waking to that staring at you from your wall), so I think that they'll be relegated to the basement playroom where they can scare the hell out of the neighbourhood children.<br />
<br />
I also treated myself to a new painting for the kitchen. I had three black and white photographs that we bought years ago in NYC hanging on the wall above the breakfast table. I was never happy with them - they were hanging too high and they were too small and insignificant looking in the space.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOQ6csxsnQdHYNHxqUPQdlUZ8sJwInGHvpmzNri6paYUnf-L-27Od2O7KvPfVAvDtRQLNOllgNa-KAikhKqoOTY2LJcZjk1IMPB8JU5Sw_lxQzvThROYVilMJijMp4h_rZjCvEs6YFEE/s1600/IMG_9016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOQ6csxsnQdHYNHxqUPQdlUZ8sJwInGHvpmzNri6paYUnf-L-27Od2O7KvPfVAvDtRQLNOllgNa-KAikhKqoOTY2LJcZjk1IMPB8JU5Sw_lxQzvThROYVilMJijMp4h_rZjCvEs6YFEE/s1600/IMG_9016.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
They've now been replaced by a beautiful still life painted in oil on watercolour paper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDvqNEHRAMG_67jnf4hfW22NpZETBeHnO3LWiUJr8Na4jwcX9DnmE8b7onjG4OsOTD6M1fY_MwwyNMocJNpRKjaMDihEbDK2GXYgvP3pLgJkTfEooOMowmVB86TYsGLKwu3JpBhIHUBg/s1600/IMG_9020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDvqNEHRAMG_67jnf4hfW22NpZETBeHnO3LWiUJr8Na4jwcX9DnmE8b7onjG4OsOTD6M1fY_MwwyNMocJNpRKjaMDihEbDK2GXYgvP3pLgJkTfEooOMowmVB86TYsGLKwu3JpBhIHUBg/s1600/IMG_9020.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hwCpvA-3nSHKMsjL1L_L3QknGGMO62yrIOD2hvfzZWKw31QYcN7YaNRusXyifeyIPH8gRB-UNPxu9w5tiu2RJBzP7SHeNwDjyvWaWrPbLnRmBgrGrm06OROJcgsNyod_o07MURYZhr0/s1600/IMG_9018+-+Version+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hwCpvA-3nSHKMsjL1L_L3QknGGMO62yrIOD2hvfzZWKw31QYcN7YaNRusXyifeyIPH8gRB-UNPxu9w5tiu2RJBzP7SHeNwDjyvWaWrPbLnRmBgrGrm06OROJcgsNyod_o07MURYZhr0/s1600/IMG_9018+-+Version+3.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a perfect fit for the wall space above the bench. I may replace the thin metal frame with something more substantial in the future; I'm not crazy about that style of frame, but it's not bad with the stainless steel appliances. We'll see if it grows on me.<br />
<br />
Kind of like this guy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-4FQElXMkhhR6VS0sqMCJ1qs2YZhJo8xnOHdtwdIQYnZrXHNIV-BZ37eNdUyzzgihafwutoiKWeg_sk_d-yrO1dTSdQKpGvzHunK8d__FTg6SGOteV6uzilet8h4klBeTEORBPN7i_s/s1600/IMG_9026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-4FQElXMkhhR6VS0sqMCJ1qs2YZhJo8xnOHdtwdIQYnZrXHNIV-BZ37eNdUyzzgihafwutoiKWeg_sk_d-yrO1dTSdQKpGvzHunK8d__FTg6SGOteV6uzilet8h4klBeTEORBPN7i_s/s1600/IMG_9026.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2352px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2352px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2352px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2352px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2352px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2352px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2352px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2352px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-62446191050028476492014-09-07T11:44:00.001-04:002014-09-07T11:44:45.890-04:00The magical benchThe deck is almost finished now. There's just a little work still to be done on the doors that close in the lower side where we put the garbage and recycling bins and we're waiting for the glass railing to be installed, but we've been using it a lot this week. With summer finally arriving and all. In fact, I'm sitting on it right now enjoying the warm sun and my morning coffee. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm soooo happy that I happened to see the idea for putting a bench seat along the side to cover the garbage bins. It's like it was fate. It not only puts our bins in a really convenient spot, it also makes great seating in what might otherwise be a dead space along the side by the door. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuJ1PkZCsTBIuymCEOI91f-JNj80bAn0RESGyOd-MY-sig0P6kNtJ9UCnSrG-YVYLXAynobd3dkKoKLTJTQNA-V4xIJsEpQUGKrAAZmjR-xeEAfL7ubiLr4QfLbReq67suAOv1FJdzKQ/s1600/IMG_8952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuJ1PkZCsTBIuymCEOI91f-JNj80bAn0RESGyOd-MY-sig0P6kNtJ9UCnSrG-YVYLXAynobd3dkKoKLTJTQNA-V4xIJsEpQUGKrAAZmjR-xeEAfL7ubiLr4QfLbReq67suAOv1FJdzKQ/s1600/IMG_8952.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82YCWEpSEJYd4M5Pdir8uqSNPx7iaKa1itFQWfjIY9NegX3cmP4cL88OTheI6Wby90MWynwSZJTOmh_16dhpBcx6RJ-G87aQu98X2Mz707jDUVknX8ULzP6rKJ97CHVHsuNQ2tmia_2Q/s1600/IMG_8953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82YCWEpSEJYd4M5Pdir8uqSNPx7iaKa1itFQWfjIY9NegX3cmP4cL88OTheI6Wby90MWynwSZJTOmh_16dhpBcx6RJ-G87aQu98X2Mz707jDUVknX8ULzP6rKJ97CHVHsuNQ2tmia_2Q/s1600/IMG_8953.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We continued the horizontal rough cedar along the front edge of the bench. We thought about using the decking and running it vertically to match the floor, but I decided that I'd rather have the stair walls wrap along in one continuous line. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWEQQ9WsrnyoXPPT9PLtpuO77ebLRm5_1Vtv915T0pFsxI7whWVGBhsBi-LM_yEiVYKvpMzZtf4thtJL2MGa9D_gemx11pRT_tWUPGgpA6q-QO4p4cLDcBcbIhuq3Pnb8C2ksfKvowCc/s1600/IMG_8957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWEQQ9WsrnyoXPPT9PLtpuO77ebLRm5_1Vtv915T0pFsxI7whWVGBhsBi-LM_yEiVYKvpMzZtf4thtJL2MGa9D_gemx11pRT_tWUPGgpA6q-QO4p4cLDcBcbIhuq3Pnb8C2ksfKvowCc/s1600/IMG_8957.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We used the smooth decking material for the top of the benches, and have three hinged lids, each of which perfectly fits two garbage/recycling bins. <span style="text-align: center;">This weekend I rigged it up so that the lids of the bins are attached so that when we lift the seat we don't have to bend in to lift them. It was pretty simple to do using </span><span style="text-align: center;">a few eye hooks and </span><span style="text-align: center;">some chandelier chain that we had down in the basement. </span></div>
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwUgz3UucX2xOIHAsoeugmJQoIF3vyTolhctXp1erSyUBLtfWGmkOWxQ3QjuvOuJUDIBad-5nxWiNd1xgeNt92kNxH_KKOKDSotba33KyVAv0vCgWdV5brB8jEI5XGYSlojawZ0ITODI/s1600/IMG_8942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwUgz3UucX2xOIHAsoeugmJQoIF3vyTolhctXp1erSyUBLtfWGmkOWxQ3QjuvOuJUDIBad-5nxWiNd1xgeNt92kNxH_KKOKDSotba33KyVAv0vCgWdV5brB8jEI5XGYSlojawZ0ITODI/s1600/IMG_8942.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I attached the large eye hooks to the lid of the recycling bins. Luckily, the bins come with a hole in the centre of the front of the lid, so I didn't have to bother with any drilling. The holes were a little large, so I used a couple of washers to keep the eye hooks in place. Then I screwed a small eye hook into the bottom of the bench seat and attached a length of chain to it. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoHB_ordfyMkXRs1XUJcQTHJ7xYTyG358ZLxkwWsI0Gh1HQ22RPZfFQji_ulOYV7vqQ-ku1BPk2BYscoze2eAMbZY26nosDTUm1XZaLlHkLlUPXZshDafcu8wjquXBCVaTYnT7_aOcwc/s1600/IMG_8943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoHB_ordfyMkXRs1XUJcQTHJ7xYTyG358ZLxkwWsI0Gh1HQ22RPZfFQji_ulOYV7vqQ-ku1BPk2BYscoze2eAMbZY26nosDTUm1XZaLlHkLlUPXZshDafcu8wjquXBCVaTYnT7_aOcwc/s1600/IMG_8943.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My original plan was to use S-hooks to attach the chain to the eye hook in the bin, but then I realized that I could just bend the last link on the chain and fashion a hook that would be permanently attached. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDalVLDr9g4CVVL11jPQnS_fCYF8q6FDjVV20KeNirqpUxwwXpcnANLpRoxcApU-sBPCYshA2gr_1m6cs7WlpSs36PlSMvxHzpUVtEk5Nw3xoDEGsTUHvH9b-evwdRNXzU4C8es7jPiXk/s1600/IMG_8945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDalVLDr9g4CVVL11jPQnS_fCYF8q6FDjVV20KeNirqpUxwwXpcnANLpRoxcApU-sBPCYshA2gr_1m6cs7WlpSs36PlSMvxHzpUVtEk5Nw3xoDEGsTUHvH9b-evwdRNXzU4C8es7jPiXk/s1600/IMG_8945.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These ends hook onto the lid of the cans and pull the tops of the bins open when the seat is lifted. Like magic. (...or physics). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpOhPYuh1Q9f3h1uqk7FU2IQGEu9eiGkDvgbDIzUdtW49yEuoAPYB9ujpchgMzTsKiXqj22SXBx1QN3M462gY4EhuTtu5-zKTi2gGokpqERm1eB9S4aw6cwp6Sk14PdDzr_HzWn5epV0/s1600/IMG_8947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpOhPYuh1Q9f3h1uqk7FU2IQGEu9eiGkDvgbDIzUdtW49yEuoAPYB9ujpchgMzTsKiXqj22SXBx1QN3M462gY4EhuTtu5-zKTi2gGokpqERm1eB9S4aw6cwp6Sk14PdDzr_HzWn5epV0/s1600/IMG_8947.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The hooks seem to stay attached to the bins after repeated lifting and lowering of the seat. We haven't tried unhooking them from the side yet, but I think that there should be plenty of length to manoeuvre them into a position where you can easily unhook them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next up is deciding what to do for the bench. I originally thought that I would have seat cushions along the length, but I think I've changed my mind about that. The bench is just under 12 feet long - that's a lot of cushions to store when it rains and over the winter. Plus the height of the bench feels perfect to me now and I think that extra height might be less comfortable. The seats are very deep though, and the rough cut lumber kind of sticks to your clothes when you lean back, so I think that I might make some cushions for the back. I tried out the ones from our outdoor sofa and they were just about perfect. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-E5omQvnffM87wEKjYr0_okL5Q0-DuGkZ3eIZ2sJdv-f7tBg4ywqh6JnT7TK6Yv78NlBxHPx6OtWpFCPIuQVDWkkuKikfcdWIuDqMrMMkvfw3hxZRK1jN9M8v4wfHaz-3vvs1LvtylI/s1600/IMG_8959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-E5omQvnffM87wEKjYr0_okL5Q0-DuGkZ3eIZ2sJdv-f7tBg4ywqh6JnT7TK6Yv78NlBxHPx6OtWpFCPIuQVDWkkuKikfcdWIuDqMrMMkvfw3hxZRK1jN9M8v4wfHaz-3vvs1LvtylI/s1600/IMG_8959.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think I'll wait and see if we really want cushions here though; I'm afraid that they might be more of a pain than they're worth. It's going to be a struggle to find space to store the ones we have now over the winter, and can't imagine almost doubling the amount of space we need. And since winter is all-too-quickly approaching, this is a decision that can easily be put off until next spring! </div>
Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-1313446771822063202014-08-28T22:12:00.000-04:002014-08-28T22:12:21.352-04:00Slowly but surely...... progress on the deck is moving along.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpL58ULVxJKUFNQJG40N8yr4nZ7y4dhJmTdPOJC4d_kFS7URbEc5OwLoH3-Gmq3OY1R7ru_CsLwFFSRn2SNBxpqa848IPO-uc-T7J8EVRaCb2maUfrA9QIq1Dh9DkVxY9aCqjsKWlLxA/s1600/IMG_8926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpL58ULVxJKUFNQJG40N8yr4nZ7y4dhJmTdPOJC4d_kFS7URbEc5OwLoH3-Gmq3OY1R7ru_CsLwFFSRn2SNBxpqa848IPO-uc-T7J8EVRaCb2maUfrA9QIq1Dh9DkVxY9aCqjsKWlLxA/s1600/IMG_8926.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The new stairs are finally complete and it's a joy to not be clambering down the unattached, rickety temporary set we were using. It's especially nice for poor old Tessa who had a lot of trouble navigating the top step, which had about a 16" drop.<br />
<br />
As I'd hoped, the space to the right of the stairway is the perfect spot for the barbecue. We just bought a new Weber charcoal grill with a propane start; Alan is a purist and refuses to use a gas barbecue, but I can't stand how long it takes to get the coals and electric starter set up, and then to actually get them lit and ready to grill. So this Weber was a good compromise. Not to mention that it has a handy, dandy table to set stuff down on while you're grilling and a tilt-out storage place for the charcoal so there's less running back and forth to the shed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbT8bUK-FXiI_2mIbmiR-zJdXA0d-32U_SpptsvyxisvjZzb7TpiNSp0u8qIh5muqMWs825-2-g7BUt1whXqxLyQXbAp-lgyfSMQDpMBy108VqJ3iJDxni79SA6t5L1KJdGvAfXlojsM/s1600/IMG_8912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbT8bUK-FXiI_2mIbmiR-zJdXA0d-32U_SpptsvyxisvjZzb7TpiNSp0u8qIh5muqMWs825-2-g7BUt1whXqxLyQXbAp-lgyfSMQDpMBy108VqJ3iJDxni79SA6t5L1KJdGvAfXlojsM/s1600/IMG_8912.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
But best of all, our new patio furniture arrived just in time for the long weekend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSZD5GzrrD_fH19wfBjwOpKUdab43TGspfGt9V92F1JXZ1IVMZF8DZzyXD4PmhNQDjAOhyphenhyphenLa-1_p9wtNDUyv7p-rnIoRGTgbcLmv26KLSAKdXqqRnXHsjmNt2NJQCtU7foh1UtfSRYRI/s1600/IMG_8914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSZD5GzrrD_fH19wfBjwOpKUdab43TGspfGt9V92F1JXZ1IVMZF8DZzyXD4PmhNQDjAOhyphenhyphenLa-1_p9wtNDUyv7p-rnIoRGTgbcLmv26KLSAKdXqqRnXHsjmNt2NJQCtU7foh1UtfSRYRI/s1600/IMG_8914.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I looked long and hard for a sectional that would fit the space well (and didn't cost many thousands of dollars). A lot of the wicker sofas are built with very wide armrests and backs, and have an enormous footprint. Since our deck is only 14'x12' we couldn't afford monster furniture that would overpower the space. This piece is quite petite for the wicker genre, but at just under 11' fills the space along the side wall.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure about the extra piece along the "L" as it's in front of the sliding glass door. We actually switched out a corner piece for that armless piece as I knew that an "L" would be big for the space. I hoped that this piece would look light enough, but I think that I may move it down onto the lower patio for seating there and just have a straight 4-seater sofa.<br />
<br />
I also need to figure out what we're going to do for a coffee table out there. The table that matched this set was about 4' square and would have blocked the walkway to the stairs so it was a no go. We really need something long and narrow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileS0zi-LhmhrSAB5P-fkSErCwhEo1lVtLYI78Wuj1Z24dG43jcn0NXVvYcILx-WG8K2AQWtCuwLp5rDUuniyohDPsijn9uBfub00CRyz9HG2vmVroJQ4SZLQopUfx4LyCWA9AN3jxBM8/s1600/IMG_8929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileS0zi-LhmhrSAB5P-fkSErCwhEo1lVtLYI78Wuj1Z24dG43jcn0NXVvYcILx-WG8K2AQWtCuwLp5rDUuniyohDPsijn9uBfub00CRyz9HG2vmVroJQ4SZLQopUfx4LyCWA9AN3jxBM8/s1600/IMG_8929.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It didn't take long for Matthew to stake out his place on the deck. And he's still there two hours later, huddled under a blanket in the dark watching Netflix on the iPad. This deck may be more valuable than we ever imagined. It's too bad we're finishing up so late in the summer, but hopefully we'll have some warm fall weather that we can take advantage of!<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1854px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1854px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1854px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1854px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-15225093746270740442014-08-26T13:34:00.000-04:002014-08-26T13:34:52.149-04:00Deck progress and fireplace makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Progress on the deck continues to move forward. Our contractor needed to put the guys on another project for a few days last week as they had a tight deadline to meet, so it's not finished yet. We did manage to make all the decisions about the privacy screens, stairs and deck railings so things should move along quickly now. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvciIs6BJnUielWZnMiPD99ajw90osIapJ0XcVIksWYv3ypQTSCw7vbl24jRzxTGJw6egKadnl9CiHIE_0HSv-tIbG2tes20ke-ltsk8shq4ha6MswlK0NYwmMtD0RaLDuJX1M2mXzD-E/s1600/IMG_8841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvciIs6BJnUielWZnMiPD99ajw90osIapJ0XcVIksWYv3ypQTSCw7vbl24jRzxTGJw6egKadnl9CiHIE_0HSv-tIbG2tes20ke-ltsk8shq4ha6MswlK0NYwmMtD0RaLDuJX1M2mXzD-E/s1600/IMG_8841.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We're using the same rough cut cedar that we used for the board and batten on the back of the house for the privacy screens along the sides. While the siding runs vertically on the house, we're running it horizontally on the deck in a two wide, two narrow board pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-EDDbQBuK7trTxrZ1UyDxFDU5_q4WLxlD8N8VYypZFa7V4ij_42OTeklz-KJvrjdnUPrxw8GEwshnSYd-IZWtRbp15-TNyUPkKQino1OLzgmvSlfdZkuQKZZ2qUThDkbcoaTIs57aPc/s1600/IMG_8845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-EDDbQBuK7trTxrZ1UyDxFDU5_q4WLxlD8N8VYypZFa7V4ij_42OTeklz-KJvrjdnUPrxw8GEwshnSYd-IZWtRbp15-TNyUPkKQino1OLzgmvSlfdZkuQKZZ2qUThDkbcoaTIs57aPc/s1600/IMG_8845.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We also decided to use the same material to fully clad the stairway. In the picture below you can see the old temporary stairs set up where the new ones will be built. So the first step down is inset into the deck, and then on the remaining stairs the horizontal cladding will continue out to the handrail. The front section of the deck will also be clad to ground level so that the concrete pad will be fully hidden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTE8C9pozDM8dRahyShxGIYPF4KcfEEsn5aFI_hsRdvhHRRQgQlkIyAqSyfrpbOgtS2VHiF48dyAWwyihwrSNxTc_M1oSO2yYAVWYCpInch7Kt8AZuO_N8xEQhGWlK06xMS4oF1BipP9U/s1600/IMG_8848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTE8C9pozDM8dRahyShxGIYPF4KcfEEsn5aFI_hsRdvhHRRQgQlkIyAqSyfrpbOgtS2VHiF48dyAWwyihwrSNxTc_M1oSO2yYAVWYCpInch7Kt8AZuO_N8xEQhGWlK06xMS4oF1BipP9U/s1600/IMG_8848.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And with the end for the deck being somewhat in sight, it's made me think about spending late summer evenings in the yard in front of a wood fire. We have an outdoor fireplace that we bought many years ago that's been sitting out behind the shed for a long while. I pulled it out the other day to give it a cleaning, and realized that it needed a lot more than a little scrubbing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9MPw54ZFLMe5FIN24HHqzNji3-xLuVnMB8YZV4mGEve_RBl_j7a8UjWlAP-qT9Ymp7rQDA1j3X0iZ2sDkYOkig7lzjPSUGpHyLsigt-uZJUWUXPthRR4KDNfLllBGeBD9IV4c5Da61k/s1600/IMG_8880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9MPw54ZFLMe5FIN24HHqzNji3-xLuVnMB8YZV4mGEve_RBl_j7a8UjWlAP-qT9Ymp7rQDA1j3X0iZ2sDkYOkig7lzjPSUGpHyLsigt-uZJUWUXPthRR4KDNfLllBGeBD9IV4c5Da61k/s1600/IMG_8880.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BaYj2XEiIu_n_B-fqefgKnsGzaxeZZS9USVEQuleJprp2tsCYqTm_UIazrTBc7BVFllUeIbLSf3LZNAOz1DrcLAj75Dey8i9tGhcv1BstF583dDpN0V5CsVS37_MyZpb94oaTKL8lP0/s1600/IMG_8881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BaYj2XEiIu_n_B-fqefgKnsGzaxeZZS9USVEQuleJprp2tsCYqTm_UIazrTBc7BVFllUeIbLSf3LZNAOz1DrcLAj75Dey8i9tGhcv1BstF583dDpN0V5CsVS37_MyZpb94oaTKL8lP0/s1600/IMG_8881.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The screens on the sides were soooo rusty. After a good scrubbing, first with a cloth and then with steel wool, I sprayed on a couple of coats of heat resistant Rust-oleum spray paint in flat black...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiSYD-2vmTvhK7Yn48UIMXWPEeD2AYtY1OP_DmMUgFix7N9T3WONndRYjDUWbt7tTrM5ALGcfdhwxNpr3LRmjsmq3kjnPROrG9bmqqWfJCCLFAgzY0_Mr7F6eN2UbgNtuWpRiCs5AZDI/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiSYD-2vmTvhK7Yn48UIMXWPEeD2AYtY1OP_DmMUgFix7N9T3WONndRYjDUWbt7tTrM5ALGcfdhwxNpr3LRmjsmq3kjnPROrG9bmqqWfJCCLFAgzY0_Mr7F6eN2UbgNtuWpRiCs5AZDI/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu9uXt4u06Qd3-bS3OYTUeShko2eHi3VNY2fWJ8rwFIx5DtlL-LBELeghpu7th4B6fZyURKXdgYaDITAhB2IbpxTE-Ogf24AvvOpeLoPWnr-Ax-rP0uzp-pdwxop_aG5MIMDnPAYDNS0/s1600/IMG_8895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu9uXt4u06Qd3-bS3OYTUeShko2eHi3VNY2fWJ8rwFIx5DtlL-LBELeghpu7th4B6fZyURKXdgYaDITAhB2IbpxTE-Ogf24AvvOpeLoPWnr-Ax-rP0uzp-pdwxop_aG5MIMDnPAYDNS0/s1600/IMG_8895.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
... and now it looks as good as new. I see some weenie roasts in our near future! </div>
Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-37235283607570280302014-08-19T23:00:00.001-04:002014-08-19T23:00:38.737-04:00The collectorMatthew turned eleven last week. I know it sounds trite, but it seems like just yesterday this little pork chop was splashing in his bathtub on our kitchen counter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51DwxGr5lwehEDATGws_e4BtbvXBprtZjuwxx_9pmJj2ou3D0f4uF-rMwV_goNkdL74vsrNv-o7an7YB6OXKtfPz7e7J5rKl2z3ObKmtnPX6CHgtW_NYFby5v_Gy6c4hNHjWwIrAHAkA/s1600/663-6336_IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51DwxGr5lwehEDATGws_e4BtbvXBprtZjuwxx_9pmJj2ou3D0f4uF-rMwV_goNkdL74vsrNv-o7an7YB6OXKtfPz7e7J5rKl2z3ObKmtnPX6CHgtW_NYFby5v_Gy6c4hNHjWwIrAHAkA/s1600/663-6336_IMG.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Eleven years.... same dimples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-csx_uqVBdHwcOzC33j9y2_2hy_XSlnntm3GcLVjfiC7xOgiAV6fJRlITdIroGK2HpFBWBgfiMwduWbnSBUC90d29AT202sysyHRCLamP96TpyhjleaR3eyHfEsMLlBCYNQHKTmjI64w/s1600/IMG_8835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-csx_uqVBdHwcOzC33j9y2_2hy_XSlnntm3GcLVjfiC7xOgiAV6fJRlITdIroGK2HpFBWBgfiMwduWbnSBUC90d29AT202sysyHRCLamP96TpyhjleaR3eyHfEsMLlBCYNQHKTmjI64w/s1600/IMG_8835.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So what does every eleven year old boy want for his birthday? Why, a white tailed deer skull in an antique display case, of course.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfKgp4bq8mv5ZYTLpiHgbbDOSbrOVomtFI84ZpC0k00SNQSlJaJ23ZQ44CDjgjGt50hB8cW6F1bOqb3lXsxSQp722t2aP0K3Qbs_hjgUQ29gvLSV28MFNwsqpYu3jIRM8cJIUdfqAZu0/s1600/IMG_8834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfKgp4bq8mv5ZYTLpiHgbbDOSbrOVomtFI84ZpC0k00SNQSlJaJ23ZQ44CDjgjGt50hB8cW6F1bOqb3lXsxSQp722t2aP0K3Qbs_hjgUQ29gvLSV28MFNwsqpYu3jIRM8cJIUdfqAZu0/s1600/IMG_8834.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I found it in an antique store when we were in Vermont at the beginning of July. It may seem like a strange choice for a birthday gift for a child, but I knew immediately that Matthew would love it. For he's an avid collector of... how shall I put this... biological samples.<br />
<br />
Some of them aren't so bad. He has an enormous shell collection on his bedroom floor (it only smells bad if you open the tupperware boxes it's stored in), and at the cottage a collection of rocks, assorted snake skins and turkey feathers (a surprising number of wild turkeys inhabit our property).<br />
<br />
But let's not forget his eclectic collection of "city gathered" biologicals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xTtKNx9IJrn7ttf59GSxs7Yo57iWl_NRCip9hFiwHMbLix4Kjw9gkvI-r6X-Azo33SE005b1sZr26O2zNm0Fz3xElfimlJFcJF__jTrvN5Wf6J9TwdSgWzmDwt5HPV3oKejuKPi1FVE/s1600/IMG_8839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xTtKNx9IJrn7ttf59GSxs7Yo57iWl_NRCip9hFiwHMbLix4Kjw9gkvI-r6X-Azo33SE005b1sZr26O2zNm0Fz3xElfimlJFcJF__jTrvN5Wf6J9TwdSgWzmDwt5HPV3oKejuKPi1FVE/s1600/IMG_8839.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
That would be a bird's nest, a hornet nest, some kind of tree knot, and <u>two</u> rodent skulls. With teeth. He recently found a racoon carcass that's all flat and dried out on the ground and he's been begging to be allowed to bring the skull home to add to his collection.<br />
<br />
I really don't know how I gave birth to such a quirky little creature, but it's certainly entertaining watching him grow.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1728px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1728px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-30940969389138974302014-08-12T22:49:00.001-04:002014-08-12T22:49:50.946-04:00Deck framing complete<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
The carpenters have been working on the deck for two days and they've made significant progress. They completed the framing today and I think that they'll start laying the deck boards tomorrow. </div>
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjqCNaFu68Talq5cLAkjpZ_x9asD417y5wy5UTaeP3QHH5JbZPVMWXTBhZnXryWwY0MkNgCxeduIt3dYaWf5rNiyk3zNIbbqlm5Lai-9rp8hZwOaIJCNvvwQ249TvsTkYQdNP3tGk3gQ/s1600/IMG_8820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjqCNaFu68Talq5cLAkjpZ_x9asD417y5wy5UTaeP3QHH5JbZPVMWXTBhZnXryWwY0MkNgCxeduIt3dYaWf5rNiyk3zNIbbqlm5Lai-9rp8hZwOaIJCNvvwQ249TvsTkYQdNP3tGk3gQ/s1600/IMG_8820.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I made a couple of last minute changes to the design of the deck on the weekend. On Friday I read Meg’s (loving albany) front porch update, and was overtaken by jealousy when I saw the ingenious way in which she had her ginormous city-issued garbage bins concealed. Her carpenter cleverly built in a seat at the end of her porch, and stowed the bins under it (<a href="http://lovingalbany.blogspot.ca/2014/08/progress-on-porch.html" target="_blank">see post here</a>). I added it to my Pinterest account so that I would remember it when I started thinking about redoing our front porch, which needs some work in the near future. </span><br />
<div style="min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When I was relaxing over a glass of wine Friday night after putting the kids to bed I realized that I didn’t have to wait for the front porch, I could do the same thing on the back deck! Thankfully we have a very easy-going contractor who doesn’t mind making changes on the fly, and he designed me my very own magical garbage bin-hiding seat. Right outside by back door for easy access even in the winter. </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So the plan for the deck (14' wide x 12' deep) is to have 6' privacy walls made with horizontal wooden slats on either side, and a glass railing across the front so that the view of the yard is not blocked from inside the house. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Running along the side of the patio next to the door will be a 30" deep, 12' long bench under which the garbage bins can be stored. We'll be able to lift the bench seat to access the bins from the deck. </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0pAlfglfxMb5rbqMrNQ8bHACZq3SavJq3K85pV20zXFkly_YQNc0ZZRJZLSIzIvCiM8Gjkle-b2rl7-6bGCt_62cCUQIOvscfIB1OkGIs6hQNXUfCaPXPtZeSV5Kg6uJogL3PKFy-WQ/s1600/IMG_8823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0pAlfglfxMb5rbqMrNQ8bHACZq3SavJq3K85pV20zXFkly_YQNc0ZZRJZLSIzIvCiM8Gjkle-b2rl7-6bGCt_62cCUQIOvscfIB1OkGIs6hQNXUfCaPXPtZeSV5Kg6uJogL3PKFy-WQ/s1600/IMG_8823.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We don't have a lot of space between the edge of the deck and the fence, so the area under the seat will be divided into three bays, each with two ~2' wide doors that swing open. This will give us easy access to the whole 12' of storage area. We'll also have access through these doors to the lower storage space under the rest of the deck. It's not very high, but will be good for things like the winter tires. The 12' run will give us plenty of space to store our two big recycle containers, the garbage can, two green waste containers, and hopefully the boys' bikes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz1_bpe7WSaQHpGXpIUHID9XEFK9XBUPig1dlsZo7_zl3QJA_IW0_GyM-gnP9rEnuYN9123ZVeP18xXkRe7bUnu7tnLvSQJ4H1mh9BQtlnHvgzcN7eMKwptva68Q8V7u-bzvePSshL9A/s1600/IMG_8824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz1_bpe7WSaQHpGXpIUHID9XEFK9XBUPig1dlsZo7_zl3QJA_IW0_GyM-gnP9rEnuYN9123ZVeP18xXkRe7bUnu7tnLvSQJ4H1mh9BQtlnHvgzcN7eMKwptva68Q8V7u-bzvePSshL9A/s1600/IMG_8824.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The stairs will be 4' wide and will be aligned </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> the opening of </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> sliding glass door. We decided to recess the top step into the deck so that the run doesn't protrude so far into the patio. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuM7bv1vHlhuhGrWrBt8R3VN7pVRklwbZsSFHF2P1XPDJQ1SHbWL7Ns5CMmqj6xCqlNA8-zcJRgtnf94wJzVltB1N9xAjG98aVDTWwAaOMg5fr4bp2tiMI0TNuQwGZVXvkZEfp42wDdI/s1600/IMG_8826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuM7bv1vHlhuhGrWrBt8R3VN7pVRklwbZsSFHF2P1XPDJQ1SHbWL7Ns5CMmqj6xCqlNA8-zcJRgtnf94wJzVltB1N9xAjG98aVDTWwAaOMg5fr4bp2tiMI0TNuQwGZVXvkZEfp42wDdI/s1600/IMG_8826.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I'm still working out the stairs and the railing that we'll use. I'd like a glass handrail, but Alan seems to want to go with something more substantial. I need to get back to work on Pinterest as we need to make a decision pretty quickly! </span></div>
Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-39779581524340322242014-08-09T17:49:00.000-04:002014-08-09T17:49:35.858-04:00Backyard progressI was away for most of the month of July. First I was in Vermont at a conference and then I spent three weeks in New Brunswick at a boat-access, no electricity, no running water cottage. Talk about roughing it! Unfortunately the weather looked like this for a fair amount of time that we were there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7U9Vppu97dS4vHN6C7nfoH1DnEnmwUCkwAIkmmel0OhUwtp20wWj8iVBDqmpeiA3p0_sImAb5vieHzZoqHi42LGRsFPJDqgtSTokuORVfTgTB96zOHScv-UtsXIALjfU3p0XkKr52Wok/s1600/IMG_0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7U9Vppu97dS4vHN6C7nfoH1DnEnmwUCkwAIkmmel0OhUwtp20wWj8iVBDqmpeiA3p0_sImAb5vieHzZoqHi42LGRsFPJDqgtSTokuORVfTgTB96zOHScv-UtsXIALjfU3p0XkKr52Wok/s1600/IMG_0075.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Fortunately, we had lots of family around and had a great time anyway. The boys got to spend a lot of time with all of their older cousins, and the last five days we overlapped with my younger brother's kids who are of similar ages. The cousins had an absolute blast.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQS_wOPmYvBgos522z9sqDFgREhD9Qqec2PtDXbHJC9qdUC8xXZW5kki0SftfHnfuCP3fnUFbJXyXnAkKxR6uU0fCL5-SV0epEtcNQ1BXINFe26mIVR-X91QpLQN8bj9SH8ztbqk_-Mk/s1600/IMG_8745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQS_wOPmYvBgos522z9sqDFgREhD9Qqec2PtDXbHJC9qdUC8xXZW5kki0SftfHnfuCP3fnUFbJXyXnAkKxR6uU0fCL5-SV0epEtcNQ1BXINFe26mIVR-X91QpLQN8bj9SH8ztbqk_-Mk/s1600/IMG_8745.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgtevJyWRACEwLIpgsSTgPx9tKP6wtmot5uqhf21MhL_vw7JkonY_OutcxQqsulxo0RExSE9g4r_Cmc0cEpHaH8dK3w7_Pl4owNrp2rNsxV6tTYhdyAaGEGA6poYCt-6QBefwcpCRK_8/s1600/Photos+from+New+Brunswick+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgtevJyWRACEwLIpgsSTgPx9tKP6wtmot5uqhf21MhL_vw7JkonY_OutcxQqsulxo0RExSE9g4r_Cmc0cEpHaH8dK3w7_Pl4owNrp2rNsxV6tTYhdyAaGEGA6poYCt-6QBefwcpCRK_8/s1600/Photos+from+New+Brunswick+2014.jpg" height="634" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb6bZ4TUyFKhMe8XBwR7W75ZhwQ6l_POop4SPo2DMjhZpkpkjk5p2TFEhfeXfQ0h7hrrKuTjp7lXJY4m03KzEaPlAUXWVyvB0xLi9JlBqcBIPt2IbYrv3xAi6yStYuEiVw8TMLupAoik/s1600/Photos+from+New+Brunswick+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb6bZ4TUyFKhMe8XBwR7W75ZhwQ6l_POop4SPo2DMjhZpkpkjk5p2TFEhfeXfQ0h7hrrKuTjp7lXJY4m03KzEaPlAUXWVyvB0xLi9JlBqcBIPt2IbYrv3xAi6yStYuEiVw8TMLupAoik/s1600/Photos+from+New+Brunswick+2014.jpg" height="634" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
While it was nice to be on vacation, it was great to get home. And while I was off cavorting in the sun (or fog, as the case may be) our landscape guy was hard at work installing our new patio.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sQY2IZoG4sVm5gxoUnao0hYuCXJkeGr6VOi3qQzhTQbCa8HvDx7m1LuzWpqOwoWBfOdCi5akqrR0lGxBb1V3crwD8coYhL52ocfd2w6d3Z7JP2TCGMkLvCtShBmV2tInhzyDrRsyLyw/s1600/IMG_8805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sQY2IZoG4sVm5gxoUnao0hYuCXJkeGr6VOi3qQzhTQbCa8HvDx7m1LuzWpqOwoWBfOdCi5akqrR0lGxBb1V3crwD8coYhL52ocfd2w6d3Z7JP2TCGMkLvCtShBmV2tInhzyDrRsyLyw/s1600/IMG_8805.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXeCyJm4vV8vK2rnsMlQtXvBraI4Nd0oFwavZXz7FpOwAR2_hEL_Mcd0qvkletzlhEt0ZWb2EWEMZrhH33VTt1a8WXdPACca7KizJbTB8_u8DmtlgxQnJ3iuuKh-K6WmyeKRkDOFEzvM/s1600/IMG_8806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXeCyJm4vV8vK2rnsMlQtXvBraI4Nd0oFwavZXz7FpOwAR2_hEL_Mcd0qvkletzlhEt0ZWb2EWEMZrhH33VTt1a8WXdPACca7KizJbTB8_u8DmtlgxQnJ3iuuKh-K6WmyeKRkDOFEzvM/s1600/IMG_8806.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The stone patio, where we plan to put the BBQs and the dining table, is 18'x20'. We left an unfinished area next to the chain link fence so that we can construct some kind of privacy screen. I think that we'll use trellis and vines but we haven't ruled out a wooden privacy screen. All of the neighbours to the north of us have chain link fences, so everyone within the next ten houses can see every move we make in the backyard. We're going to wait until the deck is finished and we see how much screening it provides for this lower area and then make the decision about what to build and how high to build it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr08DH-fKMCFfB4EYPLHuVrFAQyrKeHoNruUZnMWfnqaVuect7Q2y697tFlRiH5EqEfndTZ_Z7nkNfsoCfSScHKChWcZu-d0Dr9x2y0jd20qe-w-ZlRHJYR8dgGDnK6xoH83brD-h2mg/s1600/IMG_8807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr08DH-fKMCFfB4EYPLHuVrFAQyrKeHoNruUZnMWfnqaVuect7Q2y697tFlRiH5EqEfndTZ_Z7nkNfsoCfSScHKChWcZu-d0Dr9x2y0jd20qe-w-ZlRHJYR8dgGDnK6xoH83brD-h2mg/s1600/IMG_8807.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a bit of a mess right now. Our neighbour's yard is slightly higher than ours as the street slopes gently, so we have to figure out some kind of retaining wall solution to keep the dirt off of the patio.<br />
<br />
The contractors will be here Monday morning to get going on the deck. I'm excited for things to start moving along! <br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2406px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2406px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-87008437525588740982014-06-08T11:28:00.000-04:002014-06-08T11:28:07.041-04:00New chairs for the backyardI decided to ignore all advice to the contrary and go for the wooden Muskoka chairs. I just couldn't bring myself to buy the recycled plastic ones, even though I know they're lower maintenance. There's inherently more charm to the real wood chairs and I don't really care if the stuff in my yard fades and looks <strike>kind of dingy</strike> well loved.<br />
<br />
Plus, I have two boys that I can force to do the restaining for the next decade at least.<br />
<br />
Matthew and I were at Costco on Friday and happened across Muskoka chairs, so we picked up a couple of them. Yesterday he helped me unpack them and start the assembly. Unfortunately he lost interest fairly quickly and I was left on my own for much of the process.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-UQ4Knq2RTMV7s2vxGJsFihybE-q-0vtibBYGqfiX7wkeWNphyphenhyphenRUkmJ8Pox_2TZ7KYT0-_NJujIy9h5bOI9Etmqe3SHB2IypYLRAwbtSIOYRsixThfkTQA6eoDCg_2YymUQaq70Xp3M/s1600/IMG_8268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-UQ4Knq2RTMV7s2vxGJsFihybE-q-0vtibBYGqfiX7wkeWNphyphenhyphenRUkmJ8Pox_2TZ7KYT0-_NJujIy9h5bOI9Etmqe3SHB2IypYLRAwbtSIOYRsixThfkTQA6eoDCg_2YymUQaq70Xp3M/s1600/IMG_8268.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The first chair was bit of a pain to put together, but the second one was a breeze and I had them all assembled within a couple of hours. They're really comfortable to sit in, and I think that they're going to look terrific when I get them stained. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoYAPGeKCYjqtP7ZWEhQzD_EsMDIZgCu0288xe0R-5ROs0AMg8_oHrz2IjaOXXbKaKPn7DVrgdW5GQ70XxhyphenhyphenUSRcIrQCQMQfjP7hFkQUCekycvms1-ZrkW5Eq1UNAdHe7SHYwExNfKPM/s1600/IMG_8273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoYAPGeKCYjqtP7ZWEhQzD_EsMDIZgCu0288xe0R-5ROs0AMg8_oHrz2IjaOXXbKaKPn7DVrgdW5GQ70XxhyphenhyphenUSRcIrQCQMQfjP7hFkQUCekycvms1-ZrkW5Eq1UNAdHe7SHYwExNfKPM/s1600/IMG_8273.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I discovered a patio design flaw yesterday when Alan cut the grass - the mulch that I put down around the hostas flew <u>everywhere</u> when he passed by it with the mower. So I pulled it out and put down some of the river rock that I had stockpiled behind the shed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgSPwqpZ4z0WQB16o3wFDDeioIa13_wdpgXnCPGTlCxoxEeJQCUUYwJA1EYwsqN0pkkifp-siGFgRu1IbAfHgrr9xae_nVysqLkNRYg4Kk5z6W-gu1YGfclSktCLWdOStshoH4pydQJU/s1600/IMG_8275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgSPwqpZ4z0WQB16o3wFDDeioIa13_wdpgXnCPGTlCxoxEeJQCUUYwJA1EYwsqN0pkkifp-siGFgRu1IbAfHgrr9xae_nVysqLkNRYg4Kk5z6W-gu1YGfclSktCLWdOStshoH4pydQJU/s1600/IMG_8275.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I like the look much better and it should be less maintenance than the mulch - a win-win situation.Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-28332403417200291482014-06-03T10:20:00.000-04:002014-06-03T10:20:34.283-04:00The garden shedI spent a long day on Sunday setting the flagstones in the the grass by the shed. It's all done now! I also managed to finish staining the front of the shed last week. The sides and back still aren't done, but we can't actually see them from the yard, so I'm not in a big rush to get them done. I'll let Matthew slowly pick away at them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM-CA2dozGEgtzqPhiw-73XDNQy0x3w7d3pZtIAmAqyqPC2XWbziOQtE_oGuTNsaB_xgDAp4r6cqYS9zHjs9ZxifP0vhoWQr3TRKtVSjTOjT6z8GeiGDo8sBJqIP6HrVDEAA5dqed0pg/s1600/IMG_8251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM-CA2dozGEgtzqPhiw-73XDNQy0x3w7d3pZtIAmAqyqPC2XWbziOQtE_oGuTNsaB_xgDAp4r6cqYS9zHjs9ZxifP0vhoWQr3TRKtVSjTOjT6z8GeiGDo8sBJqIP6HrVDEAA5dqed0pg/s1600/IMG_8251.JPG" height="546" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mom was in and helped again on the weekend - she was a good sport and scraped the way-ward paint off of the windows and then cleaned them. They'd never been washed in the 13 years that we've owned this shed. Frightening, I know, but I can barely keep my children clean. Cleaning shed windows isn't even on my radar. The only problem with the clean windows is that I need to re-organize the junk inside the shed as you can see it so clearly now! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We picked up some geraniums for the window boxes and planted hostas that I had moved from the garden that used to be near our back patio. The plants really softened the look of the shed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbme-J3rXnSpE0H_rRBtq7LdSJGdhTwdI3IZ5aXZ2JBoX5ntzrA24gCVeh9PgBr762J4_a3bzTmKCaL9amgEmEx73620vYYy5ATbh2_VRC8i2rC8PtmyGexj27Eh3xAYjZRVBGvRCZQ8/s1600/IMG_8254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbme-J3rXnSpE0H_rRBtq7LdSJGdhTwdI3IZ5aXZ2JBoX5ntzrA24gCVeh9PgBr762J4_a3bzTmKCaL9amgEmEx73620vYYy5ATbh2_VRC8i2rC8PtmyGexj27Eh3xAYjZRVBGvRCZQ8/s1600/IMG_8254.JPG" height="542" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's such an inviting little nook in the yard. I pulled out a couple of plastic Adirondack chairs that we had stowed behind the shed and set them on the patio. I think I'll head out this weekend and pick up some wooden ones - I'd like to paint them bright red to contrast with the grey shed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3U_JRMia22mqZnLEXlOrTslB6OF78rv74R-dnhE_cyyd7hbsUmTYFbOFa1l0l1Y8udP4yKxb4CC8YxV_PGOQ8ZLgHaXgP4vSU2BN564GpsV9FgPPjK7u7TZAini5x5531i_pI83hJOs/s1600/IMG_8262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3U_JRMia22mqZnLEXlOrTslB6OF78rv74R-dnhE_cyyd7hbsUmTYFbOFa1l0l1Y8udP4yKxb4CC8YxV_PGOQ8ZLgHaXgP4vSU2BN564GpsV9FgPPjK7u7TZAini5x5531i_pI83hJOs/s1600/IMG_8262.JPG" height="568" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I have one small region of the yard finished up. Next up is getting some gardens in place adjacent the planned stone patio so I can move the bushes and perennials out of my vegetable gardens. I'd like to get some tomatoes in the ground! </div>
Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-58745675770683722132014-05-31T10:02:00.001-04:002014-05-31T10:02:38.119-04:00Backyard progress The backyard is slowly proceeding. Our contractors didn't really have time for us, but since they're so nice they agreed to squeeze us in. We agreed that we didn't expect this project to be finished lickety-split, so we're patiently waiting for them to have time to do some more work. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the end of last week they poured the concrete slab that will be under the wooden deck and we put the old stairs back in place temporarily so we can now get out of the back of the house and we have a clean spot to BBQ. We're happy with that for the time being. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since there's work still to be done near the house and it's a mud pit where the stone patio will go, Matthew and I decided to start work at the back of the yard and move forward. I convinced him it would be a lot of fun to stain the shed (and the offer of pay probably didn't hurt) so he started on that last weekend. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlpR-yWE2bOB8AwtzuFTyGXMkxa7BaA7xuB4wvbh8XyITcDCYfOngKUFUaWgrolMUfV7MWGRKws-O5AMkMPz1rwBdYdDaIYkGWtpq2Tf8x8Z0o96TM88eXN-wsAQsp2jI81ayV1iNwb8/s1600/IMG_8235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlpR-yWE2bOB8AwtzuFTyGXMkxa7BaA7xuB4wvbh8XyITcDCYfOngKUFUaWgrolMUfV7MWGRKws-O5AMkMPz1rwBdYdDaIYkGWtpq2Tf8x8Z0o96TM88eXN-wsAQsp2jI81ayV1iNwb8/s1600/IMG_8235.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My wonderful mother came in on Sunday and spent the afternoon helping Matthew paint. I spent the day dragging around the flagstones that used to be part of the patio close to the house to make a little seating area back there. It gets full sun late in the day, so it's a great place to sit after we get home from work. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLpoa1KegW59KSAP9khILeHoM_-VbeCpg2v-_sOub8fAT9vRG5t-0riYxkXnDSrE-sSMmLw984eMKdlK1Ck5Oc8Ld6E6QlR8Pakfvs7yiRifujxutk6JDq_S5hnaHfB8ScJBv2ClxFy4/s1600/IMG_8239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLpoa1KegW59KSAP9khILeHoM_-VbeCpg2v-_sOub8fAT9vRG5t-0riYxkXnDSrE-sSMmLw984eMKdlK1Ck5Oc8Ld6E6QlR8Pakfvs7yiRifujxutk6JDq_S5hnaHfB8ScJBv2ClxFy4/s1600/IMG_8239.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wanted a casual look, so i decided to put the stones right into the grass so that we can run the lawn mower right over them. I laid out the stones where I wanted them, and now I'm removing the grass underneath and setting them level with the grass. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFuXXKups34xOyfFtF3ShI8viwrnycNXeWOsD7JZrtMBG7VelmwPMmIuE7_5PLKPXaOg33vJCV9OrRnnoqqO0beSacLoDiLrNepldMcMrQeJEVXwsq1MgmgCNTjPJN1cRYM_Xpqztu7g/s1600/IMG_8240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFuXXKups34xOyfFtF3ShI8viwrnycNXeWOsD7JZrtMBG7VelmwPMmIuE7_5PLKPXaOg33vJCV9OrRnnoqqO0beSacLoDiLrNepldMcMrQeJEVXwsq1MgmgCNTjPJN1cRYM_Xpqztu7g/s1600/IMG_8240.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's not really hard work, but it's slow. I'm hoping to get these finished up this weekend so I can get to work on my gardens because that's when the fun really begins. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-77624642008767599552014-05-22T07:41:00.001-04:002014-05-22T07:41:23.601-04:00Backyard progressThere's been slow and steady progress made on the backyard over the last two weeks. The old patio, planter box and gardens have been removed. The lilac and mock orange bushes were moved to the vegetable gardens at the back of the yard and seem to have survived. I still have to figure out where I plan to move them permanently.<br />
<br />
The view from the back of the house now looks like this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKyBGEUKiHiKMkpc_GRDoAK0FwNb8O-bjk0iN38Puw238X1lOGgX11euFTdxULt3rO1AXmhRPM8PdagX3OpSjXhs7LIK0X8aqhcJd7qJtkrQDdkpiDk7jGuFOccMmr-CK9eT3ukduCEE/s1600/IMG_8222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKyBGEUKiHiKMkpc_GRDoAK0FwNb8O-bjk0iN38Puw238X1lOGgX11euFTdxULt3rO1AXmhRPM8PdagX3OpSjXhs7LIK0X8aqhcJd7qJtkrQDdkpiDk7jGuFOccMmr-CK9eT3ukduCEE/s1600/IMG_8222.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The footings for the deck are in and the sod is removed where the ground level patio will be. We ordered the stone for it on Monday, so hopefully it won't be too long before it can be installed. We decided to go with 2'x3' black sandstone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SqHrGLROd41X-dWJRXe_AVpAWaAbGnfpMQOp-cF5kAMSK-7LdD9b9Czhwmj-fCzqEJeoa-STiSQnyCjEtnCtvWbOgehHKyZmCpqLrdhOd8HCo58C9o2G1KVFp-p57HadoFvdOkJnU2Q/s1600/IMG_8223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SqHrGLROd41X-dWJRXe_AVpAWaAbGnfpMQOp-cF5kAMSK-7LdD9b9Czhwmj-fCzqEJeoa-STiSQnyCjEtnCtvWbOgehHKyZmCpqLrdhOd8HCo58C9o2G1KVFp-p57HadoFvdOkJnU2Q/s1600/IMG_8223.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We're pouring a concrete pad the width of the backyard for the 12' out from the house that the deck will cover. We plan to use it for storage for things like our winter tires, the assorted Thule racks we have for the top of the car, etc. All the stuff we would normally store in our non-existent garage. They're coming to pour the concrete pad today, so hopefully start building the deck next week.<br />
<br />
Now that the weather's warm I'm chomping at the bit to get started on some gardens out back. Last weekend I got the front garden into some semblance of order, with some new plants put in and mulch down so it's looking nice and orderly out front, even though it's a disaster out back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsFgImnev8YVOx-LWsvTKkPIWxx0tm91rOq5eDEouT4B7bqTKnJXXP7HJSdk7lVL7cPefn6kAk0GRj6sgt8qHbK7DkIDqf3RYPP6ToRsYHeN7kVNUK6zQZbAHub_saHrnm5uor4jcu0g/s1600/IMG_8218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsFgImnev8YVOx-LWsvTKkPIWxx0tm91rOq5eDEouT4B7bqTKnJXXP7HJSdk7lVL7cPefn6kAk0GRj6sgt8qHbK7DkIDqf3RYPP6ToRsYHeN7kVNUK6zQZbAHub_saHrnm5uor4jcu0g/s1600/IMG_8218.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I also spent a few hours on Monday cleaning out around the outside of the shed. Which is in desperate need of a new paint job this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjyciMTE5wN3pYWrDRKc8skBoLs4QuyOoJ5WWnh6BeWVzsT0U6IAYxAug6AjRIP2l90NDvdgay5oM-aOsDE0YqZPL9KFATvH4U29uRI_FxOzAZbmU3tgOjdvRCCujQuXJZr6SXQiFZBA/s1600/IMG_8225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjyciMTE5wN3pYWrDRKc8skBoLs4QuyOoJ5WWnh6BeWVzsT0U6IAYxAug6AjRIP2l90NDvdgay5oM-aOsDE0YqZPL9KFATvH4U29uRI_FxOzAZbmU3tgOjdvRCCujQuXJZr6SXQiFZBA/s1600/IMG_8225.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I put down river stone along the left side of it a number of years ago, but it had become totally filled with leaves and maple keys, and it was impossible to keep the weeds down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5sWuedFNd8UQLy6cIC6MRjYbzt9ZEJ-mrvFaq9S-CtP2pijeRjZGHSssQhJvInu1YSSIGgq3ir-Mt_FLlVGDoUZDMXcXbGV3-lxfvJnXiT5jmzws_MIID2Ulzs0zpBaowsddWFmNHvs/s1600/IMG_8226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5sWuedFNd8UQLy6cIC6MRjYbzt9ZEJ-mrvFaq9S-CtP2pijeRjZGHSssQhJvInu1YSSIGgq3ir-Mt_FLlVGDoUZDMXcXbGV3-lxfvJnXiT5jmzws_MIID2Ulzs0zpBaowsddWFmNHvs/s1600/IMG_8226.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKjLnjPxVILoCy2mKqLFdK-XVfiYVt5QYsT97hQSjox067tT0UkVt6KepPRnZF_LxFjKc4qp5ppZZUQXHixW6yTXZBe2d3vNU5-_2yRMKWwif_-1ft4Mbn-48gsmMwG4wdySNOmHSji8/s1600/IMG_8227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKjLnjPxVILoCy2mKqLFdK-XVfiYVt5QYsT97hQSjox067tT0UkVt6KepPRnZF_LxFjKc4qp5ppZZUQXHixW6yTXZBe2d3vNU5-_2yRMKWwif_-1ft4Mbn-48gsmMwG4wdySNOmHSji8/s1600/IMG_8227.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So I spent about three hours on Monday morning picking up all of the stones and separating them from the vegetation. It was incredibly tedious, and I felt like shovelling the whole mess into the garbage, but the city won't take rock, so I had no choice. It's all done now, though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dh7673Po-LBx49hNosZ05W92yt5gAx4jExA_rus5qNNSecGLV1aVl_gJCXIwpr9HBrOSQBOJHDt3MFEZAR56hIUFPe0H-8DP1RkUM-Qoo7ntQkbqCi3z7uHYmyHtFvXQ_aO8NwEsMcs/s1600/IMG_8233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dh7673Po-LBx49hNosZ05W92yt5gAx4jExA_rus5qNNSecGLV1aVl_gJCXIwpr9HBrOSQBOJHDt3MFEZAR56hIUFPe0H-8DP1RkUM-Qoo7ntQkbqCi3z7uHYmyHtFvXQ_aO8NwEsMcs/s1600/IMG_8233.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I plan to put down large patio stones along the side of the shed so it's easy to keep the vegetation down. I have no idea yet what I'll do with the river stone, but I'm sure I'll find some use for it. It's back behind the shed now, out of my sight, so there's no big rush to decide.<br />
<br />Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-68753162796926964522014-05-07T13:05:00.000-04:002014-05-07T13:05:16.684-04:00Spring has finally sprungand the work has begun. This morning, on our new deck and patio.<br />
<br />
We have a gorgeous 8' x 8' sliding glass door leading to the backyard directly from the family room/kitchen, but we didn't use the patio much last year due to it's crappiness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLxPxSN8oHX-SITROUQzd4Az7juq5-dAYMtffr9Z841FvJzor78H3SaLaoQ1Z2jQ6NSMmBN0m8IRI_IBmb6t07CsCkUOnBEkX3Vd42sripTZ0FDCd9GmQdgDEzg8qdl-54zVxDAVst2c/s1600/IMG_8199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLxPxSN8oHX-SITROUQzd4Az7juq5-dAYMtffr9Z841FvJzor78H3SaLaoQ1Z2jQ6NSMmBN0m8IRI_IBmb6t07CsCkUOnBEkX3Vd42sripTZ0FDCd9GmQdgDEzg8qdl-54zVxDAVst2c/s1600/IMG_8199.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We have an amazingly deep backyard, especially for a house downtown. Our lot is 210'; the backyard is 156', but with a width of only 20' it looks a lot like a bowling alley. That is set to change.<br />
<br />
The problems with the old patio were many. One of the biggest was the mess that it was in. We tore down an old addition from the back of the house 12 years ago, and decided to use the brick from that foundation for the patio. Big mistake - there were two types of brick used, and over the years the freeze-thaw cycles led to complete disintegration of one of them, so the patio was always a dirty mess. And the weeds that grew between the cracks drove me crazy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg548Gux7B9SJ7AWQ9w0nlJg74uPxv0_xkikX7nN692azmjJYQ5rHPFnSA3D-zNb-8f3ppH_JajnnUWjH9azponsU2MA3NcL1t9CyoFqiYSDw0o5uLQqH9iwJiX0JRHAT4NePWIkPMncCk/s1600/IMG_8201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg548Gux7B9SJ7AWQ9w0nlJg74uPxv0_xkikX7nN692azmjJYQ5rHPFnSA3D-zNb-8f3ppH_JajnnUWjH9azponsU2MA3NcL1t9CyoFqiYSDw0o5uLQqH9iwJiX0JRHAT4NePWIkPMncCk/s1600/IMG_8201.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Our current patio was also too small. There wasn't really enough room for a table and chairs, the BBQ, and people to safely move about. I was always worried that someone would brush up against the BBQ and get burned.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkRkDRkFr4njp7mGRCK_NAzyMUGy5YkVgz9_OlgqRJRqsdhxSGC1eXRBSl41HUnORvYd94ZeGxyvtOvqLjbJzhn4NwFKWjHMElsAkh5u-e9-cbE0Vu-0oxxPCEE63Qe06srh4kOP1Ef4/s1600/IMG_8200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkRkDRkFr4njp7mGRCK_NAzyMUGy5YkVgz9_OlgqRJRqsdhxSGC1eXRBSl41HUnORvYd94ZeGxyvtOvqLjbJzhn4NwFKWjHMElsAkh5u-e9-cbE0Vu-0oxxPCEE63Qe06srh4kOP1Ef4/s1600/IMG_8200.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So although we built the patio ourselves and it was a tonne of work, I'm not at all sorry to see it go.<br />
<br />
The plan is to build a 12' x 14' deck at the level of the family room with 6' high privacy screens at the two neighbouring sides. I considered a planter box for the third side, but have decided to go with an open railing so the view of the backyard isn't obstructed from inside the house. We'll buy cushy outdoor seating for the upper section so that it's a nice place to sit and relax.<br />
<br />
We'll have stairs on the right (when facing the backyard from the house) going down to a ground-level stone patio that's 20'x20'. This is where we'll house the BBQs (both gas and charcoal) and the table and chairs. I'd also love to build or buy an outdoor pizza oven. There are some pretty sleek ones available at Costco right now that I have my eye on.<br />
<br />
Beyond the ground level patio we'll have two deep gardens flanking a central path leading to rear half of the yard. Hopefully breaking it up into "rooms" like this will help relieve the bowling alley feel. I'm excited to get moving on it!Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-102292617214700672014-04-05T18:00:00.000-04:002014-04-05T18:00:00.159-04:00Toy storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's April, and although it's not quite feeling like spring here yet, I'm starting to feel the urge to do some spring cleaning. I decided to start with the biggest <strike>pigsty</strike> problem area in the house - Cal's bedroom. That boy is a packrat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We're quickly moving out of the toy stage, and I've managed to convince the boys to get rid of a lot of stuff that they've outgrown. But there are some toys that they're really resistant to giving up. Like the trains, for example. I don't know why, because they never really played with them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB1Hu8p4qVvJtLhKORbYbrB5PjebjBLAevAO_kxi-XWfFDdeMsR5qUBlwKFxGYVIVv7a4YwsZSI5lxc-5MVKxsbWUZeNWrC83Xz0zjhlSKu5fn0yfBjcE13MUhchdSSmjy_wqfUhyphenhyphenYwc/s1600/IMG_8138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB1Hu8p4qVvJtLhKORbYbrB5PjebjBLAevAO_kxi-XWfFDdeMsR5qUBlwKFxGYVIVv7a4YwsZSI5lxc-5MVKxsbWUZeNWrC83Xz0zjhlSKu5fn0yfBjcE13MUhchdSSmjy_wqfUhyphenhyphenYwc/s1600/IMG_8138.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
When you live in an old house and have few closets, finding extra storage space is a high priority if you want to hang on to anything. I had these drawers sitting around in Matthew's room after a Pinterest fail. They were supposed to be mounted on the wall for storing Matthew's 10,000 trophies that he's received over the years, but when I got them done I was disappointed in them and they sat in a corner of his room for a year. So this project really killed two birds with one stone in the useless clutter category. <br />
<br />
I picked up some small wheels down at the hardware store. The plywood on the bottom of the drawers was too thin to screw them directly into, so I cut some spacers out of a 1x2 that I had sitting around in the basement to attach to the bottom of the drawer. This also added a little bit of height so that the front of the drawer doesn't catch on the carpet when you pull it in and out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIwLq4mOUM7qj3RY6HVNUPhowzXM6P9O06KdKmQAwaVUL5gFEMLppGKktLVEInl5VPoSOVXdTxAgPU5tE2uKJnJb3kdzdla4uXvKKQpEkRVqpjsvzcfPWFUibYpPyVenlG52Oryw3QfU/s1600/IMG_8120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIwLq4mOUM7qj3RY6HVNUPhowzXM6P9O06KdKmQAwaVUL5gFEMLppGKktLVEInl5VPoSOVXdTxAgPU5tE2uKJnJb3kdzdla4uXvKKQpEkRVqpjsvzcfPWFUibYpPyVenlG52Oryw3QfU/s1600/IMG_8120.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a quick and easy project - it only took about 20 minutes of actual working time to cut the wood, set up the glue, and after it dried screw in the wheels. And the final product was most satisfying.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohSANFmIhuasyfK3pd_fknU6iz5shYHiGwLTI-Cm6nmIyDFH1TPYLgBn7k4OaENYdc1x6d_icodECxEuuxRdPG6lT50t_3HSgd_vaqxeTzW8FgvmquOk1dmTWBS0zMU7XfE88-4Nt0CY/s1600/IMG_8132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohSANFmIhuasyfK3pd_fknU6iz5shYHiGwLTI-Cm6nmIyDFH1TPYLgBn7k4OaENYdc1x6d_icodECxEuuxRdPG6lT50t_3HSgd_vaqxeTzW8FgvmquOk1dmTWBS0zMU7XfE88-4Nt0CY/s1600/IMG_8132.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dhbFdpAKRtyvDzBhPXNU_ldA1GQVX7b1T76J3HMgCA6taQA3gQPAzJfFl4e5MmzJ964kMfOTz2bZr9nibNzDGFPse5EKkG5H_iT2qAh8gF30ydaAPJcsalim0gGFYXaUg7njIhBMe-4/s1600/IMG_8135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dhbFdpAKRtyvDzBhPXNU_ldA1GQVX7b1T76J3HMgCA6taQA3gQPAzJfFl4e5MmzJ964kMfOTz2bZr9nibNzDGFPse5EKkG5H_iT2qAh8gF30ydaAPJcsalim0gGFYXaUg7njIhBMe-4/s1600/IMG_8135.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAJmUCvowB5SIXfz6ByESv1lCKsY7aIm7Naz5letxuTNJK5cFt2z0rYryYs5E7ptGt5bF663gHJEjydhKda-djb6dRAs-4zo9YEVKJqGpGyLTR_9aBp5gRnfremSEQqmURjva9NNFBmM/s1600/IMG_8136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAJmUCvowB5SIXfz6ByESv1lCKsY7aIm7Naz5letxuTNJK5cFt2z0rYryYs5E7ptGt5bF663gHJEjydhKda-djb6dRAs-4zo9YEVKJqGpGyLTR_9aBp5gRnfremSEQqmURjva9NNFBmM/s1600/IMG_8136.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We now have lots of room to tuck away toys that aren't played with into a space that was sitting empty and unused. I call that a win!<br />
<br />
Not as big a win as getting them out of my house would be, but a win all the same.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIK_0ecTPrQijyJGmgG13ptah2OQ40U1Sju7lWskO6WpEIrcbf94iDOHrBuGQXh6PsczNtpmg5c_h1byayKZ-3hY-x6Mte_v6l4F-dFwNoippWfTktHcqdEwbv2t9FWan8qYmXoVtV-g/s1600/IMG_8140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIK_0ecTPrQijyJGmgG13ptah2OQ40U1Sju7lWskO6WpEIrcbf94iDOHrBuGQXh6PsczNtpmg5c_h1byayKZ-3hY-x6Mte_v6l4F-dFwNoippWfTktHcqdEwbv2t9FWan8qYmXoVtV-g/s1600/IMG_8140.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-14199261242962271652014-03-26T16:32:00.000-04:002014-03-26T16:34:04.265-04:00And continuing on the theme of the worst boyfriend you've ever had.......... I'm back to brag *just a little* about my nephew who just signed with the Dallas Stars! The boy whose diapers I once changed is headed for the NHL.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30702875/1238757_10152335609257806_306199756_n.0_standard_709.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30702875/1238757_10152335609257806_306199756_n.0_standard_709.0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2014/3/26/5549646/michigan-junior-alex-guptill-signs-with-dallas-stars-nhl-contract-red-berenson" target="_blank">source and story</a></div>
<br />
Alex has worked hard for a lot of years to make it happen, and we're absolutely thrilled for him.<br />
<br />
EDIT: I realized after I posted that I should make it clear that the title is an extension of my last post, and does not refer to Alex's many charms. ;)Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-20894767781807027872014-03-15T00:24:00.000-04:002014-03-15T00:24:57.885-04:00Quirks and Quarks, Davidson edition .......and after a month long dead space, I'm back. Like the worst boyfriend you've ever had, I'm distant and inconsistent and only show up when something exciting is going down.<br />
<br />
It's just that some things are so darn easy to post about. Especially things that don't involve any work on my part, like Alan appearing on <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/2014/03/15/2014-03-15-1/" target="_blank">Quirks and Quarks talking about alternatives to antibiotics</a>. A topic that just happens to be near and dear to my heart, too.<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago Jim Lebans interviewed Alan for today's show. I stopped by to take a picture for Matthew (sorry for its crappiness, I only had my iPad with me), and while I missed the actual interview, Jim was nice enough to pull his mike back out and ham it up for me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoeaBf2eUt3tqauZsgmUJK-WUfyASModnjt-aUzBtByA6P5Mt6SMrsLQRXhFWZKXVTa4bl0PIaj2trl6YmB7zXDeltlvcXyagp5E-WVmU8T6Wh9EkG0HNm99yaDSFcM2sY4tJVe5aIyI/s1600/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoeaBf2eUt3tqauZsgmUJK-WUfyASModnjt-aUzBtByA6P5Mt6SMrsLQRXhFWZKXVTa4bl0PIaj2trl6YmB7zXDeltlvcXyagp5E-WVmU8T6Wh9EkG0HNm99yaDSFcM2sY4tJVe5aIyI/s1600/IMG_0060.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This broadcast is hot on the heels of Matthew's <a href="http://duwestreno.blogspot.ca/2013/11/matthews-big-cbc-radio-debut.html" target="_blank">DNTO episode about biggest regrets</a> that aired back in November. Who'd a thunk that more than one of us would ever be on the radio? Or even one of us? Certainly not me. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I'll warn you that the broadcast might just scare the bejeezus out of you. Actually, it should scare the bejeezus out of you, and hopefully will lead you to contact your MP and push for increased funding for basic medical research. The drug companies just aren't doing this research because there's not enough profit in it. They want to make the drugs that you have to take every day, like blood pressure and diabetes medications, or the ones you want to take every day, like Viagara, and not ones that will have short term use and be highly regulated to protect against the development of antibiotic resistance.<br />
<br />
And stepping off my soapbox, if you want to skip the scary shit and just hear Alan, his part starts at around 19 minutes (<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/2014/03/15/2014-03-15-1/" target="_blank">link</a>). <br />
<br />
Happy listening.<br />
<br />
Now go wash your hands! <br />
<br />Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-39099441410929839422014-02-15T17:04:00.001-05:002014-02-15T17:04:53.617-05:00My dreams of a treadmill deskI've been spending far too much time sitting on my butt lately. I sit in my office all day at work and I've been spending 2-3 hours each evening working on grants or papers. On the couch. Usually with a glass of wine in hand. Relaxing, but not so great for my health or my waistline. <br />
<br />
Anyway, in light of the lower back and sciatic nerve pain that plague me when I sit too much (I'm getting so old), and a number of recent studies that show how bad it is to sit around all day, I decided I need a treadmill desk to use at home (not for work - I don't want to be the weirdo). <br />
<br />
I searched around for a reasonably priced desk that I could use with the treadmill I have, but there was nothing under about $700. And I'm not willing to shell out that kind of cash for something that I freely admit may be a flash-in-the-pan for me. So I decided to cobble together my own DIY version using stuff I had around the house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqT6F6GdqoCX75H_xQdeg4_SWJlTgMFErMG3JCZskPvbMLVIUL_8vRrvzxARcJxwX7cAK_a7J_Hu_sqsaLeWz9gYQLleTLTTG5v2oLPwm-z3jfI8eZ1B5P3yvJnHqekdpR6Jj_lh5hAw/s1600/IMG_7921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqT6F6GdqoCX75H_xQdeg4_SWJlTgMFErMG3JCZskPvbMLVIUL_8vRrvzxARcJxwX7cAK_a7J_Hu_sqsaLeWz9gYQLleTLTTG5v2oLPwm-z3jfI8eZ1B5P3yvJnHqekdpR6Jj_lh5hAw/s1600/IMG_7921.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Two pine boards, a game of Perfection, and a box of Mecchano later and I had a decent mock-up. My elbows are at a perfect 90° angle with my hands on the keyboard. It's actually fairly comfortable to work on. I can easily walk at 2.5 miles per hour and still type. 3 mph is too fast and I start to make a lot of mistakes, but in an evening I can easily get in 4-5 miles while I'm working. Not too bad!<br />
<br />
I am worried that all of the looking down at the monitor will make my neck and/or back sore, so I need to figure a way to elevate the laptop and build a small shelf at elbow height to hold a keyboard. That's on the agenda this weekend. Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-36206915765306545682014-02-13T22:29:00.000-05:002014-02-13T22:29:29.696-05:00Happy Valentine's Day! The boys are getting a little old for Valentine's Day celebrations. Matthew flat out refuses to take Valentines to school. Cal wasn't interested in writing out Valentines to every kid in his class, but he did want to take a snack for the class party tomorrow. So I decided to take care of both issues in one fell swoop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Mn4JuL24GnrTVcyntVWhwtu7Y806NKCJyO7-jYcTvl8080nSOjitEnNPKP0yY8MBhHeJiN4PNUNwPwZqSoIif7XIURC93zJF5ifLH7XAUeLuExHGOLebNdnbTdWMFtKqf4qzidE_EpI/s1600/IMG_7918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Mn4JuL24GnrTVcyntVWhwtu7Y806NKCJyO7-jYcTvl8080nSOjitEnNPKP0yY8MBhHeJiN4PNUNwPwZqSoIif7XIURC93zJF5ifLH7XAUeLuExHGOLebNdnbTdWMFtKqf4qzidE_EpI/s1600/IMG_7918.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I had these little zip-top Valentine bags in the house and decided to whip up some pink popcorn to fill them. Valentine and snack all in one!<br />
<br />
Remember Lucky Elephant popcorn? I haven't had that stuff since I was a kid, but the pink candy coating is so Valentiney. And luckily there are dozens of recipes online that mimic it. Here's the consensus I came up with. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Pink Candy Corn</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup popcorn kernels, popped</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cups sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2/3 cup half & half</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Tbsp white corn syrup<br />1/4 tsp salt<br />1 tsp vanilla<br />pink or red food colouring</div>
<br />
Mix sugar, half & half, corn syrup and salt in a pot and heat on medium stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil and cook until the syrup measures 235°C on a candy thermometer. Remove from hear, stir in vanilla and food colouring, pour over popcorn and mix well (on my first batch I found that a lot of the syrup ran through to the bottom of the bowl and made the popcorn at the bottom very sticky). When the candy coating starts to cool and the popcorn begins to separate, spread it on parchment lined cookie sheets and allow to cool for about half an hour.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB39KbfZMnFZ5qhUwjyKz6NDz1FVHK4qbO-QKU3gl9JheAZiv7ak8o-eLDYWe8u70TvQ3d2L-GnFqri5n0R7mgucqtjvEa994rBE3bQHXWgjt0Qq8CXK7wGzhuFEbxeiCW7JWmYBQBa8/s1600/IMG_7887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB39KbfZMnFZ5qhUwjyKz6NDz1FVHK4qbO-QKU3gl9JheAZiv7ak8o-eLDYWe8u70TvQ3d2L-GnFqri5n0R7mgucqtjvEa994rBE3bQHXWgjt0Qq8CXK7wGzhuFEbxeiCW7JWmYBQBa8/s1600/IMG_7887.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a breeze to make, and the kids thought it was so delicious that
they immediately snarfled down half of it. I was forced to make second batch. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Cal managed to stay focused long enough to package most of the popcorn and get them tagged with "From Callum" stickers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbDXB9TQrjGAyvxMDYDH7WvS14udYfEfdQdFK8HM_Zmi-9nyVdiRDISNjPQMN5oqglH8QkypHpX6OCK85PEUvcDtIeHNwC5uX1Gp6VXUfmTcPXKEjklOaUlVACTYKFnU00Q5EHgjeJP4/s1600/IMG_7901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbDXB9TQrjGAyvxMDYDH7WvS14udYfEfdQdFK8HM_Zmi-9nyVdiRDISNjPQMN5oqglH8QkypHpX6OCK85PEUvcDtIeHNwC5uX1Gp6VXUfmTcPXKEjklOaUlVACTYKFnU00Q5EHgjeJP4/s1600/IMG_7901.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheofXZdVbqaIYPioq52PAvQ4a-Kge6Zm4_Xl6F72WEKblYSSBxDV8hnO9MdoUJwNLZJWY_6PEcAsI0H4C8nlNNbddNaGFJyTM-bS76KrxQGnNIiBXHpuU__G8b-mJ0OvjtVgQMWevNa2A/s1600/IMG_7904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheofXZdVbqaIYPioq52PAvQ4a-Kge6Zm4_Xl6F72WEKblYSSBxDV8hnO9MdoUJwNLZJWY_6PEcAsI0H4C8nlNNbddNaGFJyTM-bS76KrxQGnNIiBXHpuU__G8b-mJ0OvjtVgQMWevNa2A/s1600/IMG_7904.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
They're all lined up and ready to go. It's a good thing they're leaving the house, because that stuff is seriously addictive!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD0x-m-873e4PvRS62RiU50Zv7D2IEVE5GIY1mQ6y3h8JU6kmfN8SDQbzSbzxNFy_tIfBymcKxJvNZseVLBZq8wN99Jbd4Q9XOjSs9RpCYGHfTAPWWjTIxQ-2TgmL-Vz3e33DNXbg-G0/s1600/IMG_7914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD0x-m-873e4PvRS62RiU50Zv7D2IEVE5GIY1mQ6y3h8JU6kmfN8SDQbzSbzxNFy_tIfBymcKxJvNZseVLBZq8wN99Jbd4Q9XOjSs9RpCYGHfTAPWWjTIxQ-2TgmL-Vz3e33DNXbg-G0/s1600/IMG_7914.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-85508692789414714962014-02-08T14:01:00.000-05:002014-02-15T17:05:34.235-05:00The front hallway floorWay back in early December when we were away in Mexico the magical tile fairy payed a visit to our house, and our front hallway, which had been unfinished cement for the past 18 months, was finally tiled. Couldn't ask for a better Christmas present than that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmwCCjRyvBQo4lJ36GMq83DkTco1bCGr8xfOjNDoqQYcqQRazxW7ErEXOoq3dO8K7TDcrpRKWLBKjN4Bvc0NtPc9-6yGOJzlNMsvmnY_L6l-CIlf8DDat2m84dglLMe66558xwyqEmKY/s1600/IMG_7797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmwCCjRyvBQo4lJ36GMq83DkTco1bCGr8xfOjNDoqQYcqQRazxW7ErEXOoq3dO8K7TDcrpRKWLBKjN4Bvc0NtPc9-6yGOJzlNMsvmnY_L6l-CIlf8DDat2m84dglLMe66558xwyqEmKY/s1600/IMG_7797.jpg" height="443" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I'm so happy that we took Cal with us when we picked out the tile as he was the one who chose it. I was leaning towards a much more muted mosaic, but he was extremely vocal about his choice. And he was right. It's very striking when you walk in, and gives the dramatic effect I was looking for. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXnTyQ-f3-0uL9Amfp1O4bO2vCqYqpoDNtGqnaps6odXkR24QRN5svxE678JSni83GjslZ6CX3ngviEmQDFsjzkgHR-n4Uh7botGUQ53nw76IQu446Wje5FuSJAzkmIVlLMxD1-ly1SM/s1600/IMG_7784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXnTyQ-f3-0uL9Amfp1O4bO2vCqYqpoDNtGqnaps6odXkR24QRN5svxE678JSni83GjslZ6CX3ngviEmQDFsjzkgHR-n4Uh7botGUQ53nw76IQu446Wje5FuSJAzkmIVlLMxD1-ly1SM/s1600/IMG_7784.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
We went with a single strip of black tile to delineate the inlay. This strip is the same width as the edge of the vent cover on the floor. There was no way to work around the air return, so we decided to work with it as best we could. <br />
<br />
The marble mosaic inlay is centered in the inner vestibule, with a 12" strip of Carrara marble tile bordering it around the edge. The rest of the floor is 12x24 Carrara marble tile grouted in pale grey. No scrubbing white grout lines for me! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61ENbU2F-oZxj9oZ_uF0YNo-bXpYQ2Co_wknSoAKNgKIgC2HJsTsOQEsYgvPQ0FmlkPBB_Ei_yOKpBZG0mQW89usVYT2RP6MxkrGd82ilMF2sVDhgNY8Snk4c7HAHuxCBd8RM6h52jSw/s1600/IMG_7785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61ENbU2F-oZxj9oZ_uF0YNo-bXpYQ2Co_wknSoAKNgKIgC2HJsTsOQEsYgvPQ0FmlkPBB_Ei_yOKpBZG0mQW89usVYT2RP6MxkrGd82ilMF2sVDhgNY8Snk4c7HAHuxCBd8RM6h52jSw/s1600/IMG_7785.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
It's amazing how clean and bright the hallway looks now. It's like the grey concrete on the floor previously sucked up all of the light in the hallway. This is the only "before" shot that I can find, but it's a miraculous change. And it's so nice to be able to mop the floor and get it actually clean again. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEzZL5pVufj3mDiGhooCBTOJVni-yOO01JhJ0fF-EWWMC3rgV3I8Smu4XrHi3cd3EaH39DRwp1uXUE8dJmutLalJZAdjtO0tuCPJ43py_3ZPbhgLUwvKEEo2dVaktAlz9jq4NudMnl1M/s1600/IMG_4915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEzZL5pVufj3mDiGhooCBTOJVni-yOO01JhJ0fF-EWWMC3rgV3I8Smu4XrHi3cd3EaH39DRwp1uXUE8dJmutLalJZAdjtO0tuCPJ43py_3ZPbhgLUwvKEEo2dVaktAlz9jq4NudMnl1M/s1600/IMG_4915.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
There's still lots to do to finish up. I'd like to install some wainscoting, the air return vent cover needs a good scrubbing and a coat of fresh paint, and we need to get some stuff up on the painfully bare walls. Now that we have the floor finished I actually have some incentive to tackle the rest of it! Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-26087924266735247862014-01-27T21:38:00.000-05:002014-01-27T21:38:05.214-05:00Weekend in reviewI know, I know, this should be titled "Last six weeks in review" because I've been too lazy to update my blog. Even a New Year's resolution wasn't enough to get me off my butt.<br />
<br />
But my sister's <strike>demanding</strike> motivating phone call this morning was! <br />
<br />
Work has been busy, hockey schedules crazy, I rejoined the gym to fight the extra 5-10 pounds that seem to creep on when I stop working out, and I've been spending so much time writing manuscripts and grants that the thought of writing for pleasure kind of makes me want to throw up. Just a little, but it's enough of a barrier that inertia reigns.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to the weekend review. I had lots of work to do, so I enlisted Matthew to help me out with some experiments. He wasn't exactly thrilled as he didn't want to play a role in the slaughter of innocents in the name of science.<br />
<br />
Even if they are only pesky little fruit flies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-1vmxNIfJURalomOWKOGtrDZ6Hqsmmdg01gL2l0IyYcQBj9Y8Kn9ITS2nPyN4LAg7LstjDxXSjUcBJOuLu420_BBq0YD7_DR7EhM0gmKZzSCfJRn3LXKuxlVM1fPtRRGWEgvj_mly-U/s1600/IMG_7816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-1vmxNIfJURalomOWKOGtrDZ6Hqsmmdg01gL2l0IyYcQBj9Y8Kn9ITS2nPyN4LAg7LstjDxXSjUcBJOuLu420_BBq0YD7_DR7EhM0gmKZzSCfJRn3LXKuxlVM1fPtRRGWEgvj_mly-U/s1600/IMG_7816.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He cheered up and felt a little less guilty after I explained that the work could help find a cure for lung infections in kids with Cystic Fibrosis. Then he thought it was kind of cool, although still rather tedious, to be counting how many dead flies there were in at least a hundred little vials.<br />
<br />
Not your average 10 year old kid's Saturday and Sunday morning chore! The big question is, when he grows up to be a scientist, is it nature? Or nurture? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fyMeyy6g6_Vz0KHGzd-N7RDchyOQeuevvG1S1hAonW_rQu-YU_IiEEMTXgjhSSCoasBaua-C7tNo2tGqaxgv8Nl-WvgeJxjVZstmmtf7B3sfr8n_gYsBTrQYc7Mw0iO0UfvdhqWkG6g/s1600/IMG_7821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fyMeyy6g6_Vz0KHGzd-N7RDchyOQeuevvG1S1hAonW_rQu-YU_IiEEMTXgjhSSCoasBaua-C7tNo2tGqaxgv8Nl-WvgeJxjVZstmmtf7B3sfr8n_gYsBTrQYc7Mw0iO0UfvdhqWkG6g/s1600/IMG_7821.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
But the really big news of the weekend???<br />
<br />
My baby boy turned <b>8</b>! It seems like just yesterday I was holding this in my arms<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExr17xjICcIyU-Xg_saPQcBnUh_MU-Eviq3ncICc3_B0tYuL3eIxZyCDn9hP7YqNNNI-N9i1vC-UOvx7U5MfJNasi7xqr2me7ENqiK2oTkQosnDoY6RApKps59FAXs_QviE3GVWcP4Qg/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExr17xjICcIyU-Xg_saPQcBnUh_MU-Eviq3ncICc3_B0tYuL3eIxZyCDn9hP7YqNNNI-N9i1vC-UOvx7U5MfJNasi7xqr2me7ENqiK2oTkQosnDoY6RApKps59FAXs_QviE3GVWcP4Qg/s1600/Image+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He had that worried look on his face for his first year of life, and now he's a fearless, rambunctious giant of a boy with long, gangly arms and legs. And since he's all about hockey, his request, of course, was for a hockey cake. So I just whipped one up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKp9xFGqXjyCg3ZS9wwFWkmPPXzyGJfW1mQzy9xqclaiQziOiCfTpwLguZLJbRNGDyocLXzULygs_XBB7vpeitTUzi7q8b3dY0TC-xya3xz_Sz5H0yMKYA8rSxQVuRldKjx6pnnMU254U/s1600/IMG_7810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKp9xFGqXjyCg3ZS9wwFWkmPPXzyGJfW1mQzy9xqclaiQziOiCfTpwLguZLJbRNGDyocLXzULygs_XBB7vpeitTUzi7q8b3dY0TC-xya3xz_Sz5H0yMKYA8rSxQVuRldKjx6pnnMU254U/s1600/IMG_7810.JPG" height="344" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He was thrilled with it, and so was I. Mostly because it was so much easier then other cakes I've made for them (i.e. <a href="http://duwestreno.blogspot.ca/2013/01/adventures-in-birthday-cakes-minecraft.html" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> and <a href="http://duwestreno.blogspot.ca/2013/04/champion-2.html" target="_blank">Hockey Jersey</a>). I can't believe I spent four hours modeling Minecraft characters for his cake last year. I must have been temporarily insane.<br />
<br />
Or maybe just willing to do anything for my boy. How could you say no to this cute little face? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB85LjozUrc-WSQUcgOZo5qhAc2712QXtJHq6H5R_qcxC-Cuto-R-1wvLLX5-v4cbhjaXQ6t-RDs7B6VGS1W51Kur4LKMW2v0B1gQkFVUH9-NAtvZrH4DZWozsSKvIl8W8ugQxeivhb9o/s1600/DSCN0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB85LjozUrc-WSQUcgOZo5qhAc2712QXtJHq6H5R_qcxC-Cuto-R-1wvLLX5-v4cbhjaXQ6t-RDs7B6VGS1W51Kur4LKMW2v0B1gQkFVUH9-NAtvZrH4DZWozsSKvIl8W8ugQxeivhb9o/s1600/DSCN0132.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-74319787545696658142013-12-16T21:24:00.000-05:002013-12-18T21:29:18.365-05:00TulumWe're back to a cold and very snowy reality this morning. It's hard to believe that just yesterday I was drinking my morning coffee on this deck <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhsEfPYA-GbgCXA3NoNGdGlAy68bIpnk9rtawqspw6bpzJSxuYz_aTVNwF-viYy0kAweZpPrTpHUJZ5yMG45SwHZiMeK_L3nT0W2HLWy_7EDCOLacws7fFcLLZSGCGlL0Et67wKo7r2w/s1600/DSCN0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhsEfPYA-GbgCXA3NoNGdGlAy68bIpnk9rtawqspw6bpzJSxuYz_aTVNwF-viYy0kAweZpPrTpHUJZ5yMG45SwHZiMeK_L3nT0W2HLWy_7EDCOLacws7fFcLLZSGCGlL0Et67wKo7r2w/s640/DSCN0531.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and this morning I'm ankle deep in snow. Now it's time to cull through the thousands of photos I took while we were away and catch up on the posts that I meant to do while I was gone. I'm going to blame the slow internet connection for the lack of posts. It was pretty painful waiting for photos to upload. <br />
<br />
The one attraction I was determined to see on our trip was Tulum. I've wanted to visit these ruins for years, and it's one of the reasons that I chose to stay in Akumal on this trip.<br />
<br />
Tulum is the only Mayan city built on the coast. It was a major trade hub (mainly jade, turquoise, and obsidian) and served as the seaport for the Mayan empire. The beach below was the landing site for ships. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Dpq9LJpRpNLCZP-G-auZyhT22L6nT0HFeJ-h58MojLC0hisRtfPafATht2L-EXr7A9fgL2jfUa5yUZFwGv3j1KfPcL1Ok-ExAMUy-_w76Ld577GO8h3whhcNlGi3LFGKCR8uW3l3eSY/s1600/DSCN0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Dpq9LJpRpNLCZP-G-auZyhT22L6nT0HFeJ-h58MojLC0hisRtfPafATht2L-EXr7A9fgL2jfUa5yUZFwGv3j1KfPcL1Ok-ExAMUy-_w76Ld577GO8h3whhcNlGi3LFGKCR8uW3l3eSY/s640/DSCN0187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The city was built with a 784 meter long wall complete with watchtowers along three sides, with 12 meter high cliffs protecting the other side. It's very different than other Mayan sites I've visited. <br />
<br />
Tulum doesn't have a lot of buildings excavated, and the ones that are are mostly off limits for touching. This meant that the kids weren't that interested in the tour, but they were fascinated by the thousands (and I mean literally thousands) of iguanas sunning themselves all over the ruins and the pathways.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXvAcs0E4zKpqVsywT66SCvomkUDfOQFX5c5R1HUkrjyB1ko5TEGpvxxaYLp5sJBv_YXc28Y12NRxQ9TaMmhUpTWZ-eSUUopL6657wl1WIkhfVyHlPjDj-ddcYIm_1QMioVc6ZXfBf3E/s1600/DSCN0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXvAcs0E4zKpqVsywT66SCvomkUDfOQFX5c5R1HUkrjyB1ko5TEGpvxxaYLp5sJBv_YXc28Y12NRxQ9TaMmhUpTWZ-eSUUopL6657wl1WIkhfVyHlPjDj-ddcYIm_1QMioVc6ZXfBf3E/s640/DSCN0196.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU6Gnl2ROpLlTZUKv7-dulbaE4Z2a0Sg6I7UEJz2POIV7nbDQE1DQ84FswDwEoFIPgLZhoWfFuSAiRkvhfJ0eCJyTpgvvbIfG7_jLc6etYLCutra7viagf8p8GpYNeSbn0GVrDuk9-ck/s1600/DSCN0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU6Gnl2ROpLlTZUKv7-dulbaE4Z2a0Sg6I7UEJz2POIV7nbDQE1DQ84FswDwEoFIPgLZhoWfFuSAiRkvhfJ0eCJyTpgvvbIfG7_jLc6etYLCutra7viagf8p8GpYNeSbn0GVrDuk9-ck/s640/DSCN0143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The site on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean was very picturesque and I'm glad that we went to see these ruins, but I don't think that I would hurry back. It wasn't nearly as much fun as wandering through the jungle at Coba, it was way more crowded, and it was hot as the dickens.<br />
<br />
And anyone who knows Cal knows that's a dangerous combination. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtPXbnNVNYiUqgaEJvQgeAeR1wEa4GlNzBM-eFhm6w7rZxlPgYyaUMXM5Cuhmjie6Hiaatvz40OScIjABVsXt0klyW3CifUUaS2lvkxz5u5jfUIc2W_MsVfbrwjgDDox3njtmulV3rI4/s1600/DSCN0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtPXbnNVNYiUqgaEJvQgeAeR1wEa4GlNzBM-eFhm6w7rZxlPgYyaUMXM5Cuhmjie6Hiaatvz40OScIjABVsXt0klyW3CifUUaS2lvkxz5u5jfUIc2W_MsVfbrwjgDDox3njtmulV3rI4/s640/DSCN0153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihwNeH0ePf4mS6baRwIuxNfr857bkafM_cPfjzLXK1xTgSq2QlOSgOYJl44emuXr3e3nFiVUAaSJ9VLzAHPiMqGRK8Qh9Q03gBuMXxDs8b3t0uh6U_-8MnbDk9hgoCS9Z2D22jcFZI5g/s1600/DSCN0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihwNeH0ePf4mS6baRwIuxNfr857bkafM_cPfjzLXK1xTgSq2QlOSgOYJl44emuXr3e3nFiVUAaSJ9VLzAHPiMqGRK8Qh9Q03gBuMXxDs8b3t0uh6U_-8MnbDk9hgoCS9Z2D22jcFZI5g/s640/DSCN0155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSTkYzbqM7zeVZjdg0J20KXm87VqmRSJ9IYdFC42BdJCKrt9uSFlf03iotiJMMDgBsTNed4JlupA16K7K13b0-BaB0FLTYSQwstiYU4zswoUGv3DTVpc-AaHq-DD-o-DKHk9PCofvTlU/s1600/DSCN0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSTkYzbqM7zeVZjdg0J20KXm87VqmRSJ9IYdFC42BdJCKrt9uSFlf03iotiJMMDgBsTNed4JlupA16K7K13b0-BaB0FLTYSQwstiYU4zswoUGv3DTVpc-AaHq-DD-o-DKHk9PCofvTlU/s640/DSCN0156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBl5zvscFatN26pQjL1VhQ2aKILmve1zUDi_8yDBxJIjWAOlmaSsqBwMM0C5ypCDZonoC8HikW2OaJ7QoJNf3eOojn9q7qtLqfGwWeMPc8AxXFE2KsriRPgJZ6SXT1JXRYA1-N5-KJmc/s1600/DSCN0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBl5zvscFatN26pQjL1VhQ2aKILmve1zUDi_8yDBxJIjWAOlmaSsqBwMM0C5ypCDZonoC8HikW2OaJ7QoJNf3eOojn9q7qtLqfGwWeMPc8AxXFE2KsriRPgJZ6SXT1JXRYA1-N5-KJmc/s640/DSCN0169.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfKqVNatdMbY0XFUdoCRQbrMei1upB7QKHUMoH2APcPn5PUrJTw-4GgkJp5UjKwIZfXK5IU1dFuVXbjh6STX6RcXiGFhZ6JoVIC402EnMsFx7JGENxfUyurn14EJNYVNG_R30mbHiCLA/s1600/DSCN0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfKqVNatdMbY0XFUdoCRQbrMei1upB7QKHUMoH2APcPn5PUrJTw-4GgkJp5UjKwIZfXK5IU1dFuVXbjh6STX6RcXiGFhZ6JoVIC402EnMsFx7JGENxfUyurn14EJNYVNG_R30mbHiCLA/s640/DSCN0172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK2jSWYIJayV0Z7qF4Uzje5eLT3a1lRQY67pQ1xeVWIXA97-6qxxBczs_4PoyKTQ4qNks_f1OlAU-Kl2jdPFAkPdGd4wm4uoPZvT7Fm7usCC9p2sO1ptUzRptu9pTRFVm8a_Z0YGaYq0/s1600/DSCN0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK2jSWYIJayV0Z7qF4Uzje5eLT3a1lRQY67pQ1xeVWIXA97-6qxxBczs_4PoyKTQ4qNks_f1OlAU-Kl2jdPFAkPdGd4wm4uoPZvT7Fm7usCC9p2sO1ptUzRptu9pTRFVm8a_Z0YGaYq0/s640/DSCN0176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The highlight of this trip was definitely playing in the surf on the beach at the base of the ruins. It was a very windy day, and the waves were huge. It was also a very hot day, and the water was refreshing after wandering around the ruins up top. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUOL8_3J2AgVfeox2LG2NHtVocYUaALmuhrOsdu3mjtsyTbn5_FmTxQHDAmkOqKPGqybefTSYG8YSxTY_8h5X_zK_5myhx3ckRrnzHM4_gfo8cwEiXmanlWmrRq0MOJBttwO7eSI2mJc/s1600/DSCN0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUOL8_3J2AgVfeox2LG2NHtVocYUaALmuhrOsdu3mjtsyTbn5_FmTxQHDAmkOqKPGqybefTSYG8YSxTY_8h5X_zK_5myhx3ckRrnzHM4_gfo8cwEiXmanlWmrRq0MOJBttwO7eSI2mJc/s640/DSCN0188.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMLtPWN2BKk3UjBWvPmg-nc-2WDKCoOuPE4dqPnKtt62K1ki8vKrJXgBLbt25TGe8GgN_2oLG4Aes9-RTGrxibjpdd3z9WG2Sn-nDbzn14Pcedy8yJbCVYhCce-dvartYY0icyORFhyphenhyphenA/s1600/DSCN0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMLtPWN2BKk3UjBWvPmg-nc-2WDKCoOuPE4dqPnKtt62K1ki8vKrJXgBLbt25TGe8GgN_2oLG4Aes9-RTGrxibjpdd3z9WG2Sn-nDbzn14Pcedy8yJbCVYhCce-dvartYY0icyORFhyphenhyphenA/s640/DSCN0193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a difficult task to drag the boys away when it was time to leave. We lured them away with promises of a visit to another cenote that afternoon after a trip into town to eat some lunch. But that's a story for another day. Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-65550060249105803792013-12-06T21:13:00.001-05:002013-12-06T21:13:37.847-05:00Cobá's cenotes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQutH3S1gHooBM9eQg3U-n5HKu5nmyTH2pb2Y-ZHu1Nn5dvSDvVoBJX7SuLkirYlpChtvaje1QosRnAh6GyLfVmPZ3T5l2lgT5wP6tblZ2rOtvxURKvah6fIq9YAWzqbj8vKlXvJWW02U/s1600/DSCN0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQutH3S1gHooBM9eQg3U-n5HKu5nmyTH2pb2Y-ZHu1Nn5dvSDvVoBJX7SuLkirYlpChtvaje1QosRnAh6GyLfVmPZ3T5l2lgT5wP6tblZ2rOtvxURKvah6fIq9YAWzqbj8vKlXvJWW02U/s640/DSCN0105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The same day that we went to Cobá, we visited two local cenotes, which are natural holes in the limestone that expose groundwater at the bottom. They can be totally open at the top like a giant pit, or they can be a closed-in cavern with only a small hole open to the outside. The water in cenotes is usually crystal clear as it has filtered slowly through the ground and contains no particulate matter. <br />
<br />
Cenotes are very common in the Yucatan peninsula, and were often used by the Mayas for sacrificial offerings. The boys and I watched a BBC documentary before we came down here where they explored a sacred cenote and found the bones of hundreds of small children. It made Cal a little nervous that we would take him to such a place!<br />
<br />
The first cenote we visited, Tamcach Ha, had a very narrow opening from the outside, with a long, steep, slippery staircase for access.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUxCQ6zoc_RQ1GLkzi2F4_w7Ah-nr-iAdFtq3LySccmKSZUeGzXkFvsgxATV5uO9aJUaixQpxcIVSLEtBr6m1lpHCFRqMwtlQ2M3vNwDRQ0fSu-Yh4dK8Byiwu1_pcYjYUCCIqtuBN0s/s1600/DSCN0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUxCQ6zoc_RQ1GLkzi2F4_w7Ah-nr-iAdFtq3LySccmKSZUeGzXkFvsgxATV5uO9aJUaixQpxcIVSLEtBr6m1lpHCFRqMwtlQ2M3vNwDRQ0fSu-Yh4dK8Byiwu1_pcYjYUCCIqtuBN0s/s640/DSCN0099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once you got down far enough, it opened up into a large, underground cavern with a cool, clear pool to swim in. It felt amazing after our sweaty, dusty trek through Cobá. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSi8rTSVEMfpE6MGpwrDMtI2PrI6jLfUvNXid3VH_-ZnYDe4nGIWf5N8iFg0YREAcIV0O9cEXiinlZ9eDqTdEqUpg46gC4nzsIYl4K_5zMO6t-WUlkDh6m5HWg5eXTwS3JuLECqH7A7w/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSi8rTSVEMfpE6MGpwrDMtI2PrI6jLfUvNXid3VH_-ZnYDe4nGIWf5N8iFg0YREAcIV0O9cEXiinlZ9eDqTdEqUpg46gC4nzsIYl4K_5zMO6t-WUlkDh6m5HWg5eXTwS3JuLECqH7A7w/s640/DSCN0106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We spent at least an hour there, floating around or perching on the big rock (the only place to rest as the stairway ended right in the water) while Cal happily snorkeled around chasing after small fish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SYDksyGXpuEk03mka_iZpDhyu17LiaMU9b1gx2QSmPvS6cYcApgf0KDuak9gfnV_GbyYj54oagrZMCSTi5zeAR7NdKzIXCn9wNkG71kHeg01AlHBq1yBUtKhguXr5jWFAWYzVH6YJ3k/s1600/DSCN0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SYDksyGXpuEk03mka_iZpDhyu17LiaMU9b1gx2QSmPvS6cYcApgf0KDuak9gfnV_GbyYj54oagrZMCSTi5zeAR7NdKzIXCn9wNkG71kHeg01AlHBq1yBUtKhguXr5jWFAWYzVH6YJ3k/s640/DSCN0104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When we arrived there were about 20 people there, but, like most
places we've been, the tourist collectivos all cleared out by 3pm and we
had the place to ourselves. It was silent, with the only
sounds the dripping of the groundwater as it filtered through from above
and fell into the pool from the stalactites that lined the ceiling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowxhcN6Ugqi4spL_rlCWil4CRhCtXkfEr5kIhbit_NrVWb5w-iGyNSlzVtckoeKq963E63wiR1xmxf7jeQhMso9Llis7Gk5oH7gdmMHys0-1n71HnT6y0AXFAeLfqiAHHxSQrw6OJB9g/s1600/DSCN0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowxhcN6Ugqi4spL_rlCWil4CRhCtXkfEr5kIhbit_NrVWb5w-iGyNSlzVtckoeKq963E63wiR1xmxf7jeQhMso9Llis7Gk5oH7gdmMHys0-1n71HnT6y0AXFAeLfqiAHHxSQrw6OJB9g/s640/DSCN0110.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The second cenote, Choo Ha, was just a few hundred meters away, and while larger and in some ways more impressive, was not as inviting for swimming as it was shallow and kind of slimy looking. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj7D1N3dhU9EUwIuJS0Yo3hw641LEaW0mJGZKKqBc-_6voCatO2JnwjLVVlaj0ytaVSlqab7UM5Rnzrar-iyAGRqlnH88C6Vb8QtR2wTnJqIQO9HtqO9gV2kJy9xNqfitdxiIJbN_tiM/s1600/DSCN0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj7D1N3dhU9EUwIuJS0Yo3hw641LEaW0mJGZKKqBc-_6voCatO2JnwjLVVlaj0ytaVSlqab7UM5Rnzrar-iyAGRqlnH88C6Vb8QtR2wTnJqIQO9HtqO9gV2kJy9xNqfitdxiIJbN_tiM/s640/DSCN0112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb9zvVPmb-RqzjPeBjb2gOg-BTagi1VYrb0c8WsxwCcBJIMv40HszG_4GNzWSNDWq4JTrY1NRCgS7pDpm26AjDHnjH2HYmRT0JHIAnQZ11EBnBApq79rqdyles24hEgfzfhxncjznpZ0/s1600/DSCN0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb9zvVPmb-RqzjPeBjb2gOg-BTagi1VYrb0c8WsxwCcBJIMv40HszG_4GNzWSNDWq4JTrY1NRCgS7pDpm26AjDHnjH2HYmRT0JHIAnQZ11EBnBApq79rqdyles24hEgfzfhxncjznpZ0/s640/DSCN0117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This cenote had some really impressive pillars resulting from the fusion of stalactites and stalagmites. The next picture is hopelessly out of focus, but it's the only one I took that shows the scale. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpoSsgzkn49-wPQzs1tIVQOp37ctNbgWYo_fvcffvf-qi2JShPA2B425tcxhRdrQqQOeICt4r9Ci4sJ5aDOnh9YKU-I1bkLTwfj-Ve17RBoRaHRYB4YvnUhXu7-adPVf4qkhCzLUtcIw/s1600/DSCN0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpoSsgzkn49-wPQzs1tIVQOp37ctNbgWYo_fvcffvf-qi2JShPA2B425tcxhRdrQqQOeICt4r9Ci4sJ5aDOnh9YKU-I1bkLTwfj-Ve17RBoRaHRYB4YvnUhXu7-adPVf4qkhCzLUtcIw/s640/DSCN0114.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Cal was ready to jump in for a swim, but the rest of us were beat out, and ready to head back to Akumal for late afternoon cocktails. Three against one ruled the day, so we headed back to catch the last rays of sun. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1t-W1gzK-BHe9-QhYZxdsoF-84alctkAHI1emxz3BsxnRAsjJqOMcXMv_NzyTzJtI1CwHnGXj9MCw5SykCPDTpZwRGz-51HHN9f_xNqQyRvp44I_MF2IoZHn-5QeijFipcE0cQ5vg6o/s1600/DSCN0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1t-W1gzK-BHe9-QhYZxdsoF-84alctkAHI1emxz3BsxnRAsjJqOMcXMv_NzyTzJtI1CwHnGXj9MCw5SykCPDTpZwRGz-51HHN9f_xNqQyRvp44I_MF2IoZHn-5QeijFipcE0cQ5vg6o/s640/DSCN0129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-43571381359971635722013-12-04T22:34:00.000-05:002013-12-04T22:34:28.490-05:00Adventures in Cobá<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26g3hL5DGobLsgo6c1yW5a0QB1JgZI8BX_GWIoaZokLZuOGqUthWnnB2uIcj2G8BDhnHQXLEF4ftGYbs0XI5lqu7MuLRwW05262fMKoUUf9n65yKQxPWzUhN0JMP0tObd43benFZdWDE/s1600/DSCN0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26g3hL5DGobLsgo6c1yW5a0QB1JgZI8BX_GWIoaZokLZuOGqUthWnnB2uIcj2G8BDhnHQXLEF4ftGYbs0XI5lqu7MuLRwW05262fMKoUUf9n65yKQxPWzUhN0JMP0tObd43benFZdWDE/s640/DSCN0029.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The boys were itching to see some Mayan ruins, so we took them on a day trip to Cobá, which is thought to have been the largest of all the ancient Mayan cities. The ruins here are not as extensively restored as Tulum or Chichen Itza, but they are much less crowded and you can still climb the big pyramid. The kids were <i>really</i> excited by this.<br />
<br />
It took about an hour to drive there from Akumal, along a well maintained highway. We passed through a number of interesting villages along the way, although we didn't have time to stop. <br />
<br />
The name Cobá means "waters stirred by the wind". It is situated adjacent four natural lakes, which is very unusual in the Yucatan. This year, the wettest in 75 years, the waters are really being stirred by the wind. There has been so much rainfall that there is some pretty significant flooding at the site, which is right in the middle of the town. These pictures were taken from the ticket kiosk. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrf3qcfGSRtQfQJmSNt65kVPqCJ5WxPFYRz2ERqItlSXuvIAJ0gnE1EV9LqhTM0nME6MFPNULa4b81IVgfE9365kEqzy-dQHAFzNXll6onIPdksCnxZ3GoE7tIw5A3Ozdyoh_T-gbrpz0/s1600/DSCN0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrf3qcfGSRtQfQJmSNt65kVPqCJ5WxPFYRz2ERqItlSXuvIAJ0gnE1EV9LqhTM0nME6MFPNULa4b81IVgfE9365kEqzy-dQHAFzNXll6onIPdksCnxZ3GoE7tIw5A3Ozdyoh_T-gbrpz0/s640/DSCN0085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNufjiJeatlbVWynQN2pTFbxtiI9ceVkEA6W4ZGLvYWmw1-7EPddaCIuJuJzVWW12XWY2YBmukfCgrCTGcqdBZFzc4KXBiWe3hbVS1Lt7Jpf25ard-6BeoQ5H-dWeoZEl1IG1yQSdDyMA/s1600/DSCN0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNufjiJeatlbVWynQN2pTFbxtiI9ceVkEA6W4ZGLvYWmw1-7EPddaCIuJuJzVWW12XWY2YBmukfCgrCTGcqdBZFzc4KXBiWe3hbVS1Lt7Jpf25ard-6BeoQ5H-dWeoZEl1IG1yQSdDyMA/s640/DSCN0086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There were washouts in the road that were blocked off and partially repaired, water across the road that we had to drive through (holding our breath that we wouldn't hit some giant underwater pothole or be so submerged that the car would stall), but the town appeared to be going merrily along with daily life. They built walkways out of cinder blocks and some people had small boats tethered to their houses. <br />
<br />
While the Cobá site is huge, containing an estimated 6500 buildings, few of them have been restored. As you walk along the pathways inside the site, everywhere you look you can see structures covered by jungle growth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiliqmzR-l5Owq9AqtcDVqevb390nKseTNkNWameurxpA-BYrseoUlPkGTnJ_jeVMdImUHa1MLM9-rnGTolEGDZ2SwCzi5hZUqX0ceaGEyP7eL38VemenIVKmaetYEhnNY6isngOkxJyU/s1600/DSCN0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiliqmzR-l5Owq9AqtcDVqevb390nKseTNkNWameurxpA-BYrseoUlPkGTnJ_jeVMdImUHa1MLM9-rnGTolEGDZ2SwCzi5hZUqX0ceaGEyP7eL38VemenIVKmaetYEhnNY6isngOkxJyU/s640/DSCN0055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And many of the structures are only partially excavated. It lends to the overgrown lost-in-the-jungle charm. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9c1_JhXe9QGadaaYGlYpDlft0tSq1nLyEuzbGTEHJtTi-v97cDtY8q6pkeW46C22ycnJwcYGsH8bF2eGbokv-50rC8NmaJRTBL18cWqXlqZtIkBG7qDyACgmoauHgXxyLJvG3rsKXzks/s1600/DSCN0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9c1_JhXe9QGadaaYGlYpDlft0tSq1nLyEuzbGTEHJtTi-v97cDtY8q6pkeW46C22ycnJwcYGsH8bF2eGbokv-50rC8NmaJRTBL18cWqXlqZtIkBG7qDyACgmoauHgXxyLJvG3rsKXzks/s640/DSCN0066.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
We hired a guide to lead us through the group of structures nearest the entrance. He was amazing with the kids, directing the tour mainly towards them. He was so good, he even managed to keep Cal engaged for 45 minutes - which many not seem long, but is almost unheard of for that kid! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-57rzFbwNaMCr5YJmH3DET_vxjO18XY2rPWxX5lRJKZR39tgKPLkb6EiJZ5iRwOUr5OKCuytqKvRdBOwt4OCoZ2bD8QmcLv3lfC_8juV60z1ahLpTrnU2ywtTLzUECIewmj6LTcgvIQ/s1600/DSCN0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-57rzFbwNaMCr5YJmH3DET_vxjO18XY2rPWxX5lRJKZR39tgKPLkb6EiJZ5iRwOUr5OKCuytqKvRdBOwt4OCoZ2bD8QmcLv3lfC_8juV60z1ahLpTrnU2ywtTLzUECIewmj6LTcgvIQ/s640/DSCN0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswbw0WeVc-TVImFvdiieWFFWX96K8xehEx76BmFHqq89tjSB-jImgn8JMRcInsIvSa_P-FuIILchAFCHM-JCpVthGd3UW8411YX7W0_R3rLMfWWoPDPHn8dbSmxJg-TOOE1ZppOqOp3M/s1600/DSCN0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswbw0WeVc-TVImFvdiieWFFWX96K8xehEx76BmFHqq89tjSB-jImgn8JMRcInsIvSa_P-FuIILchAFCHM-JCpVthGd3UW8411YX7W0_R3rLMfWWoPDPHn8dbSmxJg-TOOE1ZppOqOp3M/s640/DSCN0011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyyH-lonVPIvc1-H7q6COuE8PekyO1xwFKhs9J1aIrFiqrrmGvtnbNkPYkSK3Rvbg4qatw_uHR90xVf1_VbVDtV9YAoiCdAHVxD1maiXkHB6dXSvLnbtvDlReq3S-jcRUCM0H07w2CFY/s1600/DSCN0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyyH-lonVPIvc1-H7q6COuE8PekyO1xwFKhs9J1aIrFiqrrmGvtnbNkPYkSK3Rvbg4qatw_uHR90xVf1_VbVDtV9YAoiCdAHVxD1maiXkHB6dXSvLnbtvDlReq3S-jcRUCM0H07w2CFY/s640/DSCN0012.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MgfMkIuBl1IECYzQsR7HBH7XtGDN85saCBqNFa3dmIHbzDPNOt1n8zYTzDh8fnsU5HFKbr2pOK4HzXcarwyaOZAWUlW__gHWPyiJ-D1NXmBaCwSfTnimzvI0L7NqZSDw3HgYqhUSJfQ/s1600/DSCN0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MgfMkIuBl1IECYzQsR7HBH7XtGDN85saCBqNFa3dmIHbzDPNOt1n8zYTzDh8fnsU5HFKbr2pOK4HzXcarwyaOZAWUlW__gHWPyiJ-D1NXmBaCwSfTnimzvI0L7NqZSDw3HgYqhUSJfQ/s640/DSCN0019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The highlight of the ruins was definitely Nohoch Mul, which
means "big mound". This pyramid is 42 meters (138 ft) high, which makes it higher than El Castillo, the main pyramid in Chichen Itza. Only one side of Nohoch Mul has been cleared of vegetation, which makes it seem rather wild and very unlike the perfectly reconstructed structures at Chichen Itza. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwHaklGvhAkBvXDaXpzCz9qEEzgudd16AqRn6wgiDivp6fEEInieuhm8OnYOXaYD4IOJ_TMs-BhmbrX5dO5qAKO_JNyCLeJ3DK79kDwZtfVux_dWUqXuupbrSSbzKMHtyZxJCUAISd1w/s1600/DSCN0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwHaklGvhAkBvXDaXpzCz9qEEzgudd16AqRn6wgiDivp6fEEInieuhm8OnYOXaYD4IOJ_TMs-BhmbrX5dO5qAKO_JNyCLeJ3DK79kDwZtfVux_dWUqXuupbrSSbzKMHtyZxJCUAISd1w/s640/DSCN0039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRncbEsZqNYzjLe0apWtKZRfBZMcRORYXHNZUxTsZcuH5S9MojK0vNVZ47jH_SOqRBGDQq5XMN5jGkzG1gPJOFQImcBPmNUV_YL4GvAhfFv7349bjA2TioZySggdDz5wTPvGTghRA1iGs/s1600/DSCN0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRncbEsZqNYzjLe0apWtKZRfBZMcRORYXHNZUxTsZcuH5S9MojK0vNVZ47jH_SOqRBGDQq5XMN5jGkzG1gPJOFQImcBPmNUV_YL4GvAhfFv7349bjA2TioZySggdDz5wTPvGTghRA1iGs/s640/DSCN0023.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
It was soooo hot climbing this thing in the blazing sun. The boys scrambled up it like billy goats, but Alan and I were considerably slower and more cautious. The steps were uneven and some were slippery, worn smooth by so many feet climbing. Honestly, the kids almost gave me a heart attack the way they attacked it. <br />
<br />
We were all sweaty and out of breath by the time we reached the top, but the view was well worth it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu-k3j3-Rs_bXmGxaL_h4zSmLtPxeGwNhFTlwGwq2ev_3ulAZA7atLbjTY1YlwGPts53d2XwuekF0is_u5uZRKsZY1GkFw06g5O45DiRN0jgbplwb7vPg9SHK5IaGsZ7rdm1ZxW9gwNY/s1600/DSCN0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu-k3j3-Rs_bXmGxaL_h4zSmLtPxeGwNhFTlwGwq2ev_3ulAZA7atLbjTY1YlwGPts53d2XwuekF0is_u5uZRKsZY1GkFw06g5O45DiRN0jgbplwb7vPg9SHK5IaGsZ7rdm1ZxW9gwNY/s640/DSCN0025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bbFI7-kXd5zel3OAbVPQ9MCyKv9SoqxZsuaLYPmmy7JXov8Ova2nl1IB2vdKMJ4a6Q-ec4CSi1zD1IHDMzNGInmPiW6SLYR6OhFK7sAOgMbqmoRRNVL021mRWaiEohtnyGMC8lvEYPQ/s1600/DSCN0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bbFI7-kXd5zel3OAbVPQ9MCyKv9SoqxZsuaLYPmmy7JXov8Ova2nl1IB2vdKMJ4a6Q-ec4CSi1zD1IHDMzNGInmPiW6SLYR6OhFK7sAOgMbqmoRRNVL021mRWaiEohtnyGMC8lvEYPQ/s640/DSCN0027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There was jungle as far as the eye can see. Off in the distance you can see the top of a pyramid peeking through the trees, and can just catch a glimpse of one of the lakes.<br />
<br />
I learned an in interesting fact at the top of the 138 foot high, 120 step pyramid.<br />
<br />
My firstborn doesn't like heights.<br />
<br />
I have to admit that it was a little disconcerting standing at the top pondering how best to descend. Look how tiny those people at the bottom are - it was a <i>long</i> way down. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32YccQd0ku9l40ZHV5r-WQfQIlseBFLGJhbpTUuRSy_ahDOQI7W6N0j1rtQOGOcO3ojWVlOuhd_XM8FFrfWe29OS8LKwh8wpnvpDDJvdAYc-7fbuA0CsRvbESMdeWyDdp5gtE0_wJppI/s1600/DSCN0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32YccQd0ku9l40ZHV5r-WQfQIlseBFLGJhbpTUuRSy_ahDOQI7W6N0j1rtQOGOcO3ojWVlOuhd_XM8FFrfWe29OS8LKwh8wpnvpDDJvdAYc-7fbuA0CsRvbESMdeWyDdp5gtE0_wJppI/s640/DSCN0026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Cal and I scuttled back down on our bums, lowering ourselves one step at a time. It wasn't very graceful, but was much less nerve-wracking than trying to walk down. Alan <strike>bravely</strike> recklessly walked down as if he was descending a normal staircase. He didn't even hold on to the rope! <br />
<br />
Thankfully, there was a small palapa at the bottom selling food and drinks where we stopped for a snack and a rest. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb-VYhuDCKnm2273VuWXHu9oR2SElvnrdIEKYrHcBf-FKx_jqSGPk64PUY5vOiJUsvPl12pai4uhwZgVTbBnmIMuGt96a25-PvxO3lMKu-H4AK6Bc5pxb3RL-3ELJMkFLQqR3xn3t0wQ/s1600/DSCN0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb-VYhuDCKnm2273VuWXHu9oR2SElvnrdIEKYrHcBf-FKx_jqSGPk64PUY5vOiJUsvPl12pai4uhwZgVTbBnmIMuGt96a25-PvxO3lMKu-H4AK6Bc5pxb3RL-3ELJMkFLQqR3xn3t0wQ/s640/DSCN0041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At this point the boys were overheated and started to lose interest, so we decided to ditch the third Groupo and head back the entry. There was still plenty to see along the way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DLt-QkL4LW1BHL9j2INuseyJjupZJNDkrBGYQOJbvYtS3vFpUwcF9nqj3jaP0fR2p4juE5nqtAGbr5ecyCZzMKuHbDxZYMEhYJwW8NiGKvU7w-wRiEHicQLuaze9ekHtUMr7kXkpKuc/s1600/DSCN0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DLt-QkL4LW1BHL9j2INuseyJjupZJNDkrBGYQOJbvYtS3vFpUwcF9nqj3jaP0fR2p4juE5nqtAGbr5ecyCZzMKuHbDxZYMEhYJwW8NiGKvU7w-wRiEHicQLuaze9ekHtUMr7kXkpKuc/s640/DSCN0058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVWPbzaPyJes-oENQvSH32_i_EqC7GbX9KpBUhaPPZq_6wm-_udmhqqjz8uEAfhhn-CKnqhtRXeyxymGUY5EUt9XmrMEjcU_3o4FfhvIvxAfGqgx6WFWDtwKB2Yn1sEJp1yOpEazFNJA/s1600/DSCN0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVWPbzaPyJes-oENQvSH32_i_EqC7GbX9KpBUhaPPZq_6wm-_udmhqqjz8uEAfhhn-CKnqhtRXeyxymGUY5EUt9XmrMEjcU_3o4FfhvIvxAfGqgx6WFWDtwKB2Yn1sEJp1yOpEazFNJA/s640/DSCN0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYxaCNhwvow/Up_kpd-c97I/AAAAAAAADhQ/kdQAfWagV-k/s1600/DSCN0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYxaCNhwvow/Up_kpd-c97I/AAAAAAAADhQ/kdQAfWagV-k/s640/DSCN0062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwZ6AYaLWGRLp_X0gI7dhkkK5JoA0ob7LoyKuVO-g4-Tqc0mSq8B1noIu1Ltu8Gkwdqo8BmbRr0WjGBCHKk4VJICyaufyd7YFcm-0gyqihOfHxryjCMoQabGs9qbkCFTr2H3p9ac3pwI/s1600/DSCN0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwZ6AYaLWGRLp_X0gI7dhkkK5JoA0ob7LoyKuVO-g4-Tqc0mSq8B1noIu1Ltu8Gkwdqo8BmbRr0WjGBCHKk4VJICyaufyd7YFcm-0gyqihOfHxryjCMoQabGs9qbkCFTr2H3p9ac3pwI/s640/DSCN0073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyO6RH0I9FChVmk7rXWboUtFGJJKH38I8ai0N1yWOqKbrs3BeixaE-GLt_F-ZQfBbiiussWapWUFiGRkkD13oj5UYBE_zTYiopRDQ_awYcmaP8EqpQcUVpjk0p_A0z4g5m3JWITOh4PU/s1600/DSCN0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyO6RH0I9FChVmk7rXWboUtFGJJKH38I8ai0N1yWOqKbrs3BeixaE-GLt_F-ZQfBbiiussWapWUFiGRkkD13oj5UYBE_zTYiopRDQ_awYcmaP8EqpQcUVpjk0p_A0z4g5m3JWITOh4PU/s640/DSCN0049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We finished it all off with a trip into town for a late lunch. We found an amazing little restaurant, and shared some delicious fish tacos, empanadas, quesadillas and queso fundido. Thankfully we have kids who aren't afraid to try new things. Unless, of course, it has too many vegetables in it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK8jmhfVMAYwxrGfmE0WoSTQgBHFmTH4_7G6ERB-lN8oMOjVbZEZupcSkjLlNxvBs2eNAL1ZRiYLdFvBKcwGB4zTEiQ3cjnc52ElEMQkEfHkPZR_P9AqSiUVwrNeyVWi_ncvg4c4siJg/s1600/DSCN0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK8jmhfVMAYwxrGfmE0WoSTQgBHFmTH4_7G6ERB-lN8oMOjVbZEZupcSkjLlNxvBs2eNAL1ZRiYLdFvBKcwGB4zTEiQ3cjnc52ElEMQkEfHkPZR_P9AqSiUVwrNeyVWi_ncvg4c4siJg/s640/DSCN0096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After lunch we headed off on a trip to an amazing ceynote to cool off. But that's a story for another day. Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8199527646020882017.post-38794666819143866212013-12-01T22:42:00.001-05:002013-12-01T22:42:52.724-05:00This is the lifeWe've escaped the frigid Toronto weather and are staying in Mexico for the next couple of weeks. The boys are playing hooky and Alan and I are relaxing this week in Akumal and attending a meeting in Playa del Carmen next week (the boys will be amused at the resort's Kids Club). <br />
<br />
This week we're staying in an amazing two bedroom condo right on the beach. There are only six units in the building, and they're all filled with families with kids. Here's the view standing on the beach looking back at the condo. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvzJcnIfrBN286mEGcgE9Y2PucXeowq-X9_XiIoO3y0MYJW1h4K32V1HNP8QPXySJgGx69T8vaP2MW6ExASumN69smP1Tlz2004fgqfCRfjuwLRs4py3OcWgG936thXUMjb0Oj0lUn80/s1600/DSCN0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvzJcnIfrBN286mEGcgE9Y2PucXeowq-X9_XiIoO3y0MYJW1h4K32V1HNP8QPXySJgGx69T8vaP2MW6ExASumN69smP1Tlz2004fgqfCRfjuwLRs4py3OcWgG936thXUMjb0Oj0lUn80/s640/DSCN0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The thatched roof on the left is a palapa with a hammock, BBQ, and tables and chairs. The blue tiled tower you can see just to the right of the building is an outdoor shower to clean off the salt and sand from the beach. The pool, on the right, is just outside of our unit (the one with the towels on the railing). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWNFplQOB1A9gAxoz006fwbdIzoeAnDZPY2gCro6aj6vsKTQiGwdpMq1kDkz45LcNLBvTWOF62eC5AoMPkJMQkjAlCtyc9F5vSyNaoexvmvxtuVp0OSJrV31qN77agmkOZLLJ5DNkZ6w/s1600/DSCN0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWNFplQOB1A9gAxoz006fwbdIzoeAnDZPY2gCro6aj6vsKTQiGwdpMq1kDkz45LcNLBvTWOF62eC5AoMPkJMQkjAlCtyc9F5vSyNaoexvmvxtuVp0OSJrV31qN77agmkOZLLJ5DNkZ6w/s640/DSCN0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's nice to sit and drink coffee (or cocktails, depending on the time
of day) on the balcony while Cal swims in the pool. That kid is half fish - he'd stay in there
all day if we let him. <br />
<br />
The beach on Half Moon Bay is amazing. We've been taking long walks morning and evening, and the boys have been having fun frolicking in the surf. It's been too wavy the past couple of days for snorkeling, but we're hoping the waves die down soon so we can get out there! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAuUohUbu0LVN01AgmM2R9KYrwmDxnv6gkwLNmrH76IX1OHmZiQbANVpQII2NnEIkebW-Lvhnt8oLFDwDtA4VdO0pT9qVsrguhtTiHI5Yv38gosUVdHz6dhutBkuIFqtfVTu6fG0HL9w/s1600/DSCN0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAuUohUbu0LVN01AgmM2R9KYrwmDxnv6gkwLNmrH76IX1OHmZiQbANVpQII2NnEIkebW-Lvhnt8oLFDwDtA4VdO0pT9qVsrguhtTiHI5Yv38gosUVdHz6dhutBkuIFqtfVTu6fG0HL9w/s640/DSCN0004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpv6SSU1QS5-IgkY_1AYzjKhpC2zCuPY3czdgeDNT8hwf81UWoVYjVkC00bcUVwP9EN_5ic8_LBjlqPzybSBkIUCqL2XYIhV2MZrgWyrjFWXa2DBcvLw4zTm4uswUxkDqe043y-9lSco/s1600/DSCN0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpv6SSU1QS5-IgkY_1AYzjKhpC2zCuPY3czdgeDNT8hwf81UWoVYjVkC00bcUVwP9EN_5ic8_LBjlqPzybSBkIUCqL2XYIhV2MZrgWyrjFWXa2DBcvLw4zTm4uswUxkDqe043y-9lSco/s640/DSCN0006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The weather has been warm, but overcast with periods of sun. I'm kind of happy to not have all-out sun as I'm sure that our pasty-white winter skin would be burned after spending the whole day outside, even with sunscreen.<br />
<br />
We had fun exploring the local town - the boys love the Mexican food at the restaurants in town, and are fascinated by the dogs, cats, and chickens that run free in the streets. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbmeO_b6XpN7TJar2Yrd8rwIgXkb4eR-pneUuugHZAvmoKva2oKPnZUTkwqW3IBo1RyAFehq29KFkeq5aC2WkxsqAbT8bzqA63PdUmr7QLsXZwEp0CKEmlerOzRjD6VPgMZIYld8zuNQ/s1600/DSCN0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbmeO_b6XpN7TJar2Yrd8rwIgXkb4eR-pneUuugHZAvmoKva2oKPnZUTkwqW3IBo1RyAFehq29KFkeq5aC2WkxsqAbT8bzqA63PdUmr7QLsXZwEp0CKEmlerOzRjD6VPgMZIYld8zuNQ/s640/DSCN0126.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother chicken with babies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's certainly an eye-opening experience for them! Karen (duwestreno)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02280272131342873643noreply@blogger.com0