30 January 2012
17 January 2012
Musical Interlude
Can't help but hear Robin Williams announcing this song using his Lawrence Welk voice....
(cropped because the imagery is ... very 70s and all that goes with that)
06 January 2012
New Desk Done
So I'm back from my border run, and have got my new desk all set up. See previous post for photos of the creation of the new desk. I was able, before heading to Nicaragua, to get a good finish of polyurethane on the desk, and then to allow it to dry thoroughly for three days, so this morning I got busy (with Jen's help) making the switchover.
The shelf unit is the same, so you can see how much more space I have on the desktop. Not only is the new one deeper, but it is also wider.
Umm, that's it.
| Before (actually a few months ago) |
| After |
Umm, that's it.
01 January 2012
On a (Building) Tear
For Christmas this year, Jen's folks gave us cash, with which to do nice things for ourselves. Jen used her bit as a lion's portion of the price of a "like new" netbook computer, and I decided I would use mine to buy materials for a larger computer desk, as the one I built when I first arrived in Costa Rica is small, because I had a small space in which to put it.
The first step was to go to the neighborhood lumber yard and get some planking for the top. I wanted to go as wide as possible (and here in CR it's easier to get really wide boards), but I ended up getting 1"x10"s, as they were the most reasonably priced. I also went with pine, although I did think about using the laurel (accent on second syllable, please) like I used for the folding tables last time.
I already had some 2"x3"s, that Jen's former boss gave me (along with some other lumber) when they closed down shop, so I decided to use them for the under-top frame and legs.
Not a whole lot left to do before bringing this one into the house... decide final placement of the shelf for the CPU, more poly on the top (and legs and shelf) and attaching the upper shelf unit that is on the old desk, but all that will have to wait until I return from my quarterly trip across the border to get my visa re-stamped. I leave in the morning, and will return on Thursday.
Pictures to follow!
The first step was to go to the neighborhood lumber yard and get some planking for the top. I wanted to go as wide as possible (and here in CR it's easier to get really wide boards), but I ended up getting 1"x10"s, as they were the most reasonably priced. I also went with pine, although I did think about using the laurel (accent on second syllable, please) like I used for the folding tables last time.
I already had some 2"x3"s, that Jen's former boss gave me (along with some other lumber) when they closed down shop, so I decided to use them for the under-top frame and legs.
| Top planks 'joined' using cleats and screws, and under-top frame assembled and temporarily in place. |
| Legs and low back brace added, pondering computer shelf placement. |
| Same thing, viewed from the other end (note the 'park' bench I made in the background). |
| The top with a nice coat of poly on it. |
| Close shot of the wet-polyed top, showing the dowel peg anchors. |
Pictures to follow!
27 December 2011
Buildering Stuff
I decided to make some folding TV tables, now that I have all the tools. I began by looking online for free plans, but the hundreds of "leads" all led to the same page, which was just written instructions which were difficult to follow. So, of course, I just started making....
| After cutting a rabbet for the top pieces to lay into, I put the frame pieces together with glue and brads and had this. |
| And then the inner legs, with braces and ½" dowel hinge pins (and a stop board I had to add so the legs wouldn't splay all the way to the top frame). |
| And VIOLA!!! One folding TV tray. |
| I
still have to put a finish on it (polyurethane varnish), and build
another one, but at least I finished this much by Christmas morning for
an 'official' unveiling. The End. |
12 December 2011
Christmas Song
No, not Mel Torme's classic, but a classic in its own right....
"Dear Nuala" (12 Days of Christmas).
"Dear Nuala" (12 Days of Christmas).
02 November 2011
20 October 2011
I Haven't Forgotten About You, I Promise
Hello, my dear blog. How've you been lately? I miss you sometimes, and I hope to get back to posting on you, but you know how it is. There's this other site that's so much more 'in the moment' and, frankly, more responsive, but it has its problems, so....
Anyway, just wanted to say hi.
Loves me some Phydeaux. :)
Anyway, just wanted to say hi.
Loves me some Phydeaux. :)
07 September 2011
Beauty Full
The haunting harmonies....
(posting mainly so I'll have it in an easily accessed location)
04 August 2011
Not An Abject Failure
One day last week I wanted to make a chocolate pie with a pastry crust. It had been a very long time since I made one, and I forgot that when baking an empty pie crust, one needs something to hold down said crust so it doesn't puff up, burn to a crisp, fall over and then sink into the swamp.
So guess what happened.
Today, I tried again:
The edge isn't all purty and stuff, because a) I didn't know if what I tried would work (I used rice to fill the pan, after lining it with aluminium foil ) and b), I ain't sellin' it, I'm makin' it fer to eat!!
I suspect that even Emerson Cod would enjoy this pie, but we won't know for sure until after dinner tonight -- because this pie is for dessert. :)
So guess what happened.
Today, I tried again:
| Golden Flaky pie crust! |
| Chocolate Pie!!!. |
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