Maple syrup

First batch of 2012. Made 3 quarts



-Dad

Location:Old Turnpike Rd,Salisbury,United States

The Steam Bender - Tank

Our next door neighbor came through for us again. I've been trying to track down a metal gas can for the water tank for the steam bender project, but they are apparently far and few between now days. At least anything remotely affordable. Well he had a old red metal gas can and donated it to the cause. It is perfect for the steam bender. It'll be used on top of the propane burner I have for family camping trips. It's good to have good neighbors.




-Dad

The Steam Bender

Some of the boys made snowshoes from sticks a couple weeks back. Our neighbor (91 years old) told one of them he never sees them playing out in the snow and gave them an old wood pair of snowshoes he hadn't used for a while.

We took a look at them and decided we could make something pretty close to them. One more reason to build a wood steam bender. And yes, I have other reasons to make one. The basic plan is shown is pictured below. I'll update with some of the hardware and finished bender.




The donated snowshoes are pictured below.




-Dad

Digging Out

The boys spent most of the day digging out the driveway and paths around the house a few days ago.  This is our first winter in the house we bought in September.  We actually only had two snow events so far, but they both dumped a lot on snow.  All the snow you see in the photos are from the most recent snow storm. The photos do not exaggerate, it was a ton.

-Dad

Dinner w/my Wife

Susan and I went to dinner at the local Thai restaurant near our new old house. Going out with your spouse is important.

-Dad

At Home in New Home

We are now 3 months into settling in at the new house we bought. Boiler tanks need replacing. Do the job myself or pay someone else?
We'll see...

By the way...
boiler tanks are important.

Photo is Mike in the new library.

Home Inspection Complete

The home inspection completed.  The primary inspection found some chimney and crawl space problems so we had some specialists give us a couple of quotes.  Th repair quotes were pretty high (really out of line) so we asked the sellers to help with some of the closing costs.

They apparently weren't too excited about our requested dollar figure, so they had some other quotes obtained.  The additional quotes for the repair to the chimney and crawlspace were a lot closer to what I felt they should have been to begin with.  The sellers offerred to pay the full amount on the revised quotes to get the repairs done.

WE are pretty good with that, so we plan to agree with the sellers counter offer and move forward with the house.

Now we need to get the home appraisel done and then get a closing date from the lender.

-Ben