My Sunday Photo... Log splitter

It's something for the boys this week... 

Well actually if you're anything like me, then it might also appeal to some girls too. 

This is one of my hubbies Christmas pressies and today was it's grand unveiling. 

To say my hubby has a wood fetish might be an understatement.

(I think I've mentioned this on my blog before). 

He can spend all day collecting, chopping and stacking wood.

His wood store is a masterpiece of 'Jenga' ingenuity.

No one can stack wood like he can.

Or it appears that way, because if anyone tries to add to the pile he has to have the last say by tweaking and fiddling until it's to his specific specification.  

Sad but true.

Anyway, I thought that this log splitter would not only save him time, it would also save his back. 

He was skeptical at first... insisting that he likes to spend hours using the axe whilst alleviating his stress levels.  (I'm not sure why he gave me a funny look as he said this)

But after splitting a whole wheel barrow full of beautifully chopped logs within fifteen minutes or so... he was convinced it was a winner.

It split the huge chunks of wood like butter.

It seems a little strange to be preparing wood for next winter, when we are only just saying goodbye to this last winter... but he's happy!

As usual I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo

Thanks for visiting my place today and I hope you're enjoying your weekend too.

My Sunday Photo... Cozy Wood Burner

I had to open my mouth didn't I and say that we'd had no snow...
Well not twenty-four hours after making that statement it arrived. 

The wind has been blowing an icy blast (apparently from the Artic) all day and now snow has arrived with it. 

Hence this Sunday's photo is of our inglenook with the wood burner blasting out heat.

You just can't beat it on a day like today. 

The large tree trunks to the side of the burner are from a friends garden... they chopped down a tree some time last year, so it's perfectly dried out now and ready for burning.

I'm linking up with Darren over at onedad3girls.com once again

Have a great Sunday everyone

I'm off to have play in the snow... what are you up to? 

Whatever it is have fun!

Friday's Photos...

If you're expecting my Simple Woman's Daybook today, then I apologise....

and if you're not...then why not? ;D

Basically my excuse is that I've ran out of time this week. I know...how could I? 

But I may get a chance over the coming weekend. Who knows?

There's word that we could have some rain...so there may well be time for another post! 

Unless of course, I'm whisked away somewhere quite exotic, warm and totally self-indulging for Mother's Day...other than the option to launch myself into the ironing pile that's now resembling a monument, I suppose. Well that'll be warm but hardly exotic!

But the weather this week has been extraordinary for autumn, so I've been out and about taking snap shots of all the beautiful things that have caught my attention....well some of them anyway.

Like this tree that stopped me in my tracks this morning. I immediately saw a traffic light!
Can you see what I mean? Okay maybe you had to be there?
Then to see the stop sign nearby just made me giggle...okay it doesn't take much ;D

 

But then here's a tree that's definitely got high blood pressure, angry or just loving making a statement dressed in red! (apologies for the photo ~ it was so bright and sunny)

I love this tree...but then I love all trees I guess. At different times of the day it changes...really putting on a show for everyone.

After drawing the Protea plant last week, I saw this huge plant growing in a nearby garden. I didn't realise how large the plant can grow. This shot was obviously after a shower with the raindrops still evident.

So yes, we have had some rain which means mushrooms. I have to confess I know nothing about mushrooms growing in the wild, so stay well clear and just admire them from afar...but I do like the idea of wandering around the woods with my little basket collecting them. Maybe one day?

For now I'll play safe and collect mine from my lovely local veggie store....

So with lots of sunshine and showers it's not surprising that the lemon trees profusely producing wonderful lemons in abundance!

Unfortunately this particular tree isn't in our garden but we do have about a 12 lemons on ours, so I'm very happy. 

My OH is ecstatic because that means there's enough for his beloved lemon tart!

The eucalyptus flower caught my eye especially with having the three stages of development all on the same stem ~ well that's what I think it is, but if I'm wrong please let me know.

But autumn is drawing to a close and winter should be knocking on the door, although you'd never guess with today's weather. 

I'd have a cosy warm feeling having this wood pile waiting nearby the house...
I really miss our open fire...(sigh)....I'm putting one on my wish list for our next house!

So wherever you are right now, I hope the sun shines on you this weekend....enjoy and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mum's out there :D

South African Wood

I've began the process of looking and evaluating our possessions for the imminent house move.
Its funny how at certain times or due to different circumstances you can see something in a completely different light or perhaps it reminds you of why it was admired in the first place.

I've always loved wood and this piece certainly holds a few tales within its layers.
It was given to us whilst in South Africa by a friend.

Its supposedly hundreds of years old and it certainly looks like its been around for a while to me.
The textures are incredible and you can even see the grooves and burrows that the residents have made over the years.

I've been meaning to have it mounted onto a plinth to give it the reverence it deserves.

 

Hmm....that reminds me I must go and moisturise.....

Work in Progress (Part 5) Nearly completed

Phewph, can you believe it? I can't.....I've nearly completed the renovation of the pine drawers.

I know its been quite a task, but I finished the final coat of satin varnish yesterday.
All that's left is to buy some drawer liners and return them into my guest bedroom.

It's certainly been a bigger commitment than I thought it was going to be but I think it was worth it.

I'll post the last photo when they're in situ and suitably dressed!

Work in Progress (4)

I thought I'd just let you know the latest....after finally finishing painting the 10 drawers yesterday, my son walked past and took a sharp intake of breath whilst shaking his head. Then he proceeded to give me the good news...."they're going to need another coat". Just what I wanted to hear, although I knew he was right. Then they'll need the final varnish on to protect them. This could take me well into the new year at this rate. It feels a little like I imagine the Sydney Harbour Bridge....once you get to the end its time to start all over again!

{Photograph from Google Image http://www.google.co.uk/images}

As you can see Muffin wasn't impressed either.
Watching paint dry isn't one of her favourite past times

Work in Progress (3)

Yes, finally I've got back to the drawers. I know you've probably forgotten all about them by now, but I've been bumping into them on occasions which have reminded me that they were supposed to be a work in progress. Doesn't that mean there should have been some progress?

Now we've ventured into November, its suddenly dawned on me that my guests will be arriving in Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve...eek! That's just weeks away and not months anymore. I don't particularly want the guest room to reek of paint and turps.
My guests will have trouble with their jet lag never mind the fumes knocking them out.

Armed with all the tools and a perfect day plus a cuppa to get the job off to a good start...off I went. It was great to be outdoors not only for the fantastic temperature but also the fumes.

Well that was until I noticed someone else was very interested in my work....a little too interested! Pest...

Seven out of ten drawers well under way...phewph...I never realised this was going to be such a big job. It seemed an easy little task when I did the small bedside cabinet.

Argh.....another visitor....you can't move for them. But rest assured I did make sure they were able to fly off, without leaving footprints.

Back to it then.....I'll keep you posted.

Work in Progress (2)

Just a quick post today to give an update on the DIY pine drawers make-over.

I know you thought I'd forgotten them, but its typically turned into a bigger job than I anticipated.

Story of my life really.....

This time I worked out on the decking and not in the garage. And here's a little secret - I rubbed them down with my bikini on! Shocking I know but hey...after last time I was covered from head to foot in fine dust. This way it was easier, I just headed straight for the shower.

Is it me or do these drawers look happy to be getting a make-over?

I thought I was nearly done but I when went to check how many drawers there were left to do I thought there would be two but there's six!

Pressure is on to complete the project because my guests will be arriving on Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve and I don't really want the guest bedroom smelling of paint.

I'll be back as the saying goes.....