Another Project

I like projects!  Things that you find for killer deals that you know are gems - they just need a little love from Mike!! When I found this heavy, metal, rusted light, I knew this was a project! 

Friend Ken, forged a long hanger which Mike precariously mounted to the ceiling beam way too far off the floor.  Frightening would be the word I would describe for the effort.  Then a hook hangs from this hanger wherein the chain for the light hooks through. 

The light fixture itself required some figuring and thinking and welding - and electrical work.  The new feature - an 18" LED light with the added lights in sockets above.  The chain cost close to $100 - we got the heavy duty version!!

Of course, we hung it too high and had to bring back the scaffolding on Sunday to lower it.  Now, Steven will probably hit his head on the light!! 

It is lovely!  There is a mule in the design; gold miners working at the base of a mountain range!  And it is just perfect for the home where most everything has been re-purposed!! 

Thank you Mike!!

Here seen hanging before we lowered it another foot.  Hoping the 4 screws hold it securely!! 

Gearing up for Saturday's party!  Arrivals begin Tuesday night!!  And the weather is supposed to be good once we get through this rain/snow storm - yup, snow!!  Fall has arrived.  

SOLD!

First batch of hay is now sold out!!  Second crop cutting starts today and may possibly be completely pre-sold out too!!  If we are lucky, next year, there will be twice as much to cut, bale, stack, and sell!! 

Gearing Up!

We are gearing up for the big birthday bash, September 1!  Planning, ordering, thinking.  Hoping for good weather.

The mammoth cabbage has been harvested.  I regret I did not weigh it, however, easily a ten pounder!!  The purple potatoes are a success.  The corn still has time; we haven't frosted yet, but Thursday night looks dicey....

Pictures to come from the party.  Second cutting of hay starts tomorrow.  There might still be work in the field when some start arriving....

Another 363 Days to Go

And just like that, the Hoback Picnic is done for another year.  After months of planning - securing tents, portapotties, beer orders, rib orders, food items, etc - and logistics, the picnic went off without too many hitches.  3000 pounds of pork ribs cooked.  230 pounds of coleslaw served.  115 punds of brown sugar used!!  Everything is inventoried, cleaned, and stored for 2019.  It is so much work.  And this year was most likely the hottest year on record.

The cooker!

With a short weekend, Sunday was a full day too.  Here is the 5 tons of hay we delivered to a farm about 20 miles from our Freedom place.  At mile 18, we had a flat tire.  Mike is getting very good at fixing flat tires!  I think this is number 5 or 6 flat tire of the year!  That took $160 off the profit of the hay!  Oh well, cost of doing business.  Sold the hay to a very nice couple just moved to Wyoming from Colorado.  Final 5 tons to be delivered next weekend.  We (I say that loosely; Mike is doing all the work) loaded the 5 tons by hand and unloaded it at their place by hand.  Working on a plan to refine this process a bit!!  The swather is broken; a part is coming overnight.  That old thing is a repair waiting to happen!!