If a tree falls in a forest...

This is the story of a very lovely 80 year old maple tree. Loved by many, it spent it's life trapped in this tiny backyard.

 

It provided shade to this fabulous porch.

Unfortunately, due to it's size, I cannot make a photo that illustrates it's grandeur.

The branches were hovering so dangerously close to the power lines, it appears to have been hit by lightning, perhaps many times.  The branches that hung over 3 garages, were split and strung up with tension wires by the previous owner.  It had become a danger to itself and everyone around it.  Sadly, we decided to have it cut down.

 

Over the past 3 weeks, we have watched The Tree Guy slowly whittle this fine mammoth beast down to a few tall stumps.  Complete with fun dangling pieces!  The neighbors loved this part.  Don't get too close... 

 

The wood will thankfully be used by one fabulous woodworker for various projects over the coming years.  There is a ton of beautiful lumber bearing solid mahogany colored centers.  it will make lovely furniture some day.

It's also great for exploration.

 

 And makes creepy sunset images

Now, it sits like this until the The Tree Guy comes back to finish the job.  We will miss this lovely tree, but look forward to having a back yard.

"We go to war with this tile job..."

Trent found himself quoting Donald Rumsfeld during this bathroom rehab, which must mean it went on far too long and started to affect his emotional and mental well-being. 

"As you know, you go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time." Donald Rumsfeld

Our second floor bathroom remodel started at the studs, with everything completely gutted, including the window (see "Window of Opportunity").  Many many months later (working off and on), another bathroom install is done for fun at my Mom's house and a multitude of other house projects have been completed. The Master Bath remodel is now nearing completion.  I took the inaugural shower on Sunday and it was amazing.   The Carrera marble tile has so much depth, it's like peering into a cloud. You can't help but feel calm. 



 
Carrera marble tiles in 3" subway & 2x2" hex for the floor from The Tile Shop.  Bancroft toilet and sink by Kohler, Danze shower head and stick wand.  The paint is Sherwin Williams Pro-Mar Zero Voc in Meershaum and Ancestral (Pratt & Lambert deck colors) chosen as to not conflict with all the grays in the tile.

Meerschaum



Ancestral

So, to get back to Rumsfeld. As any weekend home remodeler knows, things happen, measurements get wonky and lighting fixtures might be a little off center. You could even put a hole in the completely wrong place and just decide to leave it there. It's a great conversation starter. Just like the toilet and sink that are currently installed that have a slightly fun house feel to them. They will be the next things to get realigned, but in the meantime, we will be tilting to the right when walking into the bathroom. We're going to war with THIS tile job. It's OK, it took us a long time to get here so we can deal with it. By the time you get here, everything will be just fine. Until your next visit, here's some photos to pique your curiosity.

studs packed with foam insulation, shower pan

just add drywall

stain some cabinets for the basement while you're at it

frame out the window, install shower pan

mmmm...marble tile

make a new wall cabinet

clean it up



some more paint

and it's almost done!

And as far as Donald Rumsfeld goes, I think we will be quoting him again when we begin the kitchen remodel, which is going to be a enormous, looming beast of a project.  Get your demolition pants on! 
"[Osama Bin Laden is] either alive and well or alive and not too well or not alive."