Battling Drafts

The winters are cold and the summers are hot inside 765, but the character is unbeatable and it's cliche, but they just don't build them like they used to. The draftiness was meant to circulate the house and is the reason a leak will simply dry instead of mold. While insulating and lowering our energy bill sounds appealing, it's hard to change it, since it was supposed to be like this. So we're working on a happy medium.
While standing in the kitchen any gust of air came right inside. When it's 30 degrees outside even the gas oven has a hard time offsetting that. So we pulled out the wood and found where the draft was coming from: around the sink pipe and from under the house. Travis added a little bit of insulation, a good amount of spray foam around some big gaps, and added fresh new wood around it all. In the process the sink water hoses were replaced and Travis put his wood working skills to use making tongue and groove pieces for the cabinet.
Less draft and a fresh, clean space under the sink - a successful weekend project in my book.

2012 - A Look Back

The past few years we've enjoyed a Blue Moon and our oranges on New Year's eve as we review everything we accomplished at 765 that year. Sadly the odd weather at the end of Winter last year confused our orange trees and left them with fruit at the wrong time. The fruit didn't last, and instead the trees spent the year growing like crazy. Hopefully that means next year will be that much more fruitful.
Here's a look back at what we did at 765 in 2012:

I got a new peep hole in my stocking.

We began a walkway project as soon as it wasn't freezing outside

The front door got a makeover.

We celebrated TWO whole years at 765 and the chickens helped us pour some concrete.

  All of our basil was put to good use for the winter months.

 The backyard walkway was completed!

Hurricane Isaac forced Travis to return home early, but luckily 765 came out damage-free.



The front window got a makeover since the door looked so good.

We (mostly Travis) installed lights above our dining table. I still get excited when I turn them on.

 Our winter garden turned out much more successful than our spring crop.

We already have some electrical projects under way to begin the new year, and a crop of cabbage ready to pick for good luck.
Cheers to a happy, healthy and FRUITFUL 2013!

Winter Garden

It finally feels like Winter here at 765. There was a freeze warning last night and you can see the steam coming off the coffee inside the house this morning. In the garden our broccoli and red cabbage is just about ready to pick, the basil is still going strong, and our tomato plants are full of big green tomatoes. I'm hoping they can hang on long enough to get a little red on them before picking. By far the most enjoyed part of our crops right now is the arugula. It's been added to salads and sandwiches daily, and still continues to keep getting bigger. Fresh veggies from the garden through December are certainly a plus for the locale.

Rainy Day

Our rain barrel was nearing empty and the grass was heading for dead, so we were excited for a long day of rain. This lady didn't feel the same. She spent the day watching out the front door, ball in paw, hoping for a break so she could do a little squirrel chasing. We'll certainly make up for it with this new, crisp fall weather!

Hurricane Isaac

Well we've survived Hurricane Isaac! Thanks to everyone that was thinking of us during the storm. While some areas of Louisiana had problems with major flooding and levee toppling, we managed to have few side effects from the 5 1/2 inches of rain we got yesterday. And unlike thousands throughout Baton Rouge and Louisiana, our power stayed on the whole time. Here's a little video of the weather conditions yesterday - the porch was a great spot to watch the storm roll on throughout the day! Now it's time for yard cleanup...

Isaac Prep

Travis drove all the way from Kingsville, Texas to be home with me for my first hurricane. We spent Tuesday doing some preparations, like emptying the gutters and trimming the trees off the roof. We also stocked up on all necessities to get us through the storm. Now it's time to wait it out - it's gusty with a little rain, but perfect porch weather right now. We'll share any updates we have so long as we have power!

Lee

It has been almost three years since moving to Louisiana and I have yet to experience a hurricane. Now don't get me wrong, I am not complaining in any way. The thought of potential flooding and damage to the biggest thing I own (765) is pretty scary and I'm thankful we've been lucky. BUT, being from California where storms are few and far between, I've wanted to see a small, innocent, non-damaging storm pass through. That was exactly what Baton Rouge got when Lee spun through this weekend.

And I was in California.

While I missed the wind and rain it did make for a smooth and timely flight into New Orleans. And what Lee left behind was even better... {relatively} cool weather! I left the chilly bay area expecting to walk into a wall of humidity but instead I found my shorts and t-shirt aren't quite enough. 58 degrees tonight: this might just call for open windows, tea, and a blanket on the bed!

{77}

HOT.

There really isn't any other way to put it. It's HOT.

Does everyone out there know what a heat index is? Well, I guess I never really had much of an index to pay attention to back in California, so here's what I've learned about said index:

        "An index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature." (www.wunderground.com)

While The Weather Channel says it is only going to be 95 degrees today that 95% humidity that we are currently swimming in is knocking it up to at least 105 degrees. Kind of like a sauna but you have to wear clothes unless you want to get arrested. 

Needless to say this has left our motivation for projects a little low. Maintaining the Zinnias and tarantula tomatoes is enough outside work for me. We'll be back with more as soon as we don't need snorkel gear to be outside, promise.

Plenty of Projects

Today was my idea of a typical southern afternoon in the spring: As I was outside taking some pictures for the blog I heard the thunder rolling in. Just as I finished up and got inside the downpour came and the air instantly turned from muggy hot to perfectly chilled. I opened every window and door in the house, then sat on the porch and watched the lighting from my dry nook. It was perfect. All I needed was a glass of sweet tea.

{downpour}

Last week I picked up the window frame at Habitat ReStore - I can't seem to decide on what color I want to spray paint it, so it remains bare and sitting in the spare bedroom.

{future chalkboard - green or blue?}

We got a huge score when Travis picked up an old cabinet/dresser piece sitting on the side of the road in Spanish Town. FREE! It is in need of some serious work, being that half the doors are broken off, but the old fashioned key-hole and knobs had me sold. A cabinet and TV stand maybe? That's if we ever break down and buy a TV and cable....

{keyhole & knobs}

{Potential}

And just a little update, we have an eggplant!!! I go outside and check this guy every day, and I'm already trying to figure out exactly how I will cook it.

{baby eggplant}