How things have changed

Last year around this same time I planted five new blackberry bushes and four new raspberries.   I am happy to report that they all came back this year. We are going to have a bumper crop this year.  New shoots for next year are coming up strong.

US Mail

After 20 years it was time to replace the mailbox.   I was a little sad to give up my Corvette mailbox, but it was ready for an overhaul.  Recently I was going through my pile of junk and found an old staircase banister.   It was easy to clean up and easy to paint.   

The new mailbox is bigger, but I managed to get it mounted the banister. The old mailbox came out without an issue.  I dug out the hole for the new one.  Got it set and then added the Quikrete to the hole and made sure it was all level.  After four hours I cover the hole and let it sit overnight.

They call me Brooks

Needed our own

I mentioned that I had painted up the Cornhole game for the office. Had so much fun painting and playing that I had Candy order one for us.  We found them online at Wal-Mart on sale for $88.00 and free shipping.   With tax, it came out to $94.00.   It would take me all day to build one, probably cost me more in materials and time.

I headed over to the shop this morning to begin working on the game.  I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled the boards our of the box.  The one we ordered turned out to be a better model than the one the office ordered.   This one used better materials, was better constructed and was already sanded and ready for paint.

I opted for a fairly simple paint design and again used colors that I had on hand.  I was able to get two coats of urethane on and will apply another coat tomorrow.   I am sure we will be using these on the Fourth.

Out on the Town

Last night we went over to Fossil Craft Beer because the Lobster Bob food truck was going to be parked there and we wanted to try it out.   

We found a seat outside and had a couple of cold beers.   We ordered up a couple lobster roles and just kicked back.  It made for a nice evening.  The rolls were good but a little pricey.

On the Trail

Last weekend we were up on the trail.   Pebbles got a chance to jump in the water and she was pretty happy about it.

She loves the water and jumps in any time she get's a chance.  We were out early and it was nice as we didn't really come across any other people.   We did come across a deer who was hiding in the bushes.

Advertising

Our company picnic is this week.  So we bought a cornhole game from Wal-Mart for one of the activities.  I didn't see what we had ordered and offered to see if I could paint the logo on it.

I took it to the shop and pulled it out of the box.   Seems it comes unfinished so that you can do what you want with it.   This turned out to be a little more than I had planned for.




Luckily I had paint and what I needed so I went to town.   It's not a great match too our company colors, but I think this will work just fine.  I filled any holes with wood putty, then sanded the surface smooth, being sure to remove any excess putty.  Then it was just a matter of getting three coats of blue paint on.   I then taped off for the white line and then cut out the lettering for the company name.

Once the white dried, I then applied two coats of urethane, letting it dry before each coat.  I'll check on it tomorrow and see if it needs one more coat.

A couple weeks ago I finished my first XTIVIA Stearman.  It's in our office now in our cabinet of XTIVIA souvenirs.  I need to make a few more, I have another that is about done but just haven't had any time to focus on it.

Finished

I was just looking and see that I had not posted a picture of my finished milk can tractor seat.   It came out really nice except for the Yellow Sun.  for some reason the yellow crinkled when I sprayed it with Urethane.

I was at the Flea Market and came across another tractor seat.  It's a pretty nice one.  I have another milk can so I mocked up another seat.  I really don't think I would do much to this one, as it looks great just as it is.

Whats Next

Now that the radial engine is completed I am ready for a new project.  With the long weekend for the Holiday, We spent time pulling weeds, doing yard work and cleaning both inside and out.  Being that I had a day off, I needed something creative to do.  It didn't take me long to find something.

As we were cleaning we had an old milk can sitting on the back porch.   It was old and showing it's age.  It was ready for a makeover.  I took it over to the shop and took the wire brush to it and then sprayed it with some paint that I had.

I pulled a tractor seat out of my pile of tractor seats.  I have five of them.  You never know when you may need one.  I placed it on top to see how it would look.  I liked the idea but wasn't a big fan of my color choice.

Later in the day, we stopped by Home Depot and I picked up a lag bolt so that I could mount the seat to the can.   While there we stood in front of the paints going back and forth on colors.  As we are standing there a man walks by and he is wearing a shirt with the Colorado Flag on it.  Seeing his shirt pretty much made our decision on what colors to go with.  I still need to add the C and Sun colors

Memorial Day Eats

Saturday night about 9 PM, I fired up the smoker.  I had a 20-pound brisket that had been marinated in a dry rub for 24 hours.  The fire was ready about 10 PM and put the brisket on the smoker. 

I headed off to bed for the night.  Left the bedroom door open so that I could keep an eye on things.   Woke up about 7 AM and pulled the brisket off the smoker and wrapped it in tin foil, tight.  Placed it in the oven at 225 and let it cook for the rest of the day.

While the meat was cooking, we made a seven layer salad (Actually Candy made it).  We stuffed some Jalapeno's and made some dinner rolls.

Our guests showed up around 5 PM and we ended up eating around 6 PM.  Not to pat myself on the back, but this was probably one of the best briskets I have cooked.  It was super moist and everyone loved it.  Had so much meat that we sent everyone home with a bag.

With the leftovers we had sandwiches and for dinner, we made brisket nachos.   I see brisket stew in my future.