Let The Demo Begin

Where to start...pick a cabinet, any cabinet.  Because the cabinets were hand constructed creating a frame screwed into the wood paneling, every cabinet door has to be removed and then every support has to be loosened with a crowbar.  I managed to get this back wall demolished, before I said to Jim, "I'm going into town and get me a serious screwdriver"!  Back at the ranch, my attempts to use the new superpowered screwdriver was a learning adventure.  Thank goodness these cabinets were destined for the fire pit, because they looked like we had a beaver working on them by the time I got all the screws out.  I don't think I can be trusted with this thing.

Where Is The Missing Drawer?

Our handmade cabinets have seen a lot of use over a lot of years.  Haven't come across the missing drawer.  Was it the project that never got finished?  Was is it emergency firewood?  Was the silverware stolen (with the drawer)?  I love a mystery!

Those 60's Cabinet Doors

The cabinets were hand built.  These decorative doors were probably put on in the 60's.  They are a green plastic material.  When I use the gas stove burners, the warming in the kitchen causes them to pop. The cabinets hang down so low that I can't fit my food processor, blender or mixer underneath them and I have hit my head more than once.

Old Blackie

Our 1892 lodge kitchen originally had a wood burning stove.  This was the upgrade in the 30's.  The burners are marvelous, but the oven is poor, so we will be departing with old blackie.

Since we opened the doors for business, we have had lodgers every weekend.  This weekend we were anticipating the arrival of Jim's brother and wife from Missouri.  We had no reservations and spent a lovely, quiet weekend able to fully enjoy our time with family.  The heavy snow predicted never materialized, so Rich and Jennifer arrived and left with no driving difficulties.  After rain all afternoon it has turned to snow and is blanketing the ground.  Praise God for His blessings!

Stimulating the Economy

Since we acquired the lodge we have been doing our part to stimulate the economy:  improvements such as wood flooring, this new wood railing, baseboards, painting, decorating; supplies such as bedding, towels, sundries, cleaning supplies and equipment, nails, light bulbs; appliances such as new large washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator/freezer, convection oven/gas range, microwave; furniture such as new sleeper sofas in suites, tables and stools; tools, toilet parts, lamp parts, storage/organizing containers, tvs and dvd players in suites......you get the idea!  
Next up is gutting and remodeling the kitchen.  We'll have to say goodbye to the 1930's vintage gas stove, home constructed cabinetry, hodgepodge wiring and plumbing, florescent lighting and flooring with a large rug covering a destroyed section.  Once that is finished we'll be able to go into our next phase of providing the breakfast part of our bed and breakfast!

Wild Things

Wild animals and wild storms make for a wild time in Greer!
Gray wolf sightings, prints in the snow, herds of elk, and this rafter of turkeys (I googled it).
We have yet to sight the gopher(s) creating an interesting design in our back lawn.
Yesterday, we had the most unusual snowstorm...a cloud blew in, hung over us and dropped huge flakes in a furious frenzy, covering everything, and then, the cloud over us moved on and out came the sun and melted it all.
Tonight we are not having wild caught trout as the fish have been eluding Jim's rod, but we are having wild caught salmon burgers from Costco!