Bathroom Remodel Day 3

Working away on the bath remodel.  I am enjoying every day, waking up knowing I'll be working on this project.

No pictures today because you can't see much change.  I am working on the foundational things.  Mostly getting the subfloor ready for the new flooring.

I did start spending some money.  So far:

Neo Angle Shower Insert: $775
     The hard to believe number is the door cost $420 of this.  Shocking!

Roll of Insulation: $12.80 $10.31*
     For some reason they charged me 2.56 for a "train tax".  Not sure what          this is for and will go and ask them.  The cashier messed up and said my          card was denied but it wasn't.  I go to Home Depot because it is close to my      house but sometimes they drive me crazy.
     *Notice on my receipt that the cashier had the register in Training Mode. 
     This caused the error and tax was added.  Went back and had it correct.

So the total so far is: $787.80

I priced the vanity and will tell that story maybe tomorrow.  I can't believe what I'm learing in that regard.

My education continues.

Throw Back Thursday Pics

Here are a few old photographs I posted on Instagram for Throw back Thursday.

I think this first one is Luke and Ellie but Elspeth and Autumn's little girl picture look so similar it is hard to tell. 

This one is pre-gray hair for me

Here is Ellie helping out with the yard in Phoenix.  Can't believe she is about to have a baby herself.

Always need to include a picture of Silas in his underwear.  There are so many photos like this it makes me wonder did he ever wear pants?

A young me feeding a one of our babies.

The Bathroom Project Begins

I finally started remodeling our bathroom.  This project should have started 16 years ago, right after moving into the house.  But other projects always seem to take priority. Also, since only Gina and I ever go in this bathroom it was easy to ignore. You know how you get used to seeing something and pretty soon you don't even notice it anymore.  That is what happened, I ignored it for a looooonnnggg time.  No more work has commenced.

Since Gina is gone for two weeks it seemed the perfect time to do the project.

Here is what it looked like just before demolition started:

Not a pretty sight!

So far we progressed to this:

Everything is out of the bathroom and in the backyard.  

 Now we can get started making it beautiful.  Sure hope we get done before Gina gets back so we can surprise her.

More update to follow.

The Most Beautiful Tree

The most beautiful tree is easy to find, it's in our back yard.

This is a Japanese Maple in all of it glory.

This is the view when you lay down under the tree and look up.

One of the first leaves to fall this year.

So thankful for this tree it.

Gina Left Us Alone

Gina has left me alone for two weeks with Abe, Peter and Hanni.  It is for a good cause.  She flew to Mississippi to help Ellie have a baby.  Ellie's water broke a six days ago and Gina left three days ago.  Still no baby.

So far here are some new things I've done:

• Made the bed for the first time in probably 20 years
• Put on country music on the car radio.  Gina hates country music.
• Made pesto pasta with chicken
• Made beans and rice
• Rode a bike to the store and library with Peter and Hanni
• Rode a bike to the post office
• Did clothes laundry (usually I only do rags and towels)
• Made spaghetti with marinara sauce

This is just the beginning.  The list may seem pedestrian but there all new for me.

But most importantly, Abe and I started the bathroom remodel.  I may be 16 years late getting started but now is the perfect time with Gina gone for a couple weeks.

I'll be posting updates as the project progresses.

Black and White - Photographs Sometimes Lie

Someone sent me this photo a couples weeks ago. 

Probably taken in the late 1960's, I'm guessing 1968.  I'm sitting on my Dad's lap.  My younger sister on my Mom's lap, while my older sister is in the back. This is a rare photo of my family.  I don't remember it being taken and it is only one I have of us together.

My parents divorced in the early 1970's (1972?).

The picture depicts a typical family sitting down with smiles. We really weren't that kind of family as I would find out a few years later.

When I see the pictures on Instagram and Facebook everyone is documenting snatches of time to show their friends.  I've read that people can become discontent with their own lives while looking at those sites - everyone else seems to be so happy and nobody has any problems.

Pictures sometimes lie.

Wedding Photo - 1985

Just added this to our about page.  Our wedding photo - June 15, 1985.

We married in our home church - Grace Church - San Luis Obispo, California.

Gina hasn't changed much other than longer hair.  I on the other hand am heavier with thinning gray hair.

Our life is good.

Very Last First Time - Book Review - SAB*

Someone asked for book recommendations for stories describing a different culture.  This book - Very Last First Time - immediately came to mind.  This definently makes the Snider Approved Book list.

A simple story, wonderfully unique pictures, and a setting no child from my family would even think exists.  Eva Padlyat, a young Inuit girl, has helped her mother collect mussels.  But this time is different it is the very last first time she is allowed to go alone under the ice.  She climbs under the ice and walks along the seabed with only a candle as light.  Of course the candle goes outand she is alone in the darkness.  

The story is fascinating and not scary.  All my kids enjoyed this book but my daughter were particulary fascinted by the young girls adventure.

*Snider Approved Book - Read This for how a book earns the coveted SAB

Two Things - Beauty and Long Suffering

Two practical things Gina does to strengthen our marriage and make our home a better place.

Brings beautiful things to our home

These daisies are an example of something I never think about.  I tend towards the pragmatic and practical, forgetting about the small and simple things that make life better by bringing beauty into it.

Daisies for Scott

Gina knows the Daisy is my favorite flower so she planted them were I see them everyday they are in bloom. I can't explain it but daises make me smile and stop to enjoy creation.  I would always be to busy to plant flowers but my life is better because they are in view.

Long suffering with delayed projects

16 Years and Counting to get this done

Our master bathroom is in bad shape.  Nobody would ever guess the state of our bathroom.  We never let people back here.  I started working on this over 16 years ago.  Some other project or priority or lack of money keeps me from finishing this one.  I'm telling myself with only 3 kids at home this fall it will get done before 2014.  It takes a patient wife to put up with this one.  Every time I walk into that bathroom I am reminded of that fact.

Two Things That Always Cheer Me Up - And Help Me Be A Better Husband

Today Gina and I exhanged these texts:

Scott - Decided I needed to get some excercise and walk around during lunch so I went to Home Depot.

Gina -  It is air conditioned ;)

Scott - Exactly, so glad you understand me.

Two things (and there are far more than two things) that always cheer me up.


First:

A room full of books. It can be in a home, library, or book store. It doesn't matter. A room with books makes me relax and enjoy life. The possibilities....

Second:

A hardware store is amazing for relaxation. Wandering the aisle seeing what is new and interesting. Some of you may scoff but wait --- Gina has benefited from my hardware store strolls.

I now understand the difference between shopping and hunting. I am sympathetic to her enjoyment of what seemd like endless hours of looking at shoes. I used to think every visit to a store was a failure or waste of time if we didn't purchase something. Otherwise why even bother going.  Gina would always shake her head at my inability to grasp the simple joy of shopping.  Slowly, ever so slowly I matured and now grasp this fundamental (and necessary) knowledge for a happy marriage.

Hiking the McKenzie Trail - Tamolitch Pool

This weekend we hiked part of the McKenzie Trail. We set off in high spirits, expecting a fun time.

The ladies setting off

The weather was perfect - sunny and warm but not hot. Peter and I were outnumbered by the ladies - Gina, Autumn, Hanni and Emily.  We didn't leave until after 10 am so the group was well rested.  When we arrived at the trail head and there were about 20 cars already parked.  We stuffed the food and water into the backback and started the trek to Tamolitch Pool.  A 4 mile hike through forest and alongside the McKenzie.

Autumn trying to stay out of camera range

Before leaving last minutes phone calls and texts were attempted.  I can tell you there is no coverage up here so there is no point in even trying. 

It took us about 1.5 hours to drive from Eugene. Of course we had to stop for one bathroom break.  When I was younger Dad/Husband I hated stopping but now that I've matured, I'll stop about every hour.  I call this wisdom gained through experience.

Hanni standing by her tree

The first place we stopped was next to this tree. Last year we hiked the trail and took a picture of Hanni next to the same tree.  Back then Hanni could stand inside the tree.  No more. She has grown so much in just 12 months.




We leisurely walked the trail. I"m always the slowest and everyone has to stop at least once to wait for me to catch up.

Stopping to enjoy the wonder

This trail is so beautiful everyone stops to take pictures and enjoy the view and smell. Did I mention it smells wonderful in the forest.  I can feel the stress leaving my body with every step.  My whole attitude improves with each minute in the beauty of God's creation.  Here are few pictures along the walk.

The destination of this short hike is Tamolitch Pool.  Here is a glimpse as we approach it.

Tamolitch Pool in the Background. Notice the Blue Color

When we arrived we stopped took a few photographs:

Here are the lovely ladies standing at the rim.  It is hard to tell due to the clarity of the water but it is good 80 foot drop to the pool.

Doesn't everyone looks happy to be there.  And this was before eating lunch. Trust me - we were hungry.

A couple picture of the Blue Pool without people blocking the view.

Looking Down on the Pool.  See how small the people look in the background!

The Water is Clear and COLD!

Before eating lunch, we tried to find a way down to pool surface.  We saw the group down by the water edge and wanted to get down there if possible. Not so easy. After hiking another 30 minutes we arrived back at the rim to eat lunch.  After dining on food, I picked up at Trader Joe's earlier, I set off alone to get down to the surface.

I made it there, exhausted.  I'm not young anymore. My reward was getting to take a couple more pictures.

If you look closely you can see a person standing on the rim - it is in the top center of the photo.  That is about the spot the earlier picture of the ladies was snapped.

I took this one right at the edge of the pool.  The water is very, very clear.  It is really deep here.  A couple crazy people jumped in and told me it was freezing.  I think the temperature is mid 30's. 

I put my hands in and washed off my face. It was refreshing and it removed any temptation to dive in.

After lingering a long while we started the hike out.  By this time we were thirsty, having already finished our water.  So we were ready to get back to the car and water waiting for us.

Here is one last picture - Beauty and Beauty And Beauty.

Gina and Emily - McKenzie Trail

Ashland, Oregon - Vacation - Part 2

Southern Oregon is home to some fantastic wineries.  In general I think Oregon wines are inferior to their European counterparts.  The older Continent just has better value.  How is they can ship a wine across the ocean and sell it at half the cost of a comparable Oregon wine?  This is one of the mysteries of my age.

We had time to visit two wineries during our short vacation.  Our first stop was at RoxyAnn Winery.  

RoxyAnn is home to my favorite Oregon wine -  

 and during our visit we found another favorite.

The wine tasting room is in a converted barn and is at the foot of the vineyard.  I mentioned enjoying Tempranillo wines and the gentleman pouring our wines suggested we visit another winery - Red Lily.  So Sunday after church and visiting old friends we drove over to Red Lily.  Isn't that what everyone does after going to church --- visit a winery for a tasting.  Live dangerously I say...

You arrive at Red Lily by crossing a single lane bridge over a beautiful stream.

The place was busy but that didn't stop us from approaching the bar and tasting a flight of wines.  One of the wines was really good (2011 Lily Girl Rose) and we bought a couple bottles as a reminder of our great vacation.

Two enjoyable wineries in beautiful settings.  We will definitely will go back to RoxyAnn to buy wine.  We would also go back to Red Lilly for a picnic along the river and to taste future vintages.

Ashland, Oregon - Vacation - Shakespeare - Part One

We had a wonderful short vacation to Ashland, Oregon. The weather was a welcome hot - 104 degrees. No more cool Willamette Valley weather for us.  Gina loved every second of it. I just soaked it in hoping to store up the warmth for next winter.

Our visit was organized around the Shakespeare Festival.  We saw Midsummer Night's Dream

on the Elizabethan Stage.

We sat in the balcony, first row, center.  Great seats.  The theater was the star of the evening.  The play was adequate and not one we would normally pick but it was the one playing in the recreated Globe stage the evening we could get down to Ashland.  We will certainly be going back to the festival and  will be pickier about the play selection.

We stayed in this beautiful bed and breakfast - Lithia Springs Resort.

The room was comfortable, the gardens beautiful and less than 10 minutes from downtown.

We saved some money by eating a couple meals at the Ashland Food Coop.  Gina loved all the Vegan options and is inspired to try out a few new dishes based on what we ate from their amazing deli.

So many years of never going anywhere alone for the weekend helps us appreciate these special weekends all the more. I'm thankful for the many years we were busy raising our family and how it makes these weekends fantastic.

Hamburgers - Secret 3 Meat Recipe

Hamburgers - The American Meal.  Come on Dad you need to have a special hamburger recipe or least one that only you take the time to mix up and grill outside.  This one is not for cooking inside, this is an outside on the grill only recipe.

I stole this idea from an article about meatloaf. The experts say that the best meatloaf combines three different meats.  I don't recall all the  reasons and I don't want to search for the article.  You can do that if you want.  Maybe sometime later I will search and update this article with the link.

Anyway, after making these burgers many times here is my recipe:

4 lbs ground meat

1/2 lb of ground lamb*

1/2 lb of ground pork

• Mix the meat together in a large bowl and use your hands.  Your kids will want to do the mixing for your.  I suggest you let them.  It is fun for them and cleaner for you
• Weigh out 1/3 lbs (5.3 ounces) of meat and roll into a ball. Weigh meat on a scale.
• Gently mash round blob of meat into a patty. I place the blob on a small plate and mash with my palm
• Place patties on a tray.  I separate the layers of patties with plastic wrap.
• Store in refrigerator until ready for use.
• Grill over medium heat until they are at your preferred doneness (my word)
• Add cheese for a minute or less at the end of grilling

Hanni helping to weigh the meat, while I mash into patties

Giving Instructions to the Cameraman

Making hamburgers is serious business

First layer down and stretch wrap applied

*Note - Lamb is expensive so I sometimes cut the amount to 1/4 lb and increase the pork to 3/4 lb.

Sheep in a Jeep - A Review

We love books.  We love reading and reading to our kids.  Every Saturday I take the kids to the library to check out another stash of books.  Most weeks we even return the books we checked out the previous week. (The next wing of the library may be funded by the fines I've paid)

This is the first of what I hope is a regular review of books.  Here the checklist  to make the Snider approved book list:

• It was enjoyed at some point by all nine children
• Scott and Gina enjoyed reading it to the kids numerous times without going crazy.  

It also helps if:

• Scott or Gina enjoyed it as a child and passed on the love to our own kids
• One of the kids loved it enough they purchased it for their own child/niece/nephew

So the honor of the first book review goes to --- Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw.

My grandson, Ezekiel, turned one this week and his Aunt Autumn bought this board book for him. When it was opened everyone said, "Oh, I loved that book".  

Sheep in a Jeep is a fun rhyming book with colorful pictures.  Five sheep climb into a jeep and take a wild ride down a hill.  I would read it at various paces and use funny voices.  It is a go to book if you are looking for short bedtime story.

The Girls

An earlier post explained our nicknames for the various grouping of our kids.  Here is a picture of the the girls - Elspeth and Autumn in all their cuteness.

First Birthday

I've lived long enough to father nine kids and just started being a grandpa a couple years ago.  Yesterday was this little guys birthday.

Happy Birthday Zeke!

Ezekiel Snider - 1 Year Old

Sleeping so peacefully. I can't wait for him to wake up so we can play.