The Pits

We planned to make a dry creek bed with infiltration pits that would help the runoff perk back into groundwater.  We had the bobcat dig out the beginning of the infiltration pits, but Rob got too busy on his hiatus to finish them.

You can see in the shot, taken after the rain, the general path the runoff will take once the creek and the pits are done.  (You can also see some poppies Rob transplanted from the front yard to the backyard and, to the far right, a rather large "twig" that is actually a Nevada Cottonwood tree.)

Unfortunately, the unfinished pits became a watering hole for some large critters -- like the coyote that left these prints!  We were able to figure out where they were getting through the fence and block it, though.

On the Level

Been traveling a lot for work and haven't had time to post.  Looking at all the photos, there's been A LOT of progress, so now that I'm home, I'll start getting you caught up.

We had a bobcat come in back in December to regrade the back yard.  We added a hill in the middle and did the initial work for the dry creek bed and infiltration pits we want to put in.

It looks like a big pile of mud here, but over the next few days, you'll see how pretty we've made it.

Nothing Says Basement...

...like a pool table!

We picked this out months ago, but have been waiting for the C of O, so that we could actually have it delivered.  Today was the day!  Woo-hoo!

Less Is More

The paint is off the china cabinet doors that Rob salvaged and the glass has been repaired.  Hard to believe that under all that white paint was a gorgeous brass handle.  We are going to have the most awesome kitchen cabinet doors EVER.

Getting Lucky!

Had lunch with a friend in Chinatown and picked up some new, lucky bamboo for the front porch.  We'd had bamboo for years and it died shortly after we moved in; the pots have been sitting empty on the steps, but no more!   And just in time for the new year.

Details, Details

Nearly a year after we bought it, the bathroom sink is in and working.  Woo-hoo!  It actually looks a lot better than we expected since it's essentially a temp sink from Home Depot until we can afford to get something like this.

We still need a mirror.  Maybe chrome to go with the sconces?

Ingrained

Remember these?  They've been stripped and the first layer of clear coat has been applied.

The guys are going to hang them, plane them, and they they'll go back to the woodworker for final touches. 

All of the doors but one are Douglas Fir and nearly every panel has a completely different grain. Some of them are quite crazy!

Can't wait until they are hung for good.  It's bit dicey using the downstairs bathroom with no door!