3.18.2026

In the wood shop today, Jim has all four face frames done...

Cutting pieces for the doors...

Lots of pieces cut!

Next Jim had to size all the pieces, use both the jointer and planer to get them to the right thickness, and then he started the millworker.  Cutting the grooves...

Grooves cut!

Cutting the tongues now...

Tongues cut in this piece...

First door piece fit tested - Jim makes these tongue and groove cuts so precisely, that they all come out perfectly!

A test fit in the cabinet - gorgeous!

High 34/Low 16

 

3.17.2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day - we're all a little Irish today!  We have corned beef and cabbage in the crock pot and green cake (pistachio) for dessert.

Jim got lots done today in the shop.  He attached the face frame to the steel - look how beautiful it is even inside...

Jim will round these corners over, but the fit is perfection!

These are the side panels - Jim needs to get plywood for the centers...

The back face frame is gluing.  The design is to have the doors open on both sides for easy access (can't wait!).

Gluing wood for door pieces...

We had just crazy winds all day and the temperatures dropped dramatically after midnight.  Our power stayed on but power was out all over the area.  We did lose internet for most of the day but it's back on for now!

High 54.2/Low 24.8

3.16.2026

It was foggy all day today and it was the first day we've seen the turkeys since probably November!  

Jim gluing a side panel...

Working on the jointer...

Pieces coming together for the front face frame...

Making pocket screw holes...

Part of the frame assembled...

Adding the other piece...

Trying it out - looks fabulous!

High 56.7/Low 35 - foggy!

3.15.2026

Jim and I are blessed to celebrate two wedding anniversaries each year!  Today is our 26th anniversary of getting married in the Catholic Church.  Love you, dear!

Jim was working in the shop again - using the molder to make the corner pieces...

All 4 of the corner pieces are made now!

He cut and sized the pieces for the side panels...

Then started the millwork...

Millwork done for both of the side pieces!

A different view of one fit tested...

High 34.8/Low 24.6

3.14.2026

 

Happy Pi Day!  No celebratory pie for us today, but we'll take a raincheck.

We got about 2+" of new snow yesterday - it sure was pretty.

Jim continued working on the wood pieces for the cabinet this afternoon...

We have gone to the little church close by the last couple weeks - it starts an hour earlier but we've been enjoying it.  Have to get ready earlier though!

High 37.7/Low 27.9 - 2" of snow

3.13.2026

Doing more wood work this afternoon - using the jointer... 

Jim had to put a new bit on the molder and then cut the side pieces...

Planing the wood...

Precise measuring...

Our few days of warmth are over and the forecast is for 1-3" of snow tonight, with a little more to come on Sunday.  I went and ran errands this morning so we could just stay inside and watch it snow.  It is snowing as I write this and our exposed gravel on the upper driveway is already coated...

High 35.9/Low 29.7 - snow in PM

3.12.2026

It was a busy day, but we accomplished a lot.  Jim had a follow-up appointment with the ophthalmologist in the morning.

In the afternoon, he has back to wood prep in the shop...

Gluing pieces - he will use these for the 45° angled side blocking...

Gluing more...

In the afternoon, we went to a granite shop and walked through a huge warehouse of pieces.  Literally the first piece that we went to was the one we decided to get.  It's Absolute Black leathered granite.  The color looks great with our Corian and the finish will be maintenance free.  I'm so excited!

Afterwards, we went to Lowe's to get more paint for the frame and ended the evening with dinner at The Local.  

The high temperature was in the wee hours and dropped throughout the day.  We are actually forecast to get 1-3" of snow tomorrow!

High 56.3/Low 30.4

3.11.2026

We've had a couple days of 60+° days and our snowpack is sadly disappearing.  But there's still plenty left right now.  We're getting some rain right now, so that will make it go away quicker too. 

Jim working on the bandsaw today - he has it working but the pedal brake still isn't working perfectly, so he'll investigate more another day.

It's working now and Jim is able to use it...

Doing some planing...

Jim has been turning and painting the steel frame every day.  He has a little more to do but is out of paint, so we'll get more tomorrow.

Jim made the blocking pieces that he'll use to attach the side cabinetry, and is getting ready to attach them...

Blocking done on this side.  I always love to see things come to life!

High 57.6/Low 33.3 - some rain in evening