Kitchenette

Yesterday when we arrived at Twin Ponds everything was frozen. The things in the fridge were frozen, the cans we had in the pantry were frozen, the coffee maker was frozen, the antifreeze in the toilet was frozen. The toilet, of course, was our fault; we didn't understand the proper procedure for winterizing plumbing, but we've since been shown the way. Okay, everything is our fault. We should have winterized the cottage after Thanksgiving and didn't. We had this coming.

We spent the day today creating a makeshift kitchen in our to-be laundry room so we can comfortably stay here over winter. We used an old cabinet Mike gave use when he moved to England as our centrepiece and everything flowed from there. Thanks Mike!

We had to take the doors off the fridge to move it and once we did we cleared the doorframe by an inch on either side. Phew!

I love insulation. That is all.

Plumbing

It's been about three years now that we've been without plumbing at Twin Ponds. The outhouse that was on the property when we bought it was caved in with no roof to speak of. Not exactly inviting for guests. Although we did have a septic system installed last year, it wasn't until last month that it was actually hooked up to the bathroom in the cabin. We still have no running water, but we finally have draining water. I've never thought about the distinction before, but now that I have I actually think the latter is the more important of the two.

So, as of October we've had a flushing toilet. Need to pee at 3 a.m. in mid-January? No problem!

We top off the tank after every flush manually using watering cans which we fill at the pond -- and now that it's frozen -- the river. You won't hear me complaining about hiking through knee high snow for 10 minutes to get the water this winter, though. I'm way too happy about being able to press that little lever to mind it one bit.

Last weekend, we picked up a fancy schmancy water jug for our newly connected bathroom sink too. We rigged up a support system because that sucker is heavy when it's full and it now happily rests above the sink ready for use. All we have to do is turn the tap and presto: water! No more washing our hands and brushing our teeth in -20C on the show-covered front porch. 

Progress is a beautiful thing.

We realized we didn't have any proper soap so we've been using dish soap to wash our hands

Making Music

I have very little musical talent, but I love playing instruments.

Last week a new musical member joined our family: a fiddle! She's in good company, joining a couple acoustic guitars, a ukulele, and a mountain dulcimer. There are, of course, some electric guitars and a bass in the family too, but those don't work that well around a campfire so they never make the trek to Twin Ponds.

The fiddle is this year's endeavour. Last year's -- a djembe -- met its unfortunate fate of leaving the same way it joined: sold on Craigslist. Rhythm isn't my thing.

I'm hoping the fiddle is different. I played violin for three years in elementary school and was very happy to see that muscle memory applies. That's not to say it doesn't sound like a cat dying in here once a while, but it's getting better every day. On the downside, it turns out playing fiddle tunes is different enough from classical pieces that I basically have no idea what I'm doing. I'm trying to learn the fiddle part of Old Crow Medicine Show's song, Wagon Wheel and am progressing at a snail's pace. It sounds so easy, but at this rate I should be able to play the first 20 seconds just in time for the first campfire of 2014...

Cedar

We've been busy the last while putting up cedar paneling in the bedroom. It's hard work. Each piece needs to be cut to the appropriate length so it ends on a stud. The cut itself has to be a 45 degree angle to minimize the harsh look of the seam that happens as the wood contracts with weather changes.

Things were slow at first, but before long we found our groove. I cut the pieces and stacked them up in front of the wall they were destined to be nailed to, while Spence busied himself with the thousand other tasks we have up in the air right now. Once the pile got big enough I called him over and together we put the boards on the wall and he nailed them into place.

Unfortunately our measurements were off when we ordered the wood so ran out before we could finish. The rest of the wood is scheduled to be ready on December 21. In the meantime, we set up our bed directly on the subfloor and are using the space as a proper bedroom.

Imagine! An insulated bedroom with a real bed! I can still barely believe it. It was just in the nick of time too. Temperatures dropped to -16C on Saturday night without windchill.

I woke up Sunday morning to Spence walking into the room, breakfast in hand. I'm not usually a breakfast in bed type of person, but I have to say it was a perfect way to celebrate our first night in the cozy bedroom!