tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170909922024-03-07T22:26:07.666-05:00Prairie Rose HouseLife in a prairie style arts & crafts foursquare, surrounded by heirloom roses.Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.comBlogger380125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-56594707137608266872015-11-29T18:40:00.001-05:002015-11-29T18:41:06.899-05:00Thanksgiving Decorations on the Mantel<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hCpNK51lWKx9szT3R3qe-P80eYbej_tBVlKfkii3W4HL_J25jCDX2SsLlFHwAt1TqnxVtomZ-7xH887tpUJN4-I92IMegmkYUQ8QCA9cVt6zQ7Y5OqqFGgKidICWh9sLxkS2WA/s640/blogger-image--46377539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hCpNK51lWKx9szT3R3qe-P80eYbej_tBVlKfkii3W4HL_J25jCDX2SsLlFHwAt1TqnxVtomZ-7xH887tpUJN4-I92IMegmkYUQ8QCA9cVt6zQ7Y5OqqFGgKidICWh9sLxkS2WA/s640/blogger-image--46377539.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In everything give thanks to the Lord. 1 Thes 5:18</div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-49905356574669638802014-07-26T07:52:00.001-04:002023-06-17T08:18:35.973-04:00Street Work Curbs Mint's Appetite<p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUjQkh_ItlPfSA2JtFH2nwSJp3yEdNtnJNB9_KljtC_oB44IFXR5084KMuvEaTnckLHq8aFYhNxTYue9OwRg3SGcTr7siRrSxQvJ2y6wXD8ITK4OboWf0WgpLKZMLgOe_l7i0pT503qD7vXMVz08r7fOfZxEwVU_zZF7wzF4cfMJUHqP80R8/s2592/roadwork-day-1-hard-to-see-but-fordice-is-closed-on-the-other-end-and-yellow-flagspaint-mark-the-gas-lines_14595960334_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUjQkh_ItlPfSA2JtFH2nwSJp3yEdNtnJNB9_KljtC_oB44IFXR5084KMuvEaTnckLHq8aFYhNxTYue9OwRg3SGcTr7siRrSxQvJ2y6wXD8ITK4OboWf0WgpLKZMLgOe_l7i0pT503qD7vXMVz08r7fOfZxEwVU_zZF7wzF4cfMJUHqP80R8/s320/roadwork-day-1-hard-to-see-but-fordice-is-closed-on-the-other-end-and-yellow-flagspaint-mark-the-gas-lines_14595960334_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>As construction crews continue to work on utilities below our street, the curb has been removed. Of course all the mint has become pretty roughed up but I'm not worried. It will grow back with a vengeance next year. I only hope when they replace the curb that it's higher than previously so that water drains better.<p></p>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-76792191261048551272014-06-11T22:16:00.000-04:002014-06-11T22:16:15.571-04:00New Curb Appeal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ACmmtqJpPT4/U5kLw1AoekI/AAAAAAAAKoo/nicTOf7H5ZU/s1600/IMG_20140611_204507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="orange cones and new concrete curb and sidewalk" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ACmmtqJpPT4/U5kLw1AoekI/AAAAAAAAKoo/nicTOf7H5ZU/s1600/IMG_20140611_204507.jpg" height="320" title="new curb and sidewalk" width="240" /></a></div>
After two days away from the house, I returned to find that the gas company is finishing the connections and replaced the curb and sidewalk. I'm not terribly worried about the mint, it will probably fill back in by the end of summer. The only other concern is how the new section of road will impact drainage. Guess we'll find out next rainstorm!Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-32217958180359346442014-05-29T21:37:00.000-04:002014-05-29T21:37:10.801-04:00Out with the Old, In with the New Pipes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqEb0SZbVu0/U4fctSjkhnI/AAAAAAAAKbI/rWrp-WJjbc4/s1600/100_6465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqEb0SZbVu0/U4fctSjkhnI/AAAAAAAAKbI/rWrp-WJjbc4/s1600/100_6465.JPG" height="320" title="Old Galvanized Plumbing" width="240" /></a></div>
The galvanized pipes have been replaced with PEX and the new hot water heater installed. Only thing left is cleaning up the mess and putting the laundry room back into service. I'll post pictures of the new system once I have daylight in the basement.<br />
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JT from <a href="http://www.justindorseyplumbing.com/" target="_blank">Justin Dorsey</a> put in a lot of hard work. He even helped remove the old kitchen sink faucet. We didn't install a new faucet yet as Amy is still shopping for the perfect one.<br />
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Another highlight was the installation of <a href="http://prairierosehouse.blogspot.com/2005/05/hole-in-wall.html#links" target="_blank">the "new" hose bib</a>. It only sat in the box for nine years. Now I need to purchase a garden hose and begin wrestling it around the house again! Of course the kids will want a sprinkler or pool set up for the summer.<br />
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<br />Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-48069611498163787862014-05-28T21:46:00.000-04:002014-05-29T06:35:42.442-04:00In Hot Water: Plumbing Crisis Forces Replacement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl0XXEBqgN0/U4aL6XQo54I/AAAAAAAAKa4/tLSDs0hLpxg/s1600/100_6461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1953 hot water tank just before replacement" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl0XXEBqgN0/U4aL6XQo54I/AAAAAAAAKa4/tLSDs0hLpxg/s1600/100_6461.JPG" height="200" title="Antique Hot Water Heater" width="150" /></a></div>
A small leak this morning turned into a major, two day plumbing adventure. Thankfully, JT from <a href="http://www.justindorseyplumbing.com/" target="_blank">Justin Dorsey</a> was available to come out and replace our sixty year old plumbing and <a href="http://prairierosehouse.blogspot.com/2005/10/antique-hot-water-heater.html" target="_blank">hot water heater</a>.<br />
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This morning, when I went down to the basement to feed the dog, I heard water dripping. A leak had developed above the washing machine. I was able to open the washing machine and have the tank collect the dripping water.<br />
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My next step was to turn off the water, release the pressure and fix the repair. However, after shutting off the cold water feed and opening sink faucets, the pressure did not drop. Instead, hot water started flowing out the cold water taps. I frantically tracked the water lines and figured that the hot water heater was flowing backwards.<br />
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Continuing to open and close valves did not help the situation. I could not relieve pressure on the system and the leak started blasting hot steam. After about an hour of frantic work with hot water and steam pouring from all the downstairs faucets, the pressure eased off. It appears that the antique hot water heater's thermal cut off switch failed, causing the tank to overheat. Thankfully it didn't explode.<br />
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While the plumbers are here replacing the old tank, we're going ahead and removing the galvanized pipe through the house. They are installing PEX tubing and plenty of shut off valves. The entire process should only take two days. We all appreciated the way they plumbed in the downstairs toilet and sink first. As of this evening, we have cold water through the entire house and hot water lines are run. The hot water tank will be swapped out tomorrow. Once it's plumbed into the system, we'll be back in business.Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-1788536056412725632014-05-26T13:27:00.000-04:002014-05-26T13:27:50.017-04:00First Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yvE2jOB0nA/U4N1NhO1LfI/AAAAAAAAKZ4/5pc6Dv_3hKg/s1600/IMG_20140526_130011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="burgandy heirloom rose" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yvE2jOB0nA/U4N1NhO1LfI/AAAAAAAAKZ4/5pc6Dv_3hKg/s1600/IMG_20140526_130011.jpg" height="320" title="Heirloom Rose" width="240" /></a></div>
The first rose of the season is one of the fragrent, heirloom style. There are several buds about to open so it won't be long before we'll have bouquets in the house!Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-19930711562177035672014-05-24T13:10:00.001-04:002014-05-24T13:10:16.579-04:00Summer Has Begun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPTMRtieFso/U4DNhMpgyGI/AAAAAAAAKXY/grRDAeu022w/s1600/14256930472_0bb6907efa_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="After weeding the north side of the knot garden." border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPTMRtieFso/U4DNhMpgyGI/AAAAAAAAKXY/grRDAeu022w/s1600/14256930472_0bb6907efa_z.jpg" height="320" title="Knot Garden" width="240" /></a></div>
Three hours of gardening is a great way to kick off the summer season. This morning I made it through the north section of the knot garden before lunch. After pulling weeds, here's what's left behind:<br />
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<b>Roses</b> - pruned back dead branches and cleared around the base of the plants to allow better air flow. There are two red roses, one white and a pink. All are hybrid tea varieties.<br />
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<b>Allium</b> (<i><a href="http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ALLIU" target="_blank">Allium sativum</a></i>) - pulled up most of the spreading volunteers and its root systems.<br />
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<b>Bleeding Heart</b> (<i><a href="http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LASP8" target="_blank">Lamprocapnos spectabilis</a></i>) - already in bloom, I pulled some around edges to keep plants contained.<br />
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<b>Black-Eyed Susans</b> (<i><a href="http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=RUHI2" target="_blank">Rudbeckia hirta</a></i>) - these plants have reached about six inches tall. I already pulled the dead stalks from last year. They just needed some thinning back from areas where I don't want them to spread.<br />
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<b>Evening Primrose</b> (<i><a href="http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=OEBI" target="_blank">Oenothera biennis</a></i>) - there are a few plants back by the fence, most were thinned out of this section as they were crowding the walkway and the roses.Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-76411295810031140972012-07-13T07:23:00.000-04:002012-07-13T07:23:22.371-04:00Go West, Young ManWe've been contemplating a family vacation out west. The classic fussy kids in the back seat, hours of endless driving, truck stop food and those moments of "wow" scenery. But now we can check out the view from the luxury of our own coach. Google Street View has released a series of panoramic drives through some of the great California parks and scenic areas. Read more about it: <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/street-view-goes-on-road-trip-through.html">http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/street-view-goes-on-road-trip-through.html</a>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-85234631638964110572012-07-09T22:16:00.000-04:002012-07-09T22:16:05.761-04:00Sweet Dreams, Kevin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b8HLvBB4BTVxL7D8IHoKOjzEvDBJ-Ko0ksRMz_4L-nkhzRSyfxYpRz5h8C21j0GuivL7OTzDYCshN0Da1NQu5k_sQ-Q7rJwNERXsE88S6OxgviW_TqO08YPejpLW4pSCizKkcw/s1600/Misc+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b8HLvBB4BTVxL7D8IHoKOjzEvDBJ-Ko0ksRMz_4L-nkhzRSyfxYpRz5h8C21j0GuivL7OTzDYCshN0Da1NQu5k_sQ-Q7rJwNERXsE88S6OxgviW_TqO08YPejpLW4pSCizKkcw/s320/Misc+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">
Our house is less one resident tonight. Kevin the African frog has passed on. My daughter doesn't know yet as she's spending the week away, but will certainly be heartbroken. Kevin was with us for at least three years. He went to school several times and would eat out of her hand.<br />
I love how the girl in the family is always collecting bugs, turtles and frogs. It's not unusual to find a bag of live crickets in the house, waiting to be fed to some amphibian. Kevin was the first and the longest.<br />
We've seen others die and some we've convinced her to release back into the wild. Each parting brings another wave of emotion. This one is particularly difficult.</div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-30703823446948438232011-06-12T21:33:00.000-04:002011-06-12T21:33:46.442-04:00Railing AwayI removed the old rickety iron railing from the front steps.A couple of the nuts sheered off but none were hard to remove. The last step will be to hacksaw the screws down to step level. It seems weird, not having the visual barrier to the south flower beds. But it does give the front of the house a less divided look.<div align="justify"></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-64708254580987927042010-09-06T18:54:00.000-04:002010-09-06T18:54:07.639-04:00There's Only One Way<div align="justify">Pulling onto our road this afternoon I noticed a new sign posted: One Way. Just like that I was heading the wrong direction. The jury at our house is still out on this new develeopment. My biggest concern would be any rescue vehicles that would travel around the block. Maybe they could just stay out on the highway and block traffic there.<br />
Since noticing the new sign, it's amazing to see how many other driver's fail to see the changes. Just to be safe, I'll still look both ways pulling out of my drive.</div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-71315691530865026072010-05-03T16:59:00.000-04:002010-05-03T16:59:27.195-04:00Flood RantEver since the federal government allowed mortgage companies to set their own flood insurance minimum coverage, our rates have skyrocketed. Just got a notice from <a href="http://mortgage.chase.com/pages/shared/gateway.jsp">Chase </a>that we need to increase our coverage by $5,720! Makes buying with cash all that more attractive.<div align="justify"></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-30483779927400676952010-04-04T18:48:00.009-04:002010-04-04T20:25:10.708-04:00Happy Easter!<div align="justify"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-yeBI-btlOcbW1o4em4EubJQwgP0lCZ4nPHbRodLKe3l1KVBDWlD1WEWoR4lccBcsBkmet5_6Dt1c5drLc6yFkBHUWAkhj294Pyo2kgAjuk57rL7vUoBcd3K5A0MvSLDgnYXgw/s1600/Easter+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-yeBI-btlOcbW1o4em4EubJQwgP0lCZ4nPHbRodLKe3l1KVBDWlD1WEWoR4lccBcsBkmet5_6Dt1c5drLc6yFkBHUWAkhj294Pyo2kgAjuk57rL7vUoBcd3K5A0MvSLDgnYXgw/s200/Easter+014.jpg" width="150"></a>The compost bin is getting full. I spent a couple hours weeding and cleaning up the north knot garden today. The weather has been really pleasant for Spring. Usually a late frost will freeze up the daffodils by now. This batch sits on the kitchen stove, making the whole room smell wonderful. See more pictures of how things are shaping up in the garden after the jump.</div></div><a href="http://prairierosehouse.blogspot.com/2010/04/happy-easter.html#more">Read on...</a>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-38440174786007867952009-11-09T19:53:00.000-05:002009-11-09T19:53:06.296-05:00That Ain't No Lady<div align="justify">We've been hit hard by lady bugs this year, not sure why. And with the unseasonably warm weather the past weekend, I decided it was time to install the storm windows. Hopefully the ladies will move along to a new home soon. In fact, I thought I saw a bat picking them off the side of the house last night!<br />
</div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-58752169919932217032009-07-02T20:26:00.003-04:002009-07-02T20:35:07.709-04:00Where There's Smoke...<div align="justify">We received a notice today that the street department will be conducting sanitary sewer smoke testing next week. Say what? Apparently the best way to identify leaks in the sewer lines is to back fill it with smoke.<br /><blockquote>Under normal circumstances, if your plumbing is working properly, the smoke used to conduct this test should not enter your house.</blockquote>They go on to ease fears by declaring the smoke to be "harmless to pets, food, and material goods" but fail to mention what to do if your toilet starts smoking other than opening a window.<br />Has anyone else ever heard of such a thing? It makes sense but just imagine the poor guy who comes home to find smoke billowing from the washing machine!<br /></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-9766617812647847592009-06-25T21:00:00.002-04:002009-06-25T21:07:00.200-04:00Infant Hutchinson<div align="justify"> <span style="font-style: italic;">The following article about our POs appeared in the Jan 3, 1907 edition of the Lebanon Patriot. The only record I had found prior to this article was a hand copied cemetery record. I'm not sure what the status was on our house at the time.</span><blockquote>The infant child of Frank and Jennie Hutchinson, which was born on December 31, '06, died after only a few minutes animation. It was buried at Oak Hill cemetery on New Year's day, 1907.</blockquote><br /></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-87649239652626973952009-06-13T11:13:00.001-04:002009-06-13T11:13:37.850-04:00EntrepreneurOur 11 year old likes to spend money. The town recently restarted the Saturday morning Farmer's Market. I'm always pulling up and thinning out the flower beds. So what better time for him to start earning some cash?<br />Today was his second foray into the world of business. Armed with a red wagon load of columbine, obedient plant, black-eyed susans and fresh cut mint we walked up to the courthouse square. He did all the talking while I sat under a tree and read. An hour and a half later, we walked home with only one plant left and $16 in his pocket.<br />Of course he has plans to spend it as I tried to explain his need to purchase more pots. New terms learned: profit, overhead, capital. His biggest sacrifice was giving up Saturday morning cartoons. But we'll work him in slowly.Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-31032286430070463452009-06-09T22:25:00.001-04:002014-05-27T17:33:11.871-04:00Star Wars Weekend Ends in a Bust<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="Star Wars weekend at the Indianapolis Children's Museum" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3606495521_1cc36ca5be.jpg?v=0" height="320" title="Obi Wan poses with Sand Person" width="240" /></div>
Took my little Padawans to the <a href="http://www.childrensmuseum.org/">Childrens Museum</a> this weekend for <a href="http://www.childrensmuseum.org/special_exhibits/starwars/index.htm">Star Wars Saturday</a>. Our young Jedi Master dressed the part, complete with penciled in facial hair and light saber. He was particularly excited to see Jango Fett and the Sand People. Vader was there but we'd already met him at Disney World last summer.<br />
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We had a good time at the Museum.
But then this evening, my other Ahsoka aspiring padawan decided to practice her light saber skills in the bedroom. The Force must have been weak because she managed to completely smash the glass, hanging lamp shade. She remained unscathed, only emotionally hurt since the antique shade is truly irreplaceable. Guess we'll be shopping the antique stores for another one!
Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-19322048622309908182009-06-02T07:50:00.003-04:002009-06-02T07:57:35.052-04:00New Theme<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://skins.gmodules.com/ig/skin_fetch?type=2&url=http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VmOdTnkK47Q/SJZlKGBIvxI/AAAAAAAABbY/SmukBoN1DCM/s1600/fence.jpg%3Ftmt%3D0%26tml%3D0%26tmw%3D784%26tmh%3D175%26th%3D1"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 70px;" src="http://skins.gmodules.com/ig/skin_fetch?type=2&url=http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VmOdTnkK47Q/SJZlKGBIvxI/AAAAAAAABbY/SmukBoN1DCM/s1600/fence.jpg%3Ftmt%3D0%26tml%3D0%26tmw%3D784%26tmh%3D175%26th%3D1" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Do you use <a href="http://www.google.com/ig">iGoogle</a>? Now you can add a bit of the Prairie Rose House to your iGoogle home page. Just add <a href="http://www.google.com/ig/directory?hl=en&gl=us&type=themes&url=www.google.com/ig/tm%3Foutput%3Dxml%26te%3DH4sIAAAAAAAAAEXPS2_CMAwA4F8DF0ukoS-YlANQOjG0B2OatF2mPtKko01Q6q7bv59B02rl8MlxbCdXvWuERjzfMNZof6bUWeOssC37eG0fyxdz2gfxgR3v3pv97Xr39b1jq79Y52_s2PantX3gyeaedTzyPFZJU8jZ51lN_BRbnPiJN5lH2Db_GkjxIrhak3kcThurrBh0jXJKj2pspHhyWe1qCc-2k5BeuhIHus561NaJVpZUXmj6QT8tZVeIylmDcF0A8h-wvYOTsQgqc6U0kMvKOgmoJTjq2UGHmUNZgnJ2qI0Ca6BGGsBFutxuE06ci4iHeVAR_ZGBSDdbOsRwrI1Ewjfe0ifGYhFHib8iLsbscsxyTxRRXmbhxTTvGr-ayNNvjQEAAA">our theme</a>. The roses are starting to bloom so I might make some more iGoogle themes with them.<br />Yesterday was our first official day of summer break, and what did I do? I turned the compost over and mowed the grass. We also walked to the library and the kids "went fishing" in the creek. But mostly we tried to slow down to a crawl and enjoy the day.<br /></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-17648541559287280652009-04-02T11:03:00.003-04:002009-04-02T11:46:15.666-04:00Stimulus Plan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3404624579_9a3463c637.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3404624579_9a3463c637.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>We've done our part. Do you feel stimulated? After much angst and "discussion" we decided on using <a href="http://www.trex.com/">Trex </a>for the decking rather than cheaper pressure treated lumber. The only downside was that the color we wanted wasn't in stock. So our special order decking should arrive next week.<br /><div align="justify">Meanwhile we are all entering and exiting through the south door - much to the dog's delight :) As you can see here, the two platforms are finished and the three step stringers are waiting to go in. I just need to add a box step at ground level.<br />So while we're waiting for the Trex to arrive, I started cleaning out the flower beds. All the dried black-eyed susan stems and left over leaves got piled by the curb and later the street department guys came by and picked it all up. Already the yard is looking better and now there is a hint of green around the house.<br /></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-79398735381239719582009-03-31T09:03:00.000-04:002009-04-02T11:03:10.913-04:00Bit Sore<div align="justify">This week is Spring <s>Break</s> Work week and I'm sore already. Monday was a busy day. First I busted up the concrete steps out back. The hardest part was digging out the railing that had been burried in concrete. I also broke my shovel handle on that one. (It's ok, I have a second shovel - it was more irksome than inconvenient)<br />After lunch, I made a solo trip to Lowe's (always a pleasure) and spent $175 on framing lumber for the back steps (thanks Mom and Dad for the gift card!) The afternoon was spent measuring twice, cutting once and nailing together all the pieces. I'll post pictures later once they're downloaded off the camera.<br /></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-18483409626313328072009-03-29T08:52:00.000-04:002009-04-02T11:03:10.913-04:00We Have A Plan<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhiWQTa8YrWtPTZC4ZM741ojgLLutOy2SrDksrdRA8_rCpj_qywu7_BloJTQq26uMlrMb0_WqSQd2MhBj1w1LpHIDeH-lp70HRfii4_p_7ykt0bhHrKLSJpAcoX_wv303vzv3rA/s1600-h/back+steps3.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhiWQTa8YrWtPTZC4ZM741ojgLLutOy2SrDksrdRA8_rCpj_qywu7_BloJTQq26uMlrMb0_WqSQd2MhBj1w1LpHIDeH-lp70HRfii4_p_7ykt0bhHrKLSJpAcoX_wv303vzv3rA/s320/back+steps3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319334294860013394" border="0" /></a>This winter, our concrete back steps have really taken a beating. The whole freeze/thaw physics pretty much destroyed one of the steps. As a temporary fix I laid a piece of plywood over the gap but the Mrs did not care for the look.<br />So after a little toying in <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/">Google Sketchup</a> we've come up with a design we all agree on. The plan is to leave the crumbling concrete steps in place and build over them. We're still undecided on the use of Trex or regular lumber for the decking but at least we have a plan in place.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-67212832428681739122009-01-23T16:49:00.002-05:002009-01-23T16:56:56.709-05:00We're On TV!<div align="justify">If you're quick, you can catch a glimpse of our house on tv <a href="http://www.wfyi.org/wvx/AIND.1907.6.wvx">here</a>. The garage, arbor and back door make a cameo appearance for almost five seconds when <a href="http://www.hungryhoosier.com/">our neighbor</a> goes to sip his ice tea. I also believe the sprig of mint in his tea is from <a href="http://prairierosehouse.blogspot.com/2007/02/green-snow-fence.html">our patch</a>.<br /></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-904610604229819252009-01-19T16:55:00.001-05:002009-01-19T16:58:22.258-05:00Photo what?<div align="justify"><iframe src="http://photosynth.net/embed.aspx?cid=468F4B6C-950D-4515-B876-9167A4F680E8" width="400" frameborder="0" height="300"></iframe><br />Here's my first attempt at <a href="http://photosynth.net">photosynth</a>. There is a knack to taking the photos so that they all synth up. I might try the house next, if there's a sunny day when I have the camera!<br /></div>Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17090992.post-72271037810035402192009-01-04T19:35:00.003-05:002009-01-04T19:47:30.988-05:00Painting Nails<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/3168054157_f0ff147d95.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 227px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/3168054157_f0ff147d95.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>When you need a glossy green coat of paint with sparkles where do you buy paint? We shop the finger nail polish aisle! Surprisingly green was not a color in very many shades. But when you find one named <a href="http://www.maybelline.com/Product/Nail/NailPolish/express-finish-50-second-nail-color.htm">Go Go Green</a>, it just screams to be a pinewood derby car topcoat.<br />At first I tried airbrushing it on but couldn't achieve a glossy finish because it dried too fast. So armed with a lot of patience and the tiny applicator brush included with the bottle cap, we HAND PAINTED the little green monster. And with nearly half a bottle left over there is plenty for the entire pit crew to color coordinate on race day.Ben Biddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12752365858429564588noreply@blogger.com0