Removal of the Kachelofen

I know it would break the hearts of the previous owners but the Kachelofen has been removed. We took about three days to complete the removal (Aug 19 thru 21). The rooms are much brighter and airier on all three floors now that it has been removed.

Kachelofen in the centre of the room (Mr. Toad in front on couch)

No more Kachelofen

Frodo's progress

Frodo went for an ultrasound examination on Friday the 21st. Everything inside appears completely normal. I expected a big tumor in her belly because of her cranial abdominal enlargement. Turns out she's just fat. The appetite stimulants have been working very well and she's gone from 4.3 kg to 5.08. A rather staggering weight gain in only 6 weeks.

Bloodwork says that her liver has returned to normal but there are some signs that her kidneys are beginning to fail. All in all she's doing quite well and seems to be returning to a more normal pattern of behaviour.

Brick splitting and masonery work start!!

Splitting of the first brick pile has been started.

They are not much to look at before the faces come off but inside are quite attractive.

The first attempt at masonery work on the old front door site.

A lot of learning still to be done!!

Brick Delivery

After spending all day last Saturday moving the bricks to new pallets they were delivered to the house on Monday. Now all that remains is chipping the faces off and attaching to the house - a few more months/years to go :)

They don't look like much now but will be fabulous once they've had the treatment.

Frodo and Flowers

Little Frodo has taken a turn for the worse. She's spending a lot of time in the basement now. We moved her there because it's the only place in the house that's cool in this blistering heat wave. I hope she makes it but it's back to force feeding again.


Bean Harvest!!



The mason bees have filled in a few spaces in the new bee house.



Xeranthemum and Lemon Gems


Persian Carpet Zinnias




Benary's zinnia's next to the sweet peas.

The flowers have finally filled in in the garden. Benary's zinnias, Persian carpets, Lemon gems and Xeranthemums. The sweet peas have bloomed early and are filling the air with their sweet scent.

Frodo Cat

It wasn't very long ago that Frodo was lying under the Christmas tree sleeping off a 'fish flake' high. Lets hope she is still around for another Christmas like the last one.
Today she ate her entire caloric requirement voluntarily and was quite bright and happy; she sat in my lap after dinner and purred up a storm.
She seems to have some ventral edema and I hope that it is not indicative of right heart failure.
I'm still hoping that she'll be around for a few more years, believe it or not the picture of her under the Christmas tree is at the ripe old age of 17. She has been with me since August of 1991 when she was about 4 months old.

July Progress

Tower dormer from the front, completed July 12, 2009.
HK's careful work at precarious heights is complete for now.

Side view shows the view all the way through to the trees on the other side.

Basement painting is almost complete also.
Just the white paint in the centre stripe to be put in place once the yellow and dark grey set completely. It's very dramatic!!

Stairs have been attached to the stringers in the addition.

Little Frodo cat has started to eat on her own and is in a better mood (though still not back to normal).