Fall update!

Well this should be short, but an update is long overdue. Blog posts have slowed this fall, but just because actual work at the shed has been rolling. It has been forever since I have posted, so I figured that I would let you all know we are still here! The boys are preparing for the first hunting season with the shed as a hunting cabin and they could not be happier. A few casual hunts have occured at Flintshire since bow season is upon us, but the boys are hosting the shed's grand opening with an intimate hunt mid-November. I am sure we will post plenty of blog posts before then to catch you up to speed. Since Andy's doors were installed in the last post, a lot of progress has been made. I'll leave the details for a future post, but just to intice you to keep a eye on the blog I will let you know some outside improvements have been made as well as some interior decorating. (note the old Ducks Unlimited goose print in picture) A lot of wives have generously donated their husbands outdoorsy artwork for the shed, which has made the cabin very nice. I personally was pumped to clear out the random deer pictures from the basement.  The most recent decisions have surrounded the bunks, which should be ready to go this week in anticipation of the men's slumber party in November. The blacksmith shed has also been the site for a lovely family photo shoot since obviously it is Andy's favorite place. Thanks to our friend Barbara for the above picture and putting up with our shenanigans during the shoot. Happy hunting and we will update everyone soon!

New Insulation Video!

The Blacksmith Shed was recently insulated after scoring poorly on an energy audit conducted by Building Performance Retrofitters (BPR).  What follows is a video demonstrating the methodology of making a building with a few air leaks super tight.

Another Excuses, Excuses Post and Exciting Filler Material

BigTuna has been on a bit of a hiatus with Carter in final stretches of tax season so not much progress STILL on the blacksmith shed.   Luckily Carter's silly work engagements ended today and we do have the floor boards to replace some rotten areas,  the last two window sashes, and all the paint needed to finish the roof on hand.  We also expect to have a very productive weekend as we have yet another expert visiting the site and allowing us to use his expertise to make the shed more energy efficient - but that will be for next week's blog. 

For this week we have a slightly off topic, but no less exciting, TIKI BAR UPDATE!

Andy's raft project from last summer has been converted to a super sweet semipermanent fixture on the mighty Rappahannock River at Flintshire Farm. 

We did some grading to make a nice path down to the river edge for easy Tiki Bar access.  This is what it looks like after the fine grading, seeding, and straw.  Now we just need some rain. 

  We added some walking stones to make access easy for even the clumsiest of Tiki Bar attendees. 

We made a sweet ramp with steps so you can walk right on out to the party. 

 We made the ramp like a drawbridge so if the Tiki Bar needs to be removed for a flood or if you just want to unhook and float down river you can just pull the ramp up.

Natasha, Hudson, and I spent some family time on the Tiki Bar to make sure it was as nice as we hoped it would be. 

Check this blog frequently the check Tiki Bar party dates and to post drink requests. 

Till next week,
BigPerm out.

Grounds Work

Well the carpenters decided to take the week off and attend to their real jobs so I spent some time cleaning up around the job site.  I had only a crying newborn and a frazzled wife to worry about so plenty of time to make some good headway.    The first order of business was the elimination of two ground hogs that had taken up residence too close to the house-then I did cleanup work so we could have a nice grassy area around the shed. 

Pic of burning brush pile.

Pic of site after thorough raking, trimming, seed, and straw.  Now just waiting for rain!

Tree Work Video

Here's a quick video of some recent progress at the Blacksmith Shed.

BigPerm's first blog post

Another productive weekend on the shed.  We put several dump truck loads of sand and gravel on the driveway and made good headway on the roof painting.  I hope to have the lot seeded this week.   

Hudson's Video

In addition to working on this project, our families are also growing and building the next generation to enjoy the farm for decades to come. We were blessed to welcome our newest member, Hudson Byrd Holloway, February 26th 2012. We are sure that he, like his father and namesake, will grow to love and cherish this piece of land. Andy, loving uncle, made this video for his new nephew so that Hudson would be caught up to speed on the project so far. It is suitable to catch you all up to speed as well, so enjoy!

The Introduction to Our Journey

Blacksmith Shed 2012

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. I have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks missing my husband and wondering what was so enticing with this project. After a lot of frustration and sadness, I figured the best way to get Andy back was to embrace the madness. So here I am...


I am sure Andy will fill us in on the project to date with absurd amounts of pictures, videos and words of beauty. I, on the other hand, will interject randomly to remind those interested of the real progress and overviews from an on-lookers point of view. I figure the best way to help him fulfill the dream of the restoration is to support him in the background.


So, how did we get here?


What does this project mean?


To a passerby, it appears to be run down shed by a field on an old farm, neglected by man and worn by time and weather.


 To Andy, it appears to be symbolic of some man code.  A place to come together to toast and converse post hunt is almost a sacred thing. A timeless place of pure male bonding. A reprieve from the stress of the "real world" and an outlet away from wife/baby/house/career duties.


To me, the project means a family bond and progress.


Forge: To form, make by concentrated effort
            To progress steadily


The blacksmith shed is definitely being formed (or re-formed) by a concentrated effort and is progressing steadily towards greatness. Some may say that the project is years from being complete. Some may also say that this blog is too late. Maybe the progress is already complete. Maybe the bond has surely been made and the goals clearly achieved just by the project existing. One cannot visit the project and view all the men working hard without realizing that we are viewing something special.

The purpose and goals of this project are different for each player, but regardless the story should be interesting. So here we go....Let's forge on together and follow along.