too much "character", or "be yourself"

Showing off, being too loud, getting too much attention generally aren't attractive attributes.  But, if it's natural and honest, in my book it is more easily forgiven.  This conference table has plenty of character.  But, it's all nature made.  The worms added character in the legs with lots of beautiful irregular "stippling".  And there are several holes in the top, primarily from branch areas that rotted a bit before we got it to the kiln.  I'll be getting plenty of pics of this one, and let you be the judge.  Maybe next week.

walnut joinery work in oak conference table

Last week we completed the joinery work of this oak and walnut conference table.  This morning we rubbed the fourth coat of finish on the top (after doing the undersides earlier this week).  Looking like it will be ready for delivery early next week.

Hickory stump to our sawmill

I haven't given up yet.  These tree stumps were giving us fits last week.  Now that the temps above 95, we're back ready to battle.  All four of these stumps lived in some pretty rocky soil.  Any my chainsaws and sawmill aren't exactly cut out for rock.  Yesterday we got a few angled cuts before dulling the blade again.  We'll take another time-out, and maybe finish them off next week.

old cherrytree

Gosh, I hate seeing some of our most beautiful living sculptures brought down before their time.  But it seems, to keep power safely run to our homes, some trees must be cleared.  On a positive note I'm so pleased to see is our local community becoming more aware of these natural resources.  Here arborist Joe Mcphail with the Florence City Utility Dept inspects this old cherrytree and discusses giving it a second life if it does have to come down.

natural oak top - maybe in 2012??

Last week we cut these cool oak slabs.  They came from our friend Lacey's grand dad's farm, here in North Alabama.  I'm seeing a natural oak top.  Maybe a bar top (haven't done one yet).  Anyway, we have several slabs of this cool oak crotch, and have a year or two of air drying time, then a month or so in the kiln before we can even think about making any decisions.  2012 should be a good year for this one.

natural oak top

Mattie's cooling off after a creekside frisbee session

Got a shot of Mattie cooling off this morning before work.  It's getting warm in here in the studio.  Until I get my office walled off, with just a little a/c, I think I'll be joining here most afternoons.  hmmm.  I'm also thinking watermelon.

We're all ready to attach the two dimensional woodworking joints

When we attach these two walnut dimensional woodworking joints all we'll have left will be the hand applied finish.  Looking like we'll be getting started on the finishing this week.  dimensional woodworking joints

Sanding the oak and walnut conference table

Making a lot of fine oak sawdust the last couple of weeks sanding this oak and walnut conference table.  

Dillon Hodges @ Coldwater Books Saturday night

Our wonderful Southern community seems to be oozing cool.  And to me, singer/songwriter Dillon Hodges is one of the top oozing culprits around here.  Saturday night he released a CD "Seeds I've Sown" at Coldwater Books.  The next James Taylor?  Seems like he might just be.  

Mimosa tree and Mattie posing at Cypress Bend

Gosh, summer was here in full force this weekend.  With temps in the mid 90's, it was a perfect weekend for several cool downs in Cypress Creek.  Since the Great Cypress Creek Raft Race, I don't think I've ever seen so many folks floating the creek.  I really love seeing this.  But I really hate seeing the creek littered.  There was a great group of a local fraternity enjoying it Saturday.  The couple floating behind them saw at least a dozen fresh, empty beer cans following behind.  Seems like some fraternity education might be in order.  And maybe even a fraternity organized creek clean up soon??  

natural herbicide?

Natural Herbicide.  Last week I was so glad to see/find someone with an appreciation of our walnut shavings.  It's long been assumed that the natural toxins in walnut shavings can lame a horse.  Well, our friend Bill Goode found a good use for them - as a natural herbicide.  He's going to use these along the fence rows at his farm.  He promises to give us an update to see just how good it's working.

Revisiting the oak root ball

This one's just about to get the best of us.  We've cut thru a few root balls in the past, but never one this contrary.  Continue to run into deeply embedded dirt and rock - big rocks!.  We'll take a break over the weekend, and next week decide if we'll try again or give up on this one.

walnut beam for new small office enclosure

This week we got started on a small office enclosure for our studio.  This is one of the two 14' long, 3" thick walnut beams that will suport the two 7' wide sliding doors.

Montgomery showing

Wednesday I delivered seven pieces to the Alabama State Council on the Arts Gallery in Montgomery.  I'm honored to be involved in Georgine Clark's show, Echoes From the Woods (group) June 4 – July 18, 2010.

Pressure washing this big oak root ball

We spent the bulk of the day cleaning the rocks, grit and dirt in this big oak root ball.  Got most of the visible stuff, but will have to give it a lot more time before we move it over to the sawmill.  

using a power chisel on the oak conference table

 Hand tools can't be matched in many situations, but this power chisel is taking care of this big old knot in this conference table today.

working out the detail of a couple of dimensional joints in the oak conference table

oak conference table right side up

It's always fun to see a table right side up for the first time.  Particularly one that's been in the planning stages for four years.  I'm happy with the curvey, natural edge walnut stretcher.  There's a bit of walnut joinery to add as well.

our white dog has a turtle obsession

Beaufort, our white (mutt) dog has become totally obsessed with these turtles.  I'm guessing they are snappers, but he hasn't confirmed this yet.  Every time he finds one, he start barking, circling, etc.  This morning, he started turning every one he could find upside down.  (I'm thinking they can't right themselves?).  I followed him around, turning them back over, and putting them back in the creek for an easy get away.  Who say's there's nothing to do down here in Alabama??!

ducks enjoying the sassafras shavings

If you've never smelled sassafras you are in for a treat.  And, to celebrate these ducks one month birthday, we shared our fresh cut sassafras shavings with them.