After 30 Years

Over 30 years ago I caught a big Bass during a fishing trip down South.  My friend Pat Paxton, an excellent taxidermist, mounted it for me.  When I brought it home Denise was not nearly as thrilled as I was and over the years it was never really welcomed in a prominent place in our homes!

Well after 30 years it finally has a home in an appropriate setting and approved by the boss!

Finishing Touches

We have been enjoying the cabin while working on some finishing touches.  Attached are a few pictures of Denise's decorating.

Furniture and First Night

Most of our furniture was delivered last week.  Denise and I (and Maggie) spent our first "official" weekend there this past weekend.  Always a few odds and ends to do but we are calling it "complete".

Maggie feeling at home!

Toasting completion.

Merry Maids Hit Apple Canyon Lake

Today "the girls" made a trip to the cabin.  It was the first trip for the (3) from the Quad Cities, Grandma (Denise's mom) Deana (Denise's sister) and Courtney (Denise's niece).  They met Denise and Kelsey in Dubuque and all rode up from there.  It was several hours of dusting, cleaning, setting up bedding, stocking some kitchen cabinets, etc.  Kelsey and Courtney found a little time for fun too!  I think they all had fun even though they were working.  Good comments and reports from Denise when she got home.  Kelsey sent me the following pictures from her new camera Santa bought her.

Foam couch.  Furniture is on order and due in 2 weeks.

New sconce lights for the stairs

Denise and her mom De

Deana and Courtney

Courtney and Kelsey

Courtney and Denise

Big Ass bed in master bedroom

Denise's favorite "Moose Room"

Deana being Deana?

Loft beds

Wood floors

Finished the wood floors today and am VERY glad I did!  I was getting tired of doing them.  To give you an idea I used 2500 cleat nails.  The only good thing about it was it was a great way to work off some of the holiday calories.

On the grid

Got hooked up to the internet today as well as Dish TV.  I almost feel like I could live here!  Now I won't miss any football games if I'm up here working.  Also put the bed frames together and had the mattresses delivered.  No more sleeping on the floor!  Carpet was also installed today.  Very productive day.  I'm working on the wood floors and will post some pictures of that progress soon.

Busy day with my daughter

My daughter Kelsey had the day off so she helped me run some errands and do a few things at the cabin today. Our first stop was Fairbank Iowa where we picked up the log style bed frames that I have had being built by a young Amish man.  It is always fun to drive through Amish communities and observe their lifestyles.

After loading up (4) bed frames on my trailer we hauled them to the cabin.  While there we did some final touch up painting in the bedrooms, bath and family room.  We wanted to get this done before the carpet is installed next week.  Then I spent a little time getting the first row of wood flooring down so that after Christmas when I arrive I will be ready to roll on the floor installation.  Getting the first row set and square to the walls is the most important step.  Getting that row "square" makes everything else go MUCH smoother.

After working at the cabin for a few hours we cleaned up and headed North into Wisconsin to a furniture store.  On the way we passed through a little town that we are looking forward to exploring when we have more time next year.

We found a sofa and love seat it looks like we will purchase.  Then back to Dubuque where we bought (4) sets of mattresses for the new bed frames then a well deserved dinner at Red Robin.