I write. He makes.
I am probably going to embarrass Mr. Gordon, but I am going to let you in on a few secrets.
He is an artist and a maker. And he’s really good.
He can draw and paint. He’s such a talented sculptor. (I’ve been encouraging him to start again!) Just look at this clay model he sculpted.
He’s composed an ambient space music album (affiliate link). He wrote songs in several genres “for fun.” He named a song after me. It’s called Tracy Hates Surf. It’s a surf song. 😉
It’s the background music for this video. And yes, that’s Mr. Gordon on guitar.
He’s got a lovely singing voice. (I don’t.) But he likes it when I sing with him. (You should hear me belt out the choruses to Rank Stranger.) 😉
Around the Ol’ Homestead
Mr. Gordon builds things (and I benefit). Of course, you’ve seen the coop he (with some help from me, I might add), built last year.
Latest Project
But this is what I wanted to share in this post – his latest project: a potato-onion bin for our kitchen. This is the “prototype” – the first photos are before the custom knobs arrived.
He built the bin with pine wood and used peg board for the back wall to help keep good airflow. The doors have hardware cloth on the front – again, to promote airflow. The two bottom drawers tip open. The top storage compartment is flat so I can also store a basket in it (like a basket full of shallots).
Mr. Gordon is considering producing a selection of potato-onion bins to sell at some point. Online? In person? He’s kicking around some ideas and venues. He’s already made notes on what he’ll do differently. In the meantime, I finally got a bin for the kitchen! 😀 And I love it!
Homestead Projects
One of the reasons why I wanted to post this – other than to celebrate my awesome husband – is to talk about starting projects and allowing for time to pause in finishing them if you need to move on to something else. It’s a balance.
For example, we know we need a root cellar. Mr. Gordon started that project in July 2019. (Root cellar videos: part 1 and part 2.) Is it done? No. It’s not something we require right now. That’s the beauty of taking your time on a project when you can. You can start something, move on to other things if they need to be completed first (like the coop), and return as the necessity increases.
I asked Mr. Gordon for an update. He agreed to post another video!
What Building / Making Are You Doing?
I’d love to hear about your projects! Drop a note in a comment below and fill us in!
February Blog Drop
This post is part of the February Blog Drop! You might also enjoy:
I LOVE that potato and onion bin! I’ve been looking for one but can’t find one that isn’t hideous. Although it will live in our pantry, I just can’t bring myself to purchase something that I think is an eyesore. If he ever decides to market them online I would totally be interested. We (my husband lol) are currently in the midst of constructing a new chick brooder/chicken tractor. Projects are always so exciting but you are so right about taking breaks if necessary. Some projects take us a few weeks and some drag on for months it seems. Balance!
Hi Steph! Thanks so much for stopping by! And I passed on your compliment to my husband. I love the potato-onion bin. It’s so nice to have. He’d LOVE to make more and sell online. The challenge is the shipping cost. It really adds to the price. We’ve looked online and it’s not unusual to see a bin for $150 plus shipping. Are they selling? I don’t know. Hard nut to crack!
I would LOVE a chicken tractor. That project has not come up yet, though. I have been watching our “free to take” column in the local Pennysaver. I think I’m probably overly optimistic that someone would post one, but I am hopeful.
If you are inclined to post your “how we built it” chicken tractor with pics on your blog, I’d love to see them! (And I bet others would, too!)
Hope you are your farm friends are weathering this winter weather well! 😀
Thanks, Steph. I was pleased with the end product. I made mine a little differently than all the plans I saw out there. The method I used requires less wood, so it’s cheaper to build. I intend to make a second one in order to document and refine the process, and to create detailed plans that I will post on the site. When I finish the next one, I’ll let you know and maybe we can work something out. I appreciate your comments! Good luck on the chicken tractor. Miss Tracy has one of those on her honey-do list for me. 🙂
That Mr. Gordon is indeed very talented! I’m glad you shared some of his skills with us. And I hope he’s not too embarrassed.
The potato/onion bin is fantastic!! That’s amazing. I wish I had room for something like that, but alas space is at a premium right now.
You are probably tired of hearing about it, but our big projects for the foreseeable future are the chicken coop move and reno project and the garden move and update. I’m looking forward to both of these being done, especially the chickens. This winter has proven how much they need newly updated and expanded digs.
Hi, there! Thanks for the comments. (Only a little embarrassed.) I have some plans to start sculpting again. Alas, not enough time in the day for everything! I think I’ll be a very busy retiree someday soon.
Good luck with the coop move. That sounds like a real project!
Miss Tracy tells me she’s really enjoyed your recent videos! Keep up the good work.
Oh, and by the way, your photos on the your site are absolutely beautiful. Very nicely done!
Cheers for now.