Thanksgiving already?

Well, here we are at Thanksgiving. I have some time off coming up, and a brandy-new table saw in my basement thanks to surviving 15 years with my employer. Let shinnanigans happen!

Really, I haven't gotten terribly much done in the last month. A bunch of normal fall yard work, and winterizing things. I was well on my way with a leaded glass projects when I accidentally cut my thumb really good slicing apples for the dehydrator. You're not supposed to work with lead with open wounds, so that paused that for a while. Ditto for not working with nice caustic lime mortar. Thumbs are constantly beat up and take more time to heal

I did some wick tests for making candles. Any of these wicks will work for beeswax votives, but they need to be burned *in* a votive container, otherwise the wax all melts and runs out. The 1/0 was the best I think.

Got some hiking in. One of the trails crosses some tracks. I made sure to look both ways and listen long and hard before I scampered across.

This was the last stunning day, 11/12. I was out in shirt sleeves, watching dragonflies and garter snakes.

One week later I was packing for a SCA event. I wore the hat most of the day; only pulling the coronet out for court later that night. (I should have left the hat on.) I can't count how many layers of ski clothes I had on under all my wool. I was doing ok until the chemical foot warmers gave up late in the day. (I had extras in the car, I just didn't think to go get them.)

When in New Jersey, you drive the extra couple hours south to Pennsylvania to load up on lime mortar from the source (limeworks.us). These 15 bags ought to keep me busy for a while.

One of the people I stayed with Sunday night sent home a catnip fish for the princess.

 She approves!

I got the call today that Window World of Boston have the windows and are looking to schedule that installation. It looks like my Christmas break will be finishing the living room, I hope.

In other news, the jackhole bathroom contractor refused delivery of the certified letters I sent out asking for my deposit back. I have to talk to a friend of mine who was a consumer advocate and figure out where to go from here - feels like either small claims court, or the MA Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. I'll see what she has to say. I got the legal insurance as part of my benefits package at work in October, so worst case after 1/1/23 I'll call and turn a lawyer loose on him.

It's getting cold. Last night I finally caved and put the electric blanket on my bed. I got too used to warm motel rooms and other people's guest rooms. Three night was all it took to get soft. :) One of my next projects will probably be to fashion some new nicer fakey storm windows with my new table saw. I don't have a fancy mortiser, but you know what? Screws work fine.

I promise, I will get back to you, #2.