Made an early Christmas present for Rachel today: an oak rolling pin. Started out square but with a saw, belt sander, draw knife, and some time, I got it functionally round.

Whoever designed the battery placement on a 2014 Chevy Malibu is a malicious, hate-filled demon. Just look at how much has to be removed to get to the battery! Two and a half hours and $300 later, my daughter’s car battery has been replaced.

Test run at hand-dipped candles, using old candle nubs and a can. Obviously greater volume of wax will be needed for proper length candles but I’d call the test successful.

I’ve often thought of @patrickrhone’s “master generalist” self-description. I may adapt it for myself as “master piddler.” At this moment, for instance, I’m in my garage writing this instead of working on the shadow box. Also, the greasy burger joint is about to open and I’m hungry. The box’ll wait.

I completed a spirit house today. Inspired by (but not intended to be exactly like) Thai spirit houses, this will be our shrine to the spirits of place.

One of my projects for next week’s vacation is to restore an old chair. The seat will need caning, and I plan to have an Amish shop do that part. I’ll do the cleanup, repair (if needed), and painting. I’ll be using milk paint for the first time.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that a neighborhood cat has taken up residence in our backyard. Today I built him a house out of (mostly) scrap. We put a brooder heater in there to keep him warmish over winter.

Repaired and refinished a cedar chest I picked up over the summer.

Before:

After:

Rachel has more or less finished the floor refinishing project. I think it looks wonderful! She also made herself a great reading corner.