Birds of Prey and renovation update

I can’t believe how fast this weekend went by!  We got quite a bit done on our half bath installation.  Saturday marked the day to put down the main drain line.

That meant to go down here:

I thought for sure my butt wouldn’t go down that hole.  I still have that distorted view of myself. But, I was first to go down and hang the pipe – and I fit!

That hole would have had to have been a lot bigger if I was still 250 pounds.

It was kind of icky down there, but exciting to get so much stuff done.  We dry fit a lot of the plumbing:

I found a newspaper down there from 1935!

Pretty cool.

Took some time to make a good dinner last night – palak chole!  It is actually quite easy and quick to make.

Sunday was also filled with things.

The usual bagel (and my mom came with!):

Then a little more work on the pipes before heading out to Raptor Fest!

This was so cool.  Most of these are rehabbed birds that were injured and cannot be released again due to their injuries, so are now used for education purposes.  A couple are captive-bred birds. Of course, now I don’t remember what some of these are.  So, help me out if you can.

Red Tail Hawk:

Eurasian Eagle Owl (obviously not native)

The owls are so focused and their eyes are amazing.  Descended from dinosaurs?  I can see it.  We then watched some more owls in a small presentation (pictures not so good there).

Video of the Eurasion owl. They are licensed by the DEC to have this owl.

Very cool.  Notice how the owl’s ears are asymmetric? I didn’t know that almost every owl is like that, presumably so that can tell  if a sound is coming from above or below.  This owl can hear a mouse under the snow at 100 yards away!

Definitely and enjoyable weekend (and the snow is starting to melt – yay!!).

Question: Did you have a great weekend?

27 thoughts on “Birds of Prey and renovation update

  1. Kimberley

    Great work on the reno…you couldn’t pay me to go into that space…even if I fit.

    I found a bakery with so far so good gluten free items…they actually have bagels. Didn’t get any yet, but I will try them soon.

    Love the birds of prey! Since we moved there is a new road we drive down and there are all kinds of hawks and falcons (not sure which is which), all I know is they are magnificent.

    I had a good weekend, visitors, good meals, gluten free goodness, yoga, movies and relaxation…love it!

  2. Helen

    Blog about my weekend with the chitlins tomorrow. I know you’ve been dying with anticipation. Ummmmm I’m not sure I could fit down that hole either but even if I could? No way Jose. I am totally claustrophobic. I am not squeezing in there. Call the plumber!

  3. kalli

    what a great day. a bit of fun and a bit of work on the house. i would have been sooooo scared to go down the hole. isn’t our vision of ourselves off or what? of course your booty could fit through the hole 🙂 i did have a great weekend. i rode and ate good food and hung with my hubby!

  4. Kim Zepp

    You and your husband are so handy! I’m sure it feels good to do your own work on the new bathroom / laundry.
    AND
    HOORAY for melting snow. 🙂

  5. debby

    Pretty cool you fit down that hole! And the raptor fest was cool also.

    Gotta say, though, that as much as I have been fascinated by all the work you are doing yourself, this weekend’s work is something that I’d rather do an extra shift of work and use that money to pay someone else to do the renovations LOL.

    Ooh, and very cool to find a newspaper that is 75 years old! Imagine plain old paper lasting that long and not even protected in any way. That kind of thing fascinates me.

    1. Lori Post author

      I love doing renovations, but I do have to say that being down under the porch has been my least favorite thing to date. I much prefer laying tile, drywall, and painting to this stuff. We are just saving an incredible amount of money to do this ourselves.

  6. Lisa

    I love old newspapers like that. My aunt’s farmhouse had newspapers from 1890’s. So cool to see!

    Those owls are gorgeous. What an amazing sight!

    1. Lori Post author

      There were some funny political things on the paper that could have been written today. Just goes to show how nothing ever changes in Washington…

  7. cammy@tippytoediet

    Love a weekend that’s both productive AND enjoyable! Bagels help, too! 🙂

    I still have the occasional moment of dread when faced with sitting in a booth or fitting in a small space, so I do understand the thrill of “fitting.”

  8. Fran

    Yah for melting snow!

    That’s so cool you found that newspaper, must have been fun to read the news from back then. I don’t go under the floor, I’m a chicken, I always let the hub go 🙂

    The raptor fest looks very cool and fun to do.

    My weekend was great, we had such nice temperatures and sunshine, very Spring.

  9. Lauren

    Thanks for coming over to Foodtrainers. I am so inspired by your journey. I want that chickpea soup/stew, is there a recipe. The owls are beautiful.

  10. Jody - Fit at 53

    Man, you guys are such good home bodies! I can’t do any of that renovation type stuff. Heck I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler! On that hole, I am doing a NSV post tomorrow & I call that a NSV!!!

    Those owls are cool looking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  11. Joanne

    Good going on the renovations. It will all be done in no time and the best part is that you guys are doing it yourselves. What a feeling. I’m more of a dictator: I don’t like getting my hands dirty but I sure like the job to get done RIGHT! 😉

  12. Amanda @ bakingwithoutabox

    What an awesome weekend. You rock as a DIY rennovator. Just love how you shimmied down into the little space. And finding that old paper is so cool. My husband was a falconer for his university so the whole birds of prey thing, I’ve heard lots about those kind of big birds. Very neat tour.

  13. Roz

    Love the photo of you in the hole on the floor. And WOW….those birds are amazing. The fact you were so close is incredible. Have a great week Lori!!!

  14. Kelly

    I think it’s so neat that you are finding those old papers while working on the house. So cool! I hope you’re keeping them!

    Oh WOW! Raptors are so cool. When I was a kid people would bring injured wildlife to us to rehab and release. Once we got a screech owl and it was my favorite. It would attack men though. So weird. The phone repairman came by once and the owl swooped down and got him. The guy said, “That’s the biggest damn parakeet I’ve ever seen!” LOL

    Yes, great weekend here. It ended way too fast. 🙂

  15. Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me

    I love renovating! My weekend was spent painting the guest room from top to bottom! It was great and I felt so accomplished afterward. You guys are definitely doing a much lengthier reno but think about when it’s done! You’ll feel amazing!

  16. Ang

    I love the old newspaper! They are so fun to read! 🙂 It is kind of ironic how not as much has changed as you would think. Or situations are similar just context is different due to advancements.

    Love the birds! Owls are so pretty!

    Good weekend here! Went to the first bootcamp of the year at the gym, did some shopping, got a haircut, went to church. Also got a cold this weekend but we’ll focus on the positive!

  17. Leah

    Very neat about the newspaper!!

    You’re brave to go under the house. I’d be up on top cheering my husband along and offering a snack when he’s done. 🙂

    Good weekend here!

  18. Patrick

    Some serious work getting done here. Way to go, so jealous. That old newspaper, that would have been the highlight for me. That is a keeper!

  19. Lori Lynn

    The weather has been absolutely GORGEOUS where I live in Nebraska, so it’s made it a great weekend. I even got a bit of a tan being outside!

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