Thursday, January 30, 2014

Busy Days at Lazydays

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
January 26-30, 2014 

I am very happy to report that most of the work on our re-mods are done. I say most because we still have to do a light sand on two table tops and revarnish.


 Before...the table by my chair had a white laminate top and was hinged on the top for storage. 



After... the top was replaced with a nice piece of cherry wood cut to the exact shape by Gary Whitaker (mentioned in our last post). I didn't really like the hinge on the top, so Joe cut a whole in the side of the unit. We used a door from one of the old dinette bench seats that we saved from a year ago when we replaced the benches with table and chairs.  We still have the storage and I can have a lamp anywhere on the table I want too.















Next, since we moved the TV, we had a nice spot that was quickly dubbed the pantry.
What a mess!



Planning this space was not that easy. We measured cans, boxes and tried to make the best use of this cabinet.



Joe hung the cabinet doors first. We had to order the hinges to match the rest of the doors. In the meantime, we have two doors in the back that are propped up.







We carefully designed the shelves. It was a little tricky since there was an odd angle we had to work with...the left side is less deep than the right side.

We found bins at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They were a little more than we wanted to pay, but just the right size and they are clear.  I had lots of fun moving canned goods, cereal, etc. to the new pantry. And we are both liking all the new space we have made.
 
 














We have one more spot we changed, and I will post those pictures next time.

Today, I heard a new bird...grabbed up the camera and set out to find it. It was sitting in the same lemon tree the Curve-billed Thrasher was in last week. Its a Northern Mockingbird. I say this because his song was a long series of phrases...like "perty, perty" ...which is why I went running. I just knew he was talking to me!




Both the male and the female mockingbirds sing. They mimic the sounds of other birds and even frogs around them.

They continue to learn new sounds throughout their lives.



While I was admiring this fine fellow, I spotted a Gila Woodpecker on a palm tree.

These pictures are not that clear, but I was so excited to see it, I had to post some of them. I'm guessing the palm trees are about 50 feet...



Gilas are native to southern Arizona. They are very active and noisy. They are most seen clinging vertically to trees, cacti, and poles looking for insects.







What a nice surprise to find a pair. Only one of these had a red cap. Its also nice to know that the Gila Woodpeckers are known to protect the magnificent Saguaro
Cactus from disease by eating the insects found on the cacti.














Speaking of cacti, I love them! All kinds!






















 These are the first prickly photos of the year...taken right here in the park!















 
We have enjoyed watching a pair of Morning Doves. Since they eat mostly seeds, they have been pecking away at the gravel beside our home.

 
Tomorrow is Friday...already. We hope everyone has a great week-end.
 Until next time, take care and...

enjoy the beauty all around you.
Thanks for dropping by!

23 comments:

  1. You guys have done such a great job on your re-mods. It all looks great! You can never have too much storage space. I would love a pantry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Joan. We love the new pantry. Now the food is in the kitchen and the TV is in the living room. I was amazed at how much room the old TV cabinet added.

      Delete
  2. Your remods are looking good, keep up the good work and enjoy this great weather.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks George! With all the hard and messy work done, we will be off to Yuma to visit friends and enjoy the outdoors next week for a whole month!

      Delete
  3. Modifications look great! I think the new pantry is perfect. I always felt the tv being in a side cabinet away from the couch made for awkward viewing, you found the perfect solution. The pics of the cacti make its needles look soft, are they?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our thoughts too Gayle! Joe was never comfortable watching TV.
      Our pups wish the needles were soft. They are very prickly and dangerous, but oh so pretty!

      Delete
  4. With all the work you've done, it must almost feel like you're living in a new rig!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does Judy! We love our home. I have to say last week it was so messy and cramped, but now it is back to just being cozy and sorta clean...as clean as it can be with four pups!

      Delete
  5. Looks like a great job. I'm sure you'll enjoy all the changes ... and, if not, you can always make another change or two.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Wanderin'...so far we are loving it! Nice to get things back in order and relax. Next change....the floor(I hope!).

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your new pantry! I love that it isn't so tall. What fantastic space!!

    New table looks great, also! Having a hinged top for storage sure doesn't work if you want to use the storage. Great idea to make a door. Gee, you will have to go shopping to fill all these new spaces:)

    Beautiful work, Joe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pam...thanks for the compliment. Joe worked so hard. It's difficult to do any kind of wood working in the tight space of a MH and also trying to be considerate of neighbors. I don't think we will have any problem filling up the new space!

      Delete
  8. Wow! What gorgeous changes you have made. The cabinetry work is very nice. I also use plastic bins in my pantry and love how neat and clean they keep everything. If you ever need more they have a great selection at the Container Store. Although I am sure they are as expensive, if not more, than the ones at BB&B. Also loving the cactus photos. They are such fascinating plants.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Amanda, that means so much....you have made so many beautiful improvements to your Airstream.
      Aren't the cacti just amazing? One of the many reasons we fell in love with the area last year and headed back as soon as we could,

      Delete
  9. Your remodeling projects look great. The plastic bins are a good idea. One of our favorite places is Arizona. Enjoy the weather, cacti and birds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sandy and Denis. We are glad it's time to relax and have some fun!

      Delete
  10. Love the bird pictures. I don't think I have ever seen a mockingbird so that was very interesting. Your remodel looks great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Donna!
      The mockingbirds are neat looking birds. Full of energy and songs!

      Delete
  11. Looks like you made some great choices in remodeling. A pantry would be high on my list if we were to make changes.

    Love learning about the Arizona birds. Makes me miss having my feeder out. You have inspired me to go buy some seed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pam...I am loving the new pantry!
      I so miss the large water birds, but have found that chasing after the song birds has been quite fun and music to my ears!

      Delete
  12. You have a good creative mind to use the spaces provided. All your cacti plant snaps are lovely...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Gay, sorry I haven't gotten over to your blog sooner. Your remodel looks fantastic! Congratulations! It is so must fun when one can do some of the work, very satisfying! Enjoy your news mods! Also, your bird photos are also fantastic! You should start keeping a bird list!! Enjoy the dry air for me. Today it was 82 with high humidity!! Grrrr! We are heading to Orlando for a few days on Wednesdah.

    ReplyDelete