This past weekend we visited my brother and his family in Innisfil. He manages the library there and runs the “idea lab“. This is not the kind of thing you expect a library to do, but it is pretty cool. They have a 3D printer, a laser cutter, a vinyl printer, a small music studio, instruments and of course computers and such. The locals have an amazing resource there where they can dabble in new technology.

So in the afternoon on Saturday we took a intro into laser cutting course. For the cost of a wood panel ($10) I made this:

Laser cutting done at the Innisfil Idea Lab

Laser cutting done at the Innisfil Idea Lab

It was very easy. I had to make some minor adjustments to the logo but otherwise basically just hit “print”. I have since finished it with varathane to make it shinier and preserve it. Now, what is it for you might ask? I really don’t know… looks cool though, eh?

In other news, work on the garage is progressing well now despite the very cold weather. My dad and I put the roof on last week and I have all the windows in now and the exterior house wrap done. The next step is to finish up the interior framing, wire the electrical and get the insulation / drywall up on the ceiling of the loft.  I have 1 month to make this a real living space.  Looking at it now, that seems quite doable but as of the middle of February I wasn’t as sure!

garage and loft progress

garage and loft progress

Some other exciting developments:

  •  We have one confirmed intern! Lots of potentials for a second too. I’m pretty excited about this. Starting April I will have help!
  •  Chicks are coming tomorrow (Thursday)! We will have 60 new chicks all hens of egg-laying breeds. I may also try to pick up a small variety of other breeds of chicks off kijiji to give the flock some colour. They will be in the house for the first 2 weeks after which it really should be warmer outside (right?)
  • I found a great stainless steel restaurant sink on kijiji that I will use for a wash station (see back of truck in photo above)
  •  I’ve decided to build our planned walk-in cooler in a trailer. I got the idea from this guy. It really solves a couple problems with the whole walk-in idea. The first is that I really didn’t know where to put it and was trying to make it somewhat temporary which is very hard to do. The second is that the barn I had planned for it is kindof dirty and dusty. Especially when the horses come in for the night. Not the best place to have well washed vegetables! I’ll post more details on how I’m going to do this. For now I’m scouring used ads across Ontario for a budget-priced enclosed trailer.