Gonna start with the easy stuff.  When you spend a lot of time in less than 100 sq. ft., it’s good when ‘things’ has several uses.  The cover on the sink is matching, and is used as extra counter space … but …

… but it could be more functional.  How about a working area to make pasta, roll out stuff, carve things.  Time to talk to Don, an amazing friend and woodworking genius!

We (he) select and cuts padouk, cherry and European beech-wood.  Padouk is a bright red and very tough wood from Africa.  It looks like rosewood, but is stronger – ya see it in guitars a lot.  It will darken as time goes on.  European beech-wood is a short grained wood that resists compression and splitting – and has a contrasting light color.  The choice of cherry adds that beautiful red/brown color.  Well, we have to get them to the same thickness … 3/4 inch.  Well, Don has a tool for that.

And get the edges evened off …

Then its design time.  After some thought, some drawing, and breakfast, we (he) cuts.

Fit it together … hmmm.  What d’ya think?

… then cut the slots.  The biscuits and glue will hold everything solid through the years.

Fitted and glued.  Time to clamp them up, and place it in front of the fire to set.

Then, of course, it’s time for lunch … and to feed the chickens and turkeys.  This is living indeed!

I need to remember to pick up some farm fresh eggs!!  Back to work for now, though.

Add the back, trim the edges, and its starting to look really good!

Finishing touches to do … rout a ‘drip catch’ around the edge, oil it up … then see how it looks.

The woods are cherry, padouk, beech.  This was a good Spring project to start with!