December involved a few projects, with two gabions moved and three filled, three posts stained and two post bases made so we will be ready to build a visual-barrier fence with 4×4 cedar and 4 wooden Japanese screens. Also made some progress on the stairs, especially with cutting, mortising, dadoing and chamfering the posts, making the rails and deciding on the balusters. Next step is a lot of sanding and oiling before installing the posts, mortising the stringers and railings, and then installing the balusters (once we get them) and the railings. We have had an unusually large amount of snow in December (about 35cm) and the quad kept stalling. Had to use Bob to plow today. Neighbor said he will plow our drive with his very fancy quad until I can get mine fixed, likely in a few weeks.

Our year began with a polar bear swim and ended with a quiet Christmas and New Years. For us like everyone, it has been a different and interesting year. On the house front, we finished the front entry; installed a MEC door for the pantry/laundry; paved the parking area and rolled out 500 ft of recycled asphalt on the driveway and added a gate; created a new rose garden and patio, and planted (and watered) 100 tree seedlings. Projects this year took a back seat to leisure as we found time to kayak, motorcycle and wine tour, camp, make sausages, garden and eat very well. Next year will likely be more of the same (hopefully!) with maybe a few trips thrown in.