Looking for a Sign

Look no further. Here's the sign.

Well, maybe we should get out of the way?

 I know it's hard to tell I was being literal, because if you've been following our progress, you know that we try to heed the "signs" that the Maker puts in front of us. We try to listen to Him and get out of our own way as much as we thick-headed humans can.

The Sign!

But this sign is metal and plastic, and it should last a good long time. The art is Mike's, and we love the colors and composition. Most people seem to agree!

Before the sign could go up, preparations had to be made.

I'm prepping as fast as I can...

The painting of the outside of the church is an ongoing process, and I stifled my discouragement when I inspected the painted portion from just last year. It could use a touch up already! We're using a more expensive Sikkens paint because it's thicker and really soaks into the wood.  But the winter was brutal, and the bugs are ubiquitous.

Entering the realm of the spiders and wasps!

As I was painting, my "brothers in height" (Mike, my husband and Paul Fisher, of Rybak's) were across the way having their own adventure at Rybak's Ice Cream Store.
The back portion of the building has to be addressed, and for this job, no skimpy ladder propped precariously against ancient wood slick with spider silk and squashed bug juice would do. They called in the heavy machinery.

What's this?

The name says it all.

No women allowed?

Nope! Women get the aforementioned ladder. This is a MANLIFT!

Lifted Men! Having fun!

Well, I know that working that high in the air has its moments of doubt, but from my perspective it sure looked fun.

This ain't no party...

Thanks, David Byrne. Meanwhile, back at the cottage...

And for something completely different...

It's good to know that it's nap time somewhere in the world. 

Back to the Church. After the paint dried, the sign went up. Construction of the frame took place first, of course.

Measure twice, cut once.

The frame was cleverly constructed to allow contraction and expansion of the sign. Thanks to Paul Adams of Goats Graphix in Bad Axe, MI, we have a beautiful sign that will last far into the future. We were very impressed with Paul's work and will no doubt be using him in the future.

The bottom piece of wood is gone now...

So come on over to Grindstone Corners, grab a yummy ice cream at Rybak's Ice Cream Store, and check out the White Church Gallery!

Opening Summer 2015!

But don't come too close, or I'll rope you into helping me paint...

Just kidding- we'll get you a cold drink and sit in the shade!

Follow the Lights!

Every May, my birthday rolls around. And every May, my beloved husband finds something sweet and amazing to surprise me with.

It wasn't these...

These beauties were the by-product of his search for the perfect gift from Craigslist! He did find an amazing little piece of furniture for me but it's for home, not the church, though it does have quatrefoils on it. 

We had been looking for light sconces for some time, and our search had schooled us in the prices and quality we were likely to find. 

These had been polished.

We knew they were neither cheap, nor easy to find in quantity. So it was with utter amazement that he found this set of five doubles and two singles. All for one low price. 

Score!

Yes, they will need some love, both aesthetically and electrically. Someone had wire-wheeled some of the metal. I used Brasso and elbow grease on the one on the left, and it has a very different tone than the polished one on the right. But I will figure out how to make them match, never fear! They will be a beautiful addition of light to the Church!

Meanwhile, the protective plywood came off the front windows, and the front of the Church saw first light, again.

All closed up.

One eye open...

And the other...

Who's that in the window?

Why, it's Grindstone Mike, putting the final touches on the paint. 

Soon it will be time for dinner. How's it going, Dr. Fisher, of the Institute of Barbeque Grills?

Oh it'll just take 15 more minutes...

Right! Well, we'll check back in 20... 

Painting.

The windows look just great!

Just a few more to go...;)

They sure do let the light in!

Meanwhile...

Assistance from a guest!

And so it took a few hours, but the lads were able to find all the right places for all the right parts, and we did dine on burgers and dogs. Our first grilling in Grindstone Corners!

Yay-Be-Que!

Let's light it!