The snow is finally melting

Today was finally above freezing.  I can't remember the last time I saw melting snow.  It's far too soon to call it 'done' when it comes to winter but there is that tiny flicker of light at the end of the tunnel.

Number one on our list to get done is move the beehive.  We need to do this before they get active. The hive is currently located right where the beekeeper put it to get the swarm to go into the hive.  He suggested that we let them be (LOL little play on words) until the bees got used to their new home.

The hive needs to go behind the barn where it will be protected from the west (driving rain) and from the north (cold winds in the winter).  We plan to add several more full size hives this summer plus we have the small hive (5 frame) that I purchased off of eBay.  That small hive will go in my flower bed on the north side of the yard.  It will be protected by the trees and my neighbor's house.

Number two on our list to to finish picking up all the branches and twigs from the tree that we cut down during the winter.  R has several tree stumps that he needs to cut down to the ground so we can use the stump grinder.

While he has the chain saw out he will cut some more off of the huge trunk that remains from one of the large dead ash trees that we had to cut down.  That remaining section is close to 40 inches in diameter and about 12 to 14 feet long.

Once things dry out we will start repairing the clapboards on the back of the barn.  Then scrape the paint, prime, and then paint it grey to match the house.  We also need to install a fascia board and add eave troughs and downspouts.

The project that I cannot wait to complete is the front door.  There is some filling and sanding to do before we prime.  I will probably prime twice just to make sure I get good coverage.  Then I will give it two coats of exterior semi gloss ultra white.  I know that white doesn't sound like much fun but with the wrought iron straps, door knocker, and door handle I want to make sure that I do not distract from those details.  I also purchased some cast iron house numbers that I want to install above the door.

But the project we talked about the most during this long winter is we need to clean out the barn. Holy moly where does all that stuff comes from anyways?  For some reason we have available space at the back of the barn but chose to pile everything in the front and now we can't get one more thing in the barn.

Of course we also need to throw out, scrap, or sell some stuff, too.  I mean we have three riding lawnmowers.  Also, too many weed whackers and a lot of race car parts that still need to go bye bye. The loft of the barn is filled with sheet metal from all of his race cars that he plans to use as wall art in the loft.  He also has a bunch of number plates from his race bikes.  Those don't take up too much space but he keeps finding one about every 6 months.  Several years ago a local business asked him if he would give them one of his number plates so they could hang it on the wall.  Flint Michigan was home to a lot of flat trackers and they have quite the collection.

So as you can see, spring cannot come too soon for us because my to do list is growing.