Butcher Block Island Construction

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Our new island is a true thing of beauty. The kitchen is almost 100% done. All that is left is a new floor and putting base boards on all the cabinets. This is a big deal for me. I started this entire kitchen remodel so I could get a big, beautiful island the kids would be able to access better. Our old island was…gross.

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Small and oddly angled it just wasn’t that functional. If I was rolling dough on it there was no way the kids could get up and help me out.

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I used the IKEA Algot system and cut it up to make the perfect fruit and vegetable storage baskets in the island.

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I was able to fit five large baskets perfectly into the island frame.

baskets

I find the baskets extremely useful!

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I router-ed two of the 4×4 braces to fit the electrical wire inside the island frame. I also sneezed, can you tell?

Island Framing

Island framing has begun. Can you see the dirty outline of the old island? I was excited to add an additional outlet to this island.

Framed island

A thing of beauty!

planked-island Planking

I decided I wanted the planked look on the island as well. There was a big debate about whether to stain or paint the island. I decided I wanted to paint.

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The color was not what I intended but it works just fine.

Maple Boards

I ordered 8′ maple boards. As the island is 8′ long I planned to glue cross pieces onto each side. It covers the rough edges and gives the counter top the over hang it needed.

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I glued the maple planks together with Titebond III Ultimate. I also managed to glue some of the tarp in. I’m talented!

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This is how I bypassed using a clamp to glue the edge pieces on.

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Then the planing began. I planed for about a month.

Then it was time to sand. To help flatten the butcher block island I screwed it down before I began planing and sanding. As such I was not able to take it outside to sand. I got a little creative.

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It worked. No one was more shocked than I. I barely had to clean dust off of the rest of the kitchen.

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Then the sealing began. Well first you have to wash it, several times. Then I scrub with lemon and salt. Then clean again. Then oil, many times. Four regular coats of oil and one coat of oil that is mixed with beeswax.

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Doesn’t the edge look great!

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Now the kids, the dough, the machines and whatever else I want can fit on the island.

 

Krater Completion, mostly

What a growing season this has been. Dry, windy, hot, miserable. On top of that we had major tractor problems. Still kind of do. I wasn’t able to put the finishing touches on the completed Kraters as the battery is dead on the excavator AGAIN. Uh oh, Husband hadn’t been told of that before this post. Sorry Babe. Battery is going to need replaced big time. Lots of love!

My goal was 12 kraters. I completed 4. I won’t be planting out a few hundred trees next year now. Instead I have modified my plans to begin our graft nursery. I was able to set that space up sufficiently, except the fence, which we simply need to put up real quick.

Back to the kraters. They seem all right. They have been dug, terraced, top soiled and planted. What else could a girl hope to do with all that has been going on. Enjoy a few action shots.

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Look at these poor guard dogs. They wander over to check their charges and get mauled with cuddles. It’s a tough life for sure!

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It appears I engage in child krater terracing labor. To be fair, the child really likes the labor.

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Top soil was dumped on and needed moved around.

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Throwing out our hand collected seeds.

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Raking the seeds in.