The Kester House & Garden News

After upgrading all the home computers, I'm finally back to updating the web site!

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:40:00 EDT

The old Windows 2000 servers finally gave up, so I've upgraded to new hardware and Windows Home Server 2011. Getting everything working took a few weeks, but all seems well at last. To celebrate, I've finally updated the web site, and even added a little something about the Continued Engawa & Tsukimi-dai Decking Installation.

Updated Engawa section with information regarding decking prep & installation and 12v lighting.

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST

Wiring had to go in before the decking could go down, and decking had to be hand-planed before it could go down. Information and photos about both projects are up, starting with the Installation of the Engawa Decking section.

OK then - enough with the website coding!

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:50:00 EDT

It's done at last - performed a major site-wide update to allow Lightbox style image viewing to function properly on most mobile devices. This included upgrading from Shadowbox v2 to the latest Shadowbox v3.0.3, and then lots of code tweaks to get it working the way I want. As usual, pages will need a refresh to enjoy the changes. Some actual content updates are on their way, now that I'm satisfied with the new code.

I have CDO. It's like OCD, but with the letters in alphabetical order - like they're supposed to be.

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:15:00 EDT

Still working on lots of site code. Noticed that Google +1 developers broke the internet last night for Internet Explorer users, so I patched and updated all my pages this morning to deal with it. Thanks Google!

Just a quick site update of some behind-the-scenes code stuff.

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:45:00 EDT

This one took a while, although it's not a lot of noticable stuff: changed some of the social networking links (added Twitter and Googles +1 buttons), tweaked page titles site-wide for better search results clarity, and updated JQuery to the latest version. These changes will require a page refresh to show up.

Updated Engawa section with information about the landscaping around the tsukimi-dai.

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:40:00 EDT

Like I said last time, I wanted to get this landscape update done before I got too far into the decking work, so here it is: Landscaping the Tsukimi-dai

Ready to start decking installation on the engawa & tsukimi-dai project. Engawa section updated.

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:20:00 EDT

I've completed the landscaping around that area (although still need to do the update for the landscaping) and am now doing some fiddling with the low-voltage lighting fixtures. Added an update regarding the Engawa Trim & Detail Work and the Copper gutter installation.

Still making headway on the engawa & tsukimi-dai project. Engawa section updated.

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EDT

Roof and framing work are completed, with a large update and fresh photos beginning with the Engawa Soffit Work through some information regarding Dealing with Decking on the Engawa page in the Exterior section of the site.

Work continues on the engawa & tsukimi-dai project. Engawa section updated.

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:20:00 EDT

Currently working on the engawa roof rafters and soffits, with updated information and photos in the Engawa Roof Rafters section of the Engawa page in the Exterior section of the site.

The engawa & tsukimi-dai are progressing nicely. Engawa section updated.

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EDT

Work continues on the exterior decks, with a major update to the Building the Engawa & Tsukimi-dai section of the Engawa page in the Exterior section of the site.

Bathroom tile floor completed, work underway on engawa. Bathroom section updated.

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EDT

Project work over the last months has shifted from finishing the bathroom to working outside on the deck, although I finally took some time to take care of the final bits of the Bathroom Tile Floor section and update the site.

Toto Nexus toilet installed, baseboard still in progress. Bathroom section updated.

Tue, 17 May 2011 10:00:00 EDT

Still no yard work yet thanks to a lower back strain. Updated the Bathroom page with a new Toilet Installation section, since I'd managed to get that installed before my back went out. The site's search index was refreshed and I added a couple more photos to the Hand Plane Gallery section of the Hand Planes page.

Bathroom floor tile applied, baseboard installation under way. Bathroom section updated.

Tue, 03 May 2011 11:50:00 EDT

Spring might actually be here at last, with the Plum and Cherry trees in full blossom. Bathroom floor tile is installed, so the site received a sizeable update of information and photos to the expanded Tile Installation section of the Bathroom page.

Work continues on the bathroom tile, site coding updated.

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST

While it remains chilly outside, bathroom tile work is nearly complete. The site received a lot of behind-the-scenes code updates, as well as further refinement of the Hand Plane Data section of the Hand Planes page.

Pulling out the wet saw for tile work. Updated the Bathroom page.

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST

Weather has warmed a little, so heading out to use the wet saw to try and get the bathroom tile done before it's time for yard work. Added a new Tile Installation section to the Bathroom page, along with a few photos of the latest progress.