Wood Stove Phase 25

When we first moved to Abu Peak Ranch, there was one important thing missing from our home that we knew we'd need right away... a fireplace.  Winters, in Auberry, can get very cold.  Occasionally we have snow, but at our level (about 2000 feet), it doesn't last long.  My husband, Jeff, decided to build a hearth for a wood burning stove.  That was eight years ago.  Fast forward to today.  We are now on phase 25 of the "Install a wood burning stove" project. 

The phrase "A carpenter's children have no shoes" also applies to contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc.  I now know why.  When money is coming in, you're catching up from the time it wasn't flowing so freely.  When work has shut down due to storms, snow, or economy, you're living off of everything you just caught up.  There never seems to be a moment when free time and money are both available simultaneously.  This year will be different.  This year we will finally complete some of our ever growing list of unfinished projects! 

Here is a picture of our beautifully installed rock/tile hearth, complete with the wood burning stove.  The hearth turned out amazing.  The small rocks in the center are actually a waterfall.  Who would have ever thought of installing a waterfall in the house?  My husband, that's who!  I stand in aw of his never ending talents and his ability to "think outside the box".  He has certainly earned his title of "Master Craftsman".  But before we all turn to mush over the alkaloids of the amazing Jeff Sanders, can you see what is missing from the picture?  The flu.  I'm guess there will be a Phase 26 in the near future... and maybe 27, 28, ...

Just a short note that my Mom wanted me to be sure to include in my next blog... Why we named our ranch "Abu Peak".  When Jeff first drove me to the site that would one day be our home, he explained to me that the local American Indians inhabited this very spot.  He even had a picture of a small family sitting on our property, their stick tee-pee, and our local mountain range behind them in the background (did they really have cameras back then?).  Eventually, the small family must have moved (and built the casino that is located behind our property).  I told Jeff that we needed a name for our new piece of heaven, an authentic sounding name that had lots of meaning.  He suggested Abu Peak.

"I love it!" was my reply, "What does it mean?" 

"It's 'Peek-A-Boo' backward.  The game we used to always play with Tiffany (our daughter who still lives with us)."

Abu Peak it was.  The ranch now stands tall with it's beautiful, mysterious name.