Opening Pandora's Box

You know when you have to start on a task or job you don't want to do, but you know that once you start you'll feel better for doing it? Well the "black hole" or rather the kitchen was something we kept talking about, but avoided doing. So, when we got an offer from a relative to use his small tip truck, it was the nudge we needed to clean out the rubbish. Boy was there still a lot to clean out!

So what I am talking about you say...the kitchen can't be all that bad...right?! Well think again! Let's open the side door and take a look inside shall we.....

See what I mean? It's a total mess and has been left for more than ten years. Believe me when I say that we did clean out this area ten years old, but somehow there was still a bit more to clear out. To the left of the platform is a shoji screen that leads into the tatami area, which is the main living area. We have since removed the platform you see below, because the support joints had been chewed by termites! 

View from the side shoji screen

Collapsing kitchen sink

The kitchen traditionally in this type of farmhouse has a dirt floor due to safety factors (so I've been told, or really it could just be how it was back then). The bathroom is also part of this area.

In the end we ripped the old sink 

The ceiling had some old ply board hanging down, so we removed it, which  exposed the blackened beams

There was even a very old irori (open fire pit)

 The kitchen also shared the bathroom, but it has seen better days. Now you can see (below) the state of the bathroom and also understand why we have so many onsens!!   One thing is for sure, this area will make great before and after pictures!

So the initial plan is to clean out the place and then start laying a timber frame for the floor boards. It's a physically tiring job walking around in the rubble, but we'll survive and keep thinking of the bigger picture. We are also thinking about moving the kitchen to the extension area. It then gives the kitchen  a better outlook at the front of Obachan chi's than the present area which is at the back of the house. There is much to do and as you can see it is a very big project. We'll be taking small steps and of course thinking of the budget and how we can use recycled materials, which in all honesty is more satisfying at the end of the day.

*A very "Happy Birthday" to my mum today, who's encouraging comments (as we work at giving this little house some love), mean a lot to us! 

First impression- Part I

The entrance before entering the genkan area looks.....well....very sad. Like all the areas that are in need of some TLC around Obachan's they wait patiently for there day. The concrete had broken away welcoming weeds to grow and for dust and dirt to fly into the genkan, which bugged me no end! This project is a two part process. First we will concrete the rectangle area you can see below and the second part is the area in front of the engawa to the far left, not seen here. But don't worry I will share it all when we get to it.

So we initially pulled away the broken pieces of concrete.

A shallow trench was dug to lie the plank of wood in which then held the concrete in once poured.

All ready for the concrete.....

We went for the pre-mixed concrete again with it being such a small area and because its easier to use.

It was quickly spread out....

A creative idea came to me after the concrete was poured....I know bad timing!

See the roof tiles on Obachan's place...

........well we had a couple of spares (at the time I thought they were spares...oops!) and I thought this would look fun set into the concrete as a personal touch.

Yes I know...... the poor front sliding door is looking worse for ware! It is patiently waiting its turn for beautification. We have plans for our front door!

So this is where we are at the moment. It's coming along slowly, but it's an improvement.

I think you know what I'm going to say next....yeah...it's time for a well deserved onsen.

Unwanted visitors

If you have been following along with our little veggie garden that we planted sunflowers and  corn in at the end of summer, I must tell you that we had very rude guests who visited us while we were away. They ripped our sunflowers out from the ground and dug some rather large holes looking for small crabs. Yes, our dear neighbours from the mountain, the wild boars were in town. While we did plant the corn a bit too late, we were hopeful for at least one cob of corn. But it wasn't meant to be...

So we started digging up the ground and unearthed what would seem like hundreds of wild jonquil bulbs. Remember these are safe from the wild boars chompers! We also dug up the concrete blocks and formed a simple, uneven pathway. Trust me, its temporary for now. 

 My assistant was hard at work digging up bulbs and repotting them into her pots.

While I wish I could click my fingers and our little garden could look something this......

   

                                  gardenoholic.com

The reality is that this is the end result for now. It would be great if the grass could grow covering the bare patch of ground and the bulbs would bloom along the pathway, but we will see if our neighbors pay us another visit. Next time we hope they show us some manners. It is hunting season now, so there number might be up! 

                              
My sore muscles are heavy and tired from all the digging, chopping and lugging concrete blocks, but a hot onsen will fix my aches.