I've referenced my husband as being a jack-of-all-trades, but haven't really posted anything specific yet to demonstrate why he's deserving of that title, for those who don't know him personally. You'll have to excuse me because I am going to gush about my husband a bit in this post. What can I say? I'm a newlywed.
When friends come out to visit us for the first time, we have our welcome tour down to a T, starting with our guests being handed a glass of wine while I usher them around the inside of our old house pointing out our latest paint project, recounting how we acquired our vintage furniture, describing our plans for redesigning, and our dream of putting a timber frame addition on to our house.
Then we take them outside.
Aaron takes over from there while I stand back and watch people's reaction. He escorts them around the garage, the yard, and the vineyard, enthusiastically, but modestly, pointing out a few of the projects he has going on. It is impossible to miss the passion this man has when his eyes light up as he reveals his latest project and the big dreams he has planned. Things like, oh,
the two cars he built himself...
a self-made tractor attachment he created to spray the vineyard...
the greenhouse he constructed himself filled with various plants we are growing...
the outdoor hibachi grill and patio he designed and built himself...
our vision for rehabbing the old chicken coop into the winery...
oh, and the main attraction, the vineyard we have growing in our backyard...
Most recently, it was the pergola he built himself. We've had many discussions on what exactly this is called. We call it a pergola, but perhaps "trellis" or "arbor" is a better term. Since it went up before the cooler weather started to set in, I wanted to introduce it on this blog so it gets the attention it deserves on its maiden voyage year.
After he erected this structure he informed me that it would be my job to stain and treat the wood, which at this point, is going to have to wait until spring! Along with the grapevines that will start to grow up on the pillars, which you can just start to see a little in this picture.
But, the best part about this whole project is the craftsmanship of the pillars. One might think he just went to the store and bought the pillars...but they'd be wrong. A normal person might just go buy some pillars for the pergola or buy bricks for the patio. But not my husband. He actually bought the concrete and bought the concrete molds and MADE his own pillars. Much like he made the bricks for the patio for the hibachi grill (which is unique enough that it will get its own post).
I told you'd I'd gush a bit.
Welcome to Schram Vineyards!