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Is this considered your job? Flipping properties like this? Or are you retired and able to do this full time?

Thanks for keeping us updated.

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I am not flipping any properties. I am a retired engineer. I decided to physically preserve this place. It intrigues me and I am learning some things, reviewing interests I had before a lifetime career in engineering, and figuring out a possible area of interest I might devote a few years to. Call it a social experiment for me.

I haven't really even decided what my longer term plans are for this house. I have a list of considerations for its use, but for now, I am taking reasonable steps to preserve it on a level of expense I am comfortable with, while I research a variety of end uses. I will live in it for a while, and get much more connected with the surrounding area, planning how I would like to create various spaces within the existing landscape that I might enjoy as an "outdoor" experience, from the local flora and fauna, to introduction of other plants and animals that create a unique atmosphere.

The land itself has some interesting micro-ecologies that I am discovering as I work out there. I am trying to adjust my vision for creating comfortable outdoor spaces that take years to grow and evolve into something 'special'.

If that sounds flaky, it could be that it is. We'll see.....but bottom line, I am enjoying what I am doing and that isn't a bad thing.

[This message has been edited by Yuccadoo (edited 7/13/2010 12:50a).]

Not flaky at all. It's admirable. I agree with living in a space. Most recent girl got frustrated all to hell when I'd just sit in my mid-renovation kitchen and look around for a while without saying anything... if you're doing it right, projects just sort of organically grow in your mind as you experience a space.

I hate that word... "Space". It's not a space, it's a ****ing room. A "Space" is something the queers talk about on HGTV.


/rant.

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Agreed..

Great work and can't wait to see the final results!

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I hate that word... "Space". It's not a space, it's a ****ing room. A "Space" is something the queers talk about on HGTV.

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So what do you call
a) the level of cohesion between the interior design and structure of a room and the things visible out the windows of that room?
b) the different sub-rooms inside of a larger open-concept -- i.e. "family room" and "dining room" when they're both in an open concept where use is defined by the furniture?

For me, the first is "space" and the second is "area" ... "outdoor rooms" defined by a patio or seating area and the scenery around it is also a "space" to me. I don't care it it makes it sound froofy, but the integration is important and it really does need a name.

Whatever you call it, it is awesome and cool to watch the progress.

Space, area, certain spot, etc. can all be used interchangeably. But lets not get off topic...

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So what do you call
a) the level of cohesion between the interior design and structure of a room and the things visible out the windows of that room?
b) the different sub-rooms inside of a larger open-concept -- i.e. "family room" and "dining room" when they're both in an open concept where use is defined by the furniture?

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A) I don't

B) It is all "the room". There may be different stuff "here" versus "over there". For example, my kegerator is here, whereas my taxidermy is on that wall, by the couch... over there.

Well, whatever the hell Yuccadoo wants to call it, just don't feature any of these great projects on HGTV.

So if you "don't", why are you complaining about what people who "do" call it? It's not "un-manly" to make sure that your eating area has some stylistic cohesion with the hard-plumbed gas grill, wood-fired pizza oven, and BBQ pit. And it's not a "room" if it spans both indoors and outdoors.

Expand your horizons beyond light beer and dead animal heads...

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light beer

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You ain't from around here are ya?

I don't think I've ever been more jealous of a "primary residence" in my life. Amazing.

hah AC and light beer.. now I just laughed a little.

This is AC. Does he look like a light beer drinker?

He reminds me of my friend LC...short for large child.

Simultaneously awed, envious, remorseful and inspired when I look at these pictures, Yucc.

Awed by your incredible talents. Envious that I don't have them. Remorseful that I never cultivated any, and inspired to try and cultivate such a talent in the future.

Thanks for sharing.

So you graduated with what kind of engineering degree. I had my dad and couple of uncles graduate with engineering degrees in those years.

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You ain't from around here are ya?

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I have lurked around the OB for a bit before participating at all, but I should probably know that using subtle sarcasm to add a degree of levity to what I'm saying may get missed.

Hey guys,
Why would you try to turn Yuc's interesting thread into some pi$$ing match? Give it a rest.

so, BACK on topic. I believe I've driven by your place before when looking for spots to hang out along the river. Have you ever considered leasing the other properties out to (personally selected) students or professors?

Yuccadoo,

where did you get the metal awnings made?

Would you mind sending me an email with any details you may have?

Thanks! Step

vrieslander@hotmail.com

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How many acres do you have?

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This is a socially unacceptable question. Never, ever, ask a man how much land he owns.

Yuccadoo -

Love the plant selection at your home. I've been using the Parry's & Queen Victoria Agave's quite a bit lately here in Austin with great success. I'm also a fan of the Spineless Sotol (Dasylirion longissima). You should try it out!

MW03

Thanks and BTW, it is never too late. IIRC, I mentioned that my place only had 2 trees on it when I put my first downpayment on it in 1978. (yep, cl of 78'....whoop)

I have continued to plant trees almost every year since the early 80's, including 50+ bald cypress year before last, and about 25 large trees I spaded from adjoining property, to create an 'instant' grove near the entrance to my place.....water oaks, cedar elms, big female yaupon, and pecans. Used an 110" spade for those under contract, and they are filling in nicely.

AggsMNN

My undergraduate degree from TAMU is in Mechanical engineering.

Horatius

I am planning to rent a couple of these places when I am finished to a select group of students or professors that share my world view. Ahem.


Apache

Thanks for the suggestions. I know some good places for both. My wife and I dropped some lemon grass in a spot in the garden and it took off, making a really nice shape and growing robustly, so back at ya' with a suggestion. If you are into low maintenance AND Thai cooking, you got a two bagger there.

I'll take some pics of the Lemon Grass soon and post up.

Thanks all for the encouraging posts!

YuccaD


[This message has been edited by Yuccadoo (edited 7/14/2010 5:29p).]

So if I were to say that I am a gun loving and owning Christian student at A&M who currently works for a 'common sense' conservative congressional candidate as well as the occasional construction job, has just started getting in to home-brewing to accent a cooking/grilling obsession, hates hogs with a wild passion, and enjoys the company of attractive young women who agree with me on the aforementioned values..And also happens to have a father who lives locally and would still give me a royal whippin if I screwed up someone else's place... How would that help my chances?


All of that set aside, I've really enjoyed the pictures, keep it up and good luck.

I think it's a fascinating project and am enjoying the pictures to the utmost...

... I just object to the use of the word "space" in an HGTV-ish manner.

I can't say that I have ever watched HGTV, but when I refer to spaces outdoors, it is a generic term for creating a visual feast within a fixed physical boundary using the natural landscape and perhaps combined with other elements not found in that landscape that present the eye with pleasant perspectives, surprises, illusions, colors and patterns that create a mental state of a desired nature. I first captured this sense in a man-designed sense when visiting Zemurray Gardens north of Lake Pontchartrain, with multiple canopies, sculpture, and the use of color, texture and form of plantings in brilliant combinations that were pleasing to my eye and mind.

To the extent that at any given physical point, as far as the eye could see, the created areas were 'spaces' that were filled with the creativity of the designer using nature and time, defines my use/misuse of the word 'space' in the context I intended.

With apologies to HGTV.

[This message has been edited by Yuccadoo (edited 7/14/2010 11:38p).]

Home and Garden TV ...with all the tv shows of people listening to gay designers about the best way to fix up their houses

i don't know what channel the shows are on that we watch.. but we watch house hunters, property ladder, income property, and real estate intervention.. those are not what the above poster has described.. they are quite entertaining and educating at the same time.. but I just like learning about housing markets around the US.. so it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Yuccadoo, I found your house using google maps in about 30 seconds. If you care about that sort of privacy stuff/anonymity, you might want to take off any location references from your above posts.

btw, everything looks awesome.

Yuccadoo -

Great work man! Nothing like watching something come together and getting to work with your hands. Other than the dog-run itself did you find any antique treasures laying around?

I think that place will make a nice man-cave.

Rusty: You're right, it stands out from orbit. But I think that posting any pictures of it whatsoever will create that issue. I know it's been a problem with my house, which many people drive past daily, but that won't stop me as I continue renovations...

Any updates?

Rusty, I think you scared him off, creeper.

Updates to renovations:

Dog Trot:








The Party House.....