We are taking a break from our regularly scheduled post about building a 40 acre farm in the 21st century to post news from another home base: my parents' house in New Mexico. I managed to lure my daughter and her husband to be here while I was visiting so we could do what we do wherever we go: work on projects! My papi's birthday is rolling around soon and he wanted a lawnmower shed.

Always start with drawings. It helps consolidate and share the vision.

We rustled around and found some treated 2x4s to repurpose.

Framing a wall on the ground makes life easier. Having a flat space to work is a luxury.

My mom had a wood working shop set up, which helped speed things along.

Extra hands (and feet) also help in framing.

We made all the walls before we put them up. We relied on the siding to be square...which it was!

The roof went on and, by golly, the darn thing was square! (No photos of wall raising-it took all hands!)

The tall guy with long arms got to fasten down the roof.

My papi picked up a door at the Restore and did an expert job replacing the hinges.

And voilà: a lawnmower shed! Happy Birthday Papi!