I most recently built the pile about 9 days ago. I shredded all the yard waste (tomato vines, etc) and got some coffee grounds to add, too. I added a teeny bit of cow poop, and kitchen waste. The bin was half to 2/3 full. Before our cold nights, a week ago, it reached 150 in the center. This was 2 - 3 days after building it up. Then our freezing nights hit (about thursday or friday). I expected it to stay pretty warm, but it didn't. So I turned it a couple days ago, figuring it wouldn't hurt. Your thread prompted me to check, and although it's too cold and damp out for me to find the thermometer, I did poke the fork in and see plenty of steam come out. We still having freezing nights and snow will come down to 1500 feet tonight. So I'm happy enough.

miamcd, Most drain covers are plastic. If it's a metal grate, then it is most likely bronze(don't see many of those anymore). Usually the PB tries to match the grate colors with what goes best with the plaster colors. Almost all drain covers used in spas have that toe stub you mentioned. This design helps prevent entrapement and is pretty standard across the country. Most of your questions will be answered after the start-up when you are given your walk-thru, or "pool school" as some on this site call it. Good luck.

Not much traffic on this forum lately! I don't have my area setup yet for this year, but will try to take some pics when I do. My system gets a little more efficient each year I think. First time I tried wintersowing I did it in the unheated garage in December. Numb fingers on filthy hands and snot running down my face from the cold.... not fun. I moved inside the next year! For several years I used the kitchen and just did a few tiring marathon sowing sessions so I wouldn't have to lug everything out and clean it all up again too many times. The kitchen was right off the backyard where I kept my pot ghetto. I kept a big tub of potting mix in the dining room for weeks on end to keep it from freezing. It worked pretty well... until I got three naughty cats. I couldn't turn my back for one second. They like to "help" too much! Jumping into my tub of damp potting mix to roll around in it, running down the hallway with an open seed packet in their mouth and emptying the contents everywhere, etc., etc. Then I decided to install a laundry tub with sprayer in the basement workroom. I can close the door to the basement to keep the kitties out. It is heated down there and with some good tunes, actually kind of pleasant. I can spread out my supplies and leave it a bit messy between sowing sessions. I also switched to quart yogurt containers to sow in which are easier to plant out of, clean, and store. I prepare new containers with the drill press that is in the basement too. I put them in a large concrete mixing tub or storage container lids for sowing and carrying upstairs. It holds quite a few of them and I can easily carry a dozen or more of them at a time. I use large anti-fatigue floor mats to make standing on the concrete floor easier. This year I may even clean off one of the workbenches so I can sit and sow! Looks like you have a really nice setup too Martha. It is good to have an area where you can spread out and get a bit messy for projects.

Here is my small sewing chair, after I reupholstered it:I used silk damask fabric from a leftover upholstery order at work. There was just enough of this fabric to cover the seat of this chair with the additional foam, but not enough to make a pillow. I'm glad I salvaged this fabric. I did not make the best effort on this project, but it is just a utilitarian sewing chair and normally no one sees except for me. The chair seat was very hard before I added additional foam to it. I brought this chair from L.A. with my sewing machines because I had to have a chair at the correct height for me to do my sewing here. Also, the seat lifts up and has storage under it, which I do use. I found the chair when I lived in Venice, and someone had discarded it behind my house there. The chair had its original label, stating that it was made in 1923, and so I guess it is an antique, although not a valuable one. I think the fabric is appropriate for the era. I do not have enough of this fabric left to upholster the apron of the chair, and so that will stay as it is. I mainly needed cushioning.