November 2012
2 posts
October 2012
4 posts
Mouse proofing behind the fridge and oven
Warning: this post involves mouse feces. Proceed with caution.
After our recent mouse and rat issues we took a peak around the kitchen in those hard to reach spots to find out who might be lurking in the shadows. We weren’t all that surprised to find some massive holes behind the oven, refrigerator and underneath the sink. Some of the holes were big. Big enough for a small person’s...
Removing the basement sub-floor, finding termites
After some flooding in the basement we decided to have some work done. This has lead to a bit of a waterfall effect…
We decided to get a sump-pump (house didn’t come with one)
This lead to new floor tiling
This lead to ripping up the sub-floor
This lead to discovering termites
This lead to termite inspection
This lead to discovering damaged wood
This lead to calling up some...
Recommended: Jack Whitfield's Tree Trimming &...
Jack Whitfield’s Tree Trimming & Removing Service 703-781-8440
This summer we had a tree removed from our Brookland Backyard: it was taller than a lamppost and had branches tangled into the electrical, phone and cable lines. It was also dropping enough leaves and flower petals to cover our car in less than two days and clog the sewage drain during heavy rain (causing floods in the...
Rats: Part 4 (and mice)
Since purchasing the rat zapper several months back we’ve had a total of five kills. Two of these were the previously documented outdoor rats. The other three were indoor mice.
Based on my “research”, I believe we could be upping our kill numbers if it weren’t for my pesky human smell. It seems they are unlikely to go near a human smelling trap until it has sat untouched...
September 2012
1 post
Lawn work
Lo-fi solicitation for lawn work that was crumpled up and stuffed into the mailbox. If you need help call Renault.
August 2012
2 posts
2 tags
August Garden Update
It’s been three months since our original garden post and summer is in full swing, so we wanted to give an update on the butternut squash and other veggies we’ve been growing.
We created a makeshift trellis and the butternut squash has been growing straight up.
Small butternut squash
We’ve also had tremendous luck with summer squash which we planted in the big plastic...
1 tag
DIY Storage Crate Chairs
Our very simple DIY solution to create more storage and more places to sit (ideally for children). All you’ll need is a crate, some plywood, some pretty fabric, a staple gun and a glue gun.
1. Simple crate from Target
2. Inexpensive memory form from Amazon. Measured and cut.
3. Measure and cut fabric. Glue the edges down (cheap glue gun). Staple it to the pre-measured wood (cheap...
July 2012
2 posts
Rats: Part 3
Another rat update!
The day after we caught this one we woke up to find a little baby in the trap. Perhaps it was confused without its mother around and decided to follow her into the hole in the strange black box?
Rats: Part 2
Warning: this post contains dead rat images.
Its been awhile since we’ve posted and its now time for an update on the rat situation.
The Rat Zapper arrived soon after our previous post and we were very excited to get it outside and start killing rats as soon as possible. Unfortunately there were some issues with this. Rats are intelligent creatures so in order for any trap to work it...
June 2012
2 posts
1 tag
Rats: Part 1
Too Long; Didn’t Read: Laid down poison outside the house. One died inside a wall. Bought a badass trap. Updates to come.
I was leaving the house about two months ago, when I saw a small creature scurrying from beneath the stairs, under the fence and into a pile of wood in the neighbors’ yard. It had a long, thin tail like a dirty brown shoelace. It was a rat.
Later that day we...
Friends of the Woodridge Library Sale
This weekend we scored a ton of books and LPs from the Friends of the Woodridge Library book sale for very cheap. They are sure to have more sales in the future so its definitely worth checking out. More importantly, all proceeds benefit the library.
Above is The Handbook of Applied Mathematics and The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. Below are some other things we picked up. Of course the...
May 2012
5 posts
Vegetarian Sun-dried Tomato Mushroom Pasta
Something we put together based off a couple different recipes and the wife’s kitchen creativity.
Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package of fettuccine
4 tablespoons butter (margarine)
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (8 ounce) package of sliced shiitake mushrooms
2/3 (8 ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup dry white wine
...
Rain Barrel from the RiverSmart Homes Program
This weekend we had the privilege of getting a rain barrel installed in our Brookland Backyard by the nice people at DC Greenworks and the RiverSmart Program for only $30.
Any homeowner can apply for the program here and once you’re on the list someone from RiverSmart will visit your house to assess what you qualify for (rain barrels, shade trees, pervious pavers, etc).
Afterwards there...
2 tags
Curb Alert 1960s Style Dresser
I found this posted for free on Craigslist.
Somehow I was able to fit it into the car by myself while wife was out of town. The people getting rid of it had emptied the entire contents of their house into the front yard, but it had been picked through. I also found a pile of ancient Encyclopaedia Britannica volumes, but decided to pass on them
There are a few scratches, but overall the dress...
April 2012
2 posts
Brookland Sidewalk Chicken Wings
“Ain’t no thing, but a chicken wing.” —White Men Can’t Jump
Chicken wings aren’t unique to Brookland, let alone Washington DC. Hungry people throughout the world enjoy them in all kinds of ways: fried, baked, boiled, etc.
What is unique to Brookland are the sidewalk chicken wings.
Take a short stroll around the neighborhood and you’re sure to come across a couple piles. Usually...
1 tag
Welcome
Welcome to Brookland Backyard, a blog written by a young, sweet couple living in a row house in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington DC. We write about things we feel passionate about: home projects, crafting, tropes, Craigslist free stuff, life hacks, vegetarian cooking, being frugal, passive income, neighborhood pride, etc.
Feel free to email brooklandbackyard “at”...
