The Rapunzel Tower Foundation almost done!

To all the dear toad friends out there: Here is Tony, mixing the mortar!

And here he is laying the last course of block for the Rapunzel tower. He is going like a house a fire. Bufo is concerned that he will over do it.

The Digger and the Cement Truck

In two short days two huge projects are completed--and none to soon with massive rainfall predicted. This was the most difficult footing to dig and to pour.  It was a reinforcement of the east side bearing wall for the gallery (remember, this house, built in the early 1900's had only a rubble foundation) and the footings for the Rapunzel Tower.

It was difficult for the equipment to get close enough and some hand digging had to happen. 

On day two the cement truck arrived at about 10:30 in the morning.  Robbie, the great truck operator from Olynick Concrete backed his rig into three locations to completely fill all the footings. Some shoveling was needed for the overflow. Tony pushed it into the crawl space of the basement to seal the infamous rubble.

We were home by 12:30, shedding our cement covered clothes and showering before going out for lunch.

You are invited!

You are all invited to a reception honoring Janelle Thompson, watercolor artist and illustrator of TOADS and the work in progress, Little Sprout. The reception will be in Lieutenant Governor, Barbara Lawton's office on November 3, from 4:30 - 6:00 pm.

Original watercolors from the books will be in the Lt. Governor's office all of  November and a few weeks into December.


This is the beginning of a concept for Toad House, --a children's picture book museum of art where children can enjoy the original works of art from favorite books.

The Blocks, the Blokes, and the Boulders.

Hooray! Hurrah! The BLOCKS have arrived.  Visible progress on the outside.

BLOKE--an English term for a man or a fellow. The origin of the term is from the mid 19th century, 50 years before the 'blokes' built the house at 711 Lake Avenue West. For the past month the 'bloke' in the above photo has been looking for more 'blokes' to dig the foundation, lay the blocks, and do the carpentry that will result in the new face of Toad House. Well, all the blokes have been found, the blocks have arrived, and we are anxiously awaiting our first 'bloke'--which brings me to the last term in the title of this blog--BOULDERS.

If you look to the right of the photo of the woods you will see a pile of boulders--well, really not boulders, but rubble. This is what the foundation of Toad House was built upon over 100 years ago, rubble.  Rubble is what brings me back to why we need the blocks and the blokes in the first place.

Bye-Bye from Bufo-Bufo until the next Blog.

A Hidden Momento from the past!

In the west entryway, the deconstructionist found he needed to remove the flooring.  There was a space between the flooring and the subflooring and nailed into the space was a momento from the past, a treasure, sort of a time capsule.  What could this be?  Precious jewels? Gold?  No, it was a well preserved newspaper--The Minneapolis Tribune dated Sunday, June 8, 1924, thus dating the first addition to the simple four-square home.  What section of the paper you ask?  Would you believe the Arts Section?

Another piece of history can be found in the little woods just south of the Toad House. Sadly, it was taken down, and split into two pieces during the infamous tornado of 2002. This is the last remains of an oak tree that was probably 20 or 30 years of old when the original building at 711 West Lake was built in the early 1900's. Come close and see if you can count all the rings.

An Amazing Day!

Things have been pretty slow (but steady) at Toad House.  We were having difficulty connecting with the various contractors but now all contacts have been made and the foundation should be dug this week. Tuesday the block for the footings is arriving which is quite exciting!

Tony and I have been reviewing the uses of the "Rapunzel Tower" -- one thing I have been dreaming of is a Picture Book Museum--like the Eric Carle Picture Book Museum. We are going to have a head start on this entity November 3rd.  Barbara Lawton, our current Lieutenant Governor has chosen the TOADS and Little Sprout original art to be featured in her office. The reception for Janelle Thompson, (my dear friend and illustrator of TOADS) will be on November 3rd.  We have  only just heard, so I have no additional details.

If any readers of the blog would like an invitation from the Lieutenant Governor's office for the reception, please contact me!! I would love to have friends come and share in our joy at this wonderful honor!

Toads Journey, a poem by Jan Kurz

Progress continues though all on the inside in the upper apartment. New walls, new floor preparation, patching of holes.  We hope our foundation work can begin right after labor day.  So, no new pictures for facebook, but a poem written by Jan Kurz just before the publishing of TOADS.  It is more appropriate now than ever!!  Thank's Jan!

Toads Journey

                                    as told to Jan Kurz

While bouncing along the countryside

I spied a meal catch a ride.

Upon the downy milkweed seed

That beetle rode--I let her lead.

We wafted here and floated there

I followed near without a care.

When we would land, I had a hunch,

This crusty bug would be my lunch.

I thought she said, "Ahead's a Road House"

But, instead it was The Toad House.

Creative juice you will find here.

Maybe some berries or even a deer!

They welcome all toads and other fine guests

Here you can pause and take a nice rest.

I'm glad you lingered and savored this site.

I hope that your trip has been a delight.

Please come again and stay for a time.

  Relish these gifts, though it may cost a dime  

 Reading my stories brings great joy within.

 Together I know we're a team that can win.

Let's live life well.

Read, Grow, Learn

                                                        Toad