Winter slammed us with relentless snow and sub-zero temps, halting exterior work—but not our momentum. Inside the sugar shack, I tackled interior walls, needing perfectly uniform battens for that rustic charm. Store-bought lumber? Too inconsistent. So, I engineered a custom jig for my table saw to mill straight, smooth battens from reclaimed spruce. It was trial, error, and sawdust—but the jig nailed it. Each batten now fits snug, preserving the shack’s soul while prepping it for modern use. With walls underway, heat’s the next priority. Winter may have hit hard, but we’re building warmth, one plank at a time.
