Table for two, please.

Well, the 6 month blues are finally wearing off, thankfully, and it's starting to feel like home around here. I had been warned {thank you Debbie!} about the homesick blues, and it appears to hit most people between the 3 and 6 month mark. The homesick blues are when you hit the point of "this-place-stinks-and-I-wanna-go-home" as the excitement and newness fades. I am grateful to have been prepared for that part of our Cambodian adventure, and hopefully my experience will serve as a help to another missionary wife in the future. As the homesick blues dissipate, we're settling in quite nicely. Bradley's second semester is under way, and as he works at the same time each day, all be it, the days still vary, it has allowed for a more steady rhythm in our life. We have both been busy with various projects, as we work together to set up our homestead, and I am thrilled to announce the newest addition to our home: our table! First, though, let me take you on the fascinating journey of table crafting...

Phase 1: Finding the perfect piece

Bradley, the poor soul, was forced to hunt down this piece in a small warehouse full of every size of wood imaginable. {For those who don't know, Bradley is obsessed with wood. In other words, it was like a kid in a candy store}

Unfortunately, this piece was not deep enough to serve as a table. So, Bradley chose to try his hand at concrete. He followed a natural split, and then drilled holes to create the rest of the split.

Our stair rail served as his make shift "work table." He used a kromaa and a small piece of wood as a sort of clamp for the base pieces.

He cut the rebar into small pieces to insert into the strips of table where the concrete would later be poured.

Hacksaw + man power = baby rebars

Baby rebars in place.

Essentials for my craftsman: sketch pad; measuring tape; and most importantly, a hot cup of coffee.

Yes. That is a hand saw.

Yes. He sawed everything by hand.

Yes. He misses his power tools.

Phase 2: Mending the tear

Aww, finally a power tool. His drill was his only electrical friend on this job... well besides lights.

Wood crafting is a dirty business...

Yuck!

Phase 2 completed.

Bradley is 6 feet tall, for a reference on the length of our table.

Phase 3: Concrete evidence

My hubby did his research! He went online to find, and then create 6 different concrete recipes. In the states, we would buy concrete bags, premixed. Here, you purchase the separate components to mix on your own. After the 6 samples had dried, he did a stress test to see which ones would move onto the final round: Brandi's texture obsession. Four samples made it to my hands, and sample "A" was the winner. Its color, appearance, and texture were perfect for our table.

Late night mixing...

Time to pour, spread, and cover.

After the concrete dried, my artist chiseled away at his baby, ensuring the smoothest surface possible. Then onto the last stage of the process:

Phase 4: Apply sealer, and enjoy!

Isn't it absolutely gorgeous!

Front view of the table and base.

The base. The vertical pieces are what were "clamped" down with the kromaa and wood piece.

We love our table, and have already employed it for games, office hours, and our Khmer lessons!

It never crossed my mind that a table would make our home feel more like a home, but, as an American, it makes sense. Although any table would have worked in our space, no other piece would be such a blessing. I'm not a huge gifts person when it comes to my love language, but this gift was an act of service and love. I feel very blessed to have such a talented husband. After 10 years of marriage, he still has the ability to amaze me with his talents. I'm jazzed to see what he'll make me after 20 years. Hehe! ;o)

Question time: What piece of furniture makes your home feel like a home?