Project Detour

It has been a while since my last post due to technical difficulties however it looks like things are good to go! 

There is a lot to catch up on so lots of posts ahead. One of the recent projects was our built-in patio bar. The original plan was to tile the floor in front of the bar however, when we tiled the patio on the other side we ran short on time and the backside did not get finished. It had a cement pad but no tile.

Well,, that has now been finished! 

The hubs has been working hard on our indoor  projects and had a little time in-between to get the outside bar floor finished.

It looks so much better now.

In the next couple days he plans on finishing the edge of the pond with tile as well. Then he can check that off the list too! 

Happy Saturday!

patio~finishing touches

 Remember our DIY backyard makeover from last summer? Well, there were a couple small details left to finish on the patio part of that project which are now getting checked off the to-do list. We have two vents in the foundation of our house where the patio was placed that needed to be kept clear and accessible. In order to do that the patio was designed with two holes deep enough to expose the vents. Since the openings are not a standard size and needed to have removable covers that meant another DIY project.

So,

a couple weeks ago Ron welded the first of two, custom~fit, metal grates for the vent cutouts and last week I helped choose the paint color. I think the first one turned out great and the second one will be finished and installed soon.

Happy Friday!

family work day

Where is SUMMER?? 

 We decided to take advantage of the lousy weekend weather and get some more work done in the backyard. 

Remember this: Cement Day?

This was the result of cement pouring out of a hose on that windy, rainy March day...

...cement spatters all over the back of the house! 

So Saturday we painted, but only the lower back for now,  as the entire house will be painted later this fall. Since it's raining again today we'll finish up this afternoon by painting the trim and adding another coat of stain to the ceiling. 

Much better! 

We also picked up some rock 

which had to be moved from the trailer in the front up hill to the back. 

Now, when the weather finally gets warm and sunny our work will be done (some of it at least) and we can do this: 

pond, patio, lights

Pond

Yesterday was the unofficial start of the pond project 

although prep work such as moving plants, pouring the cement pad and stacking cement bricks has been in progress over several months. 

Step 1: Digging the hole for the insert. 

Three trailer loads of dirt were removed.

Step 2: move irrigation lines & bury electrical wire for lighting

Patio Ceiling

Here are a couple detailed photos of the new patio ceiling. 

For a full view of the ceiling go here

These are two of the burned boards from our old deck that were added above the BBQ.

Old screw marks from our recycled deck are visible on several boards. We like the character and interest it adds to the ceiling.

Lights

So many choices!

    this one?            OR              this one??

Yes, these are two different lights!!

We have decided to try solar lights along the new path from the patio to the side of the house. Now we just need to choose a style, color and brightness which is hard because there are so many choices and the differences can be very subtle. 

4th of July

Our day started with

a little more decorating...

This patriotic "stack & whack" quilt was made by my mother.

....on the porch...

The newest decoration addition,
the red, white & blue fabric banner which I made on Sunday.

....in the front....

A sneak peek at the patio ceiling which just needs one more coat of stain and the light inserts. 

....and in the back...

...then a special breakfast
which included homemade cinnamon rolls....

....next a late morning neighborhood parade

featuring

 decorated cars, bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers, etc....

...followed by all you can eat popcorn....

....and Sno-Kones....

....all afternoon...

...along with jumping, hiding and sliding in the inflatable castle 

as well as, 

face painting, chalk drawing and games

until....

Mr. Wonderful flipping burgers and hotdogs on his BIG grill

....the BBQ...

...where there was lots of great food shared by family & friends....

and

finally

the Grand Finale....

...lots of loud, smoky, colorful,

fabulous fireworks....

but wait

there's more

yes, last but not least....

...even a disco ball!
Our celebration wouldn't be complete without it.

Another memorable, fun filled, All American
4th of July
 in the neighborhood!!

On this day....

....in 1992....

...Mr Wonderful had just finished building this deck and trellis. 

Little did I know that when I returned home from a three day weekend retreat I would find a brand new deck and trellis in our backyard. What a "Grand Surprise!" Mr. Wonderful had been busy removing the five year old, original deck and building a new and improved model, using screws~not nails, plus the added trellis, while caring for our three little boys, all in 3 days. Amazing! That deck served us well for 19 years but now it's time for something new. To see our current DIY backyard project in progress

 go here: backyard makeover. 

And that's what we were up to... 

...19 years ago today! 

patio progress

The tiling is finished!

The pile of dirt under the blue tarp had to be removed and the lawn repaired. 

Before Turf

After Turf

 More turf is needed once the walkway is finished. 

After moving irrigation lines and raising the irrigation box the walkway to the front is started and more turf is added.

The patio still needs to be sealed, gutters added to the roof and then wiring for lights so the ceiling can be installed but we are already enjoying our new covered space. 

Also, the answer for Tuesday's question, "how many buttons?" , is 471!