I can still remember when I could bake a batch of chocolate chip, oatmeal cookies with Larissa and that was good quality Mommy/Daughter time. Things have changed! Now we build decks together! This was our big project for my visit. The old deck was pretty rotten and pretty ugly so it had to go!
So, we made the first of many (many, many) trips to Home Depot, bought our first load of supplies and arranged to have it delivered. They have so much cool stuff at Home Depot! We went in with a general idea of what Larissa wanted and the plan evolved (as plans will do). About three hours later, we staggered out of the store dazed and exhausted but successful. The materials were delivered and we were ready to go.
So, we made the first of many (many, many) trips to Home Depot, bought our first load of supplies and arranged to have it delivered. They have so much cool stuff at Home Depot! We went in with a general idea of what Larissa wanted and the plan evolved (as plans will do). About three hours later, we staggered out of the store dazed and exhausted but successful. The materials were delivered and we were ready to go.
The weather was amazing for our first weekend. Larissa got home early on Friday and we went hard! Old deck off...new deck on! Sounds so easy, huh? Maybe it wasn't quite that easy but we really didn't have any problems. And we had lots of fun along the way. Two weekends later and Larissa has a new deck to be proud of. I tried to give her the old "it's so much more satisfying to build it yourself" speech but I'm not sure that she bought it. She does, however, agree that it is much cheaper to build it yourself!
The hard work is done and it's time to add the pretty details. I built a couple of tables from the cedar scraps. They turned out great (and the price was right... $0). Throw in a few flowers and a couple little knick-knacks and we're just about there. Still need to get chairs but I think Larissa's budget is strained a bit so they will have to wait. She did re-purpose some landscape stones and voila... a fire pit! I did have to remind her that she doesn't live in the north anymore. Her neighbours probably wouldn't appreciate flames reaching 20' into the sky! She has to have cute, little, 'city fires'!
I wish Larissa many fun hours with friends and family in her beautiful back yard. She's off to a great start.
Now, to get that fence painted!
I wish Larissa many fun hours with friends and family in her beautiful back yard. She's off to a great start.
Now, to get that fence painted!