New Fence, New Fence

Two weeks before C's parents arrived the landscapers called to say that they would like to remove the old chain-link and set the new posts starting the next day. We swiftly hacked away at the tangle of overgrown shrubs, sapling and vines that made up our "garden", creating a pile of brush taller than a person. The posts were set over the next 10 days(!), the fence wood was delivered and C's parents arrived. Forecast for their visit....rain every day! The sloping backyard was a challenge, but 6 days later and plenty of caked on mud, the fence is built. Gates will be tomorrow's task.

Old Fence, New Fence

In preparation of C's parents coming to build the new fence, we pried off all the old fence boards that were attached to the chain-link, hammered out the old nails, took the split boards and cut them down, then hatchet-ed the bits into kindling. All in all a very hands-on day. I felt a bit like a pioneer because once all the outdoor work was done, I headed to the kitchen to do some canning!

New Shed, New Shed

Once the old shed was gone, we pulled down the fence boards, which turned out to be beautifully aged cedar. We ordered a cedar shed kit (Outdoor Living), waited 3 weeks for it to arrive and got to work! It was sort of like a very lengthy Ikea construction that required more tools. Also, some of the trim plan was crappy, so it meant a lot of fiddle-y cutting and building. I installed the doors...first attaching all the hinged upside-down!

Old Shed, New Shed

C's parents planned a "working visit" for the Fall and it was decided that they would come and help build us a fence. In order to accommodate the new fence, the old shed needed to be torn down (it was in the way of a stretch of old fence boards that were attached to the existing chain-link fence). Of course, a new shed was needed and had to be smaller as the new fence was going to be built along our lot line. Hence, old shed out, new shed in. The existing metal shed was constructed to last and took 4 hours to dismantle.

Basement Project: Camping Storage Closet

Yes, we have such an abundance of outdoors equipment that it needs it's own storage closet.  

Our first basement project:  We started by pulling down the aging ceiling drywall, then used closed cell 1 inch foam on the floor followed by 1/2 inch plywood subfloor.  Then we insulated the outside wall with more foam and Roxul.  C. framed out the closet and we drywalled it, she mudded and sanded it and I primed and painted it.  We had leftover vinyl tiles from our old house kitchen reno that we used in the closet, but laid them like ceramic tiles with spacers and "grout".  I LOVE this closet!   

Updates and Randoms

The summer has been busy with work (lots) and play (little).  Here's a more recent photo of our growing garden.  Also, C built an ingenious frame that attaches to the car roof rack so that we can buy whole sheets of drywall and transport it ourselves.  

Patio

The backyard patio is a mix of interlocking pink brick and concrete.  There is also this odd altar type structure that has an electrical outlet on the one side.  We suspect that it used to house a light-up Virgin Mary.  I don't think that I have a good "before" shot, but here it is mid-deconstruction and then again  without the altar.  By the way, the electrical wire was buried bare (no conduit) about 4 inches in the soil.  I just yanked on it and the whole thing came above ground.  I'm sure glad I didn't attempt to edge the lawn and electrocute myself.