Backyard Patio - BEFORE

this spring's project was a back patio/entertaining area.
below are the before photos:

the notorious sidewalk that leads to nowhere [no joke about federal dollars :)]



the random rocks on top of a crap load of mulch on top of mud.
not friendly for our seattle rainy days. :(


slippery, mossy bricks with weeds between them.


random bricks with a random wood step and [bottom left]
crawlspace vent covered over by more random bricks.

Mud Room - Demo

today marked demo day for the renovation of our mudroom. who would of guessed...cardboard for insulation! that's it! just cardboard.

although, it was pretty cool. we found an address label for something shipped to our home dated March 1962, so i'm guessing...

a 60's-ish cornflakes box...

and a 60's-ish marlboro box.


also a table an chair set box from...


that's right! ohio... akron, ohio.
we just can't get a way from it!

help from towno.

as i sat on the kitchen floor during a hard day of work on the house, trying to find a solution to buying the wrong wood blade for my roto-zip, frustration mounted quickly. then, as if knowing my overwhelming frustration, my puppy took over me and used me for a bed.


it made me smile! :)

1032...Pesticide Free!

our neigborhood is sprawled with "pesticide free" signs. we didn't know much about them, other then the obvious, until we stumbled upon an application at our local hardware store.

after reading the regulations, we decided to take the plunge and go pesticide free!

andrea took the honor of driving the stake that displays our stance!

if you'd like to know more, or apply, visit washington toxins coalition.

tool bag.

i was finishing up a little project today, preparing for our new wall size wardrobe, and decided to clean out my tool bag. i read an article a long time ago from norm abram about keeping your most used hand tools together in a mobile bag. i implemented this practice about eight years ago and it's been a lifesaver!

for the bag, i choose a gatemouth jr. becareful, tool weight adds up quick! the jr has allowed me to carry all of the tools need, at a decent weight.


trusty leather gloves [i've gotten more cuts on my hands than i can count] and a small brush and pan. it makes andrea smile when i clean up after a project!


this is the same hammer my dad got me when i was 12 years old. i keep anticipating the handle breaking, but stanely make a good hammer. a trim pry bar and a cat's paw.


we've been working on rewiring our house; a little at a time. lineman pliers [blue handled] are a must! also, in the upper right is my greenline power tester...a MUST for any old-home-renovator!


drill bit set and drill driver bit set. not a fan of dewalt drill bits, as they are expensive and break easily. i've been trying hitachi "green label." they've been quite excellent...and cheaper!



my dad bought me the nail pullers [red handle]. they are awesome! they'll grab onto an tiny nail head!


flashlight with incorporated stand; i've used the heck out of this!


many screwdrivers have come and gone. i stick with this series of craftsman. i'm on my 3rd or 4th set. they last forever, however not when you seal them up in your walls!


measuring tools. the orange blob on the left is a carpenter pencil sharpner. i know i should use a utility knife, but i hate the point it gives.


over all glance. here's everything in my tool bag.

feel free to ask questions!

thrift store find

I snatched this little table at a thrift store (on their 50% off day!), ran by the local hardware store on my way home to pick up some paint, and got to sanding.

I'm always so bad at remembering to take a 'before picture.' This is the best I could do (just picture it all the same color as the bottom.)


Brooke let me borrow his orbit hand sander...


It worked great!


Mmmm....mint green.


It took a few coats of paint.


and....ta-da!


This table really opened up our living room, and gives Townsend more room to romp!


An easy weekend project on a small budget:)

backyard fence, part 6

all that's left on the backyard fence is to mount the gate and gate latch!


making sure the gate latch hits in the right place.


with the help of matt t., we mounted a sweet lantern that andrea found as a warm welcomer.



the backyard fence it finished! no back to the laundry room trim!