Block and Roll

Saturday was a great day!  It dawned clear - not too cold but not too hot and we could start building UP!  It is kind of like the Phoenix rising from the ashes.  Too metaphysical for you?  Then I guess you've never done home remodeling.

Last time we did block, I did the tooling - basically making the mortar joints look pretty.  This time, I was presented with my own trowel.  Quite a vote of confidence from my mentor/supervisor!

We started by laying out the lines on the footings.  The block had to be off-center as we are facing the outside with brick.  We started with the corners.

Making them straight, plum, and level in two directions can be a challenge.  Some blocks I placed 4 times.  You can't adjust, you have to start from scratch.  If you need practice in the art of patience, try block!

Once the corners were set a bit, we could begin filling in.

Not many pictures of this project.  My hands were covered in mortar.  The pro's handle a trowel like a surgeon handles a scalpel.  It is definitely an art - a fast dying one at that. For me, the most efficient way was using my hands. My hands and my nails paid a HEAVY price!  Hands are all dried out and my nails are toast.  (manicure on Sunday!)

The original idea was both of us laying block.  In the end, I slopped mortar and Troy laid the block.  I just couldn't get a hang of adjusting them without over-adjusting.

We had to work against the rain clock at the end of the day, but we got it done.

A full day's work and a job well done.  We were both hungry and tired.  Sunday, we'll take a day off and take the bike out to Yorktown for lunch.  I will post some pics later this week.

But before I leave you .....

#RocktheRed

Source: https://www.monumentalsportsnetwork.com/articles/capsflyers-game-six-highlights-4-24-16

Well it is time for another project at the old homestead. Hard to believe I've been living here almost 4 years.  Just last week, Facebook kindly reminded me that three years ago we were doing our bedroom renovation.

Last spring, we replaced all the windows.  Had a professional installation.  I love our new windows.

We added the new shutters too.

So this year we decided to tackle the front porch.  It is in need of a makeover because

1. it slopes towards the house instead of away
2. it is UGLY!!! 

I've always hated the railing and the steps to nowhere never made any sense.

So the plan is to close that side of and square off the planter.  I kind of like planter.  We are going to tear up the terracotta-ish tile top on the porch.  It too is ugly.  We really aren't sure what is under that tile monstrosity.  I guess we will find out.   

We are going to pour a simple slab.  New railings, new front door, and maybe some Adirondack chairs.  

The railing?  That is still under debate.  Might come down to budget.

Option one - The budget friendly choice

Troy's choice - but I think it is a bit to fancy for our house and all those little inserts are pricey.

My choice - wider pickets and clean lines.  

It is Labor Day Weekend.  It wouldn't be a proper holiday weekend around here if we didn't have a project. Saturday evening, Troy suggested that we go to Home Depot and buy some "arts and crafts supplies".

We've been talking about building a bench around one of the trees in our back yard. That was the plan. Somehow between drawing a design for the bench, we got on the topic of a fire-pit. The budget only allowed for one project and the fire-pit won!

Off to Home Depot we went and we came home with 61 landscape edging blocks. We had to load them on the cart then load them into the truck.  We added a few bags of concrete (for a ramp to the shed) and chimney caps (which I will never see in their proper installation because you will NEVER catch me on the roof). Poor truck!

It was quite a load!  So instead of spending my morning at the gym, I did the Farmers Walk with brick! Functional Fitness!!

(A little beefcake for you today!)

Course one had to be level.  We picked this spot since no grass grows here anyway!

Less than an hour later we had 5 courses. Our design was based on reusing parts a grill/fire-pit that came with the house. It even had a cover! We'd used it in the past to as a fire-pit and figured it would make a great base. Waste not, want not.

We decided to remove one course of brick to get a better fit and five courses was just too high. The insert fit perfectly! Seriously, a fire-pit by 8 am.

Using more of our waste not, want not philosophy, I bought a couple cans of spray paint to give some old chairs new life.  I decided to use my favorite color - apple green.  You might remember this color from the shed trim!

Eventually we will replace these with Adirondack style chairs and sidetables made from the some tree stumps we have in the yard - more waste not, want not!

 Reminds me or our first motorcycle vacation to The Tail of the Dragon in the Great Smokey Mountains.

Back to the back yard!  Viola!  A new relaxing space in the back yard.  We are all ready for the cooler nights of Autumn to come.

A little work and a little ingenuity and we are ready for the first cool evening.  S'mores anyone?

When I last left you - oh so many moons ago (sorry) - we had a shed with walls, a roof and windows.  But not door, the rafters were still open and no trim.

We designed our own doors - they look kind of like barn doors don't they?

added some trim - even around the windows.  Sharp looking don't you think?

Critter control is was accomplished with some wire mesh.  Lets the air in but keep the pesky squirrels out!

And how is this for a charming feature?

Shutters - made with fence posts.  Oh and see my lovely chop saw - by far my favorite tool! - besides Troy that is - :)

We got real busy on Fourth of July!  No plain white trim for me!

Apple Green for me!!!

Now for a little landscaping - impatience in the window box and transplanted grasses hide the block.  Tip to homeowners - find out where your fiber optic lines runs BEFORE you start digging up plants.  We ended up with no TV or internet most of the 4th of July weekend because SOMEBODY hit the line.  (Not saying who but I would think someone who works in civil engineering would have thought of this!)

Now Izzy has another place to hide!

So there you have it!  The cutest shed in the whole wide world!!!  It is high and dry.  I have my own workbench.  Best of all the garage is emptier and the bike has a designated parking spot inside!

What is next - not sure.  We need to do some work out front but we are also considering continuing our work in the back yard.  Next time, we'll call Miss Utility BEFORE we dig/  Right Troy?  (Tee Hee)

Guess what time it is....

It's project time again!!

After taking several months off after finishing the bedroom, we will begin this years project.  This year, we decided to tackle some outdoor projects.

First off is the front porch.  We have some drainage issues, some repair issues and a lot of aesthetic issues.  The name of the game will be Curb Appeal.

We start here ...

Notice the charming railing and the squirrel cutouts on the shutters?  If you've been following this blog for a while you will recognize the railing from our screened in porch project a few summers ago.

There was quite a bit of discussion on the railing.  I do like wrought iron but have you priced that stuff?  We do have a piece of the railing that we could have welded back in.  Maybe painted black the stuff would have some charm as evidenced by this fantastic photo of wrought iron work on a historic building in New Orleans.  We talked to a wrought iron guy and the cost was just prohibitive. 

See the set of steps on the left hand side of the picture.  They are DUNZO!!  Essentially, they lead nowhere! and the walkway in front of the planter will go as well.  The planter will stay and my good friend Denise is going to help with flower selection in exchange for the shutters and railing.  She actually WANTS them.  

The front door will get a paint job and new shutters will be installed as well.  I am thinking black shutters but that may change.  

My major job in all of this will be brink pointing - whatever the heck that is.  I guess I'll learn soon enough!  Demo starts next weekend.