Welcome to our home - come right in - wait - let's stop at the deck, come, have a seat - a warm sunny day, lots of flowers, maybe a glass of iced tea?
When we bought our house 5 1/2 years ago - it had no deck. It had a tiny walk up porch
I planted flowers - tried to use it as much as possible - but it was hard to even fit two chairs up there - we had to wiggle about to get back in the house of we were both out there - not a good solution for people who love to sit on the deck. And certainly not big enough for a family barbecue
We saved up for a long time to get this load of supplies - and it was worth the wait - here comes the deck
Careful - that is some precious cargo
I was the designer - I didn't like any of the deck plans I looked at - so I drew up my own plans
Built by family - our son-in-law Jay was the main builder
See that dark hole? That is the space that was the old porch
Our Grandson Jahn helping his Pop with the framing - we had to use the back door during construction
Jahn was always ready to work
Landscaping the yard after the deck was built - with a neighbor walking by and stopping to chat
Our first summer - the slats on the railing were the work of our daughter Beccy and son-in-law Jason. Our daughter Lori also helped in the main building of the deck. I'm not sure why I didn't get any photos of them helping - but I didn't
New deck furniture - and a few planters on the railing. The ramp is to the right of the photo
Rows of railing planters - overflowing with nasturtiums - can you smell them?
The cleat on the bench was given to me by Jason's father. The pulley was a thrift store find, and the elephant watering can a Mother's Day gift from Grandson Ben. The rock on the right side has ocean fossils in it - and was found at 4,000 feet up the side of a mountain.
A pelican and two gnomes - they get along quite well
Pansies in pansy painted metal planters
Nasturtiums
Rows of railing planters - overflowing with nasturtiums - can you smell them?
Sometimes our deck looks like this - before I get out the leaf blower in the autumn (it is a small electric blower, but it can blow 150 mph - that takes care of the leaves in a hurry)
Sometimes it looks like this - brr rrrr rr r rrr ....
Poor pansies - but they survived
There is a wooden woodpecker door knocker if you'd like to come inside
Sometimes our deck is full of bubbles - and Ben
And grandsons eating a cupcake - enjoying summer
Or a grandson give the roses a drink of milk
In the summer I change out the flowers - sometimes Geraniums
Sometimes Geraniums in the rain
Or Petunias
They grow fast to fill up the planters
And sometimes pansies
Lots and lots of pansies
But however it looks - it is one of our favorite parts of our home
So glad you stopped by, our deck is pure joy to us - a place to share with family and friends, or a place to sit quietly alone and enjoy nature, and the long wait for it makes it all the more so.
It's always fun to see the "before, during and after" of a project. This looks like a great, comfortable deck, and a welcome addition to your home. How nice that you had family ready to help.
ReplyDeleteI left a comment earlier about your great deck but it never posted so here I am again - your entire family sure did a terrific job on this! Thanks for linking to "Open House" as this is truly a DIY project!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinkin' the deck was well worth the wait. Lucky you!!! And you decorated it so beautifully with the flowers. I particularly like your little gnomes!!! Have agrand weekend!! Cathy
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely deck. It shows the TLC your family gave to it and all the flowers are so pretty too. Already a lot of great memories there and I am sure many more to come with the rest of spring and summer. Thank you for sharing with our waltzers :)
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful Memorial weekend, will you be doing a barbecue out on the deck?
BiTi
http://www.pret-a-vivre.com/2013/05/ready-to-waltz-its-party-time_23.html
Oh, I love your deck, JoAnn - a true labor of love and a beautiful space decorated with all your wonderful 'finds' and beautiful flowers. I do love the rails and sweet little treasures. The rock with fossils - amazing! You'll have to tell us more about that! I really love the photos of your precious grandchildren. The photo with the bubbles is my fave. Now if we can just get some sunshine.....!!!! Enjoy the long weekend, hopefully on that lovely deck! Hugs xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks! I enjoyed that visit very much.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family and lovely deck you have! Lots of joy to see. Your grandchildren are all sweet cuties. I smiled all the way from the first photo down to the last. Thanks for sharing your joy.
ReplyDeleteI love your deck...built with love...lots of memories being made on it
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful transformation -- gathering space, nature space, place of love for all seasons.
ReplyDeleteIt was worth the wait, it looks great.
ReplyDeleteGreat deck, good times, and lovely blooms... particularly the pansies! Larry
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful place to enjoy the beauty around you and the company of your family and neighbors. I love those pots of nasturtiums!
ReplyDeleteI love your deck, what a happy place. We have a deck at the back of our house, I'll take some photos as the season progresses.
ReplyDeleteJoy xx
What a transformation JoAnn and what a good family you have to help you like that. I wish I could sit there with you and share a cup of mint tea.
ReplyDeleteYour deck is a beautiful addition on your house. I love the railing planters, all the flowers are gorgeous. Your grandchildren are all so cute. Loved the photos, thanks for sharing. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou've made a wonderful outdoor space to enjoy all the seasons! The planters look so nice along the railing. Your family must be so proud to have had a hand in the creation of the deck ... especially your handsome grandsons!
ReplyDeleteI remember back when you started the deck project. It's great that you are enjoying now throughout the seasons. I do love that door knocker. I don't remember seeing it before. Have a wonderful summer.
ReplyDeleteYour deck is beautiful! Love the flowers!
ReplyDeleteIt looks very lovely and peaceful...and I always love your photos. In this case my favorite is the one with the roses and the grand, who shares his milk. Too cute!!!
ReplyDeleteYour deck is lovely and you have such a pretty view too. Such a wonderful spot for the family to come together and make many happy memories! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Your deck is wonderful - what a lot of great memories it holds, not only bringing enjoyment to your family but also having been made by them! Such fun to see it through the seasons and with your grandchildren. And I adore pansies and nasturtiums, so charming.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
It look like you deck sees a lot of fun!
ReplyDelete