It didn’t happen until the end of July, but we have a new deck! It’s made of a Trex-like material, is about twice as big with a bump-out just begging for a picnic table, and could support an elephant. Please don’t test this theory, but I’m a bit giddy about not falling through the boards anymore on the way from the kitchen to the grill!
The same company that tore out and rebuilt the deck also put in a firepit. Dwayne used up some old pavers lying around to finish the edges. We had to wait several weeks for burn ban to lift, but earlier this month, we got to christen it with hotdogs and s’mores.
My awesome dad gifted us with an old set of horseshoes and built the wood frames for the pits. You’d think he was a smart old man until I tell you he rashly came over to the cabin last weekend to “celebrate Dwayne’s and Kyla’s birthdays” and ended up putting them together and digging out the dirt to set it up. Shoulda waited unitl all the work was done before venturing over, Dad—you should know that by now! The poles are a regulation 40’ apart, and so far, Dwayne and I can comfortably throw about 38’.
“We” also completely disposed of the stumps, brought in topsoil, covered grass seed with some peat moss, and in an afternoon, the days of Stumps and Pissy Wives were over. Just a note, instead of grinding the stumps for $700, we decided to take 100 times as long and probably twice the cost and did it ourselves. Lesson learned.
But the good news is that Pissy Wife was completely transformed into Happy Wife when, while I was getting peat moss and seed, I spotted our new deck furniture. It’s not the picnic table I want to get, nor does it follow my rule of being used, recycled, or handmade, but I like it, it fits perfectly on the deck or around the campfire, and now it’s ours. Currently, it is in the shed, waiting for a coat of marine-quality varnish…and spring, but I’m excited to sit out on the deck without having to drag out living room furniture!
It’s only interesting to us, as the owners, but while we were having a load of topsoil delivered, we also ordered 3 yards of 5/8ths minus with binder (note to self: get 4 yards next time and the same gravel) to fix up the driveway.
And this little guy is our new mascot. He supports a special needs group on the island and looks forward to greeting guests and also more seasonally appropriate neckwear (next time, Benet*, I promise).
* Benet is the bodyguard in The Magic Thief trilogy by Sarah Prineas. The cabin’s name, Heartsease, also comes from the this series.
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