Saturday, May 5, 2018

Been a little busy


With all my long absences from this blog and my lack of visits over to your blogs, I sometimes wonder why any of you even show up, but I'm always thrilled that you do.

As always, there's a reason and this time I think you'll understand even more so.

Let me start with a cute picture and we'll go from there, because this isn't a post that's picturesque.

Bubba taking an afternoon snooze.

Okay, so here we go with the actual post...

This is a picture of the back of my home a few years ago.


Surprisingly bigger than it appears from the front, but not pretty.

That's why you've never seen anything except the front.

This view is actually the prettiest it ever looked.


But see the paint coming up?

Yeah, that's not the worst of it.

It was rotting, the nails and boards were coming apart and although it might sound fun, but wasn't for me... when you walked to the other end it moved. 

Also, there wasn't a way down into the main part of the yard unless you walked all the way to the gate that you can kind of see in the bottom picture to the left.


I lived with it this way for the last 8 years, hopping and planning that one day I could take it down.

Why not fix it or rebuild it?

Because, I found out that there was a flagstone patio underneath that was original to the house.

And if you know me at all, you would know that the wood porch was doomed from that very minute.

And so it started...


Just look at that darling step underneath!







You're probably wondering what that cage is for.

It was built for Bubba so that he can go in and out when he's not with me and not get eaten by random wild animals.


We're leaving the other side of the porch up until we get the top windows painted on the house, which are a lot higher up than they look.


Spraying off the flagstone patio...






Next the cage came off.


The house needs a little power washing, but it's not too bad.




And 4 or 5 of these still need to come out...




But overall, it's in pretty darn good shape.


Just a little patching here and there and definitely some deep cleaning.


We found a flower bed underneath all that dirt too.


We definitely have our work cut out for us, to make it what we want...


but I think the little house feels much better :)


Oh and because we're gluttons for punishment, we also have this little project going on:


More on that soon ;)

xo
rue



50 comments:

  1. Oh no, I do understand, a big ongoing project. It's nice to get rid of the old wood deck, always a challenge when your property slopes too. Finding the flagstone underneath saves money and hey, free labor:). Of course the doggies are supervising:). Bubba's pen, yes! Coyotes, raccoons and even hawks. Had a big Harris hawk fly over our house and our little dogs were outside. My husband said they can kill them. We had a huge Great Horned owl in our neighbors palm tree, just staring at us and the doggies, scary.
    Hope to see more of the improvements and are you making a sheshed?
    Don't over do and take care,
    Kathleen in Az

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    1. not really a she shed... more like a potting shed, although I've been thinking about having a summer kitchen for canning. We'll see... lol

      xo

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  2. What a wonderful treat to have that uncovered patio that is original to your dear house. Projects like that take time, but are well worth it. Looking forward to seeing what you are doing with that shed. :-)

    Have a nice evening and a lovely Sunday ~ FlowerLady

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  3. Oh, I love your caharming house, and I love flagstone. How exciting. You are so productive and industrious. I'm glad you keep your dog safe.

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  4. What a great amount of flagstone appeared after all your hard work. Looking forward to the next post.
    Joy

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  5. Oh my goodness, how exciting! I love flagstone! Please keep us updated, when you can!

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  6. WOW. I love flagstone patio's. You are so lucky to have found it. Looking forward to when you are finished.

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  7. Oh my! That really opens it up and it's just beautiful. So what did you do with the other half of the day (don't shoot!). That's a lot of work accomplished.

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  8. This is as big project,Rue, but you'll love it when finished and you have your yard looking the charming way it originally did.
    This has been a crazy year for us with two extended family passing away plus my husband's friend in NY. We've been traveling to funerals and memorial services. It has reminded me to treasure each and every day even more than ever.

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  9. very glad to see you post! Wow, that is a big project!! I do like the flagstone much better than the deck! I think you're going to love that alot more. Big job--but worth it!

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  10. BIG PROJECT, but so worth it. This is going to be lovely!

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  11. Wow! That is a huge project! Love the flagstone.

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  12. Big project for sure Rue! I thought maybe you were just relaxing and lounging around the house...lol I should know better. I do love the flagstone. I think the end result on your hard work will be worthwhile.
    Take care
    Jeannette

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    1. Me? I wish! lol Actually I would have been if I was younger, but for some reason the older I get the less time I want to site around.

      xo

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  13. Oh my...you have been busy. But, a real flagstone patio...so worth it! Keep us informed...we’ll be waiting! ;)

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    1. I will! We should be getting back to it in a couple of weeks, so we're done before winter hits, but don't hold your breath lol

      xo

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  14. Well of course the house feels better with that old wood taken off! You were so lucky to have that beautiful stone underneath.
    Brenda

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  15. Love seeing all that wood being removed to get to the stone. Awesome! I inwardly sighed when seeing what you uncovered, Rue. How exciting. That house is full of surprises!

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  16. What a treasure to find that flagstone patio under the old decking. I look forward to your updates!

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  17. Wowsie that you found that hidden treasure. I love to keep patio's and outdoor spaces to the period of the house and this flagstone is a great find. Rue I bet you did the happy dance when you found that. I cannot wait to see you continue to revive your back area. Wooo Hooo you go girl.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  18. Oh I've always loved flagstone! I know that was a lot of hard work but it sure paid off!

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  19. Can you imagine having covered that up? This is an exciting project! I know the house loves it too, Rue.

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  20. Hi Rue,
    You have found so many fun treasures at your place. I just love that you share it with us. Looking forward to everything!!
    Carla

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  21. First, of all, you’ve gotta love a man who says “Let’’s take down the porch today,” and then actually does it. I mean, really, like whaddya want to do today, Rue? Wait! I know. I’ll get my chain saw and we’ll get on that porch! Fantastic! Second, love the flagstone. The house must feel so relieved to have you as the owner. Third, what a great backyard. Fourth, the dogs crack me up. Would love to read their minds. It’ll be fun to see this project unfold. Hugs

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  22. Holy smokes lady you are a glutton for punishment, aren't you? I can just imagine how completely charming this is going to be when it's done!!! Can't wait to see it! xo

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  23. How fun!! You guys are like treasure hunters who just hit another jackpot. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. I think it already looks amazing...hoping you're well...xoxo

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  24. Do it while you have the energy and good knees ( I say that because mine hurt most of the time). I love that patio and step. You have a wonderful home. I just love it. Come back and post what you do next..
    Betsy

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  25. Wow! You guys are incredible. We're having our front porch and sidewalk torn out and rebuilt by a contractor! What happened with your bathroom - did you finish that?

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  26. gorgeousness... hidden treasure. :)

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  27. Wow - a lot of work! You always have some kind of project going - you make me feel like a slacker! That cage - very creative! We had a doggie door two houses ago - never thought about building a cage. The dogs weren't in any danger as far as other animals but they did like to bring presents in from time to time.

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  28. Wow!! What a great find with that flagstone!! I love when you can find things that are original to a house!

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  29. What an awesome find!! Glad you're exposing it again -I look forward to what you do with the outdoor space! And I have four dogs - I love that you have several as well.

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  30. Hi...what an absolute gold mine you restored! Congratulations!

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  31. Lots of hard work but wonderful progress! Amazing that patio was under there!

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  32. What a terrific find on the flagstone patio! I love it!

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  33. Wow, that looks like quite an extensive project or two! It's amazing what we find under things but I have never been lucky enough to find something like that!!! How wonderful to find a flagstone patio! Cannot wait to see what your finished project looks like! I already know it will be beautiful! Good luck!!! xx Linda

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  34. How wonderful to have such a lovely flagstone patio hidden underneath the deck! What excitement indeed! I'm glad that you have blogged again, always enjoy your posts! Life gets busy but it is nice to know that in the blogging world, we can pick up where one left off! Hugs to you today :)

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  35. Yes, you certainly have been busy!
    But so worth it ... simply amazing that patio was under there!

    All the best Jan

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  36. Fabulous find for sure , you are so smart to find these things out about your home

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  37. This is a big job and must have been awfully dusty but already you can see how wonderful it will look when done. I love how you peel the layers off your home to restore its original glory.
    Amalia
    xo

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  38. Rue, thanks for catching us up on what all's going on in your old-fashioned world! I'm with you--if you can unearth the flagstone, tear out the rotten wood!

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  39. You my dear, between the bathroom and the back of the house have been really busy! First off...I love my screened in deck, a total must to be able to sit out and not be eaten alive by misquotes but has come in handy since I got Lily since she is an inside cat and loves the deck! BUT why would anyone spend that kind of money for a deck when they have that patio under there??? Seriously! I love that you uncovered that and I love that the dogs seem to be giving their approval! haha....nice! Isn't it always something that needs doing when you own a home? Have fun and keep on going!

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  40. Just found your wonderful blog and love it. You have such a charming home. I'm jealous. Keep up the good work.

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  41. Looks like you have been very busy! That is an incredible amount of work you have been doing. Your yard looks like it will be amazing when its all done. Cannot wait to see the end result, thanks for the share!
    World of Animals

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  42. wow, would love to see it all finished, really like it so far.

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  43. Hope everything is going well in your neck of the woods. Look forward to seeing your posts.

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  44. Whew! You guys have been up to your eyeballs in projects, tho knowing you, they will all turn out fantastically!
    Even though we are out of the old house business now, I still cringe when I see what a previous owner re~muddled on an old house. I just don't get it.
    Kudos for you! You will certainly bring back a charming detail, and one that makes much more sense than a rickety wooden deck also.
    Sending good luck and happy working thoughts your way.

    ~K.

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