December Progress on the Backyard

THE RAVENNA HOUSE I sure hope you are all have a great start to 2015! But before we delve into the new year, I want to get you caught up on all the work we did last month on the backyard of the Ravenna House.

The Grit and Polish - Backyard Work Wilder 1

Despite the rainy weather, we made some good progress on the backyard. And yes, by we I mean Wilder and his "hammer". Plus a little help from Dada ;)

In December we poured a concrete curb at the patio, laid the foundation for a shed, and installed pipping for a future hose-bib.

That's a picture of the concrete curb on the edge of the patio. We put this in to keep the pavers from settling over time. Unfortunately we poured the concrete just before a massive downpour and we didn't get a chance to finish the top of the concrete. So yes, it will always be this rough. But since it's outside I really don't care. Besides with a little landscaping and the right outdoor furniture on the patio, I'm hoping you'll never even notice the concrete!

Someday there will be a shed in this corner of the backyard, which will provide some much needed storage. The picture above was taken while Garrett was forming the concrete pad that will sit beneath the shed. He used 3/8" rebar (on the edges) and mats (in the interior) for strength. We poured the concrete the next day, just as the elusive winter sun was passing overhead.

We all managed to get our handprints in the wet concrete as it was drying...a first for Wilder!

The pictures above also give you a good shot of the fencing at the Ravenna House. We plan to replace the green falling-down fence at the back of the shots with a new cedar fence and continue it in front of the chain link fence at right. And with Wilder's skills with a "hammer", that fence will be up in no time!