Trimmings

I finally got around to finishing the exterior trim on the kitchen windows. Used salvaged old growth clear red cedar from some old deck. Clear oil finish should last on the protected north side. SS nails of course for no staining.

Hardscape

I put together the granite steps and walkway after Hen's design advice for spacing and layout. The two steps were pretty heavy at 4' x 1.5', but were still 'one man' stones. Everything was put on a bed of gravel and some wolley tyme was planted in the cracks.

Rachel decided to reorganize the river rock stones in the parking strip. They were just a line along the curb. She moved them all around to give the impression on dry streambeds. Much better now.

The way of the Egyptians

I performed an amazing feat tonight. I move the 250 and 600 lb cast concrete steps into position myself using some pretty common tools:

2 low quality hand trucks
2 low quality nylon ratchet straps
a pile of scrap wood and plywood
a 6' digging bar
a 140 lb skinny male

Porch

The before:



Poring the footer



Framing



Sending off my dad after a week of hard labor



Siding and flooring in



Trim is going up

Excavation