2023, Baboon Achievers, Family, Uncategorized, work

The New Patio

29 Comments

2 trips to Menards
2 trips to the hardware store
9 stones from the original “patio”
16 new stones
7 bags of sand
2 Carter women
9 hours of labor
2 rounds of ibuprofen
1 new patio big enough for our table AND chairs

Once again YA was the impetus behind this project. The initial little patio used the blocks that I had saved when we got our new sidewalk two years ago, but it wasn’t quite big enough to accommodate the chairs around the table.

And YA was very thorough. She insisted that we dig up the initial stones, lay down a layer of sand underneath everything and was scrupulous about making sure all the stones were level as we laid them down and then she spent considerable time sweeping sand into all the spaces between the stones.

Phew… hopefully no more major projects by ourselves this summer!

What do you like to have when you’re dining al fresco?

29 thoughts on “The New Patio”

  2. Rise and Shine, Baboons,

    Since COVID, I enjoy many things outdoors because that is the least contagious environment. I am still fighting COVID fatigue intermittently, so I cannot afford to contract it again. The best though, is a hotdog cooked over a fire and stuck in a bun with mustard, eaten while standing around the fire. It is required to spill the mustard on my shirt.

    I return to work today after being away for two weeks. It is my last four weeks of work. I think this will go fast. I was going to have a big party at the end, but that will have to wait. After the last 6 weeks of traveling to Iowa so often to be with mom, I cannot get ready in time. Later.

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  3. Well, it depends on whether al fresco is around a firepit or at a sidewalk café in Paris, etc.
    If the backyard fireplace, grilled salmon would be nice.
    If Paris – how about a croque monsieur? (or just about anything on their menu)

    Just finished a book by Richard Russo (That Old Cape Magic) where the characters joked about dining with Al, meaning with Al Fresco…

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  4. Wow! Nice job on the patio! I tried to make one a long time ago when my back was younger, but it was really hard to get the ground level so the pavers would lay down level.

    I like a green salad with grilled shrimp or salmon and either a cold glass of iced Moroccan Mint tea or a glass of wine. It’s so relaxing to eat outdoors.

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  6. That’s a great looking job VS! You and YA did well!

    Most anything is good al fresco. Weekends Kelly has breakfast out on the deck… we often have supper out there together.

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    1. Breakfast outdoors is marvelous. Several years ago when I was visiting my friend who lived on Pine Lake (she has since moved, boo hoo), we did fresh fruit tortilla wraps and juice on their pontoon boat, tooling around the lake. So much fun and really decadent feeling!

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  7. We never eat outdoors. I find nothing appealing about it. I would hesitate to get outdoor furniture now, as we plan to move in the next several years, and I don’t want any more possessions to have to haul or dispose of.

    I spent much of Saturday night lying awake fretting about all our possessions and how we need to get rid of things and worrying how we will manage to move all our books and furniture in the basement when we have it repainted and recarpeted this coming winter. The basement is a disaster right now because of the flooding and because we haven’t had time to get things put back in order due to Husband’s carpal tunnel surgery. We will take care of it this weekend. The clutter and mess is making me terribly frustrated.

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        1. I’d rather have conversation over the al fresco with Barack. Then for the after al fresco, bring on the cuties!

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        3. Omar Sharif was so much more than just a pretty face. Not only was he an excellent actor, he spoke five languages, and was an internationally known contract Bridge player ranked among the top twenty-five players in the world. He held a degree in mathematics and physics. I’m pretty sure he could hold up his end of an interesting conversation.

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  9. Nice job on the patio, VA and YA.

    Husband was going to build us a deck out back in conjunction with the new -beautiful – back entry, but I think he ran out of steam, inspiration, or something. Not a big problem, we still enjoy a lot of our dinners outside when it isn’t too hot.

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