Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Gearing Up for Summer

I love this time of year. The older girls have only 3 weeks left of school, and then . . . FREEDOM! Biking, hiking, running through the sprinkler, picnicking, beachcombing, berry picking . . . the possibilities of summer stretch endlessly before us. The potential for glorious sunshine and lots of time to accomplish outdoor projects leaves me giddy with excitement, even though I know the more likely scenario after last year's wonderful weather is a wet summer this year. Rain or shine, I never have enough time to tackle everything I want to get done in the garden and around the yard. Still, at this moment, I can dream, can't I? CAN'T I?!

One project that my husband and I are determined to see through is improving the front of the house. We moved into our home over 3 years ago, and the main entry has always driven us crazy. The front door is virtually impossible to get to; you either have to snake your way around the deck or hike up the hill. It doesn't help that the door is painted the same color as the house with a security light shining over it, leaving the impression that it's some kind of hidden door for employees. The result is that everyone currently enters our house through the garage. EVERYONE. My garage is the great equalizer. It doesn't matter if you're the UPS guy or my husband's boss, you're all going to enter our house through the stinkin' garage.






Behold the main door that no one uses.




The first thing we're going to do is extend the deck to the front edge of the house and add a few stairs.





Then we will install a proper front door with a crescent window over the top and a lovely porch light to the side.



Finally, we will build a broad curving pathway that leads to the parking area at the bottom of the hill, which people currently ignore because it is so removed from the house.


Of course, by "we" I mean "my husband."




Dinner last night: baked ziti


Exactly one year ago:

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I love the ideas. I think it will make all the difference. And by the way, you may officially mock me now. It's so hot I'm dying. It's 95 and I sat outside for 20 minutes before starting to hyperventilate from the heat.

Katherine said...

I love the ideas. I have huge plans for the outside of our house as well. As soon as my husband has time, I'm going to put him to work.

I am also looking forward to summer. I will be working crazy hours this summer, but plan on making the most of every second I'm off.

Unknown said...

Cool! It's like you're living an episode of Curb Appeal (but with moose). I can't wait to see pics as it progresses!

Karen Mortensen said...

That is going to look great. Good luck.

Helene said...

I can tell it's gonna look really pretty once it's all done!!

BTW, would you like to draw up plans for us when we're ready to do our extension on the family room? Your drawings far outweigh mine!

Mother Mayhem said...

I happen to LOVE a good plan. I have many, but the hubs can only do so much in the limited amount of time he has at home. LOL

Anonymous said...

Great plans - good luck with your project!

Only 3 weeks of school? Crikey, I forgot how early American schools finish ...... the kids in England finish around the 20th July (and then get six weeks off). How many weeks are your children on vacation?

Karen M. Peterson said...

I love it! Can't wait to see the finished product!

Sadia said...

I LOVE the pictures. Maybe that's what I need to do to "encourage" the creation of the back patio. I mean, really, it's been 5 years, and hubby's not supposed to be deployable for several months. ;)

Michele said...

#1 comment - I really appreciate your "Exactly x years ago" feature at the bottom of your posts.

#2 comment - Upon clicking upon today's "Exactly 1 year ago" link, I came upon your plans to improve your front door. How's that project going? ;-)