After months of patio-project hell, we finally have a new backyard. Just in time for snow. But oh! When spring comes? We’ll be sitting pretty. Finally. Thank goodness! A look at the installation, after the jump. Related posts: Patio Update: The Rock Has Been Crushed Patio Update Patio Update Open… Read More →
After a long hard summer working on Elizabeth’s Folly, enduring a pit in the backyard, jackhammering a boulder to the ground and laying more than 1,000 bricks, the patio is now done. We are beyond thrilled. More photos, after the jump. Related posts: Almost Done with the Patio! Patio Update… Read More →
We are 20 bricks shy! Can you believe it? Almost done, though! Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update
I’d say about 3/4 of the way done. Related posts: The Patio Work Begins Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update
By 5 p.m., quitting time and cocktail hour, both, we had mad much progress: This included measuring and leveling several jagged corners: And also tamping and leveling the sand underneath the brick: What a pain that part is, let me tell you. It takes two people to slide that 2… Read More →
After tamping the rock, leveling the sand and checking our measurements, Greg lays the cornerstone of the patio. By the end of the day, this is what we’d accomplished: We are on our way, folks. Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Sour Cherry Farm Builds a Brick Patio Update… Read More →
The tamping continued. Not much more to report: Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update
The big pile of gravel in our driveway is known as Item Four. Greg hauled it wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow into the pit, and them tamped it down with a special tool. It is, if you’ll excuse me for saying so, rock solid. Related posts: Patio Update: The Rock Has Been… Read More →
The finishing touches have been put on Gregory’s Portico. Admire, all ye: Related posts: Update on the Patio: Gregory’s Portico Bee Class at Stone Barns Bee Class at Stone Barns Sam’s Stone Barns Onesie
One problem we faced with our new patio: an enormous boulder in the center. We thought about building it into the design. (Maybe a water feature?) But in the end, we decided it was right smack dab in the middle of where everybody needed to walk. So Greg rented a… Read More →
Why yes, of course we’re adding more onto the patio project, which is already way over schedule. This is called “Gregory’s Portico,” and is meant to relieve the rotting problem where the dirt meets the wood at the foot of our garage. We are laying the bluestone down in front… Read More →
We have completed one full part of the patio project. Whoo-hoo! It’s so nice to walk on brick now, rather than dirt and mulch. Go Greg! Related posts: Patio Progress: One Front Walks Is Done! Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update
We have one part of the patio finished: one of the brick walks between the garden beds in the front yard. Hurrah! Here’s a look at Greg’s excellent craftsmanship. I’m so proud. Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update Progress in the Orchards
Here’s what we’re looking at when it comes to our materials. Multicolored brick and Belgian block: Looks heavy. Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update
I’m sorry I missed capturing video or even photos of this, but Greg rented a jackhammer to try to work down that enormous boulder in the center of our patio. Alas, after 4 hours, it’s still not below the sand line of where we need to lay the brick. Not sure… Read More →
The Bobcat has arrived. Yes, Greg is moving all that dirt into a dumpster. Here he is in action: And here’s the dumpster that received all the dirt. What a project this has turned out to be! Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update
Greg we have dug 60,000 pounds — or 30 tons, if you like — of dirt out of our back yard. It’s all in our driveway at the moment. Once the pit was dug, we also realized that the ground in front of it was not level. There was a big… Read More →
Framing is coming along. This is starting to take a long time, though. Right, Sam? Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update
A big rainstorm shows us where our pitch is at the moment. Hmmm. Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Patio Update The Patio Work Begins
Update on the patio. Most of the pit is dug out. Greg is starting to lay the leveling frame in the pit. Related posts: Patio Update Patio Update Sour Cherry Farm Builds a Brick Patio Update on the Gardens: Cherries, Chives, Columbine, Iris, Peonies and More
Srimp and Daddy go get 2-by-4s for the patio. Think she has a future career in homebuilding? Related posts: Samantha’s Plane Ride Home Bringing Sam Home to Sour Cherry Farm The Rockland Boulders Home Opener On the Train Ride Home: Fall Foliage and a Sad Goodbye
As of June 16: A horrific mess. Let this pass, soon, please. Related posts: Patio Update Garden Update: Blueberries, Apricots, Daisies The Patio Work Begins Update on the Progress in the Fields
Here’s where we are on June 12. Progress, I guess! Related posts: Garden Update: Blueberries, Apricots, Daisies The Patio Work Begins Garden Update: Coneflowers, Cosmos, Blackberries and Butterfly Bushes Garden Update: Sour Cherries, Blackberries, Currants, Asparagus, Alliums, Peonies, Irises, Columbine and More
We started by moving the bluestone. Then we just started digging. Related posts: Sour Cherry Farm Builds a Brick Patio