The heat index yesterday was around 117 so we thought it would be a good time for an outdoor project.  Really, the weather was exceptionally nice a few weeks ago and that’s when the idea popped into our heads but we’ve already dug up half our yard so it’s onward and upward from here.  :)

Since we have lots and lots left to do on our house (basement, 2nd floor, backyard, paint the exterior, landscape, and so on) we needed a smaller project to help get us motivated for all that’s remaining.  Conveniently enough it happens to be summer and we thought this would be a nice project where Ada can be outside “helping out,” which she loves.  :)

Nathan’s been doing all of the manual labor while I watch Ada, and since he had a brief stint working with a stone mason for a year, he actually has more of the necessary skills for this project anyway, so I only feel half-as-guilty.

For the materials we are using blue stone for the patio, crushed gravel for the sidewalk, and limestone for the curbs.  Everything has been dug out, the french drain is in, and the gravel base is (mostly) in!  It feels good to be working on the house again—I have such an addiction for this kind of work!

The only somewhat “off” thing about this project is that it’s a patio for the front of our house.  I find very few houses with a patio in front but for some reason it feels right with this house.  The front patio was never in style but we’re bringing it back anyway!