What we have been up to with a few pics.

[hillsdown]

I have been absent these last few weeks from Ct and Ranchers as we had hubbies family over from Europe for a month. We also did a bit of renovations. After wanting to do this for 7 years we finally did it. We ripped out the old deck around the house and replaced it, as well as built on a new huge deck on the east side of the house. The contractor took 2 weeks longer than we were told so it was very frustrating having a mess while company was here. We also finally got our hay off and had the best crop ever since we bought the place. It made up for the drought from last year and I will have hay to hoard for emergencies.

The house before

Trees gone and fence gone, grabbed some pasture for lawn

Finally finished,

Celebrated with a deck party and about 40 friends, I served prime rib and pulled pork as well as a Keg on hand . was a really nice evening and some guests stayed overnight so I did a midnight lunch and then made everyone brunch in the morning. It was a great way to break the new deck in.

A few more things need to be done, like the new fence put up etc, so it is going to be a busy summer and fall still.

 

[Alan]

Looks great and comfortable, is that a free standing wood stove by the chimney? I have never, until now, seen a sat. dish mounted to a chimney, I know it's fine just a new one for me... congrats on the deck.... I want one.

Alan

 

[bigbull338]

love your new deck.as well as your house.no wonder you havent had any spare time doing all of that.glad you got a good hay crop.

 

[MO_cows]

Looks great! That wood stove is a great idea, you can cozy up around it and extend your "deck season". The trees you took out looked like they were rubbing on the house anyway so they needed to go.

 

[3waycross]

Your place looks great HD now we need to see some cattle pics.

 

[backhoeboogie]

Nice place. Looks like a home and not a house.

 

[hillsdown]

Alan that is an outdoor wood burning stove, and Mo is right, it gives off a ton of heat. You don't go crazy with stoking it as you do not want sparks flying around on the deck but it does heat up the whole deck. We used it every night when the family was here ,it also helped with skeeter control. The brick is the only place I would let them mount the dish as I do not want anything on the wood or shakes also it gets the best reception where it is.

Thanks everyone, we are really pleased with it. Every time I go out to it ,especially now that I have it outlined in bedding plants ,I keep expecting a waitress to come and take my order. :lol2: We still have to stain it ,hopefully in a few weeks it will be cured enough and I can get it all done.

It was quite a design as we needed to make access for the septic tank access, our gas meter and the faucet, so there are hidden removable sections in places and the bench in the north west corner lifts out so I can read the meter every month, as well as a section that lifts out when they need to come and do work or change out the meter. We also now have a new gas BBQ all hooked up so that is really handy compared to using propane tanks. More so that I have gotten into doing different dishes that take hours to prepare on the BBQ.

3way I had to sell my cows to pay for the deck and stuff .... ;-) Will post pics of them soon, they have so much pasture that they cannot keep up.

The new french doors should be installed soon, but YIKES ,custom doors are really pricey... :???:

It is a home BHB and it was very chaotic home the last 4 weeks. How you people do it with a house full day after day and maintain your sanity is amazing, you truly have my greatest respect.. :tiphat:

BTW Nikki now plays European football (soccer), she is nuts for it. Hubby and his bro and kids played a match every evening and Nikki got right in there when they practiced, she can stop the ball with her feet and then kicks it with her feet, She is such a goofball.. :roll: :lol2:

 

[VanC]

I was wondering where you'd been. Congratulations on a job well done.

 

[1982vett]

Howdy again....was beginning to wonder if you were comming back. Thought maybe you had gotten tired of us...

 

[HOSS]

Awesome HD! I love it. It looks like a great place to relax. I used to have a big deck like that on the last house I built. It was great until time to stain / waterproof it. I found that Thompsons water seal stain worked best. Good luck and enjoy

 

[larryshoat]

The deck looks great! Missed you these weeks, but someone said had been busy and now I see why.

Larry

 

[Fred Belknap]

HD that is a beautiful home in a wonderland place. I envy you. Glad your cattle are doing good, plenty of grass and hay to hoard. :lol: You are missed around here when you stay away to long. I bet you don't have pink eye in that climate. I sure could use some of that Canadian air around here lately.

 

[cfpinz]

Nice deck!

 

[alisonb]

Glad you back HD . The deck looks sooo cozy, I can see you and your friends + family enjoying many a pleasant hour 'on deck' - glad I don't have to sweep the snow off :shock: . That green in the background is realy a pretty color ;-) .

 

[MistyMorning]

Thanks for sharing HD and good to hear all is well that a way.

 

[TexasBred]

Wow HD...can you say "Party Time" ?? :nod:

 

[Jogeephus]

First time I opened it I couldn't see pictures. Now I do. Nice work! You will surely enjoy it. Do hope you used southern yellow pine. :mrgreen:

 

[I luv herfrds]

Glad to see you back HD! :banana: :banana:
House and new deck looks awesome. i just love it.

 

[cfpinz]

Wife wants me to ask if we can come camp out on your deck?

 

[hillsdown]

Cf I said before, anyone that is up our way let me know as you are always welcome. Besides I just had hubbies family here for a month and there is no way any of you could cost me more in beer and groceries ever.. :lol2: :help: