more deck to see

and the wood keeps coming...

They've made some steady progress on the deck which now is starting to look like an actual deck. Of course I still haven't actually stood on it since it's about as tall as me and there's no steps yet...

the "stones" go down...finally

I'm pretty sure the guys are just laying these out to do some calculations and see if they've bought enough of the concrete slabs. Regardless, nothing could make me happier then finally see some of it go down. Well, except for when it's all DONE!

Even with the lower temperatures lately, I've been fantasizing about finally walking barefoot into our backyard.

already planning for the next headache

After we finish the backyard and a couple other small projects (replacing the front door glass, etc.) we're planning on moving on to the den. This project is going to be the most extensive in the house as we're planning on making the full bath (left wall in picture) a 1/2 bath to make the room larger. There will also be new plastering, new floors, etc. to worry about.

Gulp.

it's easy to be vegan...

when there are places like "Foodswings" with the ultimate in vegan junkfood. We made a pitstop there with Susan to enjoy their buffalo, bbq and southern fried "wings."

trying to be cool in Dumbo

We had a great time when Susan came to visit a couple weekends ago. We started our day of exploring Dumbo and Williamsburg by the bridge...

our pretty (high) fence

The fence with it's multiple materials. Well, at least we won't have to look at everyone else's crappy fence. You can see our neighbor's (on the east) patchwork fence that we're covering. We won't be missing that view.

the beginnings of the deck

it's a bit hard to see but there it is.

the slow evolution of the backyard

Here's the backyard as it looked this morning. The fence is nearly done and they've begun the deck. But considering the current low temperatures it's not moving nearly as fast as I'd like. Sigh.

bathroom barbershop

Thanks to Helen, we moved a new piece of furniture into our main bathroom this weekend.
It's definitely handy until we actually get some sort of medicine cabinet. So someday it will hold less stuff but for now it's all we have. Plus it looks good :)

we're officially open for business

Our guest room received it's first visitor this weekend... Susan claims it was comfortable. You could be the next to try it out!

We're still waiting to get the real bed frame (on backorder) and a bench for the end of the bed. But soon it'll be the nicest room in the house.

loving the neighborhood more each day

We've just discovered Imhotep's VEGAN restaurant a mere 2 blocks away on Nostrand Ave. That's right - "bbq ribs" and "duck" to our hearts' content!

Not only that but it's part health food store and the owner was very friendly. Apparently, it's the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Brooklyn.

"slate-like"

I told the gardener that I wanted the majority of the backyard to be covered in stone. These 18 x 18 slabs are really concrete but I think the slate effect isn't bad. Can't wait to see them laid out!

see what i mean?

what do you think?

no more neighbors' dirty looks

The backyard is coming along as they continue to put up the new fence. As you can see, the fence is quite tall and we're both worried that it might piss off our neighbors. Plus the combo of the different kind of fencing is looking weird. Hmmm...

This would fit in perfectly

Thom wants fancy, recessed speakers. I think I'd be happy with a Woofer...

The table I've always wanted

Further proof that Thom has superhuman amounts of patience, he had to listen to me daydream (aka whining) for over a year about the dining table that we would have once we moved into a house.
And here it is. Finally.
It's made of reclaimed teak wood from a store we found in DUMBO. And once we get the bench which will sit on one side it'll fit 8 people. True, we barely know 8 people but we want them ALL to be able to eat dinner with us. I'm so glad that we no longer have to hover around the tv and on various chairs, couches, etc. during dinner parties!
(The light in the corner is from the film crew)

Can't wait for you to come and visit...

We've been working hard to make the guest room a place that people will be willing to stay. We've removed a crummy mantle and silly pink tile to make room for a queen-sized bed. The walls have been primed (it was a dark muddy color before) and painted "little dipper" (yellow). Soon we'll have everything in place and Susan will be our first visitor.
I should note that a lot of the "we" is really Thom. I just stand around and point a lot.

the backyard in progress

The arbor has come down, the new fence has started to go up and our stones have arrived. Perhaps most importantly, the back fence has been moved back 3' to where it should be according to the survey.

The Grape Arbor up close