Deck Face Lift

When we moved into this house, one of the things that we really liked about it was the spacious back deck. Just imagine, soaking up the vitamin D during the day, and listening to the frogs talk in the evening over dinner. There was only one problem with our back deck fantacies – no outdoor furniture.

This is the back deck. In this state, it’s not so inviting…

Add this to the picture, and now we spend every possible minute out here. The colors on the umbrella make me happy.

The table and chair set was a gift from Steve.

When we got back from Costa Rica, I was having major withdraws from eating all of my meals outside and spending 90% of my waking hours in the fresh air. I did a lot of research on Craig’s List, with no luck. When it was clear that finding something used at a reasonably used price wasn’t going to happen, I moved onto new furniture. I picked out a few things online that I liked. I was willing to go the really cheap-o route, and get the plastic table and chairs. As much as I wanted an outdoor haven, I knew we didn’t have the money to turn the back deck into a resort. All I really wanted was a place to eat, read, do activities with Moanna and relax. I could do all of those things on cheap plastic. I went to Steve with my findings to make my proposal. Before his eyes focused on the computer screen, he nixed the plastic stuff. “We are not getting that cheap crap. It’s not safe and it looks like garbage.”

Once the “garbage” was off the table, we talked more seriously about the other options. Steve was open to the idea of getting furniture for the back deck, but it would have to wait until he returned from his two week business trip when we had more money and the weather was more back deck friendly. I wasted no time. While Steve was gone, I went to several stores in the area to test and price out the options. The first morning Steve was home, I drove him to the store and showed him what I wanted. He liked it too, so he ordered it and scheduled delivery for the very next day. He said it was a gift for him being out of town for two weeks. He loves me.

The hammock in the background was a gift for Steve from me for Father’s Day a few years ago. We spend a lot of time with the hammock.

Moanna and I planted the flowers last weekend in between sessions during General Conference last weekend.

So far, they are surviving us. Moanna checks them every day to see how they are doing. Then she makes the rest of us follow her outside so she can show us the newest buds and blooms.

The back deck has quickly become everyone’s new favorite room in the house. If the weather is nice and we are home, we are probably out back breathing in the fantastic Spring air.

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