Almost decked out

(think the tune "The Way You Look Tonight)

Some day, when its quiet at home, I'll be having coffee on the front deck and be happy that the dirt is covered.

Okay, not really quite working with the song, but you get the idea.  This is the front door "platform."  Eventually (like the very last part) there will be a ramp between the steps and the house that will go clear out to the area where the garage is going to be.  Our thoughts are that eventually we will need that because to be perfectly honest here, we are not getting younger.

The plan for this spring/summer is to connect this front door platform to the east deck (pictured below) with another deck that is about 20 inches lower than the 2 sections it will connect to.  Then you will be able to walk out one door and in the other without ever leaving the deck.

 We are already preparing to start this work by taking down the cattle panels that were between the posts so that my morning glories could climb up them.  I have found an alternative spot out past the driveway and now all that is left to do is to lift each planter with the skid steer and take it to its next location.  Then we can clear out the rest of the things under the porch roof and start setting post block supports.

Then there will be a 3rd set of steps in the open space you can see in this last picture toward the back of the picture, but going in the same direction as these steps. 

The underside of the deck currently has hog panels blocking entrance because the dogs seem to think that is a good place to dig a hole in the summer to lay in the cool dirt.  The problem was, they were digging next to a post support and you get enough dirt dug out and that thing will start to shift, sink and eventually not support the deck.  My plan is to use some old yard fence that I found on the farm all the way around the underside. 

My whole design process on this house has been to reuse and repurpose items on the farm that are no longer being used and to find new purpose for them in cool and creative ways.  Hopefully this time next year, or maybe sooner, I can share a picture of the wrapped around deck on the house.  That will leave only the ramp and the back deck left to build.  Little by little, piece by piece, day by day, we get something done or accomplished.