Finally, finally things are beginning to warm up around here. We’ve had SO much rain (much needed) this winter and the ground outside in my backyard still hasn’t completely dried up yet from all the raindrops we’ve seen lately. Dreary weather, we’ve had our share. But, the sun is finally peeking through once again, as we knew it would and Spring looks to be on the horizon.
Yippee! I love Spring, don’t you?
Have you missed this guy?
My dad has taken a much needed break since the Holidays, but now we are ready to start that screened porch of mine. Just in time to enjoy it for the summer. I cannot wait to get that thing painted and decorated with furniture and accessories, which I already have plenty of in storage. Banner day, indeed. A screened porch was on my wish list and I’m so happy to have it. It will be the most adorable screened porch ever.
He has been ready to go, waiting for it to warm up more so he could get over here and work.
He’s had a few days here and there that warmed up enough and he’s installing 2 x 4’s under the porch so that he can nail up lattice around the bottom of the porch and that will dress it up more. Eventually I’ll get all of this painted out, as well as the inside of the porch when we are finished with it. Lots more work to do around here!
He finished up the 2×4’s in a couple of days and is now ready to start the lattice, then we’ll move on up to under the eaves and inside the porch itself. I’m adding a beadboard ceiling, as well as beadboard around the base of the porch. Since the porch planks are already in place on the floor up there, I’m going to give them a fun diamond paint treatment. You know it’s going to be cute when I’m done, right?
Did I tell you I bought a riding lawn mower? Yep, I did! My parents’ next door neighbors just moved recently and they were selling a really nice riding lawn mower (Craftsman) for $400, so I bought it used and it is in great shape and it’s RED. I also bought a Honda push mower first, but then the rider came along too and I decided it was too good a deal to pass up. So, now I have two. I will need the push mower more for the front yard anyway, so we’ll put them both to good use. My dad is building a door at this end of the porch, so that I can put my riding lawn mower under there to keep it dry. Smart, huh?
Daddy enjoys a good project, I think this keeps him going, but he’ll also be ready to get his garden plowed and planted soon too. We both are so glad that this last year is behind us and the inside of the house is finished. What a relief that is! This porch will be small potatoes compared to 2012’s renovation.
Another thing we just got finished on the porch is adding a new metal roof. The existing roof wasn’t in too bad shape, but it was only plywood covered with tar paper and no shingles. My dad has used this metal roofing on both of his houses and loves it, so we decided to use it on my porch too. This is a Charcoal color. We ordered the materials from Lowes and I hired a young guy to do the work, who was recommended by a friend of mine.
Dad came over to supervise, of course. I think it kills him that he can’t get on a roof any longer.
He actually put an entire metal roof on his own house all by himself, probably 15 years ago and he wasn’t a spring chicken then. But, he knows that at 85, he should not be climbing on roofs anymore. Besides, I wouldn’t let him up there! He did manage to climb up the ladder (I wasn’t watching at the time) to measure the roof when we were ordering the materials. He didn’t trust my measurements from my office window, so HAD to do it himself.
This young fella did a great job and knew exactly what he was doing. My dad was impressed with him. I may be hiring him for more projects around here that require climbing and things that we can’t do ourselves.
And now, my metal roof is complete. No worries with leaking at this point. We’ll soon be sitting out here under cover, enjoying a nice cool breeze this summer. The sound of rain falling on this roof should be a pretty sound, no doubt about that. I took this pic from my office window.
So, that’s an update on what is going on around this place. I’ll be sure to share all the details with you as we get moving along on this project. This is one I’m SO excited about and I know we will be putting this porch to good use soon enough. I really plan to enjoy my backyard this year!
Good morning…WOW your dad is amazing!!…good for him!!…You will LOVE your new porch…I cannot wait for the weather to turn up here in the Northeast so we can start using our screen porch…one of our favorite rooms in the house…good luck and can’t wait to see the progress!
Have a great Monday, Mariaelena
First of all, your dad is A M A Z I N G! I’m sure you know that! Wow! Next, I love a screened porch….it’s my favorite thing about a house! I can’t wait to see yours when you are done!
Exciting project! Here in the UK the equivalent to a porch like yours is usually a “sun-lounge” or “conservatory”; mostly glass. I don’t have one. But I can’t wait to see pictures of the progress….. but just as exciting is the garden (oops!, yard!) where I spot yards and yards of grass. Any plans for some flower or vegetable beds there?
You are so lucky to still have your Dad and that he likes to work on projects for you. I’d give anything to still have mine. What fun we would have had working on my house…or at least I like to think so. So wise to make sure he does not get on it even if he is able to. A friend of mine’s father who was 80 got on his roof to fix a few shingles that had come loose and he fell. He died 8 hours later. If he had not gotten up on that roof that day…he’d still be here. My Dad fell off his roof when he was like 48…luckily he fell into the bed of his truck and it just knocked the wind out of him. But he learned his lesson that day. He never got up there again….the roof is for young people…if that. I love seeing you working with your parents on your house. Before my Dad was gone….I’d help him with projects at his house and he fixed things at my rent house. I lost him in a stupid accident or I’d still be doing DIY with him. I miss him so much every day and love seeing you do with your’s.
I am so happy for you! There is nothing like a screened in porch here in the “south”. I know it will be awesome as usual! Go, Dad! Go, Rhoda!
Love the screened porch, can’t wait to see it when finished. I need to build one myself and I am looking for some inspiration.
Your dad is a blessing! As soon as I spied that porch at your open house, I knew it had potential- I think it’s going to be a showstopper! Good job on getting that deal on the riding lawnmower; it will free time to do more plantings in the back yard. Thank goodness spring is on the way!
Amazing how young your dad looks for his age! The porch is going to look great.
How precious to have your dad lovingly working on your home! WHAT A GIFT!!! Love the project. I know warmer days ahead will be enjoyed for you and your family!
Yippee! Love your projects and your dad!
Love it! Mostly, I love that you have your dad to help you. I am also blessed to have an 80 year old talented, woodworking, great-at-repurposing daddy. I can’t wait to see your finished “happy place”!
Rhoda, what a blessing that your mom and dad have been a part of this amazing journey with you. I have both my parents and in-laws still living, and some days I wonder who is the oldest!! So happy for you!
Yes, I’m ready for spring. Can’t wait to see the finish product of your porch. I’m sure you will enjoy it
Yay! Your dad is back at it. Wish I could borrow him!! I want to put in a screened porch so bad. Is it less expensive to use a metal roof vs a shingled one? I have a tar roof on my sun room but it was like that when I moved here.
Hey, Deneen, I’m not sure how much shingles are, but these metal roofs are great and last forever (almost!). My dad has put 2 of them on both his houses and loves them.
You are so lucky to have such a handsome handyman (your dad)! Smart of him to stay off of the roof – ask 65 year old uncle who just had knee and elbow surgery after falling off of his.
Hi Rhoda, This scene brings my own appreciation of all the hard work my dad did in helping me when we built our homes. You are so blessed to have your precious mom and dad. I know how well built that porch will be, just like what my dad did for me. Can’t wait to see the magic you do with your decorating. Hope you entertain you mom and dad on your new porch with lots of lemonade……
~Emily
The French Hutch
Soo excited for you. I know this project will be so much more fun than last year’s marathon. While it was truly inspiring, the whole house renovation was incredibly daunting. This will be a piece of cake for you and your sweet daddy. You’ll be sipping lemonade out there before you know it. Glad I get to follow along on your journey. Quick, think of something else – I’ve missed your dad and regret the day I won’t get to watch him work on your house anymore!
Take care,
Barb
I love the sound a metal roof makes in the rain. Lucky you!
Oooh, a screened porch is on our to-do list, too!! Yours is going to be fabulous, I’m sure. I know everyone says this, but I absolutely ADORE your daddy!!
I love your dad! What a hard worker. My dad did a lot of work to my house – mainly stripping and painting dark trim to white. He wasn’t a carpenter. You are so lucky to have him. I can’t wait to see the progress.