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!
What a sweet dad…he’s adorable!!! You will LOVE having a screened porch!
Blessings,
Cindy
I love your dad so much! You are so blessed! Can you tell me more about your new roof? Did you remove the plywood roof first, or put the metal over the plywood? Would you mind telling me what the roof, along with labor, cost? And what brand of metal roof was it?? Do you just go to Lowes and look for metal roofs or something? My porch roof leaks terribly and I need to do something about it soon!
Thanks!
HI, Kate, I should have added that in, I’ll go back and do that. We added the new metal roof right over the old plywood/tarpaper roof. I did hire it out for $300 and the roof materials were $200 from Lowes, so $500 total. Not too bad. This roof has a 50 year warranty. I can’t remember the brand, but it’s the main one that Lowes carries. They have a book with all the details in there.
Woman…do you ever sit still for more than 5 minutes? I’m worn out just reading about your projects – but what amazing results! Love your home. I know you are thrilled beyond belief with such a lovely home, the satisfaction of having done so much of it yourself (with the help of your amazing parents!), and looking forward to enjoying that wonderful screen porch. Take an hour and just enjoy – you certainly deserve it.
Your family is fantastic, helping with projects and talented. I can’t wait to see it finished and all decked out. Will you do the traditional set up for a screened porch or thinking outside the box?? Exciting.
Cynthia
Hi, Cythnia, it will be a pretty standard set up out there. I already have all the dark brown faux wicker already, so I want it as cozy as possible. I don’t need to buy another thing for that porch, I have it all already. It will be fun to personalize it with some fun vintage items too. This space is about 10×15 or so, so not huge, but big enough.
Rhoda… I’m praying for continued divine health, strength, longevity and independent living for both your parents! I pray The Lord will grant them (additional) long life and abundant blessings as they’ve been such a blessing to you. May God protect your Daddy and keep him from all harm as you embark on this new project!
Ditto Paula’s prayer!
Great to see you and your Dad collaborating again on your house! So happy that Spring is finally here. Can’t wait to see the progress of this project and others you have up your sleeve this year. Wishing you a great week!
Your Dad is incredible! 85 and still going strong!!! I know I am going to love your porch. I sure wish I could have one. The diamond floor sounds neat! I am so happy for you that your home is really coming together and you are enjoying it so much. COME ON SPRING!!!! XO, Pinky
Your dad is amazing! Your are so blessed. (I’m sure you don’t need me telling you that). I love him! Tell him a complete stranger loves him and all his handiwork.
Sooo ready for Spring!!!…I know your back porch is going to be amazing….So glad to see your Dad is looking for a project to do-he’s just awesome….Can’t wait for more updates…Love everything you’ve done to your home, Rhoda…
Rhoda, I think your dad needs his own fan club! 🙂 I am happy that Spring finds him still in good health, ready to go. I LOVE the idea of hearing rain on your metal roof! Ooh, I would love going out there and hearing that. I know you’re ready for the rain to stop for a little bit, and for things to dry up, but just listening to it would be so fun.
Can’t wait to see all you do this year. What a year you had last year! It’s been a good thing, I would imagine, to have a few months over the winter just to rest and recuperate. Last year was such a marathon for you and your mom and dad. I hope you give us some hints about all the work you have planned for this spring and summer, kind of like a “Coming Soon” preview clip at the movie theater! Are you going to put in a garden? Do landscaping? Change anything in the garage or yard? Can’t wait to see all that you do!
and the fun . . . just gets funner!
spring, sunrooms, Easter peeking at us
around the corner – how much better
does it get!
so happy for you friend .
Rhoda, I’m so happy you’re getting to your screened porch! I know you’ll enjoy it this Spring! You have done an amazing job with your new home- you’re an inspiration! I just love seeing posts with your parents! I know they’re such a blessing to you! Your Dad is like mine, he would be supervising too!
I am so jealous of your metal roof on your porch! I would love to add one to ours – we just have roofing tar up there 🙁
You are so going to enjoy that porch this summer, Rhoda. I’m jealous of that tin roof- the summer rain sounds so wonderful on one. I’d want to sleep out there when it’s raining. 🙂
This is a great project to see from the beginning! We’ve always thought about adding a screened in porch to our house but I am clueless as to how you go about building one. I know you’ll enjoy it!
It’s so good to see Daddy again — he reminds me so much of my late father who was also a perfectionist about the measurements, etc.
We are getting a screen porch, too, and mine will look pretty Boho with lots of bright color. It will be fun to see what you do with yours.
You are so blessed to still have your dad. You are making memories everyday. Soooo sweet. I pray God will bless him with many more healthy happy years. Thank You for sharing these pics.
I am so inspired by all your projects and the energy you have. However, the memories of your dad helping you will be the best thing about all the projects. May you be blessed to have your mom and dad for many years to come. I still have my dad and he is 95, lives alone and every year plants a garden. He so wishes he could still get up on the roof.
Hi Rhoda,
I’ve missed seeing your dad and glad he had some time for R & R! He’s such a doll. Your porch is going to be a popular spot, I’m sure!
Cheers!,
Barbara
I can’t wait to see what you do with the porch! I can see drop-cloth curtains on the sides. The rain is going to make such a soothing sound on that metal roof. Sounds like you’ll have the porch ready to enjoy the summer in.