A Wild Turkey...really?, Outdoor Decorating and a Thank You

Each year, around this time, our covered pool seems to be the hot spot for ducks in the mood for some mating.  It's  something we're used to by now.  The ducklings are adorable when they are born.  We usually don't open the pool until the middle of May.  This year we had an issue with our cover.  It apparently got some holes in it and when we tried draining the cover we realized we were actually draining the water from the pool.  So, my husband and I removed the cover ourselves over the weekend and all the leaves, dirt and gunk fell into the pool.  Yuck!  We've created a nice swamp.  So now, in addition to the ducks, we have other wildlife showing up to our pool/swamp.

I looked outside and what did I see on my diving rock?  A wild turkey!!

He stayed out there for the longest time moving from the dive rock to the fence, pacing back and forth.  I thought maybe something was wrong with him since he wasn't flying away.

 I went to get my camera with a better zoom lens and when I came back he was gone.  I guess he flew away.  It just took him a long time to get bored with the pacing.

On another note, we are starting to work on "decorating" our new patio.  You can click here to check out the major renovation we did in the fall, removing a deck and patio and replacing it with a huge patio and outdoor kitchen.  To start the decorating process we got a new clock and thermometer from Frontgate.  These were on sale - it was a great deal.

Furniture is the next thing we will be working on outside.  I really can't wait to decorate this outdoor space.  Now that will be fun.




Finally I'd like to thank Heather from At The Picket Fence for teaching me how to add tabs under my header.  Heather and her sister Vanessa have a Blogging 101 series on their blog.  It's very informative. I've been doing this for six months and I'm still learning something new everyday.  I e-mailed her for help and she graciously walked me through the process.  It's great -  now, if you'd like to grab one of my buttons you can click on that tab, or if you want to check out where I've been featured you can click on that tab.  It cleaned up my sidebar tremendously...plus I think it looks pretty cool and much more organized (if you've read this blog for any length of time you know I love being organized).

I think we're actually supposed to have Spring-like weather this weekend.  I certainly hope so...it's been a long winter here in New York.  Hope you have a great weekend.

-Judy

Outdoor patio - updated

In the past few days my outdoor patio has really started to come together.  I took these pictures last night to show you some of the lighting effects.  Another week or two and we should be totally done.

How awesome do those stairs look? (the box by the door is speaker wire which will be run)

This is the kitchen area.  To the far left is the pizza oven.  To the right of that is the spot for the warming drawer and storage drawers below that, then the grill, then a refrigerator.  The seating area will be to the far right.

Took this photo while standing on the pool deck.

This will be the area where we will have our seating i.e. outdoor sofa, coffee table etc.

Close up of the pavers.  There are four different sizes.  15% are the largest size.  I love how it ties in with the stone veneer.

That's the update for now.  The main part of the patio was all laid yesterday...in one day.  Huge transformation.  Let me know what you think.  I really LOVE comments.

-Judy


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Outdoor Pizza Oven

The outdoor project continues.  Honestly, it's moving along at a rapid speed.  It's only been a little over two weeks and I can already see the finish line.  Outdoor kitchens are all the rage these days and since we entertain a great deal, especially in the summer, it seemed to make sense to incorporate one into the new patio design.  As we always seem to do, we took this project a step further.  Since my husband is the chef in our family, it made sense that he should take the lead on the items he wanted in his our new outdoor kitchen.  Not to say I wasn't integrally involved...I was...but he is really the grill master.  The plan calls for us having a grill, warming drawer, side burner...all the regulars.  What's not so regular...his idea of putting in an outdoor pizza oven.  When he first brought up the idea, quite frankly I thought it was crazy.  He was very excited about the idea and when our contractor heard the idea he was even more excited about building one.  Over the past few years my husband has been coming up with unique recipes for pizzas grilled on the bar-b-que.  It's become one of the staples at our gatherings around our pool.  Long story short...here comes the pizza oven.  Here are some updated pictures.

Pizza oven - part that looks like two eyes is the door to the oven.  Storage right below and wood stored below that.

This project is a masterpiece being built every day.  Each piece of stone veneer is hand cut to fit.  Our contractor is like a Renaissance man.  He is building this project as if he were building it for himself.  He has a large crew that shows up everyday.  The attention to detail is amazing and so incredibly refreshing (we have had bad experiences in the past i.e. the kitchen remodel...which thankfully in the end all worked out...but I wouldn't wish that experience on my worst enemy).   He is doing everything you would want a general contractor to do...and more.  His company is Pete Proulx Landscaping.  Check out his website for more incredible outdoor projects.

We also went to pick out the granite this weekend.  This is what we picked.  I absolutely love it.  It has so much movement and is the perfect colors.  I can't wait to see it all come together.

The rest of the appliances will be delivered on Friday.  Can't wait to share the next phase of the project with you.  Tell me what you think so far?

-Judy

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Outdoor Project Update

I can't believe how far our outdoor project has come in just two weeks.  Here are some updated pictures.

That is the wall furthest from the house.  There will be a fire pit in front of it.  There will be bluestone on top of the wall to sit on.  There is only dirt right now.  Pavers to arrive soon.

This will be the outdoor kitchen.  The appliances have been ordered and we are going this weekend to pick out granite.

The added a stone veneer to the foundation of the house.  I have always loved that look.

Only half of the bluestone is cemented down right now.  That's why the steps look uneven.

Soon to be fire pit.  This is just the template they build around.  It will be covered in the same stone veneer.

Soon to be pizza oven.  This should be cool.

Will update you in a week or so.  What do you think so far?

-Judy


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