Monday, June 23, 2008

Our Backyard and Pool Area

Our backyard has evolved over the years tremendously, with the biggest changes being when we added our carport/garage, and then the addition of our pool three summers ago. One thing led to another to get us to this point. I thought I'd share it with you today.



We started building our home in fall of 1989 and moved in late Winter of 1990. (We had lived in a mobile home from 1984 here in the same spot until then). We started making changes in the late 1990's pouring the slab for our carport. Our carport/garage didn't come along until 2000. Being the do-it-yourselvers that we are, Jason was trying to shingle the roof himself, and fell off and broke his ankle! We had to call in folks then to do alot of the work!



The room above the carport/garage is not finished out either! One day we look forward to that being a pool house/apartment. Colt would love to have it now! What 19 year old wouldn't? We would also love to have a place for my mom and dad to come back and stay with us for weeks at a time and have their "own place". This is dreaming of course, because our ship hasn't come in yet! :)





We did the landscaping ourselves...Jason building the wood edging and both of us placing and planting the shrubs and monkey grass. I don't do flowers out here except the occasional potted ones because I really don't have a green thumb and it's just too much watering for me (lazy on my part, I know, but there's too many other things I'd rather be doing!).






Although an in ground ground pool would have been nice, we're enjoying our above-ground one so much! It is 33" round and 4 1/2 feet deep. A friend built the pool deck for us. We had a plan in mind, but he made changes and made it even better so that we have more sitting areas! He did a great job!






Jason, Colt, Joy and I all stained the pool deck, well mostly Colt and me. As you can see, it is past due for a new coat as is the shed behind the pool! As hot as it is, it will be waiting until fall!




We don't leave our pool furniture out here all the time...it's so windy that we don't want anything blowing into the pool and tearing the liner! So...we put it all up behind the staircase when we finish out there!



This is the only wall I have to decorate. I haven't gotten around to doing anything out here yet. I hope to run across some thrifty finds and do it very inexpensively! Actually, that's the only way it will get done! I am open to suggestions! Jason is not crazy about me doing much to this spot because he keeps the net slid in here. He doesn't want to be banging his head on anything I put up here! So...ideas?



If you look in this picture right below, you'll see I used the barrel-made-table that I bought at the yard sale out here too. (At least for now). It's working well as a place to sit our drinks and the white works well with the pool!



I also have the area on the shed (behind the pool) to decorate too. I have had hanging pots here but as I said before, I'm not good at keeping that much stuff alive! I either need a bigger clock here or a barn star. If I do the star here, then we do need a clock somehow on the other little wall. We really do need a clock out there. By the way, I'm looking for a big outdoor clock. Anyone know where I can find one at a great price? The one up there is 12" and that's as big as I've seen at home improvement stores.



I'm sure it will change much more over the years. It seems like we get one thing done, then it's time to do something else. I guess that's how it is with homes and their upkeep, isn't it? We also need to paint the steps going up to the room above the garage. (By the way, you see the bench...that's the one from my yard sales..I just put it out there as is and it's coming in very handy for sitting on to put on sunscreen and hold our stuff!) It would also look great decorated with something, I guess! What do you think...what would you do?



So that's it. That's where we're spending our days of summer. This year it's nice because we do have the addition of (an air conditioned) sunporch looking out onto the pool and backyard...especially mom enjoys it! :)

Gosh! After posting this I realize how much it really has changed over the years. We never could have done this all at once. I'm very grateful for what we've accomplished and I feel blessed to have done so.



I hope you enjoyed your tour!

22 comments:

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

Wow, Tammy! I really enjoyed my tour! I can appreciate all of the work you've put into your home. Todd and I are "do-it-yourselfers" too. It's slow going, but the feeling of accomplishment is amazing. You've made quite a haven for your family.

Have a lovely evening!

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

I love your home its so inviting inside and out!! Your pool and deck are awesome, you all must enjoy it alot!!! We just bought our home last year and we do everything ourselves to so it will be a few years before our yard looks this good!!! Hope you are having a great day!!~Wendy

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I enjoyed the tour Tammy, it's beautiful!!!
I guess I'd do the barnstar and know I haven't seen a bigger clock only ones from Walmart and they look to be the same size as yours.

Have a great evening, Rondell

Black Sheep Lisa said...

Wow! Can i go on vacation at your house? I love it all and i know it means alot when you do it yourself,
thats how things get done around here too!

Deb said...

Tammy I loved the tour, you guys should have your own tv show. I think what you've done back there is worth a million dollars. Deb

the said...

WOW! Your deck and pool are great! Wish I didnt live so far away, I would come enjoy it with you! Thanks for sharing :)
I do agree with you as far as putting up a barn star, do you have a Big Lots by you? That store is always a good one when looking for outdoor things!
Enjoy your backyard oasis!!
Stephanie

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Tam, what a great set up you have there. Lucky girl! It does take time and committment.
I have seen some huge clocks at Hobby Lobby. Barn stars are the rage. Sorry you didn't win them.
I love your garage sale finds. Repurposing things is the best!

Farmhouse Blessings said...

What a beautiful place to share time with your family! It is so great that you accomplished it together. Makes it all the sweeter, doesn't it?

Blessings,
Lea

Sandy said...

Oh WOW Tammy...I just love your outdoors. Looks so warm and inviting. I especially love the pool...some day we are hoping to own a pool such as yours. I just love swimming and I am not much at using public pools. Thanks for the tour...look forward to more.

Sandy

Kindra-At Home With K said...

You better get that pool house done fast because the blog gal's weekend is going to be at your house!! I just love it all! What a great space your family has created. And it looks like you have a great countryside view. My kind of space! Thanks for sharing, Tammy!

Gettysburg Homestead said...

Oh I love your backyard. It looks so relaxing. I could spend hours out there.

I agree you need to finish that room so your blogging pals can come stay with you! LOL.

Hubby and I do a lot of work ourselves with the guidance of my FIL. We added on to our old house and finished the basement. We haven't done to much yet this house, but we too have big plans.

Mary

Leslie said...

Beautiful! You guys have worked relaly hard and made yourselves a wonderful home. I love it all :)

Leslie said...

Tammy,
I forgot to tell you that I tried to answer your question about blog layouts on my latest post. Hope it helps!

Shirlee said...

Tammy, your backyard space is amazing. I just love all the decking and the pool. I think that adding the apartment over the garage was a smart move. As you mentioned, the space will come in handy for guests although your son sounds like he wants first dibs on it.
Thanks for the tour, it was great! :)

Rosemary said...

Tammy,
I am so jealous!!!! Your home is just lovely and it makes me want to grab a glass of lemonaide and sit around the deck while the kids splash and play.

Just wonderful.
Thanks for sharing!!!!!

Tammy said...

What a beautiful pool and backyard you have! Oh, how my girls would love to be friends and have a few visits there! ;)
Good for you for doing so many home improvements over the years!
We don't plan on staying at our current home much longer, but through our six yrs here, we have done a few things here and there...my husband does most of the work, though- he's so much better at than I!
Anyway, what a blessing for your family to enjoy this outdoors area this summer!
Hugs,
~Tammy

Michelle said...

Very nice! The above ground pool seems like it's in ground with the decks around it. So inviting!!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

LOVE the pool area! We had a big above ground pool for years and out kids had the same kind of fun. Hubby and I loved it after dark when the kids went to bed too - shh! They don't know that though! I always love seeing pics of your home and yard! hugs, Linda

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tour...your backyard and pool are awesome....so glad I stopped by...

Angie H said...

First time trying Backyard Rooms. They’re building a poolhouse addition with just ladders, drills, and a kit. Amazing to watch it go up.

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