36 | July/August 2017
e outdoor space was my next
project. I poured a concrete sidewalk
and footings for the 16'x16' metal-
roofed porch. I used grey rock which
extends all the way out to our large
raised bed with flowers, herbs,
vegetables, and succulents, and also
built a steel shed out back to house
garden tools and equipment. I put up a
small fence line to give us some privacy
from passersby, but the majority of
the yard is not fenced. is gives us
an expansive view of the sky, the yard,
and the tree line.
All in all, from the very beginning
to the final nail, the project took 26
months. I got help from a few internet
videos and a couple of friends helping
out when they could, and I'm proud
to say I was able to break away from
a mortgage. I was also able to create a
livable home for Jennifer and myself
that would more than adequately
provide for our separate hobbies,
hers for her floral design business
and mine for my love of construction
and building. is space really has
everything we need and nothing we
don't.