New from the Old

We came back in August from our annual trip back East and set to work.

Using almost all re-purposed materials,  Scott (with sporadic kid help) built a picket fence enclosure for our side yard and a beautiful arbor gate.

He is amazing, yes?

He has built an intricate arbor in each of the three houses we've owned. 

It's his tradition.

The enclosure will house Mini the Tortoise and become, down the road a bit, a patio area (we're going to add a pergola) and herb garden---well protected from the wind that is our constant company up here on the hill.  

For now,  it keeps Mini from escaping into the wild (which would mean sure death come winter) and a means to make the ugliest side of our house look a bit better.

The kids spent hours pulling nails out of old fencing (that we inherited, along with literally TONS of yard junk---thankfully now all of it has been recycled or dumped, from the previous owners) and collecting wood scraps.  

Nails=junked.  Wood slats=New fencing.  

It was worth it.  

We built this for almost nothing....just a few weeks of work (re-purposing DOES take longer!).

Sophie helped, too! She lay in the shade and kept Scott company.