The swingset deck...

Several weeks ago I showed you a photo of Chip, sitting on a pile of wood in front of our shed. I mentioned that the wood was for a backyard project. But what I didn't tell you was that Chip was the foreman for that particular project...

(click any photos to enlarge)

Yes indeed. With Chip's input and hubby's expertise, we now have a fantastic new sitting area/deck under the girls' old swingset.

This is the sorry scene right before work commenced.

I am very (overly) attached to the girls' old swingset, so even though they are now 21 and 24, the old wood swingset has never left the yard. Too many good memories!


Anyhow, under Chip's supervision, Hubby built the frame for the deck... (Chip was instrumental in determining the height... Not so high that he couldn't jump up there, but high enough that he could hide underneath if the neighborhood cats were stalking him.)

Oh, boy - the start of a deck!!!

Then it was time to lay down the landscape plastic to prevent weeds from growing up through the boards.

Time to attach the deck boards to the frame... Woo hoo! It's really starting to take shape! (Chip made himself scarce when power tools were in use)...

Okay, the deck itself is now officially done...

Time to put a couple of chairs up there and give it a test drive!

Ahhhhhh.... perfect!!

Chip said break time was over and it was time to get back to work... That little guy is one tough task-master!!!

And now it was time to get creative...

... and map out a nice defined area for the bark mulch. After Chip okayed the bark mulch perimeter, he double-checked all his specs...

The perfect height for jumping from mulch to deck...

...and the perfect height for jumping from deck to swingset bar. Chip said it passed inspection and we were done!!!

He did such a good job overseeing this project that we paid him right away.

Thank goodness he works for peanuts...

Literally!

My next post will be the big reveal of the entire project with before & after photos...

Backyard bunny likes it so much he even hopped over from the patio to live in the swingset garden.

... and I can't say I blame him! It's where I'm spending all my time these days, too!

Till next post, wishing you warm sunshine and colorful gardens....

Click HERE to see before & after photos of the completed project!!

Donna