the workshop, 2019.

I’ve got a couple of house update posts for you, which make me very happy.

First off, the backyard.

David dismantled and gave away our kids’ play house a year ago, and built a workshop in its place, which I shared with you here. He painted the workshop, but then it sat for a year while we saved up money to finish it, and he focused his outdoor efforts on smaller yard projects.

We’ve composted for several years, but David has always wanted to build a system with several bins to make it more efficient. His secret to quick turnaround with compost is using lots and lots of dry matter, and turning it regularly.

 

 

We started a woodpile behind the trampoline after we had the oak tree cut down from our front yard to make way for the house addition. It was covered in tarps, so David built a cover for it.

 

 

Next up, he started installing rain barrels in different parts of the yard. This one behind the workshop provides water for the sink. Isn’t David a good friend of the earth?

 

 

He asked my permission before putting this bright blue rain barrel next to our pavilion, but I don’t mind it at all. I love having a living, life-replenishing back yard. Even if it looks a bit quirky at times.

 

 

In December, our friend and electrician, Ben, came to lay electrical wiring. I think David’s favorite part of the workshop process was operating the trench-digger.

 

 

 

Right after New Year’s David received a letter from a church in Florida telling him that he was awarded their annual Church Planting award. It was such a surprise and encouragement to us. They sent a financial gift along with it, and he was able to use the money to get the electrical finished in the workshop.

Having light and outlets makes an enormous difference!

 

 

He spent January putting some finishing touches inside the workshop: building the workbench, hanging a pegboard and shelves, organizing, and installing the sink.

 

 

 

 

The purpose of the workshop is twofold: to store tools for projects, and for gardening. David built a counter next to the sink for planting. He ordered seeds this week, and the next step is to get the spring crop of vegetables started indoors on the heating mat.

Since this process happened in our bedroom last winter, I’m personally thrilled with the set up.

 

 

 

The workshop is David’s happy place, and a dream come true.

We’re about to celebrate 15 years of marriage, and he’s waited this entire time for a bright, clean, spacious place for his tools and projects. I love glancing out the window and seeing him bustling about back here. It makes our whole backyard more fun.

 

 

 

 

For Father’s Day, we got David a gas grill. He’s used his trusty Weber for years, but the process of heating it up takes awhile, and we realized there’s something to be said for the efficiency of a gas grill. We’ve enjoyed it very much.

 

 

Doesn’t the spring garden selection look sumptuous?

 

 

As you’ve probably figured out, David always needs a project.

So now that the workshop is complete, he’s finding more spots to tuck a rain barrel, and also apparently trying his hand at a raised garden bed made of painted cinder blocks.