Every Thursday we like to post a picture of something we've found online that inspires us to do something similar at the farm. Sort of our own blog bulletin board so that we can eventually look back and someday, hopefully anyway, recreate it...enjoy!
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| Image via pinterest.com |
We are in the thinking stages of an area for a fire ring. We've gone back and forth with just putting the ring in the spot and then chairs/seating around it. Then we thought a small sort of raised bed around it and the chairs around that.
Then we saw this picture on Pinterest (source unknown) but we kind of like the way this is done. It sets aside a part of the yard and delineates it from everything else as the designated fire pit area. We have access to those large timbers like that (delivered of course, ha) and we'd have to have a lot of gravel delivered (after putting our commercial woodblock fabric down of course) but it seems like a nice solution. We're still planning but it's getting there (and here's a hint, we just bought the fire ring!).
Be inspired!
I think that would be Perfect.
ReplyDeleteWith them large stumps you could even secure a nice thick board across on 2 of them stumps for making extra seating
I think the only thing I would do different if using solar lights like pictured is to drill a hole in the timbers and mount the solar lights right in the timbers of which you wouldn't have to weed around them. Won't need many solar lights; maybe 1 in each corner.
DeleteThe timbers are nice in keeping the rock contained. People will just have to learn to pick up their feet is all and maybe not over drink.
The area does make for a good relaxing area.
Great points. I like the idea of the solar lights and the stump benches. Will have to consider that. Keeping the gravel/rock contained is the important part, so it doesn't end up all over the yard, ha.
DeleteWhat is the outer size and how many railroad ties did you use
Deletethat is so cool!
ReplyDeleteIt looks pretty neat, we'll see what we can come up with.
DeleteI really like this. It's very low-maintenance and attractive - it seems to draw you in to this area.
ReplyDeletelow maintenance the best part, ha.
DeleteThat would be nice on a cool night.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Sad thing is, by the time we get this done it will probably be Spring. But ready for next cold weather in the Fall, ha.
DeleteI like your plan to have a fire pit. The pic you posted looks nice but I would worry about the raised timbers being trip hazards for those of us who like to drink alcohol while enjoying the fire and camaraderie of friends. My recommendation is to nix the step into the pit area. This pic is similar to what you have presented here (gravel, border, and plantings)and it would be easy to mow around: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/392868767466235766/
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog recently and am excited for you guys as you develop your home and farm. My husband and I bought a small (1090 sq ft) fixer-upper with land & trees that is structurally sound but needs cosmetic improvements that are very slow to materialize, unfortunately. My husband is not well and not handy, either. I have managed to accomplish a few things on my own but not much. We still need flooring, paint, and replacement windows after living here for the last eight years. If we could have done it differently I would have made sure that the flooring and painting were taken care of before we moved in, but time and money did not allow for that luxury.
I am looking forward to seeing what you do with your house and land. I used to blog until we moved here but for now just read blogs by others. -- Ginger
I hated to throw a wet blanket on the whole thing, but I perceive the timbers as a trip hazard. I will not be drinking, just stumbling about with my bad back. I have gotten splinters from those timbers, so I won't go near them. The rocks seem good for not setting the place on fire.
DeleteHi Ginger and welcome!!! I like the link you posted, thanks for that. It's kind of a nice in between. We'll see what we come up with.
DeleteYes, we totally underttand about the cosmetic work. We have the inside mostly done, except needing a new bathroom. But the outside of the house now needs a lot of work, new roof, probably new porch railing, new doors and screen doors (we're good on the windows, thankfully), and then patching and painting everything outside.
Parsimony, I do understand about the timbers, we do have some relatives and friends with back issues, we'll have to take that into account. Drinking, well, we don't go to extreme on that at all. Guests we'll try to keep in line.
DeleteI think the idea of stepping up we'll have to take into consideration. Maybe lower like Ginger showed or maybe create an opening so you don't have to step up.
I can step up there, but with help. I just need to hold an arm to steady me, both up and down. Steps have railings. But, seriously, timbers are not nice to be around. One bit of an ankle can be torn if a foot slips or sandal does not hit right. And, there is no barefooting around timbers. I won't be there, but others will. The round one, flush to the ground was aesthetically pleasing. I will email you.
DeleteWe did the basic exterior stuff first--new roof, verandah and back deck--since they were so bad that the bank required them to be redone in order to okay us buying the house. We also bought an energy efficient woodstove which is wonderful. We are using it as I write this. Everything else is slow-going. I'm not as young as I used to be, ha ha, and it takes me a long time to accomplish the cosmetic work. The biggest problem for me is that the house is full of our stuff and it is hard to move things in order to rearrange furniture or clear room to paint. I have been able to paint cabinets and either paint or cedar-line closets, but rooms need paint, we need floors, some windows, and the bathroom is hideous but functional. I am so looking forward to seeing what you have accomplished in your house.
DeleteIt looks very nice. Can't wait to see the final project! S says it's snowing out there, hopefully pictures are being taken!
ReplyDeleteYes, pictures coming tomorrow (Monday!)
DeleteColleen,
ReplyDeleteReally, you ought not criticize a 100% disabled woman on someone else's blog. Start you own to alienate people! How much a person drinks is also none of your business! I know you perfect every idea he has, but quit trying to perfect his readers. I will not abide criticism of my health status.
Parsimony, I know Colleen well, there is not a critical bone in her body. She's generous and kind and I don't think there was any ill well or offense intended. I'll be honest when I saw the picture, it never crossed my mind about people that might have trouble stepping up, I was just thinking about how 2nd Man and I would use it. I kind of thought the same thing, that it's just a step up, but you reminded us of those who can't. As for drinking, well, we wouldn't let anyone get too crazy out there, we don't do that at our house in town either. We have stairs going up to the porch and we'll have to be mindful of that too.
DeleteThanks for the reminder of those who's health needs to be considered. :-)
This is the problem with our country right now. The offender is defended with tribute to character. That is no excuse. And, she has not apologized, not a real apology. I am facing the same thing with people who are so sorry I am offended. And, other people defend the person. That leaves me in a position I do not wish to take in this world. When I enter a space very happy and am immediately wounded, why should a flip response and others defending the offender be enough. For this reason, Roy Moore will probably win. No one is taken to task. It is all one big mistake. I will not be looking here for any response and assume all this will be erased to ignore the problem.
DeleteNothing will be deleted. I only delete if someone posts something inappropriate or a hate rant (have had a couple of those over the years).
DeleteShe apologized from the bottom of her heart. Not sure what else she could say.
I am not defending a pedophile or some sexual assaulter (side note, God I hope they don't elect Roy Moore). I know Colleen personally so my defense of her came from my heart too. She simply made a statement not directed at anyone or making fun of someone. Just more advice from a counterpoint. Don't make it raised to be mindful of people that might have to step up or have a bit too much to drink, or make it like you want and just be sure people are reminded to step up.
Heck, our stairs up to the porch are 5 big steps. One of our dear friends has knee issues and we have to help her up the stairs one at a time. Others who are fine (no health issues) and ask why we have 5 steps. Because the house is high up, it is what it is
So yes, we could go like this pic and just tell people to be careful. Or we could figure out something lower or maybe have an entrance of some sort.
We'll figure it out and that's why we post these things, to hear different viewpoints and get ideas. Why to do it one way or why to do it another way. In the end, we'll figure out what works best.
We appreciate you and Colleen. Want to see everyone get along.
I apologize. I certainly did not mean to offend anyone.
ReplyDeleteFrom the bottom of my heart I am truly sorry
Thank you Colleen, apology accepted. We know you are only meaning good, you are valuable and we appreciate you and Parsimony and everyone else!
DeletePeace, love and good food!! :-)
No offense taken here. I didn't mean to sound like I drank until I couldn't walk straight, haha. It's just that outdoors after dark, relaxed from a drink or two around the fire, it would be easy to forget about the step and fall. Even without having a drink a person could forget about the step. It just seems prudent to avoid that possible "pitfall". (see what I did there?)
DeleteGinger, thank you. I understood and I think everyone did. You brought up a valid point we never thought about (and we enjoy a glass or three of wine on occasion, ha).
DeletePitfall...we see what you did there, LOL!
My goodness, this was so much drama. I didn't take anything colleen said as a direct afront to anyone. Miss Parsimony, sending my love to you, my Mom is 100% disabled and I understand how it is to deal with day to day issues everywhere. But I don't think Colleen was being mean. As first man said just telling them to make it like the picture and tell people to be pick up their feet. People always seem to be telling my Mom to watch where she is walking when in potentially dangerous spots.
ReplyDeletePEACE TO EVERYONE! This world is too crazy right now (and I'll apologize in advance for bringing up politics but yeah, I hope Moore loses, what a gross man) and I need my farm time with all of you.
Janie V
This is my DREAM outdoor sitting/fire pit area. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, you posted above, for some reason it won't let me reply to you directly. We don't have our fire pit yet. There is another post here somewhere about when we bought the ring but with an impending remodel of the house, we have delayed the fire pit area until we can see where doors and such will be on the house so we can make sure it's in the right area. this picture by the way came from Pinterest and there was no original reference to where it came from. These look to be one piece railed ties and from what we found they either come in 8'6" sections or 12' sections. I would guess this is the 12' size looking at the chairs and spacing.
ReplyDelete