Fence!

We haven't done much work on the yard, but I've been dying for a privacy fence.  We decided first priority was this back fence since it had huge gaps and the neighbor behind us has a (well behaved) dog.  The little ones could easily get themselves into trouble popping through there.  We had 7 different fence styles in our yard.  You can see how ugly it was.  

So we talked to our neighbors - who we really like, I'm sad we can't talk over the fence as easily now - and they said they would split costs with us.  So we ripped that old fence down.  It looked better immediately and it was nice to pretend all those raised beds were part of our yard :)

This was a 10 time to the store project.  I hate that.  It was really difficult to retrofit everything, especially to the pipes set in concrete on the retaining wall.  That area didn't turn out as plumb, but it was our only option.  We also filled in all the gaps at the bottom from the slope with pressure treated lumber.  We got most of our supplies at Parr Lumber and I am in love with that place.  Most of their prices were better than or competitive with the box stores, but the quality on the lumber was much, much better and their customer service is excellent.  We're going to pick up some cedar for raised beds in a few days, they only carry it this time of year and it's crazy how much less it is than everywhere else we looked!

Clearly the work of the person who lived here before us.  He's left us all sorts of surprises.  I thought Aaron was going to put out his back getting that one out.

So nice!  75 feet of beautiful cedar!

Aaron is off camping this weekend, so I decided to surprise him by staining it before he got home.  You can see the difference below.  We wanted something to protect the color, but not alter it.  I used Sherwin Williams Woodscapes, untinted in Semi Transparent.

I love it!  Now we need one facing the street (too many chickens!!) and along the lower end of our property and I'll finally stop feeling like I'm being watched all the time.