Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Tuesday Treasures #16 - Harvest Post and New Deck

While I prepare for my big move, I'm reflecting back on old posts on this blog.  I've scheduled one a week as I take a hiatus from blogging.
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This one first published in May 2012 received the second highest page views, though considerably lower than Ribbon Angels.


Here it is to read again with some edits.

Harvest Post and New Deck
(May 2012)

The snow peas are blooming so I'm so looking forward to picking those hopefully by week's end.  Check back at next Monday's harvest post to see if my prediction was correct.



As to this past week the harvests have been of salad greens (mesclun and freckled romaine), spinach and Chinese greens both baby bok choy and tatsoi.  The former is now done in fact the last harvest included the beginnings of flowers but we ate them any way steamed.  The latter is still going great and we enjoyed it twice in soup this past week.

 last of the baby bok choy
 tatsoi
 Sarah made Chinese pork dumplings
 Soup with leftover porkfilling that we poured over tatsoi below.


The other big news is our new deck.   Here are two before photos.

  
 I had to find a new spot for the grill away from the house so in thinking this through I came up with the idea of a stand alone deck that will also serve the purpose for gathering around a fire.  It's placed overlooking the pond aka raingarden.We haven't purchased the firepit and protective mat yet but we do have the benches that will sit on there.  One is on the deck already because it was by the pond.  The other three are on the other side of the house around a fire ring we never use.  The new location for fire will be more easily accessible and water is close by too.  Our deck builder took two days to get to this point.  He has to return to finish screwing down the composite decking, do some sanding of edges, and something else which I can't remember.  I will need to stain the pressure treated lumber edging to match the decking and of course landscape around it.

 View from the porch to the new deck.
 The surface is composite board.

I had to move some plants to make room for the deck but he worked around the ones I didn't want to have to move like a huge Siberian iris, a birch sapling from Arbor Day, and creeping phlox.

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Footnote:  Here is how that spot looked in 2015.  Now in 2016 after the auction the deck is bare.  Grill was purchased by neighbor at auction.  One bench went home with one daughter.  Other three purchased with fire pit at auction.



14 comments:

Jenny Rottinger said...

Nice deck! Hope you'll enjoy good bbq on it :)

Debbie said...

I love the harvest of greens...wish it would warm a bit more so mine would grow better.

Emily said...

The deck looks great!

wilderness said...

Marcia love the deck. I also like the simple bench. I have one and I use it to put pots of flowers on in the summer. Word of caution. I think you are suppose to allow treated lumber to age for at least a year before you put any time of finish on it.

wilderness said...

Not sure what happened but hope this doesn't publish twice. Love the deck and you will enjoy your fire pit. I have one on my main upper deck. I too have the simple bench but I use it for potted flowers in the summer. Word of caution, it is my understanding that you should let treated lumber age for at least a year before you put any finish on it.

Patricia Burroughs aka Pooks said...

I was lusting over your dumplings, and then saw your deck! You must love to be out there!

http://planetpooks.com/?p=4637

Marcia said...

It's brand new so haven't had the chance to use it it yet but soon will.

Marcia said...

I've got moderation on so I can approve the comments before they post.

Patricia said...

Looks like a little piece of heaven!

Mary Hysong said...

Very nice looking deck, how fun. Great looking harvests this week, that soup looks really yummy!

Tanya Breese said...

what a great garden you have! i love bok choy in my stir fry's!

Unknown said...

Wow you did a great job. Nothing like outdoor living when the weather turns good. Enjoy

Tom said...

I would have a hard time leaving all these treasures. I'm hoping that this new chapter in your life is also filled with many treasures. My best to you Marcia. Stop by with all the treasures from your upcoming trip.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

I know you're moving, but what a beautiful house and yard you had! And I like that stand alone deck idea, for the grill.