Amber Gramps

Some of you have seen the pictures Matt and I have rubbed in each others faces over the last year. Well, this is just the latest. You have seen the palms in the background when I have taken shots of the car, but have you seen the inside of the courtyard? My private little spot that daycare can not go. this is a quick glimps into my world, my oasis. I built the porch (yes I lifted the 4x12x20 beam with the help of just one guy), did the cement myself, set every block and spread all the plaster, welded every part of the fence from 20 foot rods I purchased at a local steel yard, I did the redwood deck in one day, and purchased the 80+ palms at The Home Depot over the last several years. Yes, I even installed the front door myself. the yard was just dead grass when we moved in. Oh, the upstairs is getting 10 new sheets of plywood. don't tell anyone.....
EDIT: 8 sheet of plywood, 35 2x8x16's and a lot of nails and screws.

lfe132

very nice place Doug.

JV911

nice place Douggie

old man neri

Very nice. It must be wonderful to relax there.

-matt

dshepp806

I could see me drinkin' heavily within those confines.....like the plants.

Best,

rnln

nice home Doug. Can we come out for a coffee once in a while?

gregg911

That patio's got Scotch and cigars written all over it!

Nice job!

WitchDoctor

Douglas, My God!

If I take pix of my so-called "patio" area, would you, could sketch me out a plan?

I'm just stunned.

Well, anyone will tell you I'm stunned on my best days, but I mean...you know what i mean.

Peter Zimmermann

One sweet oasis, me thinks!

Ed Hughes

+1......or Rum and Cigars, Cuban of course.

I still say you need some insecticide...

Ed Hughes

Everyone needs their own oasis....mine just doesn't have any plants.

Amber Gramps

OK guys, my little courtyard was going to house my koi fish that went to live with my brother's koi about 6 years ago. the area that is redwood deck was for a very short time a 14' x 8' pond. When the state said no way to a large licence for the daycare and the city said we couldn't have a pool in the front yard I busted out one side of the block wall and put in the deck. It has really worked out well, as the koi are all now 10 year old monsters some of them are butterfly and close to 36" long and too heavy to lift. I had a locked gate that you had to enter, but I like it better like this. It is much more inviting.

I would love to throw a party here. at night we turn on the lights and it is a scean right out of a Carribean paradise. I have auto sprinklers and a low preshure mist system that is the key. All I really nead is jungle music and a water and I'll be done. I have 16 or so sego's and as many kings that are very slow to grow. My favorite is the swiss cheese that has to be cut back often. the pigmy date palms are also nice to have. Now that the car is paid off I think construction will resume. Thanks guys for the compliments. I keep sayin' we should get togeather for steak.

WitchDoctor

Guys,

You know, aviators have their "fly-ins", is it too ambitious to consider a "drive-in" where a bunch of us make the pilgrimage to some pilgrimage-worthy "club" members...patio (e.g., Doug), or garage (e.g., Ed or Pete).

Amber Gramps

Holy crap Ed, I'd have moved to California too if I had that to come home to.



Ed, what's the insecticide for?

Ed Hughes

I don't think it's too ambitious at all. We could maybe meet for a drive, and then end up at someone's house; or just start the house party earlier with no drive. I'm hoping to have a race-related garage party this year...maybe Petit Le Mans October 4th.

Thanks Doug.

It's for your "Swiss Cheese Plants"