Decks & Steps Re-Freshed

We took advantage of the amazing weather over the weekend....and completed re-staining the decks and two sets of steps!  Nothing better than being outside in the fresh air and sun....our favourite place!  

Some areas could be stained using rollers...others required a paint brush....but everything was able to receive two coats....the back stairs before & after....snow & ice and snow shovels are hard on them...

Pretty beaten up....and one piece of decking needed replacement.  Just to note....the small deck was built (by Mr. Seventies) in August 1994!  And in all that time....only one piece of floor decking has required replacement!

The steps needed to be replaced a couple of years ago...and a dog ramp was removed at the same time.  When we had three dachshunds...the ramps were imperative...not to mention made it much easier to herd them outside.  Now with only Liesel...we kept the ramp from the pool deck to the back yard...but carry her down these steps.   You can see the new piece of decking in this photo....

Looking much nicer now.....

The small deck after one coat...I forgot to take a before photo...(maple buds thankfully fell after the deck had dried)....

And now that it's finished...if the weather co-operates we will set our deck furniture & rug out next weekend....

The ped way that leads over to the pool....another area that suffers winter's wrath....

And all fresh and ready for another summer....

A section of the pool deck...required three decking boards replaced...it takes a lot of punishment during the winter... snow lays on it for a few months.  I won't share the majority of the pool deck...as no one needs to see a green, icky pool!  

We haven't opened the pool yet...a few hot days doesn't warrant getting it ready...as in previous years...we usually get a cool down and rain...which is about to happen this week....

Another area of the pool deck....where the grill sits....

The back steps leading off the pool deck into the back yard before....(Mr. Seventies has four rows of potatoes planted)...these steps take snow and shovel abuse as well....

Nothing a couple of coats of stain cannot remedy....

And an overshot of the small deck connecting to the pool deck....

And the maple tree in the front yard chose this weekend to share it's buds everywhere!  But everything was dry...and if you can see on the thermometer it really was 29 degrees Celsius!  We were out early though and worked when it was cooler...

And it between coats....Mr. Seventies had five yards of soil delivered...to top up the gardens...and he plans to do some work in the area of where the new fire pit will sit.  It needs new soil & grass seed....he loves working outside....his happy place!

We also made time to visit a green house located in the centre of the city!  The beautiful weather and long weekend meant people were out in droves....picking up plants and garden supplies!  Mr. Seventies didn't do too bad...we left with only four new perennials and a new garden flag....

Lots of flowers blooming in our gardens...and the trees are leafing out!  I've picked a couple of bouquets of beautiful tulips....we have such a variety of shapes and colours....

I'm going to check out the outdoor rug selection...I've seen a couple of places have them on sale this week and we could use a new one.  It will depend on the colours available.  I also need a wreath to hang one the house near the back door.

It was a very busy & productive weekend.  Thanks so much for spending time with me...I'll be sharing over at Between Naps on the Porch for  Metamorphosis Monday and A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday for Inspire Me Tuesday.  Make sure you drop over and check out both blogs....