The pergola/patio project

This June, we undertook a project that ended up being bigger than I imagined and more time consuming that I would have liked. However, the end result just may be worth it. Jeremy, with the help of many family members built a pergola. We also poured and stamped concrete and poured a new patch of concrete to connect the old patio to the new patio/pergola area. We really like it, and I'd say it was probably worth all the days/nights of being a single momma.

Many long working nights of Jeremy working outside, often not coming in for supper until 9:30, threw off our normal routine. I seriously could never be married to a farmer.

We started first with anchoring the posts for the pergola. Then, we poured the colored concrete and stamped it (that was a big all day work-day). After that, we poured the remaining concrete and then the pergola could be built. We started on June 3rd and entertained with an (almost) finished outdoor entertaining area on Father's Day.

June 3, all set to pour concrete

the before picture

June 4, a minor catastrophe this day as the company didn't send enough colored concrete. So
Jeremy and his brother had to run to Menards and get more regular concrete and hide it underneath the colored to make it even.

My Uncle Randy smoothing out the concrete. We asked him to help us with this project
after he impressed us at our old house when we poured a patio there five years ago.

mixing up the concrete they had to buy at Menards 

stamping the concrete. it looks purple here. It's not. Note the grassy area between the old patio and the new.
in the next picture, it's filled in.
I  didn't take any pictures of that pouring. 

June 11, building the pergola

my handyman

the girls thought they'd use the boards for mini balance beams. 

June 12. We need furniture. This is a better picture of the added curved concrete. 

another angle, June 12

June 14, Furniture, check!
Almost done. Just need the cross beams.

Done!

up close of the stamped concrete. I love it!

We put in new plants

view from the back.  now all we need are some vines, hanging ferns and the chandelier hung and it will be "done"

Sarah