And what excellent work Dick has done! Dick has completed laying stone on the back and front patio and walkways. It was an arduous project in 90 degree heat, hauling heavy rock slabs from the back yard, and he did an amazing job. I love the handy work and how close the stones are laid next to each other making the grout lines very narrow. It took hours of finding and cutting the right stone to fit into the right space. Not to mention the accent on the vertical face of the front door step. Dick has never done any stone work such as this before and it shows what natural talent he has. Not to mention what a fast learner he is!! I don’t think I would have gotten a professional to do the work as precisely and with such good care. I feel blessed.

Here are some before and after shots of the back patio. It is amazing what natural stonework does to the atmosphere of the place. Before the project when it was just ugly old concrete, we never really sat on the back patio.  It felt dirty and uncomfortable. Since it’s completion we spend almost every evening out there with a glass of  iced tea or some wine, watching the sunset. It is a truly beautiful and peaceful space now. Thank you Dick for a job extremely well done!

Here’s the dingy before picture of the back patio. Nobody wanted to hang out here.The after shot. Ahh – just relaxing and beautiful.
Please excuse the yard junk lying around. We still have to move the wood pile and clean up the far side and put the grill back where it belongs. 😕