We’ve all seen the shows.  You know, the home improvement ones where a homeowner is stuck with a mundane, dysfunctional yard and over the course of a half-hour it is transformed into a gorgeous private paradise.  Often at a stated cost that makes you think, “I could have that!?”  It makes for some very entertaining television.  

But unfortunately those television transformations are often about as realistic as an episode of “24”, where Jack Bauer zips all over LA in Southern California traffic to thwart several various terrorist attacks, all in a one-hour “real time” episode.  Heck, having lived in California for a time I can attest to the fact that a true “real time” one hour episode would consist solely of sitting in traffic for an hour on the 405. 

Realism and entertainment are typically very different traits.

The producers of these home improvement and landscaping shows know what they’re doing.  They do make some entertaining shows.  I too have been sucked in to watch these yard transformations take place.  Of course by the end of the half-hour I often find myself screaming at the TV with a critical eye.

The problem?  Where do I begin.

First of all, these shows often focus solely on the aesthetic appeal of the yard, and not the real nuts and bolts that really make a yard work.  I’m talking about grading, drainage, excavating, foundations, and using materials that will last in the harshest of elements.  No, this stuff isn’t always pretty.  Typically in fact you don’t even see it in the final installation.  But it’s important.  Really important.  Without these things that gorgeous yard they just installed won’t last more than a season or two.  Or worse yet, it could result in damage to the house itself.

Costs.  I was watching one show and they installed a new flagstone veneer over top of an existing concrete patio.  Certainly nothing that can’t be done, albeit with a bit of necessary research and examination before beginning, which of course wasn’t addressed on the show.  The kicker was when they said they did entire installation for less than $800.  Just to compare to real pricing, flagstone currently runs about $6.50/square foot and up.  That means you could purchase about 125 square feet of stone for the stated $800, not even counting the costs for adhesive or mortar, let alone labor.  That measures up to about a 10 x 12 patio.  Yes, that may be a somewhat useable space for a small urban garden, but most suburban clients I work with want something at least 200 square feet and up.  You’re not getting that for $800.  Trust me.

Of course these shows are often are in bed with manufacturers, so of course they’re going to try and sell you on the ease of installation and the affordable costs.  In a way, it’s basically a half-hour commercial for various products.  Do you believe every commercial you see?  I hope not, so why believe everything you see on these shows.

Permits.  Every now and then, these shows will include a brief disclaimer that you should “check your local codes” before beginning.  That is sound advice, although it’s usually not included on most shows.  The truth is that building codes and local ordinances often vary considerably from one area to the next.  And some of the techniques I’ve seen on TV wouldn’t be allowed in some communities, at least not without a fair amount of additional work that isn’t mentioned.  And those permits cost money (believe me, everybody wants their piece of the pie).  Nobody wants to go through the hassle and costs of a big project only to have the local town make you tear it out.

Timing.  This one cracks me up.  Joe Homeowner invites his buddies over for a hard day’s work building a new deck.  At the end of the episode, Joe and his buddies are enjoying a backyard barbeque on the brand new deck.  Seriously?  You’re telling me that a couple of guys dug the holes for the footings, installed the concrete piers (using some magically curing one-hour concrete?), built all the framing and finished the decking and railings in a single day.  And they were able to secure the necessary building code inspections during the process.  I’m all for encouraging DIY projects, it’s a great experience, but don’t set yourself up for false expectations.  A new deck takes at least a week’s worth of work for an experienced crew working fulltime.  With the weekend warrior approach you’re probably looking at more like a month or two start to finish.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying to change your TV viewing habits.  Inspiration and ideas come from all sorts of sources, TV shows being one.  But its important to remember that these shows are made for entertainment purposes, and to keep the sponsors happy.  If you’re expecting that brand new patio, terraced hillside, retaining walls and steps to be completed in a few days’ time for a ridiculously low sum of money you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

It’s almost that time of year when we should be outside enjoying the yard anyway.  Put the remote control down and get out and enjoy!

As an artist who works with the earth as his medium, I obviously have a vested interest in environmental issues.  So it really grates on my nerves when people or companies use the term “green-friendly” or “environmentally friendly” strictly as a marketing gimmick.

A prime example of this is the “paperless” option that many billing companies offer.  Lets be honest.  Are they really offering this service because they care about the environment?  My hunch is their main motive for offering this option is to save mailing costs, not really to combat resource management or global climate change.

Look, I’m all for efficiency.  If it’s easier to manage your bills and statements from your computer than from your checkbook then go for it.  But when these companies attempt to make you feel guilty for preferring paper statements, or try to paint themselves as stewards of the environment, then their motives are somewhat deceptive. 

The fact of the matter is that paper is one of the more renewable products out there.  Most paper manufacturers these days use a combination of sustainable growth forests or recycled paper stock as their main resource.  And if paper recycling is done properly, nearly all of the material that goes into the paper can be reused again and again and again.  That’s about as efficient as it gets.

And that “green alternative” computer?  First of all, it runs on electricity, which more often than not is created by burning coal, one of the more environmentally un-friendly fuels out there.  And the computer itself contains significant portions of lead, mercury, chromium and cadmium, all of which have proven to have a significant negative impact on the environment, both in the harvesting of these resources and the disposal.

Another “enviro” gimmick that is commonly being used these days is the proliferation of those re-useable shopping bags.  Yes, they do replace the plastic bags which undoubtedly is a good thing.  Those cheapy plastic bags are about as bad as it gets, from the fossil fuels used to create them to the omni-present littering and the clogging of our streams and rivers.

If the re-useable enviro bags are made from hemp or cotton, then great.  It’s a win-win – a renewable harmless re-useable recyclable bag to replace the plastic trash.  But lately I’ve seen a fair amount of those re-useable bags made from poly-blends.  And they’re typically not made well, a few uses and they can start ripping and falling apart, right to the trash.  If the companies that distribute these bags were really concerned about the environment they would be made out of heavier, recyclable, natural materials like cotton or hemp, built to last and be re-used for years.  But they’re made cheaply out of inexpensive materials, which leads me to believe that these companies are more concerned about the appearance of being green, then actually being earth-friendly.

If you look around, you’ll see a number of campaigns that are being sold to the public in the name of the environment.  Natural gas fuels to eliminate the need of oil.  Electric cars to eliminate the need of fossil fuels.  Computers vs. paper.  Shopping bags.  Plastic water bottles.  The list goes on.

I’m not saying I have the answers.  Nor am I saying that all or even some of the aforementioned trends are all bad.  After all, I am typing this post on an electronic-powered computer that you’re most likely reading on a monitor that could contain as much as four pounds of lead.  What I am trying to say is that it’s important we take a close look at all of the decisions we make.  The companies that are selling us on a lot of these “green” trends all have a vested interest in making money.  It’s important that we make educated decisions with the earth’s best interests in mind, not the manufacturers.

Just my two cents worth …

So you want to build a fence, eh?  There are thousands of reasons why people shop for new fencing.  Maybe your family just adopted a new pet.  Perhaps the new next-door neighbors aren’t exactly what you were hoping for.  Or maybe you’ve absolutely had it with the local deer population eating your prized hydrangeas.  Whatever the reason, it’s a big investment, and one that you shouldn’t just rush into.

For a few reasons.  A quality well-built fence will be part of your landscape for years to come.  It’s an opportunity to provide not just function to your yard, but form as well.  After all, you will be looking at it every time you open the door.  So before you begin seeking estimates, its important that you consider a few factors and plan accordingly.

Begin by identifying just what you want the fence to accomplish.  Whether its keeping animals in or out, adding privacy to a yard, or simply defining property lines, it’s important that you are clear as to what you want the fence to accomplish.  Once you identify the desired function of the fence, you can begin to think about the form -- factors such as the height of the fence, an “open” design with gaps vs. a “solid” design, location and overall appearance.

This planning phase is also a good opportunity to evaluate other effects that you may not have thought of.  This is your chance to think about if and where you may want gates included, whether you’ll need a wider access point for landscaping equipment or trailers, whether there are other parts of the yard that you may want to isolate or screen off, and what negative impacts your new fence may have on the overall feel for the neighborhood.

Check your local ordinances.  Nearly every township and borough has a different set of regulations concerning fence construction.  Just because your co-worker was able to build a certain fence at his or her house doesn’t necessarily mean it will be allowed in your town.  In my home county of Delaware County, PA, there are nearly 50 local municipalities, each with a different set of ordinances.  Some ordinances are rather lenient, others not so much.  Specific things that you may want to ask about include the need for permits (and the associated permit fees), the need for an official property survey, height regulations, location restrictions in proximity to the street or property boundaries, and “open” vs. “solid” allowances are just a few of the more common ordinances.  And if you have a swimming pool on the property those codes (and insurance requirements) can get even more involved.  Before you even begin getting estimates, make sure your desired fence is in compliance with the local codes.  Otherwise you may just be wasting your time and money.

Additionally, I always recommend letting your neighbors know of your intended plans.  Some local municipalities actually require that you submit letters of approval from your neighbors in conjunction with permit applications.  Even if they don’t, it’s always the neighborly thing to do.  Many times you may find that once you address your ideas with your neighbors that they may even want to chip in with the cost.

Give some thought to the materials.  Again local ordinances may regulate what materials may or may not be allowed.  Wood, vinyl, iron, aluminum, chain link, wire mesh – there’s a myriad of available options.  All of which will have an impact on cost, aesthetics, maintenance, and longevity.

And give some thought to whether you want a permanent fence built to last, or whether you may want to take the fence down in a few years once the kids are grown and the new puppy has mellowed out a bit.  There are a number of inexpensive fencing options out there that may look nice and perform your desired function, but they may not be designed to last for more than a few years.

Shop around, but don’t feel limited to what you see on showroom floors or big box stores.  Our favorite fencing projects are always the ones where we can be a bit creative and custom construct a unique fence that doesn’t look like every other one in the neighborhood.  Custom construction also allows for unique site conditions such as slopes, trees and root mass.

And like any home improvement project, it’s always a good idea to make sure your contractor is licensed and insured, and check their references.  And be specific to make sure your contractor is tuned in to the local ordinances.  Many of the larger fence installers who service a broad area may not be aware of the specific codes in your small town.

If you have any questions regarding your desired fencing project or would like to discuss a custom design, please feel free to contact us at clark@clarkkentcreations.com.  Hope to hear from you!

When we lived in California, my wife and I used to joke about how boring the weather was.  “84 degrees and crystal blue sky AGAIN!?”  It was enough to drive us nuts.  Or so we thought.

Having been back on the east coast now for more than six years, we’ve since come to realize that we had it pretty good out there.  The winters of 2010 and 2011 alone were enough to make anyone long for continuously warm and sunny weather.

This winter so far has thankfully been a mild one.  But it’s still winter.  Colder temperatures, gray skies, short days and long dark nights.  And a question I am asked continuously is just what I do during the winter months.

Just to set the record straight, no matter how mild the winter is I typically hold off on doing any landscape construction during January and February.  Fair weather can turn nasty in an unexpected heartbeat.  The last thing anyone wants, contractor or client, is to have a project underway only to come to an unexpected standstill once that snowstorm hits.  And even if the weather doesn’t turn, shorter working hours mean longer project durations, meaning added inconvenience to the client.  Working conditions can be compromised eliminating the necessary passion for a successful project.  The ground can be frozen or heaved.  Or excessively muddy.  Necessary hose outlets are often turned off from inside.  Material supplies may be limited.  There’s just too many risk factors that can add up.  Plus a little R&R is always good for the mind, body and soul.

And yes, the lack of significant income during these months can be a nuisance, to put it mildly.  That part certainly requires a bit of budgeting and planning on the contractor’s part.

Over the course of the year, I keep a running list, or running pile, or more accurately a running pile of lists of things that I just don’t have time to address when things are kicking.  Updating web listings, updating contacts, filing, budgeting, website revisions, marketing plans, advertising copy and layout, bookkeeping, and office clean-up to name just a few.  Winter is my time to knock these things out.

This year one of the big things to do on my list is clean up my garage.  I’m not necessarily talking about the fleet of bicycles and the canoe, although I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t part of the intended clean-up.  But as a small business owner, my garage has become my shop.  And that shop tends to collect all the things that are leftover from each and every project.  So as of now, my garage looks like my truck dumped a year’s worth of supplies all over.  20 leftover pavers from that job, 15 fence pickets from this job, a continuously morphing pallet of leftover flagstones of every shape and size imaginable, lumber, lumber, and more lumber, mortar bags, concrete bags, adhesive and glues, concrete form tubes, screws and nails, hardware of every conceivable type -- just to name a few of the things cluttering the garage right now.  And even though I make a strong effort to keep my tools organized, it’s somewhat inevitable that things can get put back hastily during the rush of the season.  All of that needs to get cleaned up and organized.  And that’s only going to happen during the winter.

And there’s also the trade shows and classes.  In our industry most of our shows correspond with the slow time of year.  January and February are the time to get up to speed on new products, new trends, revised pricing, and new suppliers.  It’s never too late to learn a couple of new skills that we can roll into our services, so I usually take at least a few seminars and classes to continuously build up the skillset.

Networking.  Over the course of my travels throughout the year I always meet a wide range of interesting people.  And we always say how nice it would be to be able to get together and get to know one another better.  And then we have to get back to our crazy schedules.  January and February provide the time for us to finally have coffee or do lunch.  These meetings can help the business grow.

Once upon a time I heard a rumor that I have a family.  While these rumors often cannot be verified outside of a summer vacation or a few long weekends over the course of the year, the winter is time for me to spend with the family.  I spend a longer time with them in the morning before school, play family games in the evening, watch movies together, go to museums, and in general just get to know them better.  Turns out they’re pretty cool people!

Household projects.  My wife could probably shed light on this one better than me, but she keeps a running list, or running pile, or more accurately running piles of lists of all the household chores she wants me to get to.  There’s hanging the punching bag the kids got for Christmas in the basement, fixing the treadmill, fixing the dining room light fixture, installing a programmable thermostat, and, well I’ll need to go downstairs and check the list.  I regret to say (and inform my wife particularly) that very few of these projects have yet to happen.  Rest assured though, she’ll stay on me about them.

And remember that little money issue I mentioned earlier.  Well even though I may take off from most income-producing activities during the winter, I’ve discovered that mortgage companies do not.  Nor do utility companies, auto loan companies, etc.  So I do have to make a little bit of money.  So I also undertake a few handyman-type projects for various clients.  Interior trim installation, hanging drywall, and building a bookshelf are a few of the projects I’ve been keeping myself busy with this year.

And before I know it, spring is rapidly approaching and its time to get busy with client meetings, estimate preparation and inevitably the kickoff of the season.

So that “winter off” theory that on the surface sounds so enviable isn’t all that.  Do I wish I was lounging on the beaches of St Maarten or soaking up the sun in Key West?  Absolutely!  But don’t we all this time of year.  I may however still try to squeeze in cashing in on those massage gift certificates I got for Christmas.  Wish me luck.

Just to be clear, I’m not really a tradeshow guy.  Every time I hear the word “tradeshow” all I can think of are traveling salesmen, hotel bars, hollow schmoozing, and bad food.  I’m glad I don’t have to go to many of them.

But I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t any value in them.  It’s a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues, earn some continuing education cred, learn about new products and technologies, and discover new vendors.  So I usually try to hit up one or two each off-season.

Every tradeshow is a bit different.  The Mid Atlantic Hardscaping Trade Show (or MAHTS – we like to sound like we’re too important or busy to say the whole name) is light on the vendors but heavy on the classroom seminars.  On the other end of the spectrum is the Mid Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (you guessed it – MANTS), which I attended last week at the Baltimore Convention Center.

While MANTS offered no classroom seminars, the sheer magnitude of the numbers of vendors was amazing – nearly 3000!  The above picture does no justice to the incredible expanse of the show floor.  It just kept going and going and going.  Impressive it was.

And for this week’s blog post, I’d like to offer a number of random musings regarding the show.

First, the name is somewhat of a misnomer.  Let’s start with Mid-Atlantic.  While its true there were a number of vendors from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, there were also vendors from as far away as Florida, Texas, a surprising number from Tennessee, and Oregon.  Last time I checked there was nothing “Mid” nor “Atlantic” about Oregon.

And the term “Nursery”?  One would think that the show was limited to growers or distributors of plant material.  And yes, there were a large number of horticulture-based vendors present.  But there were also vendors who specialize in stone, equipment, tools, yard ornaments, ceramics, irrigation, soils, fertilizers, landscape lighting, pond supplies – you get the drift, it wasn’t just limited to nursery stock.

I also learned that the name Baltimore must be derived from the gaelic term for “you’re supposed to know where you’re going.”  Sure I got to the convention center no problem, but once I arrived there was very little signage as to where to park.  I had to drive around the surrounding blocks at least five or six times before finally finding a lot about a half-mile from the convention center.  A little signage would have been nice.  Especially since my morning coffee was REALLY catching up with me by this point.

Another thing to know about these tradeshows is that the vendors like to have plenty of give-aways to attract visitors to their booths at the show.  By far the most popular giveaway is pens.  I collected about 50-some odd pens last week alone, I stopped picking them up after a while because I was quite confident our junk drawer at home would be adequately stocked for the next year or two.

The best give-away last week?  By far the wooden pocket knives distributed by the ColorBlends Nursery.  I would’ve actually paid a few bucks for that one.  Other giveaways included those re-useable “enviro” bags that seem to be all the rage these days, hats, rubber bracelets, coasters, and keychains.  The strangest give-away? – the plastic combs distributed by some nursery from outside of Lancaster.  Combs?  I’m not even sure what to say about that one.

Vendors also like to hand out edibles, mostly hard candies and mints.  Apparently they must be concerned about our breath (Between the combs and the breathmints, maybe they're trying to tell us landscaper-types something about our personal hygiene).  The mini Snickers distributed by some vendors were a nice touch too.  But I owe a special thanks to Hopewell Nursery in Bridgeton, NJ.  I’ve never bought anything from you, but your prosciutto/olive/cheese/artichoke spread saved me from having to spend 10 bucks on a bad lunch from the food court.  Congrats, you win best of show, at least in my book.

The display booths the vendors occupy range from simple fold-up displays designed to travel easily with the traveling sales reps to elaborate sets that rival Broadway show sets.  The most impressive display items last week included the 35’ Red Maple tree (among a wide assortment of other plants) as the center piece of the Moon Nurseries display, and the Dakota Industries tree transplanter spade.  If you’ve never seen one of these they’re amazing – basically a huge four-pronged shovel designed to dig and transplant mature established trees with rootballs as big as 12’ in diameter and 11,000 pounds.  How the vendors got these large items set up as part of their displays must have been fun to watch.

The coolest new product I saw?  That would have to be the natural bluestone pavers from Diaz Stone and Pallet.  These are basically your typical paver stone used in a dryset application, but made from real natural bluestone as opposed to the typical high density concrete.  All cut to exact specifications in 6x6 and 6x9 sizes, 2” thick.  And the price was surprisingly competitive compared to typical paver stone products.  I would love a chance to lay a patio or walkway using these pavers, if you’re interested just let me know.

And the most unnecessary display at the show?  That would be the Jimmy Buffett cover band as part of the Belgard Paver display, or “Belgard-ita-ville”, as they dubbed themselves.  Somebody in their marketing department thought they were being really clever with that one.  It would’ve been nice if they had actually transported me to Key West and fed me with an endless source of boat drinks, but they didn’t, and the band was just annoying.  And that’s coming from me, who typically enjoys any opportunity to hear some live music.

So that was my day at MANTS.  $15 for admission, $23 for parking, $21 for tolls, and 198 miles driven (including the multiple laps around the block looking for parking).  Now it’s time to start prepping for the ’12 season.

In our house we’re really big Phillies fans.  We follow them all year long, watch nearly every game all season, deck ourselves out in Phillies hats, shirts, jackets, backpacks, towels and apparel, and try to get to at least a few games a year.  Heck, some of my younger son’s first words were “Chay Ut-eey”, which apparently is 18-mo-old speak for Phillies All-Star second baseman Chase Utley.

We’re such big Phillies fans in fact, that my now four-year-old son refers to any baseball game regardless of who is playing as “The Phillies”.  I have to point out that no, these teams aren’t all the Phils.  Those navy pinstripes belong to some other team from New York, those red hats with the little bird on the bat are from St Louis, and the “LA” on those blue hats stands for Los Angeles, not Larry Andersen.

It’s very cute and endearing in a little kid sort of way.  But when adults use the wrong words and terminology, not only is it not so cute, it can lead to all sorts of confusion.  It’s important that we know what we’re talking about.

So I want to spend a minute or two this week clearing the record on some basic terms, specifically “flagstone”.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve gotten calls from new prospects asking me to install a new “slate patio”.  With a few specific exceptions, a “slate” patio is not what they’re looking for.

What clients typically mean to say is “flagstone” patio.  And that’s where the confusion begins.  Not to mention the fact that the misuse of the term “slate” is a nails-on-the-blackboard major pet peeve of mine.  So without further build-up, here’s a brief run-down on terminology.

“Flagstone” is the umbrella term for any flat stone that can be set in a flatwork or horizontal application.  Nearly any patio or walkway using a natural stone material consists of flagstone.  There are endless amounts of different types of flagstone, including slate.  But for a variety of reasons which I won’t go into on this post, I generally wouldn’t recommend slate.

Here in Southeastern PA, or nearly anywhere else on the east coast, the majority of flagstones we use are PA graystone or bluestone.  This is a very dense, durable, sedimentary sandstone that comes mostly from the Scranton area of PA, parts of upstate New York and Connecticut.  For most of my flagstone projects this is the default flagstone that I use due to its durability and affordability.  Three out of four times when the customer says “slate”, this is what they mean.

But flagstone is not limited to just PA graystone.  I could go on and on with various types of stone, but there is limestone, quartzite, mica schist, granite, and yes slate.  And much, much more.  And selections vary depending on what part of the country you come from.  But no matter what geologic type of stone it is, no matter what the size and/or shape of the stones are, if it’s flat, and you’re building a patio or walkway, then it’s flagstone.

Just like “Baseball” is the general term and the “Phillies” are a specific baseball team, “Flagstone” is a general term and “Slate” is specific type of flagstone.

So there you have it.  When you call to inquire about my services and that new patio or walkway you’ve been thinking about, be sure to ask for a “flagstone” material, not slate.  I’ll be happy to go in to much more detail on the various types of flagstone when we meet, let you know what type of stone would best complement your existing house and landscaping features, and what the costs are for various types of stone.  And who knows, maybe “slate” is what you’re looking for, but lets at least keep our options open.

And if its summer, and I don’t answer the phone, it’s probably because I’m busy watching the Phils with the kids.  Now if we can just get some offense going consistently this year…

It’s approximately 40 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training.  That countdown is what gets me through the winter.

But in the mean time we have to survive the cold temperatures and most likely a fair amount of ice and snow.  And so does your hardscaping.

I get asked all the time what the best way is to keep walkways and patio surfaces ice-free during the winter months.  No matter what the surface material is, just a little bit of ice or compacted snow can really be a safety hazard.  Even a well-shoveled surface can become slippery quickly as the surrounding snow melts and re-freezes.  Something needs to be done.

But first, what not to do.  Remember these three words:  “Rock Salt, Bad.”  Sure it’s relatively inexpensive, and yes, it does keep the walkway ice-free.  But it also will destroy nearly any hardscaping surface.  Rock salt, or sodium chloride to be more precise, is extremely corrosive.  It will cause mortar joints to deteriorate, cause flagstones to flake, discolor bricks or stones, eat away at concrete, and potentially harm nearby vegetation.  And it’s bad for the overall environment.  And it can wreak havoc on your four-legged friends’ paws.  To summarize again, “Rock Salt, Bad.”

There are however a number of alternatives that can help keep walkways safe without harming the hardscaping, your pets’ health, or the environment. 

Most hardware stores, home centers, and even pet stores will sell some version of “chloride-free” de-icers.  The active ingredient in these products is generally Calcium Magnesium Acetate, or “CMA” as it’s sometimes referred.  A 20-lb bag typically runs in the neighborhood of $20, -- yes, it is slightly more expensive, but considering how you’re saving that big ticket patio you just had installed, a few extra bucks is well worth it.  There’s a number of CMA-based products out there, and they’re often marketed as pet-friendly de-icers.  Just ask your local supplier what they have available, and be sure to stay away from the chloride-based products.

And speaking of pets, another chloride-free alternative is good ol’ fashioned kitty litter.  Kitty litter does lack some of the ice-melting qualities of CMA-based products, it tends to work a little slower, but it is inexpensive and provides welcome grit and traction to any icy surface.

Basic sand is another inexpensive, environmentally-friendly alternative.  And since that dry-set paver or brick patio was swept with sand upon completion anyway, it certainly won’t hurt things as the snow disappears come spring.

Of course, there’s also my favorite strategy – keep your fingers crossed for a mild winter and repeat this mantra, “pitchers and catchers, pitchers and catchers, pitchers and catchers…”  Spring training (and warmer weather) is getting closer by the day!  In the mean time, stay warm and stay safe.

Happy New Year!

Well, almost.  There’s a few more hours left in 2011, and if you’re like me you’re probably a little tired of all the year-end retrospectives.  Best movies of the year, biggest news stories, celebrities we’ve lost – it’s hard to open up a paper without drowning in year-end stories.

The truth of the matter is that the only reason those stories are popping up everywhere is because they’re easy to write.  Most news organizations are a little short-staffed this week, and what easier way to provide entertaining content than by simply summarizing the events of the past year.

So as the proud writer of a new blog, now’s my time to throw out some year-end thoughts.  Plus I’m a little short-staffed right now too, not to mention it’s the Holidays.  So here’s my filler post.

I resolved some number of years ago to stop making new year’s resolutions.  It is really nothing more than a built-in excuse to put off things during the remaining eleven months a year.

For me the approach of the new year is a time to get organized; to reflect on where I am and where I want to be; to give thanks for what I have, and to remind myself not to take things for granted.

It’s also an opportunity to say good riddance to negative weight that has bogged me down over the past year.  So with no further adieu, a few things that I’d like to say a hearty “don’t let the door hit you in the rear on the way out” to from 2011…

• The 65 inches of rain that has fallen on (and often delayed) our projects this year
• Increases in flagstone pricing, driven by the Marcellus Shale gas boom (more on that in upcoming posts)
• That family of annoying divas (rhymes with gargantuan) with no talent who seem to have dominated every media story this year (I told you it wasn’t going to be all hardscaping info here on the blog)
• Political bickering in Washington.  Republicans, Democrats, whatever.  You’re all behaving like my 4-year-old.  Grow up.
• Prospects who take up my time requesting design ideas and cost estimates and then never even return a phone call after the work is done.  Look, I’m not saying you need to give me anything more than a 30-second courtesy phone call.  It’s not even just good business, it’s just common human decency.
• Crazy dictators who were killed or passed away.  Good Riddance!
• Telemarketers on my cell phone.  My cell phone!

All things considered, though, 2011 has been a pretty good year.  I wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy new year, and I look forward to getting to know you more in 2012!