My Version of a Kids' Play Structure

The Challenge:
I had a lot of wood I couldn't burn inside (i.e., cedar and pine), and I wasn't able to burn it fast enough in the outdoor fire pits. We also adopted a slide from grandparents and need to put it to use or give it away. I didn't want a monstrosity of a structure dominating the yard, so I came up with my own design with nontraditional materials, I suppose.

The Solution (for now):
I added a second log stack (supported/flanked by 4 t-posts) and connected it to the existing (taller) one with a pre-cut, 3-step staircase. I used standard posts for railing, leftover cedar shingles (from roofing the adjoining hut) for a small shelter on top, and tongue-and-groove cedar for the floor.



To access the slide, I staggered longer logs on the back to serve as climbing steps (above). I also added a climbing wall (below) as a second access point for the covered tower (on top of the taller log stack). I connected climbing holds to signboard (MDO, not to be confused with MDF) with the usual 3/8" t-nuts. The planters in front of the stacks is a nice addition for summer snacking on tomatoes and mint.


Overall, I'm happy with the results. It was a good use of the materials I already had, and the smallest members have given their seal of approval. I am told the tower "is the perfect reading spot" and great for relaxing out of the sun. The biggest challenge was positioning the log stacks so the pre-cut stairs would line up. A little 10th-grade geometry came in handy--thanks Mr. Herder.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

"Tree" House

Another amazing spot we found in St. Louis is the Missouri Botanical Garden. Last summer, they hosted a special event, "Extreme Tree Houses." Local designers and architects created unique structures, many from upcycled and recycled materials, that adorned the already amazing grounds. I always love going places that are inspiring, in a design sense. In some cases, I feel inspired (and bold) enough to say, "Let's try to build one of those."
Prior to the visit, I had been drawing up planes for an uber-modern playhouse for the kids--think corrugated sheets of metal hung horrizontally on a simple rectangle structure.
Then I saw this....




I was in awe of the simple, yet smart, design. The skeleton of bent boards provided an excellent frame for weaving branches to form organic walls. As you can see from the photo above, they also bent branches for arched doorways.
This was it. Instead of buying and cutting up a lot of materials with scraps that would end up in the dump, why not upcycle the branches that always fall in our yard after a storm? Further, we are always trimming back overgrown branches from various vegetation. Instead of paying to have them hauled off (and hopefully ground up for composting), I would have a continuous supply of materials.
The next weekend I got started. (Like I said, I was pretty inspired.) Below is my version that is the result of months of casually weaving branches as they became available in the yard. (Next to the hut is a stacked wood climbing wall with holds.)




So how was it done? The most important piece is the top that holds the bent frame. Below is a photo of what I came up with for this "cap." Eight thin boards were attached to this top to create what looks like a giant spider.




To get boards that are pliable enough to bend without breaking, I ripped leftover 10-foot, treated (not the greenest or toxic-free option, I realize) 2x4s into half inch strips. I then created a makeshift "tub" out of a tarp to soak them for about 30 minutes (see photo below).




After I connected the boards to the top frame ("cap"), I measured out evenly spaced stakes for attaching the bottoms of these boards. I also placed pavers in the top of the "cap" to weigh it down and create a yurt-like structure instead of a cone. (The wet boards makes this more possible.) After that, it's preparing the roof for cedar shingles and creating frames for weaving a lot of branches.




I'm pleased with the results. The house continues to evolve as we add more branches to strengthen and thicken the walls. The organic look works just fine with a modern aesthetic, and more importantly, the kids love it.

St. Louis in Spring (or, well, late winter)

Ok, so it's been awhile. The last post was two months ago, and I have a lot of catching up to do. We've been busy working, getting the garden together, completing an endless list of house projects, and finding time to enjoy the end (I hope) of winter.

This week is spring break here, so yesterday we decided to get in our St. Louis fix. It was a perfect day for visiting old favorites and some new spots. First up was lunch at Pho Grand. Last year, Sauce Magazine listed it as the best Vietnamese Restaurant in St. Louis. Our meal was ok. I just think we need to explore the menu a little further next time. We had asked for suggestions, and it seemed like we got the lowest common denominators (i.e., mild beef dish and a basic chicken curry). Why we didn't opt for something with lemongrass, I have no idea.

via Pho Grand

Next, we headed to The Future Antique. We've been in search of a mid-century china cabinet, and I think we found a winner. (More on that later.)

via TFA

Then, we headed over to a garden supply store I read about in a recent issue of Organic Gardener. Bowood Farms is an amazing space (converted from an old auto garage) with a fantastic restaurant, Osage Cafe. For the garden, we picked up asparagus, red potatoes (no fingerlings, unfortunately), rhubarb, arugula, and onions. We also had a mid-day snack. It was the perfect stop and a place we'll visit again. By mid-April they should have chili pepper starters (just in case my seeds don't take off).

via Bowood Farms

Next, we headed to The Loop area of Delmar Avenue. What a great spot. Our favorite stops are City Sprouts and Star Clipper.

via The Loop

Finally, we ended the day with our Trader Joe's run. We had considered having dinner at Schlafly, but decided to get home a little earlier. That night, we curled up with the latest issue of Sauce Magazine and planned our next culinary adventure in the Big Brick City.

via Sauce Magazine

Spring Sprang '09

Ah, Saturday. A break from the usual grid is always good, but this weekend was really great. The weather's finally beginning to act like spring (although they're predicting snow for Monday). Early Saturday morning, I prepared the new garden beds before we ventured to the farmers' market to pick up some herbs. It was the market's opening weekend, so there were only a handful of sellers compared to the peak summer months. While there, we were also able to pick up a few pounds of 100% grass-fed and finished beef from Lick Creek, our favorite local provider. They're just down the road, so we hope to visit the farm soon. Later, we planted the herbs in the livestock tank. I had to drill holes in its bottom to provide proper drainage. It was awful; I felt like Emmet Otter ruining the washtub. (Did anyone else see Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas when they were a kid?) Josey had a great time digging in the dirt, playing with worms, and helping to plant the herbs. Finally, we capped off the afternoon with free food at the Schlafly tasting at Kindling in Carterville, which will be our new stop for all things wet and spirited. Kindling (website under construction) has been getting quite a bit of positive buzz around here. Their recent Belgium Beer pairings dinner seemed to be well received on several blogs, including the Beer Philosopher. (Here's the menu.) A lot of folks around here were excited to see that they're carrying Dogfish Head beer (a favorite of ours, too, when we lived in Boston). We bought a pack of Breckenridge Brewery's agave wheat, which is quite good. As they say out in MA, "We've got ourselves a great packy, now."

Preparing for Spring Planting

The backyard before...

New fence and garden plots

Garden plots - another view

Galvanized tank ready for herbs

The threat of a late frost has almost passed and it is time to get the plots ready for planting. Recently, I took the old fence that once surrounded the rear courtyard and placed it along the back side of the yard t0 designate a new garden area (the before and after pictures will clarify this better than I can). We have two new plots filled with last year's decomposed piles of leaves and lawn clippings (our first attempt at composting), and a new galvanized tank, originally intended for watering livestock, resting in our courtyard ready for herbs. (The tank should help us keep the dog and all of his business out of the basil.) There's a lot to do before April 1. Happy Spring, Everyone!!!
—Grant

Mind the Processed Foods

Neighborhood COOP

Recently, we started to pay a lot more attention to where we get our food and the kinds of food we consume. Admittedly, we are one more convert to the Michael Pollen and Alice Waters way of living. Be it the Omnivore's Dilemma or Slow Food or Food Matters or King Corn, we're sold on the importance of organic, locally grown, non-processed food. And we don't plan on this conscious eating becoming a fad. As a result, we have (finally) become members/owners of our local COOP grocery store and bought a "share" in a recently opened C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture) farm, Clear Creek Farm. We're also in the middle of preparing plots in our yard to grow herbs and additional vegetables. We may end up with more boc choy than we know what to do with, but that's what neighbors and friends are for—outlets for "over production." Besides, it will be worth it for our health and the environment.
—Grant