Rustic Recycling

A few weeks ago, my fiance and I built a rustic fire pit in the back yard to compliment our cedar home tucked away in the woods. During the construction, a severe storm with high winds came out of no where. When the dark sky suddenly became a scene out of a Steven Spielberg movie, we quickly dropped the field stones and started running towards the house while tree limbs and branches were falling all around us. We made it onto the back deck and then, as we safely jumped into the sunroom, a huge limb fell from the tree within the deck and just missed both of us. The stainless steel grill, however, did not make it through the storm unscathed since the limb completely took out its side table. At least it didn't land on the center of the grill where the gas tank is located. Or better yet, at least it didn't crush the two of us! After all, we needed to finish building the fire pit.

Following the frightening event, we decided to have the deck tree trimmed for safety. Our housewarming party is soon, and we couldn't help but think that falling tree parts onto the guests and into their cocktails would most likely put a damper on the event. So, we decided to get a few estimates for the trimming service right away. Unfortunately, all of the tree experts agreed that the oak could not be saved because it was, in fact, dying. We were saddened by the diagnosis because the tree was almost 50 years old and part of our new home's history. Saving the tree was not an option, but we were determined to keep the old oak in our lives somehow. Enter our creative, rustic recycling plan...given to the trained, *licensed and insured* professionals to recycle the tree trunk into a pub table and cocktail tables for the sunroom, and the hefty tree limbs into rustic seating around the new fire pit!

In the end, the old oak was dangerous and unsafe above our heads. It no longer shades us from the intense summer heat. Instead, the recycled tall oak has become a perennial conversation piece, or rather pieces, of our new home. No wood chippers invited to this party!

Now, back to planning the housewarming party and creating new T-shirt designs for TheSimpleLaugh...