Ranch Renew: Just In Time

for the rain to begin....
I know - it is crazy to stain your deck in October - that is even what the hardware store told me as I bought their last three cans of cedar colored Penofin stain...but we made it just in time!

I had my first experience with a power washer - it is satisfying to see the difference it makes, but what a tedious job!
Then choosing the stain...
Being the Engineer that I am - I had to do my research.
I found a great website that rates stains and then narrowed it down based on the single fact that I did not have time to order one of the "best" ones.
http://www.deckstainhelp.com/category/deck-product-reviews/deck-stain-reviews/

We learned some valuable lessons when staining:
1. Don't use a painting mitt. Seems like a great idea - right! Save time on the rails by using your hand as the brush...that is until each rail is coated in little bits of fuzzy mitt.
2. Do use paint pads but buy the more expensive long handle extension. Our wood one broke in about 5 minutes.
3. If it is windy - go ahead and secure the plastic paint liner to the tray. Yup - we dumped stain all over when the wind picked up the liner. Duck tape to the rescue...again.
4. When it says wipe down the stain within 30 minutes - they mean it. We ended up with some "extra" stain in some places.

Another project we finished just in time was trimming the bottom branches of a few large "Christmas" trees that we have. They were looking very dated so my mom and I worked to show off their trunks and it made such a difference.

Last but not least - my car is parked in the garage! The garage is definitely not what you would call clean or organized - but I made it fit. Yippee!

Now for some before and after pics: