FIRE PIT + s’mores

= summer goals

Follow i don’t know about you, but I’m always desperate to hang on to summer. Question: What appeals to all ages for late summer fun? Answer: Roasting mallows by the fire. The caveman knew that fire was life. Can you imagine if they would have had marshmallows? Talk about snack goals.

My tribe has been rockin’ the S’mores since we purchased a fire pit in May. We wanted to build a permanent pit, but like the American way we also wanted something mobile so that we could make our minds up later where to put the something permanent. God bless America.

On behalf of my family of six, my husband and I picked two big summer projects to tackle once school got out. 1) Plant a garden and 2) create an outdoor space to entertain. Well folks, you are reading about the fire pit area so let that be an indication of how well our vegetable garden is doing. Insert sad trombone.

While the garden isn’t a shining spot of the back yard (There is always next year!) the completion of our fire pit area is a win for us. When it came to the exterior living space we applied a K.I.S.S. guideline: Keep It Simple Silly. We wanted something affordable and simple to make, and because I can wield a computer mouse as well as my ancestors tossed around a field plow, I was able to find a “how to” for a cinder block bench that I liked for our exterior seating needs.

Kudos to the DIY bloggers out there who have broken down tutorials on this easy outdoor seating. Go ahead, search. You will find something that suits you. In short, I’m going to give you the basic girl’s guide to concrete/timber benches. And this my friends, is a Pinterest win.

PER BENCH: 14 concrete cinder blocks, six 4×4 wood posts, concrete adhesive (applied with a caulking gun), one gallon of exterior paint, wood stain and 100 grit sandpaper.

My husband Jeremy muscled these benches out. Not because only he can do the “man work,” but because we work well together as a partnership and he really loves to do this stuff. Side note: Christmas 2014 my parents gave him a bread machine and me an orbital hand sander.

Back to your cliff notes tutorial...

Level the ground where you want to put your permanent benches. Yes, they are permanent because we are talking concrete that has been glued in place. Like where you are going to put your bench. Place your brick and seal it with the concrete adhesive. Paint your block with exterior paint. The timbers will need sanding. 4x4 timber posts are “rustic” and will need the tender lovin’ care of some high grit sandpaper so that your bottom doesn’t suffer. Weather treated posts are recommended, but for aesthetic purposes you’ll want to seal/stain these puppies as well. The timbers will just slide into place. But the concrete will not budge.

We were able to customize everything about our exterior living space with this DIY. Get out and enjoy the home stretch of summer!

Cori’s Backyard Budget Tip:

OUTDOOR SEAT CUSHIONS. Sew together a kitchen rug and stuff with a standard size bed pillow. Each pillow costs about $6 to make!