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Secret Stairs
August 8, 2012
I am terrible at pulling off surprises because I am eager to spill the beans. Regarding the Secret Stairs, there were so many moments I wanted to blurt over coffee, “Hey! Guess what I am doing while you are gone!?” But I didn’t. And I planned with our friends and we waited. Andy and I even had several, casual (totally contrived on my part) conversations about what the eventual, hypothetical stairs might look like and I still didn’t give it away.

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There are a few reasons it was a secret: 1. Andy can build anything. His to-do list is forever long because he can do it and his doing it affords us more things done. So we wait (even though *sometimes* I urge him to hire help) 2. I wanted to give him something he’d never give himself. He works so hard and is so generous. He’d never agree to the extravagance of hiring a job out but I knew he’d immensely appreciate it. Also, I had a check for a side job/photo shoot coming my way he didn’t even know about. See how sneaky I am? Sneaky.
Our dear, longtime friend spent the entire week with us, while Andy was in the backcountry, constructing these gorgeous stairs. And, in between hammering and sawing, Ben’s steady, funny charm assisted baby dolls into my daughters’ slings, filled Alice’s water dish and shared meals. I have loved this man for as many years as Andy and I have been together (he was actually with us on our very first date in 1997). Ben led our wedding procession while playing the guitar. He joins us for dinner many nights a week. He’s family.

THE SECRET STAIRS

Our living space sits on the second story of our home, over the garage and apartment. We wanted these stairs to access our newly fenced in east-facing side yard. Right now, we exit through our front door which is on the west side of our home and walk around the house to get to the garden, to place Alice there and to access my studio (the apartment we lived in).

I really trusted Ben’s lead with material and structure and we consulted several times with our good friend Jason who is brilliant and tells me what to do, which I love.

Lumber delivered:

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Ben makes my nerves twitch by walking along top of fence all week:

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Ruby consults:

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I am standing by my garden, facing north:

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Ben builds supporting structure:

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Ben measures and cuts stringers:

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Girls lay on living room floor and tell Ben stories:
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Stairs take shape:

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Ben takes a break to observe knapweed with Ruby:

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Stairs are complete (yet not officially ‘open’; still need railing):

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That window you see? That is the apartment/my studio!

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Next up: handrails! We aren’t sure what it will look like just yet. Thinking about a combination of mimicing the rain wall and hog wire.

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Nice, big 4×4′ landing and 4′ wide stairs

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Alice ponders the dog condition

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And? He was so surprised! It was awesome. Andy rolled in after midnight. I wasn’t sure he’d notice the new construction in the dark, after a long eight days on the river and long drive home. He ascended to our front door, I waited at the top and he hugged me. “Good to see you, baby. What’s going on on the deck?” He was blown away. By the exquisite construction, the surprise. Oh, it was so good. And so fun to give a big no-occasion gift like that! I will do it more often, gifts for no reason at all. Just, I appreciate you gifts.
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27 Comments


Jennie
August 8, 2012 at 3:29 PM

Oh my… I love this story, Andy’s wonderful friend, AND the last photo in this blog entry the best. Life is beautiful!



mumofsix
August 8, 2012 at 3:44 PM

They are just beautiful. Can’t beat sitting on garden steps. We had some built last year. Not nearly as beautiful as yours but I still adore just sitting on them with a mug of tea. What a wonderful surprise.

How come you know so many talented, useful men? Were their dads? I worry for my boys. They are not very practical just like their dad! Creative yes, practical no!

Love your photos x



Ali
August 8, 2012 at 3:53 PM

There need to be more Bens in the world. Real friends, real men. If he needs cheering, tell him there’s at least one person out there in the ether thinking he is truly admirable.

Kindly & happily (to have the privilege of reading your blog),
Ali in Switzerland



Katie Swanberg
August 8, 2012 at 4:36 PM

Just lovely. So glad you could keep the secret and make it even more lovely!



rebecca...
August 8, 2012 at 5:44 PM

,,,holy shit, the stairs are exquisite. now let’s talk about “ben”, married? single? he’s amazing! does he have a red cape with an “S” on the front? what a beautiful secret to keep, you sneaky gal. what about railing made out of steel or something of the like? whatever you choose it’s sure to be a beautiful compliment to ben’s highway to heaven,,,



Tina
August 8, 2012 at 5:55 PM

You are freakin’ awesome. That is all.



dig this chick
August 8, 2012 at 7:26 PM

rebecca,

He’s single! No doubt, the most eligible bachelor in all of the continental US, at least. He’s a wanderer, just returned from the Bering Sea, off to Hawaii next. Yes, he’s amazing. 🙂



Ali
August 8, 2012 at 7:29 PM

Rebecca asked more frankly than I did – is he single? Ask a frank question, get a frank answer.

I think he needs to know he isn’t just the most eligible bachelor in all of continental US, but he would do very well here in Europe too. The proof of a real man? Can make steps, keep secrets, and go checking knapweed with small blondie cutie girls.

In awe,
Ali, Switzerland



Claire @ Scissors Paper Rock
August 8, 2012 at 9:45 PM

“”And so fun to give a big no-occasion gift like that! I will do it more often, gifts for no reason at all. Just, I appreciate you gifts.””

Love it Nici. Great job!
They look great.
x

http://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/



Kelly Cach
August 9, 2012 at 2:13 AM

Y’all are just the sweetest couple, I swear!

a-MAW-zing stairs….holy cow! They look so good against your equally a-maw-zing fence!



Hazel
August 9, 2012 at 8:14 AM

I love this so much Nici. Rob always guesses my surprises! He knows me too well. I’m glad we’re not the only ones who give each other things like stairs, or timber for veggie beds, or my flower beds. Some people think it’s odd, but I’d much rather have something for the garden or house than lots of trivial little gifts.



TRB Holt
August 9, 2012 at 1:04 PM

WOW! Beautiful secret stairs to magical yard!
Love that Ben B……he to is magical too! (and would be quite a catch too)….xoxo



FinnyKnits
August 9, 2012 at 1:34 PM

fabulous surprise you sneaky girl, you! I love For No Reason gifts-they are given for the reason all gifts should be given-because they make someone happy.well done.



kate
August 9, 2012 at 5:16 PM

That last picture made me tear all up! The look of love on his face for YOU! What a guy – what a great YOU you are!! Enjoy your stairs! Treasure all the love they represent!!



Dressing Ivana
August 10, 2012 at 7:10 AM

Love the photo in the princess blue dress



Amy
August 11, 2012 at 2:27 PM

For some reason, this totally brought tears to my eyes.
What a great surprise.



The Runyans
August 12, 2012 at 12:49 PM

Hey!!! shannan sent me your way….she said you have a little ruby too….when your little gal grows out of it, would you possibly send it my way? we are adopting a little precious ruby from uganda!!!! thank you. [email protected]



The Runyans
August 12, 2012 at 1:20 PM

I meant the shirt she sent you!! 🙂



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