Lake Villa Improvements Year 6 (2025)
Garbage Bins Pad
Back Yard Fire Pit
2025 began with another very ambitious project to widen our driveway, so we could fit in the new camper that we purchased, along with our two vehicles.
The section between the sidewalk and road required a permit because the village has a width limitation of 25 total feet across. But we marked off the entire length so the inspector could see the plan.
Driveway Extension
Driveway Extension
Not only did I have to dig out the dirt, but this section also had blocks and rocks from before that also had to be removed.
Driveway Extension
We decided to cordon off the area, so no one would accidentally fall in while walking by. You can also see the tire marks in the grass, which is why we needed to widen it.
Driveway Extension
We dug down about 2-3 inches so the bricks would be a bit higher that the driveway, to make sure they would be flush after driving over them over time.
The gravel is in place and packed. Now for the leveling sand.
Driveway Extension
Here you can see the leveling sand atop the gravel base before compacting it.
Driveway Extension
Driveway Extension
All the blocks have been laid in at this point, bot they are a bit wavy, so I'll have to lift them and relevel them. Also, I still need to add the edging, so the sand stays put. I'll redo this after I finish the entire project,, as I'm sure I'll have more to redo!
Driveway Extension
Since the driveway is such an odd shape, sloped up, and very long, I excavated it piece by piece. So here you can see the layer of base and leveling sand under the first few rows.
Driveway Extension
We staggered the block on the left side to reduce the amount of cutting that would have had to be done. But we had to cut the block on the right side to fit along the driveway.
Driveway Extension
After going a bit further, I had to redo some cuttings, as the blocks didn't quite line up with their companions.
Now that I have finished, I can go back and redo what needs to be redone! Oh joy.
Driveway Extension
Driveway Extension
All the blocks have been adjusted so they all fit perfectly!
Driveway Extension
At the very front of this project, is the garage, which I will build a planter box that will extend around the side of the house.
Driveway Extension
And this image shows the side facing the driveway has been cut and sealed. Looks good, doesn't it?
Driveway Extension
Well this just goes to show that good intentions and goo looks aren't everything. After driving over it for a few days, the outer set of blocks is sinking. So it appears I'll have to pour concrete on the outer edge to hold the aggregate in, then redo the outer set. Darn. Another year's project.
West Side Garden
For this part of the garden bed, I stood the blocks on end, so they are halfway buried in the dirt, with the gravel and sand base.
West Side Garden
Here is the completed driveway garden bed, along with the adjoining Side Garden bed.
West Side Garden
And here's the completed project from the other end.
The next project was a very quick one.
Next to the end of the driveway garden, Marie wanted me to build a pad for the garbage cans.
So I spent the following weekend building this. But I didn't take any more pictures.
When we bought the house, there was a cheesy looking firepit that just had the trapezoidal blocks arranged in a circle that were haphazardly placed. So we bought the blocks and liner and built a nice one. Again, I forgot to take pictures during the build. And unfortunately for me, Marie now wants a level patio built in front and back of the fireplace.
Notice the orange utility marking lines right next to the firepit. Those are for cable, gas, and electric. So I couldn't bury the first row of blocks very deep.
Daisy Trail
Along the street side, the dogs wore out a path next to the fence, running up and down, as well as chewing the posts and digging underneath the fence to get out. To stop this, We built a new garden along the fence and put up a garden fence so the dogs couldn't get close to the fence.
Marie dug out the grass, planted hydrangeas and put in a fence. Of course, the dogs then wore a new path alongside the garden fence. So we decided to put in a path for them to run up and down, using the old blocks that we had dug up in other part of the yard.
For this project, Marie first cleaned all the blocks for painting.
Daisy Trail
Daisy Trail
We first tried using spray paint, but it was too windy. So Marie hand-painted each block using a brush and bright yellow paint, to emulate a brown-eyed susan.
Daisy Trail
I dug out the area about 2.5 feet wide, laid down the weed blocker, and put in edging on both sides, following the fence line.
Here you get the idea of what we have planned. Looks good so far!
Daisy Trail
Daisy Trail
All the flowers are painted and in place We plan to add exposed aggregate concrete in the center of each flower.
Daisy Trail
Here's Marie putting in the concrete into the center of each flower. We added a dark brown powdered dye to the mix, so they look like the center of a Brown-Eyed Susan.
Daisy Trail
Here, you can see her scuffing up the surface of the concrete center, so that it is not smooth.
Daisy Trail
Here's the first completed flower.
Daisy Trail
And now we're done with the centers. Next is repainting the tops of the flower petals with the flourescent paint, so they will glow under the black light. We stopped where we did, because next year, we will be building a platform in the corner of the yard, that will extend out to the last flower.
Daisy Trail
In case you were wondering where the white rock came from, we purchased a half-ton from a supplier for about the cost of 2 bags from the local Menards!
As you can see, we barely had enough rock with very little left over.
