How to Throw the Ultimate Outdoor Super Bowl Party

Grab your lawn chair, this year we’re taking the Super Bowl party outside 

While the world has slowed down in the last year, Covid-19 certainly hasn’t kept football from our television screens. Even though the Super Bowl will look different this year, you may be able to hold a small gathering outside to catch the big game. From projectors to personal kegs, we’ve rounded up more than a dozen social distancing game day favorites. Just remember to follow CDC guidelines for gatherings with people outside your household. 

Epson Pro Projector and screens

If you don’t have a television outside or the energy to haul your flat screen outdoors, try the Espon Pro EX7260. With some 3,600 lumens, it will work well in well-lit rooms and outdoor spaces. Then project it onto a screen, like this portable version in several sizes from 60 to 150 inches, or splurge on this stand-up screen by Elite Screens. 

Coleman Stainless Steel Cooler 

Single serve beverages in cans and bottles are the simplest way to keep germs to a minimum, and for keeping drinks cool we love this classic stainless-steel cooler from Coleman.

Carbonated Growler 

There’s nothing like a keg party but in Covid Times, they just won’t do. This year, consider this sleek 128-ounce personal keg like this this Carbonated Growler from Growler Werks. 

Falcon Black Enamelware Deep Plates

We prefer a reusable plate or bowl for outdoors, rather than single use paper or plastic. So, whether for al fresco dinners, camping trips or even football games, our go-to is Falcon Enamelware. These deep-dish bowls are nearly as large as a plate but can also accommodate soup or even single-serve cheese plates. If you feel more comfortable given Covid, consider a compostable dinnerware and utensils by Bambu. 

Football Tumblers

What’s a game without a football? If tossing one around isn’t in the cards this year, well then just drink from one. We love these glass football tumblers. And the perfect way to keep from mixing up drinks and beers is to write each person’s name on their glass with a chalk marker. 

DIY Your Décor

Keep the kids busy the day of the big game with this football chain tutorial from Taunie Everett.  Or, simply decorate in the colors of the teams facing off. 

Travel Throw Blanket

Being that it’s February, we can expect that it’s going to be chilly no matter where you live. For that reason, we’re planning to layer up with these quilted, machine-washable Travel Blankets from Food52. They are small enough to fold up after the game.

Stainless Steel My Table

Let’s be honest. One of the highlights of the Superbowl is the food. Rather than juggle a drink and plate on your lap, we love the idea of a personal table. This foldable stainless-steel side table from Snow Peak is the perfect companion to pizza, wings and a beer. 

Outdoor Pizza Oven

Skip the pizza delivery, and instead opt for DIY individual pizzas. Just fire up the Ooni Koda 12 Gas Powered Pizza Oven, and simply ask guests to bring their own toppings. 

Grill and skewers 

For roasting individual hotdogs or even s’mores, this small-scale Barebones Living fire pit and grill will get the job done. Allocate each party-goer their own skewer and roasting timeslot to keep a safe distance. 

REI Padded Lawn Chair 

The best way to seat guests may be to suggest they B.Y.O.C or bring their own chairs. And these low padded lawn chairs from REI are the perfect combination of on-the-go-convenience meet plush comfort. Plus, we love the mix of black metal legs with wood arms with the cool gray seat.

Popcorn boxes 

While single serving is the name of the game, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. These sideline popcorn boxes from Etsy will hold the perfect snack for enjoying during the halftime show.

A Beginner’s Guide to Composting

Your leftover food isn’t garbage, it’s the secret to a sustainable, vibrant garden

Dry leaves, leftover food, and yard waste are all you need to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden, containers, and even houseplants. Here are our top picks for easy composting solutions that will help you create a more sustainable home and garden.

Worm Bin

These compact, tiered bins are ideal for small-space, small-scale composting indoors or out. Toss in scraps like coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels, and worms will churn out small batches of compost about every eight or so weeks. You can purchase one, like this modern Worm Farm Composter made from recycled plastics, which also makes compost tea, or DIY your own with this tutorial from the EPA for less than $20. Oh, and don’t forget the worms. 

Compost Tumbler

Raised and often mobile, these simple to use tumblers are ideal for small to medium sized yards. They come in single or dual barrels, are easy to churn and, because they’re sealed, won’t attract pests. Another bonus to sealed bins? They keep the compost hot and accelerate the process. Depending on the size of tumbler and volume of compost, it can take as little as two to three weeks to produce compost.

The Jora Composter is our favorite tumbler out there—it’s attractive, odor-free, and easy to use!

Wire Compost Bin

For spacious yards with large volumes of compost (think leaves, plant and yard clippings in addition to food scraps) wire compost bins are easy and affordable to build. You’ll need a space that’s a minimum of three feet in diameter in a shady area of your garden. You can build a compost bin with wire fencing, wire snips and something to fasten it with, such as wire ties or zip ties. You can also purchase a pre-built wire frame like this Single Bin Wire Composter. To retrieve compost from the bottom, you may need to lift the bin off of the ground then reshape.

Cedar Compost Bins 

There are a couple of benefits to a rot-resistant cedar compost bin. In yards where you can’t conceal your compost bin, cedar boxes confine and disguise compost better than their wire counterparts. They are easy to build, but you can also purchase styles with covers and pop-up doors that make it easy harvest finished compost. 

Solar Assist Composting

Solar assisted composting is very similar to a cedar compost bin, but it has one important feature: a translucent roof that lets sunlight in, which helps keep your compost at an ideal temperature, accelerating the composting process, and deter pests. This Solar Assist Composter comes highly recommended.

Countertop Composting

Vitamix, the company behind the much-loved blender, recently launched a countertop Food Cycler, which turns daily kitchen waste into garden-ready compost in 4-8 hours. Quiet and odorless, this is a fantastic solution, but it does come with a higher price tag ($350).

12 Outdoor Toys for Kids Big and Small

Turn your backyard into an archery range, mini golf course, and more with a little help from our outdoor toy round-up. From the coolest kite to a beautiful jump rope, your little ones will be outdoors until the dinner bell. 

Two Bros Bows 

Created by two young brothers, these soft and cushy arrow tips eliminate the danger from this sport for fun. The oversized bow is light and easy to maneuver, and the arrows are easy to insert. That said, don’t let them aim for the fence because you’ll be surprised how quickly these arrows can soar into the neighbor’s yard. 

Garden Wheelbarrow Set

Your mini gardeners will love this Garden Wheelbarrow Set. Includes three seed packets, three flower pots with a sunflower, a carrot and tomato plant. Water the plants with a watering can, tend with a trowel and cut the flower with the birdy secateurs.

Natural Cotton Jump Rope

The perfect jump rope, this hand-made wooden version has Beechwood handles and natural cotton rope.

Activ Flyer Frisbee Set

While traditional frisbees often prove a bit tricky for kids (especially the younger set) these lightweight flying discs are easier to throw and catch. We love the classic color combinations, and the pair is perfect for when one inevitably ends up on the roof, in a tree or over the fence. 

Plan Toys Mini Golf Set

Indoors or out, this sweet little set will set the stage for an intense showdown of mini golf. The set comes with two wood clubs, a couple of wood balls, three courses and a hole in one, naturally. It also comes in a little cotton bag kids can store the set in and swing over their shoulder in true golf fashion.

Wooden Magnifying Lens

Look no further than your own backyard for your next great adventure! A magnifying glass, like this one from one of our favorite children’s outdoor brands, Lil Bellies, provides a whole new perspective on your yard.

Natural Veggie Sidewalk Chalk

We love these earthy hues, but more importantly kids will spend hours crafting rainbows in green, yellow, orange, pink and purple. We obviously don’t recommend this for a snack but should a little one find it irresistible don’t sweat it. Not only are they made with organic ingredients they are also vegan and wheat free. 

Kettler: Skittles Lawn Bowling

This German-made lawn bowling set is as fun as it is beautiful. The wooden pins and a set of plastic balls come in a carrying case with game instructions. 

Classic Turbo Flyer 

Take flight from your very own backyard with this classic balsa model airplane. Simple yet sleek, it can fly a whopping 50-feet with the right flick of the wrist. 

Haptic Lap Sailing Ship Kite

The kite of all kites, this sweet sailing ship can double as room or fort décor when it’s not seeing action in the sky. This handmade beauty will conjure creative stories of flying pirates and adventure seekers who coast in and out of clouds. 

Piki Picnic Basket

Handwoven from natural rattan, these mini picnic baskets are perfect for toting snacks and toys around the backyard and to the park. Sturdy yet light, the lid is attached (so no chance of losing it) and the metal, plastic wrapped handle is the perfect size for small hands. 

6-piece Hexa Fort Set

Kids who love to collect sticks and build forts will love a little help from Hexa. This six-piece set of silicone joints can fasten to sticks to help form a tripod and beyond. Finish by tossing a sheet or blanket over the top for the perfect hideaway.

A Homeowner’s Childhood Inspired This Family Backyard

A family backyard full of possibilities.

When Sara and Chauncey Brooks decided to move from San Francisco to Corte Madera in Marin County, Calif. two years ago, Sara had one condition. “I have to have a flat backyard, it’s the only way I’m going to do it,” she recalls saying, noting that her former home rested on one of the city’s infamous hills. “I wanted to open the French doors and tell our kids to get outside.” 

The new home they landed on had a perfectly fine backyard, says Sara. Flat (of course) with a raised bed retaining wall along the back fence, a sweet plot of green grass for their sons, Cole and Lucas, to kick soccer balls and hold court for peanut butter and jelly sandwich picnics. There was also host of mature fruit trees from fig to kumquat, lemon and olive. Yet, the space lacked definition, and since the family was resolute on spending a good chunk of time outdoors, the couple tapped Yardzen to integrate the features on their backyard checklist.

Sara, who works in fashion marketing, wanted the space to reflect her personal style – effortless and chic, livable, a little bit elevated yet nothing especially precious. Here, that translated to a warm family-friendly space, with wood and natural elements. The Yardzen team designed a new hardscaping plan, vertical cedar fencing, a deck off of the couple’s main bedroom, soft seating around a cozy fire pit, raised garden beds and the ultimate kid fort.

Although their backyard was undergoing its renovation during Covid-19, the couple had their eye on the long-term prize. “We love to entertain, and as the parents of small children it’s not unusual for all of use to entertain at each other’s homes instead of being at a restaurant.” When Sara and Chauncey moved in, they brought a round, vintage metal table from their old home. But when Sara saw Yardzen’s backyard rendering – with its expansive, graphic wood pergola – she imagined a sprawling wood table, 10-feet in fact, with her kids and their friends piled along one long bench. “I liked the idea of a grown-up space on one side and the kid’s space on the other.”

That must-have pergola provides shade minus the hassle of umbrellas. “It adds such elevation to the yard,” says Sara. “It defines the space well, gives us shade and it’s become kind of this wow moment.” The outdoor dining space is also just off a pair of French doors that leads to their indoor dining area and kitchen, making it all the more convenient to hustle coffee and dishes from inside out for regular alfresco meals. The soft cozy seating just a few feet away makes it easy to migrate to fire pit after a meal on a cool evening.

Sara’s rural upbringing also including heaps of gardening with her parents. So raised garden beds near the kitchen door were high on her list. The adjacency makes it easy to run outside quickly to harvest a few leafy greens to add to her morning quinoa. They’re also irrigated, which makes it easy to maintain, especially in the warm summer months. In the existing retaining wall beds, they swapped overgrown shrubs for drought tolerant lavender and natural grasses in silvers and greens.

Perhaps the star of the show is the kid’s wood, shingled roof fort. A feature that the couple planned before Covid-19 but was relieved to have once shelter in place started. In the short term, the ladder, slide and swing are an incredible resource, but in the long term, Sara envisions it crawling with neighborhood kids for years to come. The front porch for example, allows parents and kids to chat back and forth, and maybe even someday a stage for hosting mini Shakespeare plays. She hopes as the boy grow up, they’ll retreat to the space to read books or watch movies on the projector, build LEGOS or launch Hot Wheels down the slide.

“I grew up in the county and in the summertime especially we’d go outside first thing in the morning, roaming in the woods and riding bikes in the neighborhood and hanging out in the yard,” says Sara, who notes that by completing their backyard they’ve almost doubled their living space. “Hanging out in San Francisco weather isn’t awesome where in Marin, it’s so nice and you can be outside all year long. So, we were definitely wanting to taking advantage of that.”

Last-Minute Gifts That Do Good

Haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet? Don’t worry! These last-minute gifts can be purchased online or locally without a long line. And, most importantly, they do good for the planet and its people!

Yardbird’s outdoor furniture, pictured here, is made from recycled plastic!

A Gift Card to a Sustainable & Ethical Company

There are so many incredible companies out there doing right by the environment and its people! A couple of companies we’re loving right now:

1. Uncommon Goods: Household goods and decor

2. Yardbird: Outdoor furniture (pictured above)

3. Patagonia: Clothing and adventure gear

4. Coyuchi: Linens and textiles

5. HydroFlask: Water bottles and coolers

6. Girlfriend Collective: Athletic apparel

7. Blueland: Cleaning products

8. Rapanui: Men and women’s clothing

9. Parks Project: Apparel and home goods

10. Allbirds: Sustainable footwear

A Donation

Wondering what to give the person who has everything? A donation to a nonprofit organization is one of our favorite gifts to give (especially for parents and grandparents!). Just a couple fantastic organizations doing work on behalf of the environment: Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Native Plant Societies, Wildfires to Wildflowers, Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, American Rivers, Trust for Public Land, and Sierra Club.

Image via Food52, which sells beautiful trees as well!

A Tree or Plant from Your Local Garden Store

There are many upsides to purchasing a tree or plant from your local garden store!

1. A beautiful tree or plant is an incredible gift that the receiver will enjoy for many years to come. It’s a living legacy of your love and care!

2. Trees and plants are crucial for healthy ecosystems!

3. Support your local garden store during the “off-season.” Because it’s the slow season, there shouldn’t be any lines or crowds, making a trip to your local garden store a quick and easy trip!

A National Park Pass

By purchasing an annual $80 American the Beautiful Pass, you’re supporting national parks and federal recreation lands. Passes include entrance fees and Plus, you’re gifting the gift of adventure and outdoor living—is there anything better?

A Yardzen Gift Card

When you support Yardzen, you’re also supporting our initiatives, like the American Rewilding Project and GROW Community Garden Grants. Purchase a Yardzen gift card here!

American Rewilding Project

The American Rewilding Project is Yardzen’s effort to support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems by encouraging the use of climate-adapted and habitat-supporting plants in yards throughout the United States. In this country alone, there are more than130 million residential lots, and by planting ecosystem-sustaining species in every yard, we create dynamic habitats for beneficial insects and pollinating birds, bees, and butterflies. 

GROW Community Garden Grant

Yardzen’s quarterly initiative to support local food systems through grants to community gardens in underserved communities.

Your Yardzen Top Picks of 2020

For our version of #2020Wrapped, we share your Yardzen top picks of 2020! Your favorite Yardzen yards, the most popular design elements, the top requests, and your biggest yard challenges. Here's what you shared with us this year!

Yardzen Gift Guide: Staff Picks for Outdoor Living!

At Yardzen, we are a group of people who believe that life is best lived outside, from the yard to the park to the mountains. Here are our top gift picks for outdoor living!

This stylish wool blanket from Pendleton, available at REI, comes with a leather carry strap so it's perfectly portable for hikes and picnics with my three kids!

For campers who also like good food, I love some of the options from Patagonia Provisions, especially the salmon. Great stocking stuffers! (Fun fact: Patagonia Provisions and Yardzen both have their offices in Sausalito!)

As an avid gardener, I've been dreaming of a high-quality compost system. My top choice: the Jora Compost Tumblers, which devotees describe as odorless, efficient, high-capacity, and easy to use! Plus, it's the most attractive tumbler out there—I love the green color!

My wife and I spend a lot of time in our garden with our five chickens. To help with all of our watering chores, I want pretty much everything Eley makes. At the top of my list would be their 3-piece spray nozzle set. It's on the pricier side, but the build quality, 10-year warranty, and spray pattern make this tool worth the up-front cost.

I live in San Francisco’s Sunset neighborhood, and all of my surfer friends are obsessed with these California-made boards. I’ll be getting this for the very lucky surfer in my life!

Want to bring a taste of the outdoors inside? Buy a bevy of these hanging planters and obsess over your houseplants all winter.

This is what I'm buying myself for Christmas...to camp from anywhere in my Subaru. The Luno Air Mattress saves on the hassle of packing a tent and is easy for road trips—wake up and go!

Recently, I have loved sitting by our outdoor fire pit sipping on Remrise’s hot chocolate sleep powder. It’s a sweet nighttime treat to enjoy as I wind down for the night!

Now that the sun sets so early, the GoSports Light-Up Cornhole Game Set is such a fun game to play with my family in the dark!

My Felco pruners are my all-time #1 gardening tool!

The Coleman Brew Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler is an insulated cup for cold beverages: sweat-free design, spill-proof, integrated bottle opener on the bottom. Keeps drinks cold all day long! I have tried just about every travel cup, and this is by far my favorite.

I LOVE this travel size hammock from Kootek. Easy to set up in the backyard, beach, or on a hike! 

How to Make a DIY Wreath from Your Yard

Wreaths are a beautiful addition to the home in any season. During the cold holiday season they add a special beauty and organic freshness. Most people don’t realize that making a DIY wreath is incredibly easy, and making one with materials found from your own garden is inexpensive and meaningful. Think you don’t have what you need? Think again! Thin branches from almost any tree, herb, shrub, or flowering plant in your yard can be used to make stunning decor.

Foraging

For this wreath, we used edible and aromatic plants, all found in a Yardzen garden. You can use any plant you find in your yard: branches and twigs from almost any tree, herb, shrub, or flowering plant. Think about what plants will look best when dried.

Paired with pea gravel, this selection of plants creates a beautiful Mediterranean-style yard. All of these plants—lavender, rosemary, bay laurel, olive, and white sage—are easy to grow, easy to maintain, and thrive in both California and Texas.

Materials

What You’ll Need

• Wreath Frame (12” frame used here)

• 22-Gauge, Green Paddle Wire

• Pruning Shears

How To

Step 1: Attach the paddle wire to the wreath frame.

Step 2: Create 6”-8” bunches of branches. Pictured here: rosemary and bay laurel. We used rosemary as the base foliage throughout the wreath because it’s what we had the most of. It also add such an incredible, fresh smell. You can alternate the base foliage with each bunch or use the same plant for some continuity.

Step 3: Wrap the base of the branches with paddle wire to attach to the wreath frame. Make sure it’s secure—wrap 4-6 times. Fan out the branches to create a lush look.

Repeat Step 3 around the whole frame. (Don’t cut the wire!) Keep the size of the branch bundles consistent, but play with textures and colors.

Voilá! A beautiful wreath from your yard, all for under $10.

Historic Eichler House Receives a Family-Friendly Backyard Renovation

Image via Compass

The kidney-shaped pool, a staple of many mid-century modern landscapes, has been repaired and is a central gathering space in this backyard. Artificial grass surrounds the pool to keep the backyard low water and low maintenance.

From repairing a leaky pool to a mid-century masterpiece, this family is ready to create a backyard that’s not only stunning but safe for their young daughter.

By Thad Orr

After remodeling the interior of their home in Castro Valley, California, homeowners Dorothy and Connor Sears noticed their pool was losing water. “We started calling pool contractors and found out we had several leaks,” says Dorothy. “The backyard remodel snowballed from there.” The leaking pool wasn’t the only issue with their backyard. The modern home, located on a hillside overlooking the San Mateo Bridge in the distance, has gorgeous views—but an open-ended deck beyond the pool didn’t have railings. Terraces around the backyard were also a safety hazard for their 22-month-old daughter.

The couple, who’ve lived in their home for about 5 years, knew that a landscape update was in their future when they moved in, but they started with the interior. “I’m glad we did because the interior remodeling prepared us for the outdoor projects that we were a little less familiar with,”Dorothy says. While working on the interior remodel, Dorothy and Connor also learned about their Eichler home (Eichler homes are mid-century modern homes designed by the late architect Joseph L. Eichler), and discovered that many of the Eichler homes in South Bay and San Jose had become historic properties. “We made updates on the interior, but we were careful to keep the aesthetics intact,” Dorothy says. “So when we began figuring out the exterior, we wanted to preserve the style and bones of the landscape while bringing in modern materials and elements for safety.”

Homeowners Dorothy and Connor Sears with their young daughter.

Though the kidney-shaped pool at the center of the backyard was leaking, it is also a key landscape feature that the family wanted to preserve because of its iconic style. “We sort of jumped into the project to save the pool,” says Connor. “We had a pool contractor come in and start jackhammering, patching, and fixing the pool shell. But we didn’t really have a cohesive plan.” As the couple got further into their project, they realized the decking around the pool would need to be replaced, too. Thinking about replacing the decking made them realize they’d need new stairs, railings, and plants.

The “before”

As the project snowballed, Connor and Dorothy knew they needed some help visualizing the final plan. “We’d done a few sketches on paper to show our contractor, but we got to a point where it was hard to communicate what we wanted with printouts from Pinterest and our own sketches.” The couple also realized that major decisions were coming. Connor says, “When we started talking about pouring concrete and ordering hardwood decking, we decided it was time for a more holistic view.”

With the pool in the middle of being repaired, Dorothy was scrolling through Instagram and stumbled across a Yardzen post that showcased a beautiful design. She began researching the packages on the company’s website and found several other landscape designs Yardzen had done for Eichler homes. This put the couple at ease and gave them confidence that the design would be fitting for the mid-century modern aesthetic.

“Our pool was empty and looked like a construction zone,” Connor says. “Knowing we needed to move forward, we thought we’d give it a shot. For the price, we figured we’d be happy if we received a few detailed renderings to show our contractor.” The couple also wanted to get the plan done quickly so the project could be completed before winter when there’s more rain and work slows down. “We sat down together on the couch to fill out the design questionnaire,”Connor says. “Then we sent in some photos and videos of the backyard and said, ‘let’s see what happens.””

The Yardzen Render. A digital rendering of Dorothy and Connor Sears’ backyard. It showcases a remodeled pool, a new ipe wood deck, updated concrete and plantings, and see-through railings that keep views unobstructed.

“We got the plan back and it totally exceeded our expectations,” Dorothy says. After seeing the 3D rendering and plan that included r measurements, Dorothy and Connor expanded the scope of what they wanted to update in their backyard. “Talking to the designer at Yardzen helped us better understand what was possible in the space and where we could make the best use of our budget,” Connor says.

There’s a retaining wall next to the pool and deck that Dorothy and Connor weren’t planning to update but they realized it would be an eyesore among all the other changes. Since there wasn’t room in the budget for a completely new retaining wall, Yardzen gave them the idea to retrofit the structurally sound wall with an ipe wood finish. “This was a great solution,” Connor says. The retrofit saved money that they used in other areas of the backyard—they invested in ipe wood decking around the pool, new concrete around the pool and on the upper terrace, and put in a glass railing system on the upper terrace off the back of the house.

The couple really wanted to keep the views open. “We live on the edge of a nature reserve and there are terrific views of city.” The glass railings make the upper terrace safe for kids while keeping views out the back of the home unobstructed. They also invested in the deck because it adds to their outdoor living space around the pool. “The slope is rather steep so to make the pool area usable the deck was a must,” Connor says.

A new deck beyond the pool will add outdoor living space for lounging, entertaining guests, and observing views of the natural reserve below the property. The deck will be enhanced with large planters filled with specimen plants.

Plantings were also kept low on the upper terrace, with other plants hugging the perimeter of the patios and decks. Because this property abuts a natural space, deer, turkeys, and racoon can make their way into the garden. This was a main consideration when designing the planting plan. “We’ve had a lot of plants eaten and we didn’t want to keep replacing them in our new backyard,” Dorothy says. “We just wanted to have plants that would be resistant to animals and also safe for children.”

With a complete plan, Dorothy and Connor got to work with their contractor. Yardzen’s visuals—the 3D renders and CAD plans, complete with measurements and specifications—were instrumental in communicating with their contractor. The result: a jaw-dropping, family-friendly backyard that perfectly honors the Eichler home’s style.

Image via Compass

Lessons Learned

Homeowners Dorothy and Connor Sears share a few tips for landscape design success:

1. Make a List of Must-Haves: Decking to expand the living area around the pool and adding railings for safety that didn’t obstruct views were vital to making this design a success. These must-haves were discussed early in the process with the design team.

2. Expand the Scope Wisely: Sometimes to make the overall project work you have to adjust where you spend the budget. On this project, retrofitting a retaining wall at the center of the property was necessary because it’s a prominent visual element in the backyard.

3. Get a Plan Before Breaking Ground: Creating a design in the middle of the project worked out this time, but Dorothy and Connor say they would have preferred to have a plan before they started fixing the pool.