V an D o rs s e r s u g g e s te d ta k in g
d o w n a m a tu r e tre e , a n d as th e
o u td o o r s p a c e b e g a n to c h a n g e , a n e w
v is io n fo r th e b a c k y a rd w a s b o rn .
R e m o v in g th e tre e e x p o s e d a ru s ty
m e ta l s h e d , w h ic h th e B e n n in k s
re p la c e d w ith a m o re fu n c tio n a l a n d
a ttra c tiv e o n e in a b e tte r lo c a tio n .
T h a t im p r o v e m e n t o p e n e d u p a v ie w
o f a n e ig h b o r in g g a r a g e w a ll, so
w ith th e i r n e ig h b o r’s b le ssin g , th e
B e n n in k s d re s s e d u p th e w a ll a n d
in s ta lle d a b lu e s to n e p a tio in its
s h a d e . F r u it tre e s a n d s h ru b s n e a rb y
g iv e th e B e n n in k b o y s a ta s ty
o p p o r tu n ity to e n jo y th e g a rd e n .
GROUNDS FOR PLAY Connor climbs
a chain ladder while Carson hangs out
below on a play structure,
above,
that
the Benninks purchased as a kit. A pergola
covered in grapevines marks the entrance
to the play area,
right.
170 SEPTEMBER2008 BETTER HOMES AND
GARDENS
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