How To Build A Wood Deck

There is nothing like sitting out on your deck grilling or just relaxing, and the good thing is that you can do it in one weekend!  You can invite some family and friends to help put it up or it is easy enough to do yourself.  With the right lumber you can add years to your deck and it is attached to your house which makes it very convenient.  With no railings, steps, or posts and sitting on the ground and concrete blocks that support it, you just can't go wrong! Here's what you will need to build your deck.

You will need:
• 2×10 lumber (pressure treated)
• Deck lumber
• 2×8 pressure treated lumber
• 1/2-inch zinc plated washers
• Zinc plated 4-inch ½-inch lag screws
• Concrete block
• Joist hangers
• 1 ½-inch wood screws
• 2 ½-inch decking screws
• Drill bit
• Drill
• 1-inch wood screws
• Carpenter square
• Circular saw
• String
• Stakes
• Shovel
• Pencil
• Line level
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Landscaping fabric securing stakes
• Landscaping fabric

Step 1: Measure the deck size using the tape measure. At each corner, drive a stake into the ground. Tie string 10 inches from the ground. Attach the string to the stake. Level the string using the line level.

Step 2: Tie another string to the stakes, this one at ground level, and level this string.

Step 3: Use the shovel to dig a hole near the two stakes in the front. Make it deep enough so the top of the concrete block will be level with the string line on the ground. At the front and on both sides, put a cement block four feet from each of the corner blocks. Dig a hole for each, leveling with the string line on the ground.

Step 4: Use the shovel to remove grass from the deck area. Put landscaping fabric on the ground and secure it with the securing stakes.

Step 5: Remove house siding from the area, creating an 11 ¼-inch space between the bottom area of the siding and the ground.

Step 6: Put the 2×10 ledger against the home, making the bottom of the board even with ground level. Use the ½-inch zinc plated lag screws and ½-inch zinc plated washer to attach the board to the house.

Step 7: Put the side boards for the deck frame in place. Screw these at an angle into the ledger board and the side of the house. Put the front of the frame in place and secure corners to the frame with the 2 ½-inch decking screws.

Step 8: Use the 1-inch wood screws to secure joist hangers every 16 inches to the interior of the frame. The bottom of each joist hanger should rest 8 inches from the framing board top.

Step 9: Put the 2×8 joist into the hangers. Use the 1 ½-inch wood screws to secure the joist at an angle to the deck frame.

Step 10: Cut floor decking boards to the correct length. Use the wood screws to attach decking boards to the top of the frame.

http://www.hippshelp.com/how-to-build-a-wood-deck/

How To Make Alfredo Sauce

Nothing says Italian like pasta and alfredo Sauce.  It has a wonderful taste and can be used with many different dishes.  It can be poured over meats as a garnish or it can be used with pasta as a sauce with shrimp, chicken, or steak with vegetables or just vegetables. Either way will make your taste buds happy.  It doesn't take a lot of time to make it, but you have to be careful not to let it burn when you are stirring it.

You Will Need:

• 1/2 cup of butter
• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 1 cup of Half and Half
• 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese (grated, not freeze dried or powdered)
• 1 tbsp of garlic powder
• Pepper to taste
• Saucepan

Step 1: Melt ½ cup of butter in saucepan on the stove with medium heat. When butter is almost completely liquid, add in the 8 ounces of cream cheese. It may be easier to cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces so that it is easier to melt. Mix both melted ingredients together well.

Step 2: Add one cup of half and half as well as the parmesan cheese, garlic powder and pepper to taste. Stir until mixed well. Remember that the cheese must be actual grated cheese and not the powdered version of parmesan bought in the store. You can purchase this at most grocery stores in the dairy section already grated, or a chunk of the cheese to grate at home. To save the chunk of cheese, keep in a freezer bag sealed in the refrigerator out of light; preferably in the crisper.
Step 3: Leave on medium heat until the sauce is thin and watery. Stir the mixture the entire time it is on the stove or it will burn and stick to the pan and you will have to start over with new ingredients. Turn the burner off and allow the sauce to thicken for about 10 minutes. This is the thickest the sauce will get when cooled.
Step 4: Add to any pasta, meat or dish by ladling out or using a large spoon to pour over the dish. If you must reheat the sauce, do so in the microwave and not on the stove. If you reheat on the stove, the sauce will burn due to the cheese ingredient. To save the sauce for a later date, freeze in a microwave safe container. The sauce will be good in the freezer for up to 2 months if sealed properly. The sauce will only be good in the refrigerator in a sealed container for about 4 days.

 http://www.hippshelp.com/how-to-make-alfredo-sauce/