This is what a spent part of the Thanksgiving weekend working on - installing hardware to the extension of my garage. Lag bolts immediately next to the hockey puck lights anchor the header to the garage. 2x4 joist hangers hold the rafters to the header. At the other side, hurricane plates anchor the rafters to the wall. All per Mr. Gerald Stoker, Deer Park building inspector. Just need to dig a hole next to one of the footers to prove it's as deep as it's supposed to be and I'm ready for final inspection.

Included in my to-do list come spring:

1. Paint new hardware to match the garage.
2. Replace bottom two sections of rotted clapboard siding.
3. Finish border around perimeter of the garage using bricks brought over from parents' house.