We have so much repurpose-able belgian block (
http://marketsquarepgh.blogspo... ) cobblestones and other stone building material around here that I have set aside an area for a concrete pad to arrange some on top of as a patio in the shady corner. I have collected a lot of cobblestones and 3 large, darker grey blocks (which I can roll over, but not actually lift by myself). I also have some red brick I will dot in there if I don't have enough pretty to fill the space. I'll need to hire a concrete guy to pour a nice level oval pad with a rim to hold in the sand, so I haven't found the $ yet for that part. Yo can still find the block in the city property behind older homes where homeowners and even road "upgraders" just tossed it. You can buy the belgian block cobblestones, too, if you look on Craig's list, etc., for about $1-2. Mine's all scavenged and lugged home by me, EXCEPT the 3 larger blocks which a teenage boy neighbor wrangled into my yard from the woods just behind my own house.
I am SO looking forward to doing this project whenever the other, more necessary, expenses take a break long enough.
