Category Archives: Holidays & Gift Ideas

Backyard Fun, Holidays & Gift Ideas

Sandboxes Will Make Your Children Happy for Christmas!

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Sandboxes make an excellent gift for your children or grandchildren, and with only 63 days until Christmas, now is the time to shop! There are some great new options available that will far surpass the basic framed boxes of the past. Here are several options that will appeal to both you and your children!

Covered Sandbox with Adjustable Roof – This sandbox features a truly unique canopy that provides protection when the box is in use AND when it is not in use. While the canopy is raised, it offers shade and UV protection to your children and locks into place for safety. When play time is over, the easy to use crank system lowers the canopy onto the sandbox, forming a cover to keep sand clean and critter free! It also comes with a built-in toy box for holding all of their favorite sand toys!

Rolling Playhouse Covered Sandbox – A playhouse and sandbox in one? What child wouldn’t be thrilled! The playscape offers a place to play, read, and explore creativity. The sandbox can be left out and used or rolled under the playhouse to prevent dirty sand and unwanted animal guests. It will create the perfect place for your little ones to express their creativity and have fun!

Pavilion Covered Sandbox – This classically designed sandbox will add fun for the children and style for the adults. The lattice designed corners support a canopy that provides shade and UV protection all day long. The sandbox resembles a mini-gazebo, making a stylish statement in your yard. It is sturdy and has large sand area for lots of play time.

Backyard Fun, Holidays & Gift Ideas

Tips for Celebrating Your Favorite Furry Friend

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Happy Dog, Happy Family

It’s National Dog Week this week, so it’s the perfect time to honor our canine companions and show them how much we appreciate their unconditional love.  Here are four easy ways you can pamper your pooch:

  • Extra Love — Our dogs give us so much love and devotion.  Let them know you love them, too, by offering a few extra kisses or an extended belly rub.
  • Special Goodies — Prepare a tummy-yummy homemade “ice cream” treat (recipe below) for your pooches.  Mine absolutely love their daily dessert.  Special goodies don’t have to be edible, though.  If your pup carries around a few too many pounds, you should consider alternative goodies like squeaky toys or tennis balls that encourage active playtime — preferably with you.
  • Canine Massage — It’s true…professional canine massage is growing in demand, and it’s a fabulous complement to regular veterinary care.   It benefits healthy dogs, anxious dogs, geriatric dogs, canine athletes, and more.  What a perfect time to give this up and coming service a try.  Your dog will thank you.
  • Elevated Dog BedA Comfy Bed — Upgrade your dog’s sleep spot by providing him or her with an elevated, easy to clean dog bed that is tops in comfort.  The elevated bed acts like a hammock, so it’s easy on joints and allows air to circulate, which keeps our furry friends cooler and happier when temperatures are warm.

National Dog Week is a wonderful time to celebrate our beloved canine companions, but there’s no reason why we can’t show them how much we appreciate them at other times of the year, too.  Keep this short list handy to serve as a periodic reminder to thank them for the continued joy, amusement, and devotion they give us tirelessly.

Sid and Smoochie Pooch’s Lip Smackin’, Tail Waggin’ Freezer Treats

  • 32 ounces plain yogurt
  • 1 mashed banana
  • 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons honey

Mix all ingredients in a blender.  Pour mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.  Once frozen, pop the treats out of the ice cube trays and store in a freezer bag or other container in the freezer.  Enjoy!

Backyard Fun, Holidays & Gift Ideas, Outdoor Entertaining

The Perfect Burgers For Your Labor Day Party

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Burger Grilling
Looking for the perfect burger recipe for  your Labor Day cookout? The one below from Food Network star Bobby Flay will bring amazing flavor and win raves with your backyard bbq guests! Fire up your charcoal grill, have plenty of cold beverage and friends, and let the party begin!

Bobby Flay’s Basic Burger

Shape 6 ounces of 80% lean ground beef chuck into a uniform patty, no more than 3/4 inch thick (don’t overwork the meat). Make a depression in the center with your thumb so the burger won’t bulge; the indent will rise as the patty cooks. Preheat a grill to high. Brush the burger with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown and slightly charred, turning once (7 minutes for medium-rare). Avoid pressing with a spatula! Add cheese for the last minute of cooking.

For a special Labor Day treat, add the toppings to make Bobby’s Philly Burger. Simply add Provolone cheese, pickled hot peppers and roasted red peppers, and sautéed onions to your grilled burgers.

Source: Flay, Bobby. “Philly Burger Recipe : Bobby Flay : Food Network.” Food Network. Television Food Network G.P. Web. 26 Aug. 2011. < http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/philly-burger-recipe/index.html >.

Holidays & Gift Ideas, Outdoor Living Spaces

What Dad Really Wants for Father’s Day but Won’t Admit It

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We might assume that Dad wants to man the grill on Father’s Day and spend the entire afternoon engaged in “fun” activities chosen by the kids — the Slip ‘n Slide comes to mind.  Really, though, Dad just wants to hang out and relax in the midst of a little peace and quiet.  I know, that doesn’t sound very “Dad-like,” but when pressed, most Dads would choose peace and quiet for their once-a-year special day.

Rocking ChairHere comes another surprise… give a dad the choice between relaxing on the couch or in a comfortable rocking chair, and I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts he’ll pick the rocker.  Why?  Rocking in a rocking chair is one of the most soothing activities around.  It’s free (which is important to dads), it doesn’t take a lot of energy to keep it going, and it puts Dad on the fast track to relaxation-ville.

Plop that rocking chair outside on the porch, and Dad has the best view around — at least while he’s still awake.  Watching nature is another one of life’s cheap sources of relaxing entertainment, which Dad can appreciate.  There’s drama (dog chases squirrel); there’s comedy (bird poops on neighbor’s car); there’s mystery (what is that rustling in the grass?).  Before he knows it, Dad is fast asleep and dreaming of rocking gently in a boat on his favorite lake.

So, when it comes time to ask Dad what he wants to do on Father’s Day, don’t mention the Slip ‘n Slide or volunteer him to cook up dinner on the grill.  Instead, offer him the luxury of peace and quiet and a couple of hours on the porch in the rocking chair.  He’ll feel truly appreciated and utterly refreshed.  Happy Father’s Day, Dads!

Backyard Fun, Holidays & Gift Ideas, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Unconventional Wedding Gifts for Royals and the Rest of Us!

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Wedding Bands
Do you have royal wedding fever? Unless you are living under a rock, you know that England’s Prince William married his long time girlfriend Catherine Middleton today. The world was mesmerized by the magical event, focusing on everything from the vows to bridal fashion to the guests’ hats, which were pretty impressive. If you had been able to score an exclusive invite to the prestigious and historic event, what could you possible get a royal couple that has everything? Royalty often receives priceless jewels, shares of stock worth millions, generous donations to their favorite charities, and even a race horse (from the Aga Khan to Elizabeth II on her wedding day in 1947). Choosing a gift for the couple that has everything can be tough, even if they aren’t royals! Below is a list of nontraditional wedding gift ideas any bride and groom on their big day.

  • Charitable Donations: Follow Kate and Williams lead! Ask the couple which causes they support and make a donation in their honor. This gift will be sure to please the couple and help other people and organizations in need. Everyone wins!
  • Museum or Local Attraction Memberships: Does the couple enjoy art and culture? Do they attend concert or plays often? Consider getting them a year long membership to an organization that they will love. Animal lovers might love a year round pass to the local zoo. Theater buffs will certainly enjoy a season of tickets at the local playhouse. Art lovers? The local museum. The options here are limitless. If you know the couple’s hobbies, you can certainly find a membership in their area to fit.
  • Patio Furniture and other outdoor living items: Many guests will bring plates, silverware, and household items. Maybe you should shift gears and look for something for the outside of their home. Patio furniture is something that most couples will enjoy, but might not think about when registering. They will certainly be able to enjoy your gift for many years to come, when cash and gift cards have long been used. Outdoor fireplaces are both luxurious and practical. They are a great addition to any new home. Outdoor grills will give the couple a fun alternative to indoor cooking and will surely get you invited over for future cookouts! Fountains, statues, and water features might also be perfect for your friends or family getting married.
  • Anything Personalized: Anything personalized, including a custom painting from portrait of the couple, monogrammed bath robes, and framed photo collages will show the couple that you avoided the traditional generic gifts. If you pick something especially for them, they will recognize the love and thought that went into choosing a gift for their special day.

Did you receive any unusual or unique wedding gifts on your big day? Have you given a wedding gift that was different, but wonderful?

Wedding Gifts