Holidays & Gift Ideas, Outdoor Entertaining

What’s Better Than a “Hot Stuff” Apron?

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Grilling Tool Set

When holidays and special occasions roll around, there’s really only one way to go when you’re searching for that “just right” gift for your Grill Master.  Grill-related gifts abound, but it can be a challenge to sift through them all.  Instead of that selection of internationally inspired barbecue sauces or spice rubs that your Grill Master may or may not ever use, and instead of the amusing apron that reads “Hot Stuff!”, consider choosing a gift that is not only useful and practical, but that would be appreciated by even the most seasoned Grill Master.

The one thing that every Grill Master needs are grilling tools, and well-made grilling tools make a welcome gift.  Choosing a high quality grilling tool set containing a variety of tools that are built to last will help your Grill Master take his or her grilling skills to the next level.  Don’t be surprised, though, if you’re feeling a little selfish about giving a gift such as this — it’s natural to hope for the opportunity to taste some deliciously grilled specialties that your Grill Master will create using the new tools.  What a scrumptious way to say thank you!

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Garden Tools & Tips, Innovative Solutions

Composting Fall Leaves

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The leaves are changing and falling to the ground at a rapid pace. It makes for a beautiful time of year, but also a mess on your lawn. Why not get rid of those falling leaves in a way that is great for landscaping in multiple ways. Compost bins are perfect for recycling those fall leaves into something that is actually GOOD for your lawn. Add the leaves, along with household food scraps, to your compost bin and it will be rapidly decomposed, creating some of the richest and most natural soil you have ever seen. It can then be returned to your lawn and garden, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Pine needles, grass clippings, kitchen waste, and even paper towels can also be added to your compost bin. Do something great for your lawn, your family, and your environment. You will get so much enjoyment in realizing that you are reducing your waste by turning it into a useful resource.

Holidays & Gift Ideas, Outdoor Lighting Ideas

A Spooktacular Solution for Landscape Lighting

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Patio Lantern

How do you keep the walkways to your front door safe and well lighted, especially on spooky nights like Halloween?  Cute little ghosts and goblins will be more likely to come looking for tricks and treats if they can see clePatio Lanternsarly how to reach your porch.  There are any number of holiday-themed lighting options that would work for lighting the way, but if Halloween lights are only used for Halloween, what will you do for landscape lighting the rest of the year?

Patio Lanterns offer a different approach to landscape lighting than traditional path lights or garden lights.  Reminiscent of the decorative street lamps found in Paris and other European cities, patio lanterns bring old-world charm to a patio, deck, or walkway.  They dress up a home’s landscape much more effectively than standard path lights or garden lights, and they are easy to decorate from season to season.

Healthy Ideas

Enjoy the Soothing Sounds of Indoor Waterfalls

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Indoor Water Fall

This can be a stressful time of year. Children in school with constant homework, busy days and nights, and Christmas right around the corner all lead to added anxiety for most adults. When you do get to enjoy your time at home, why not make it as peaceful and tranquil as possible? An indoor water fall is the perfect addition to your home to make that peace and tranquility possible. Listening to the gentle sound of flowing water is a soothing way to unwind from the stresses of everyday life. Unlike sound machines, which have become popular in recent years, indoor waterfalls give you both sound AND sight features that guide you toward your ultimate goal of rest and relaxation. You can stimulate your senses by running your finger tips under the cool water or change the sound of the waterfall by rearranging rocks in the basin or by adding new elements, such as seashells or small pieces of wood, along the water’s path. Whether you choose a small table top piece or a wall mounted fountain that is beautiful enough to work as a piece of art, you will get to come home to the relaxing sounds of nature year round – no babbling brooks required!

Indoor Living Spaces, Innovative Solutions

Fresh Idea: Decorate Indoor Spaces With Outdoor Curtains

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Outdoor Curtains Indoors

Today’s outdoor curtains and drapes look as good as indoor ones and offer superior performance, so why wouldn’t you choose outdoor curtains for your indoor spaces?  Here are a few reasons why outdoor curtains are a good idea:

  • Indoor fabrics fade — The beautiful curtains you had custom made for your sunny living room may not look so beautiful in a couple of years as the sun’s UV rays do their darndest to fade the curtain’s colors.  Because outdoor curtains are intended for outdoor use, they are constructed with fabrics that resist those harmful UV rays and keep fading at a bare minimum.  Your curtains will look just as vibrant in ten years as they do when you first install them.

  • Protect indoor furnishings — Those same UV rays that fade your lovely indoor curtains can also do some serious damage over time to your other indoor furnishings.  Upholstered furniture, artwork, fabrics, carpets, and more are at the mercy of the sun’s UV rays.  Over time, these indoor treasures can fade, weaken, crack, and become otherwise damaged as a result of prolonged sun exposure.  The best quality outdoor curtains have a UV protection factor of 98%, so they block the bulk of the harmful rays that threaten to damage your indoor furnishings.

  • Durability and versatility — Outdoor curtains are made with beautiful, but rugged, fabrics that can take the worst of outdoor weather.  By using outdoor curtains inside, you can feel confident that they’ll stand up to everyday, and not so everyday, abuses.  Outdoor curtains make any room of the house look good, but, because they are so easy to clean, they are especially ideal for the busiest of rooms, like the kitchen, family room, kids’ rooms, play room, and laundry room.