Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Lighting Ideas, Outdoor Living Spaces

Unique Patio Lanterns Create Ambiance

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Patio Lanterns

Elegant and unique, Starlight Outdoor Patio Lanterns are made to survive the outside elements. These beautiful ornamental lights create a dramatic, ambient glow in your outdoor living spaces, on the patio, by the pool, or in the garden.

The globes of each Starlight Outdoor Patio Lantern are unique in design, ranging from contemporary to nostalgic. My favorite, the Orion Patio Lanterns, are designed to mimic old street post light globes and bring an old world character to any existing decor. A string of either 50 or 100 mini lights are used to illuminate each lantern. You are sure to find a Starlight Patio Lantern that fits your unique taste and style. Any Shooting Star Lanterns make for stylish indoor accent lighting as well.

If you are looking to add beauty and ambiance to your outdoor patio, lanterns are an excellent choice and can give any space a warm glow that neither overpowers nor disappoints. These lanterns are perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere to any outdoor occasion.

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Garden Tools & Tips

Composting Is Not a Dirty Word

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Earthmaker Composter

The word compost sometimes scares people.  We often think of smelly trash, worms, and spoiled food when we think of composting. Actually, it is a simple way you can “Go Green” in your own home in addition to the avid recycling you already participate in.

Composting benefits us in at the very least two ways.  It reduces waste and the more we compost the less we eventually send to our landfills.  And it also helps improve the quality of our soil when it is re-introduced to our gardens, shrubs and other landscape.

A great product for composting that never stinks because it uses the process of aerobic oxidation is the the Earthmaker Aerobic Composter. It is for busy people wanting an easy, green way to deal with organic waste or gardeners who want an easy, fast way of making compost.  This is how it works. In the top chamber of the composter the water, oxygen, and heat help micro-organisms (fungi and bacteria) break down the raw material. In the cooler middle and bottom chambers, macro-organisms (worms and invertebrates) work to further break down material to mulch and, finally, compost. The Earthmaker Aerobic Composter has a 123 gallon capacity and is the first continuous cycle compost bin that can produce 10 gallons of compost every month. Independent trials have proven the Earthmaker processes kitchen and garden waste at twice the speed of traditional compost bins.

Start composting today and do your part to live a “Green” life.

Healthy Ideas, Outdoor Safety Tips

Features to Look For in a Pool Alarm

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Pool Turtle Pool Safety Alarm

While pool alarms may come with many more features than are presented here, the following is a list of recommended features to look for when deciding on a pool alarm for your own backyard swimming pool:

  • Easy installation
  • Tamper proof
  • Includes a remote receiver with a range of up to 200 ft or more
  • Low battery indicator on alarm and on receiver
  • Recommended for the size and shape of your swimming pool
  • Able to detect an object as small as a 1 year old child, approximately 18 pounds
  • A loud and distinct alarm should sound within 20 seconds each time a child simulator is dropped into the pool.

Testing Your Pool Alarm

Once you decide which swimming pool alarm is best for your backyard swimming pool, performing regular tests of the alarm’s effectiveness will ensure that your alarm continues to function properly over time.  The user’s manual for each type of pool alarm should provide instructions for conducting your own tests.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Swing Into Summer on a New Porch Swing

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Pergola Porch Swing

The gentle sway of a porch swing can soothe you after a long day or provide a comfortable setting for an after dinner conversation. Porch swings are an ideal spot for reading the morning paper, or for sipping iced tea on a hot afternoon. Handcrafted porch swings and resin wicker porch swings will whisk you away to that idyllic spot you’ve been envisioning.

If your porch is too small for a porch swing, or if you don’t have a porch at all you can use a Pergola Swing Set, pictured above. They are stylish and sturdy free-standing swings that can provide all the romance and comfort of a traditional porch swing.

Many porch swings are handcrafted with Western Red Cedar or made with Resin Wicker. Both materials look just as beautiful and are durable and sturdy.

Start relaxing this spring and into the lazy days of summer on a beautiful porch swing.

Backyard Fun

Outdoor Golf Game for Your Backyard!

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Outdoor Golf Chip Shot Challenge Game

Improve your golf game in your own backyard!  The short game in golf  is where those low scores come from and becoming more proficient at the chip and pitch shot will have you enjoying your golf game more than ever before.

Practicing with a backyard golf set will help you lower your score. Whether you are golfing with a friend or getting ready to play in your club championship, you can improve your golf score and become a more competent golfer around the green by practicing a few minutes a day or week.  All you will need is your pitching wedge and some free time to hone your short game skills and start shooting lower scores. Set one up, practice and you will gain the confidence you need with the short clubs and watch your scores drop.

There is no need to agonize any longer over your golf scores when you can improve them from your own backyard.