Author: Sara May

Backyard Fun, Healthy Ideas, Holidays & Gift Ideas

Reclaim Your Kids: Give the Gift of Imagination

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Outdoor Playhouses

In a world where kids are increasingly distracted by screens and electronic toys that make imagination obsolete, there are still opportunities for parents to wow their kids and encourage creativity at the same time.  One such opportunity comes in the form of an Outdoor Playhouse.

Outdoor playhouses are available in countless shapes, sizes, and materials, but choosing one that will last for years through many children and all kinds of weather is always the most cost-effective option.  The best quality outdoor playhouses are made with non-pressure treated wood that is resistant to weather conditions, decay, and insect infestation.  Real wood makes an outdoor playhouse feel more like a cabin in the woods, a private get away for kids who need a separate, quiet space to think, play, or read.

Outdoor playhouses appeal to parents, too, because they entice children to break away from their screens and electronic toys and become engrossed in an imaginary world of their own creation.   Outdoor playhouses also encourage healthy movement and the development of positive social skills, which, in addition to creativity, have become casualties of our kids’ electronically-connected lives.

For best effect, the outdoor playhouse should be off limits to adults.  As long as their activities don’t harm themselves, other people, or anything in nature, kids should have the ultimate say in what happens in their private space.  The only strict rule parents should consider adopting when it comes to the outdoor playhouse, though, is that it must remain an electronics-free zone.  Otherwise, the benefits of the outdoor playhouse are lost.

Indoor Living Spaces, Innovative Solutions

Sneaky Solution: Patio Heaters in Disguise

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Decorative Patio Heaters

Staying cozy and warm on the back patio or deck on chilly days and nights can be as easy as cranking up the Patio Decorative Patio HeatersHeater.  That delicious warmth makes December dinners al fresco an inviting idea.  With their traditionally sleek and contemporary appearance, though, patio heaters don’t always appeal to homeowners who like to maintain a consistent decorating style in their outdoor spaces.  The smart (and sneaky) solution is a patio heater that looks like a beautiful floor or table lamp.

Rather than using propane or natural gas, decorative patio heaters are usually electrically powered, so hiding unsightly tanks or hoses is not an issue.  With weather resistant hardware, the lamp-style patio heater is intended for outdoor use, but some models can also be used safely indoors.  Either way, this patio heater blends beautifully into the existing decor rather than standing out as an unwanted focal point.

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Holidays & Gift Ideas

Cyber Monday Goes Green

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Shopping on “Black Friday” — a.k.a. the wild and crazy day of shopping following Thanksgiving — is not everyone’s idea of a good time.  Luckily, “Cyber Monday” exists for folks like me who prefer not to venture out to fight traffic, parking  lots, and frenzied crowds.  Shoppers stay home on Cyber Monday — the first Monday following Thanksgiving — and shop great deals online in their jammies.  That’s more like it.

According to Wikipedia, online shoppers spent $887 million on Cyber Monday in 2009.  That’s a lot of holiday gift buying, but how many of those gifts were even remotely meaningful or sustainable?  This question, posed by the Nature Conservancy, prompted a campaign to turn Cyber Monday into “Green Gift Monday.”  The goal ofbows,gifts,packages,presents,ribbons,special occasions Green Gift Monday is to encourage online shoppers to put a little more thought into choosing gifts that are environmentally responsible.  Not only does this give shoppers the opportunity to do something positive with their money, it also makes gifts more meaningful to recipients.

Whether Green Gift Monday will catch on with online shoppers is hard to say.  But, if even some portion of Cyber Monday shoppers decide to put more thought into their purchases and choose environmentally friendly gifts, then the Nature Conservancy’s campaign could still be considered a success.

Indoor Living Spaces, Innovative Solutions

Smart Solution: Outdoor Rugs for Cleaner Kitchens and Dining Areas

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Outdoor Rugs for Indoor Use

One of the most common places to find an area rug inside the home is in the kitchen or dining area.  Whether that rug is under the dining table, next to the kitchen sink, or at the door that leads outside, there’s little doubt that it sees a good deal of action.  Spills, splashes, and dirty shoes add up quickly to create a dingy rug that looks like it always needs a wash.

Smaller area rugs purchased in a big box store don’t usually wash well and tend to fall apart after just a few times in the washing machine.  Larger area rugs require spot cleaning or the rental of a steam cleaner.  To get the job done most effectively, homeowners find that hiring a professional carpet cleaner is sometimes necessary.

A smart solution for this common dilemma is to replace indoor area rugs with Outdoor Rugs.  Outdoor rugs, while initially intended to help dress up outdoor spaces, have enormous potential as indoor rugs, too.  Today’s outdoor rugs have beautiful designs that complement just about every indoor decor, and, because they can be used outdoors, they are waterproof, incredibly rugged, and easy to clean.  Spills and dirt wipe away with a damp cloth, and particularly dirty rugs can be taken outside, squirted with a hose, and left to air dry.

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!