Author: Sara May

Garden Tools & Tips

Outdoor Water Fountains Are Favorites for Garden Decor

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I love gardening, but I don’t really have the kind of time it takes to create the garden of my dreams.  I keep it simple, using hardy perennials and a few colorful annuals, and then I carefully choose a few pieces of garden decor to add character.  Too much garden decor makes a yard look more like a yard sale, but a few special pieces can help show off your home’s unique personality and style.

My favorite piece of garden decor is the outdoor fountain.  Outdoor water fountains are appealing to both the eye and the ear.  They combine the soothing sound of falling water with the beautiful appearance of the fountain itself.  They also attract our feathered friends, which is an extra bonus for bird-lovers.  Outdoor fountains are made in such a variety of styles and materials that you are sure to find one that fits your own personal taste.

Whether you choose an outdoor water fountain or some other decorative garden ornament, garden decor goes a long way to spruce up a plain looking yard or garden.  Just a few carefully chosen pieces allow you to highlight areas of your garden or yard that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Healthy Ideas, Outdoor Living Spaces

Porch Swings Rock Your Cares Away

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What is it about rocking back and forth gently in a porch swing that takes us to that ultimate level of relaxation?  Does the movement remind us of being rocked as children by a loving caregiver?  Does the gentle sway send a signal to our brains to slow down and breathe deeply?  I cannot explain it, but I can attest to the positive effects that sitting in a porch swing has on my body.  My mind settles, muscles loosen, mood lightens.  And, it doesn’t matter if the day is snowy and cold or hazy and humid; as long as I am dressed for the season, there’s no where I’d rather be than sitting in my porch swing, feet dangling, cares melting away.

Beach Accessories, Outdoor Entertaining, Portable Fun, Shade Solutions

Portable Shade Canopies: Endlessly Handy

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I challenge anyone to find a portable structure that is handier than a shade canopy.  There is no apparent limit to the variety of ways that portable shade canopies can be put to use.  Here are just a few:

  • Set up a shade canopy along the sideline of your kid’s soccer games;
  • Use it to enjoy a comfortable, impromptu picnic in the backyard;
  • Keep it near the sandbox to provide the kids with extra shade as they play;
  • Bring a portable shade canopy along to the beach and create your own personal cabana shelter;
  • Set up merchandise tables under a shade canopy at your next garage sale;
  • Instantly create a covered dining area on the deck or patio.

Portable shade canopies are economical and durable; they are simple to put up and fast to take down.  Many come with their own tote bag, which makes for easy storage.  I keep a portable shade canopy in the trunk of my car, and it never ceases to amaze me how often I find a use for it when our family is out and about.  How do you use your portable shade canopy?

Garden Tools & Tips, Outdoor Entertaining, Storage Solutions

Fast and Easy Storage Shed Kits Save Time and Money

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Need some more storage for your yard and garden supplies?  Don’t want to spend a bunch of money on an expensive storage shed at the home improvement warehouse?  Try this solution:  a Fast Framer storage shed kit.  What’s nice about this storage shed kit is that you get everything you need for your new storage shed, except the wood itself.    You get the freedom of selecting your preferred type of wood.  Even better is that Fast Framer storage shed kits come with patented stud and angle brackets that allow you to connect the wood pieces together without having to do a bit of mitering.  You save time and effort, and the result is that you have a finished outdoor storage shed ready in a fraction of the time it might take if you used another type of kit.  Fast Framer storage shed kits are a fun project for the do-it-yourself enthusiast, no matter how much (or little) do-it-yourself experience you may have.

Outdoor Lighting Ideas, Outdoor Living Spaces, Outdoor Safety Tips

Decorative Patio Lamps Are the Safe Choice for Outdoor Spaces

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Spending evenings outside on the deck, patio, or screened porch is wonderfully tempting when the weather is pleasant, but proper lighting can be a real problem if you plan to read or do any detail-oriented activities such as needlework or wood working.  Seeing clearly what you are doing is important, but bringing an indoor light source outdoors is not a safe idea.  Indoor lamps are intended for indoor use, which is why choosing patio lamps for your outdoor spaces is the best choice.

Outdoor patio lamps are made from weather resistant materials, such as heavy-duty resin,  powder coated aluminum, or natural-looking PVC wicker, and most come with a weighted base for added stability.  The extra weight in the lamp bases comes in handy when you encounter a stiff breeze.  Outdoor patio lamps also have weatherproof, grounded cords and plugs.  Patio lamps that come with cloth shades are covered in weather resistant fabrics that prevent fading and moisture damage.

The best part about outdoor patio lamps is their appearance — they are just as beautiful and stylish as any indoor lamp.  In fact, many homeowners choose to use outdoor patio lamps inside the home as well as outside.  No matter where you put a patio lamp, it will safely provide you with the right amount of lighting for whatever project you intend to focus on.