Author: Sara May

Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

A Beautifully Unique Outdoor Fireplace

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Chiminea Outdoor Fireplace

There’s a cold front coming through soon — will you retreat indoors when evenings grow chilly?  Frankly, there’s nothing quite like inhaling the crisp air of an early autumn evening (coming soon to a neighborhood near you).  The only thing to make that moment better is the warm, aromatic glow of a fire.  Outdoor fireplaces allow homeowners to safely create that delicious combination of crisp air and crackling wood, but the most unique way to bring the two together is with a most unique outdoor fireplace — the chiminea.

Chimineas are a different kind of outdoor fireplace. They were originally developed in Mexico as a means for heating the home and cooking food. The design of chimineas, which is reminiscent of the pot belly stove with a round, mostly enclosed firebox and tall stack, allows fires to light quickly and burn longer than in a traditional outdoor fireplace, which has an open firebox. Additionally, the design of chimineas prevents rain from extinguishing the fire.

Chimineas were traditionally constructed of clay or terra cotta and worked well in warmer, drier Mexican climates, but for superior durability and performance in colder climates, the preferred material for backyard chimineas is heavy duty metal, such as cast iron or cast aluminum. In cold temperatures and harsh weather conditions, clay or terra cotta chimineas tend to flake, crack, or crumble. Metal chimineas are beautifully designed and easily become the decorative focal point in any elegant outdoor living space. Chimineas are outdoor fireplaces with real character and style.

Storage Solutions

How to Store Firewood Properly

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Pile of Firewood is Messy

Firewood Pile is a Mess

In some parts of the country, it’s not too early to start thinking about firewood.  Storing your seasoned firewood properly is an important consideration, and there are any number of options available. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when deciding how and where to store your seasoned firewood.

Convenience and Insect Deterrence

Seasoned firewood that you plan to use for the upcoming winter should be easy to access, but storing logs against an outside wall of your home is not recommended. Firewood can attract insects, and if logs are stored next to the house, pests can enter your home or cause damage to your home’s exterior. Some of the best, most convenient places to keep seasoned firewood are next to a fence or next to the shed or other outdoor storage building. If you suspect that your firewood may be crawling with critters, do not give into the temptation to spray the firewood with pesticides because burning these logs will create harmful toxic vapors.

Protection From Moisture

So that your firewood burns efficiently, it should stay dry while outdoors. If there is enough room available inside your outdoor shed or storage building, then firewood can be stored easily there. Alternatively, a simple tarp can be used to cover your firewood to prevent it from taking in moisture from rain or snow. Tarps are inexpensive and can be tied down easily to prevent them from blowing away. If your stack of firewood is stored in a place on your property that is not visible to passersby, then choosing to cover the stack with a tarp will not negatively affect your home’s “curb appeal.”

Elevation and Air Circulation

If stored directly on the ground, firewood can soak up moisture and attract insects. Storing your firewood in a sturdy Firewood RackFirewood Rack will keep your logs elevated, promote air circulation, and deter pests and wood rot. A Firewood Rack can be hand made from wood, but a rugged tubular steel-framed Firewood Rack is rot-proof and rust-proof, easy to assemble, and comes in multiple sizes, so you should be able to find one that fits the space in which you plan to store your firewood.

Properly storing your seasoned firewood will ensure that you have easy access to it when it’s needed without also sending an invitation to pests to invade your home. Proper storage will also keep your firewood dry while at the same time encouraging air circulation. By following these simple tips, you will be sure to enjoy long-burning, low emission fires throughout the winter season.

 

Garden Tools & Tips, Storage Solutions

Garden Sheds — What’s So Great About Cedar?

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Cedar Garden Shed

Why choose a cedar garden shed over a metal or plastic shed? Cedar is an all-weather wood that can withstand decades of harsh weather conditions, including icy winters, wet springs, and hot, sunny summers. It can be stained or painted to complement your existing home decor, and it is naturally resistant to mildew, rot, and insects, making it virtually worry-free. As an added bonus, cedar looks beautiful and smells fantastic. Because of these benefits, cedar is a natural choice for outdoor storage sheds.

Additionally, cedar garden sheds are available with a variety of attractive and helpful features you can’t usually find in the more generic metal or plastic varieties:

  • Functional windows: Fresh air can easily circulate throughout garden sheds, keeping the interior space comfortable;
  • Window boxes: Filled with colorful flowers and plants, window boxes enhance the exterior beauty of garden sheds;
  • Dutch doors: Close the bottom half of the door and open on the top for additional air and light;
  • Double doors: Storing large or awkward pieces of equipment is much easier;Cedar Garden Shed Interior
  • Decorative door hinges and hardware: Dress up the appearance of garden sheds even further;
  • Porches: Turn the entrance of garden sheds into a welcoming spot to relax or share a conversation;
  • Greenhouse windows: Create gardens inside the garden shed.

Cedar garden sheds offer so many possibilities that metal or plastic sheds simply cannot. Cedar brings natural beauty and durability to outdoor storage sheds, allowing them to become an attractive focal point in your backyard rather than an eyesore to be hidden from view.

 

Backyard Fun, Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Insect Control, Outdoor Living Spaces

A Mosquito Eliminator That’s Different from the Rest

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Mosquito Eliminator

I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting products that can safely reduce mosquito populations in my backyard.  With pets and kids running around, I’m wary of using foggers or other chemicals to kill the pesky blood suckers.  But, because I have pets and kids, eliminating mosquitoes takes on a higher priority.  Enter the Mosquito Eliminator.

This nifty gadget doesn’t look, smell, or work like most existing mosquito devices, which is why I was so intrigued by it.Mosquito Cartridge  It looks like an attractive piece of outdoor decor, doesn’t emit any noxious odors, and traps mosquitoes using a unique method of attraction.  Using ultraviolet black light technology and specially formulated attractants, the Mosquito Eliminator lures mosquitoes and other flying insects into the unit where they are captured on the patented auto advancing cartridge trapping system.  The Mosquito Eliminator provides a coverage area of 1,000 square feet, and it can hold about 6,000 mosquitoes before the cartridge needs replacing.

It’s refreshing to be able to enjoy the backyard without first dousing our bodies in chemical sprays or lighting up an ineffective candle.  Thanks to the Mosquito Eliminator, the pets can romp, the kids can play, and we can all have a relaxing, bug-free summer outside.

Outdoor Entertaining, Portable Fun, Shade Solutions

Essential Tailgating Supplies That Score Big

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Football - Time for Tailgating

It’s official — the NFL strike is over, and the games will begin in only a few short weeks.  It’s time to gather the tailgating supplies so you don’t have to scramble at the last minute.  Here are a few essential pieces of portable tailgating equipment that you’ll want to bring with you to every game:

  • Portable Grill — Cold sandwiches just don’t cut it at a football game.  Tailgating is all about hearty grilled delicacies like burgers, brats, and even steaks.  Better quality portable grills offer plenty of surface area that allows you to cook for a crowd.  Many come with top-notch features like folding legs with wheels, detachable side shelves for keeping grilling tools handy, and trailer hitch attachments so you can save your table space for other necessities.
  • Portable Picnic Table — Once you prepare your tasty meal on the grill, where will you enjoy it?  Sitting in a folding chair trying to balance a plate full of food on your lap is an awkward situation that can end up as a messy disaster.  Portable picnic tables fold from an easy-to-carry compact size into a comfortable table and chair combination that can be shared with several friends.  Focus on conversation rather than on keeping your food from falling on your shoes.
  • Auto-Mo-Brella Umbrella — The Auto-Mo-Brella portable umbrella was made for tailgating.  It attaches quickly and easily to any vehicle’s receiver hitch, and it provides instant shade and protection from the sun.  A little shade is all it takes to create a comfort zone around your personal tailgating space.

The best way to enjoy any tailgating experience is to come prepared.  It doesn’t take a lot of equipment to have a great time at the game, but it’s important to cover your bases — food, seating, and shelter.  When you’re prepared, you can be sure that the tailgating party will be just as fun as the game itself.  Go team!