Category Archives: Backyard Fun

Tips for Celebrating Your Favorite Furry Friend

Happy Dog, Happy Family

It’s National Dog Week this week, so it’s the perfect time to honor our canine companions and show them how much we appreciate their unconditional love.  Here are four easy ways you can pamper your pooch:

  • Extra Love — Our dogs give us so much love and devotion.  Let them know you love them, too, by offering a few extra kisses or an extended belly rub.
  • Special Goodies — Prepare a tummy-yummy homemade “ice cream” treat (recipe below) for your pooches.  Mine absolutely love their daily dessert.  Special goodies don’t have to be edible, though.  If your pup carries around a few too many pounds, you should consider alternative goodies like squeaky toys or tennis balls that encourage active playtime — preferably with you.
  • Canine Massage — It’s true…professional canine massage is growing in demand, and it’s a fabulous complement to regular veterinary care.   It benefits healthy dogs, anxious dogs, geriatric dogs, canine athletes, and more.  What a perfect time to give this up and coming service a try.  Your dog will thank you.
  • Elevated Dog BedA Comfy Bed — Upgrade your dog’s sleep spot by providing him or her with an elevated, easy to clean dog bed that is tops in comfort.  The elevated bed acts like a hammock, so it’s easy on joints and allows air to circulate, which keeps our furry friends cooler and happier when temperatures are warm.

National Dog Week is a wonderful time to celebrate our beloved canine companions, but there’s no reason why we can’t show them how much we appreciate them at other times of the year, too.  Keep this short list handy to serve as a periodic reminder to thank them for the continued joy, amusement, and devotion they give us tirelessly.

Sid and Smoochie Pooch’s Lip Smackin’, Tail Waggin’ Freezer Treats

  • 32 ounces plain yogurt
  • 1 mashed banana
  • 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons honey

Mix all ingredients in a blender.  Pour mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.  Once frozen, pop the treats out of the ice cube trays and store in a freezer bag or other container in the freezer.  Enjoy!

Folding Picnic Tables: For Tailgating and More!

Football Folding Picnic Table
Picnic tables are a great way to provide ample seating to your outdoor events. Picnic tables, however, are traditionally stationary.  How can you enjoy the benefits of extra seating and the ease of portability? Folding picnic tables! They are available in many designs, including the football folding picnic table shown above, which is perfect for tailgating. I recently spent a beautiful afternoon at The Grove at Ole Miss, rated the top tailgating school in the country by numerous publications. My friends and I enjoyed tailgating and put our folding picnic table to great use! Our table also recently came in handy when hosting my daughter’s outdoor birthday party (below). It provided a place to open presents, eat, and give the children a place to relax after lots of playing. They are perfect for adults and children and support up to 250 lbs. per seat. They are available in green, red, black, and blue. In addition to the football table top, you can also choose a poker design (perfect for on the go card games), soccer design, and plain table. They are easy to carry, sturdy, and fun!

A Perfect Space for Your Fall Plants

Plant Inn
Greenhouses are great for gardeners looking to continue into fall. Traditional greenhouses, however, can be large and expensive, which prohibits some gardeners from exploring this option. A great new alternative is a plant inn. It will provide a beautiful and functional growing space in your garden or backyard. The sloping lid allows maximum sunlight and rain runoff. The plant inn even features an internal drainage system. The hinged frame and latch have four access and ventilation options: completely open, two ventilation levels, and locked in the closed position. The raised growing beds provide comfortable access for all ages and keeps ground level critters out. The lower panels slide up for additional storage and drainage hose access. You will get maximum growing and storage space in a compact area.

Plant Inn OpenInternal DrainagePlant Inn Closed

The Perfect Burgers For Your Labor Day Party

Burger Grilling
Looking for the perfect burger recipe for  your Labor Day cookout? The one below from Food Network star Bobby Flay will bring amazing flavor and win raves with your backyard bbq guests! Fire up your charcoal grill, have plenty of cold beverage and friends, and let the party begin!

Bobby Flay’s Basic Burger

Shape 6 ounces of 80% lean ground beef chuck into a uniform patty, no more than 3/4 inch thick (don’t overwork the meat). Make a depression in the center with your thumb so the burger won’t bulge; the indent will rise as the patty cooks. Preheat a grill to high. Brush the burger with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown and slightly charred, turning once (7 minutes for medium-rare). Avoid pressing with a spatula! Add cheese for the last minute of cooking.

For a special Labor Day treat, add the toppings to make Bobby’s Philly Burger. Simply add Provolone cheese, pickled hot peppers and roasted red peppers, and sautéed onions to your grilled burgers.

Source: Flay, Bobby. “Philly Burger Recipe : Bobby Flay : Food Network.” Food Network. Television Food Network G.P. Web. 26 Aug. 2011. < http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/philly-burger-recipe/index.html >.

My Favorite Late Summer Activities

Hammock Recliner
The dwindling days of summer are coming to an end. Around the country, children are starting back to school, football games are beginning, and the days will eventually start to get cooler and shorter. Make the most of the days we have left. Here is a list of my very favorite things to do during the later summer months. What are your favorite things to pass the day? Please share below.

  • Curl up in your hammock with a great book for an entire afternoon
  • Set up a lemonade stand with your kids
  • Hit up your local farmer’s market for great late summer produce
  • Take a canoe trip on your local river or lake
  • Go to your local mall or outdoor gathering area for some intense people watching
  • Take a long, leisurely drive with the windows down and the music up