Backyard Fun, Holidays & Gift Ideas, Portable Fun

Go from Snow-Poke to Speed Demon on the Sledding Hill

Comment

Slow Sleds

Winter let-down #22:  Climbing to the top of the sledding hill while wearing 10 pounds of clothing and carrying an awkward sled only to enjoy a paltry 15 foot ride before the sled stops dead in its tracks.  When it seems like everyone else is zooming by, you try to get that trusty old sled going again by digging your hands into the snow on either side of the sled to push yourself along.  Sometimes this works, but many times not.  Time to go inside for hot chocolate.

This winter, change the scenario.  Give yourself the opportunity to be the one zooming down the snowy hill past all the slower sledders, and revel in the excitement that each ride gives you.  Thanks to winter inflatables, your trek to the top of the sledding hill can be less burdensome, and your journey down can be unbelievably fast and fun.  The hot chocolate can wait, and it will taste all the more divine after a day filled with inflatable sledding adventures.

 

 Snowmobile Rider Tube  Speedseeker 2 Person Inflatable  Sno Fort Inflatable

Holidays & Gift Ideas, Indoor Living Spaces

Extreme Sports Locations Around the World

Comment

In today’s news, Rivals.com and Yahoo! Sports features an article about the top 10 most unusual sports venues ever. There are definitely some strange ones! For instance, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer playing a tennis match at Burj Al Arab hotel – 700 ft about the ground on a helicopter landing pad? The thought alone makes me dizzy! This venue, with only a thin net below for safety, is definitely not for the faint of heart.

The article also mentions college basketball games played on aircraft carriers, squash matches played in clear boxes at Grand Central Station, and golf played on a glacier. These interesting venues add a whole new aspect to the games that players already love and offer a most unique experience.

While you might not be playing tennis on a helipad anytime soon (unless you plan on making a trip to Dubai), you can bring the thrill of your favorite game to your own arena – your home! Indoor game tables provide a great family activity or a chance to unwind with friends. Table tennis, air hockey, poker, foosball, pool, darts, and even basketball can all be enjoyed in the warmth and comfort of your home. Create a fun, friendly, and competitive atmosphere at home – no extreme location required! They also make wonderful Christmas gifts!

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Where-does-aircraft-carrier-rank-among-unusual-s?urn=ncaab-wp6009

Holidays & Gift Ideas, Outdoor Entertaining

Give Thanks for Your Handy Grill Master

1 Comment

Grilling Gift Basket

Grill Masters everywhere are already plotting and planning what divine delicacies to grill up for family and friends on Thanksgiving day.  Whether your resident grill master likes to experiment or prefers to stick to tried and true recipes, you can show your appreciation this season with a festive gift basket filled with grilling tools, marinades, spice rubs, and other grill accessories.

No matter what the occasion, it is hard to go wrong with gift baskets because they can be customized to match the tastes and preferences of the recipient. Many gift baskets already made exclusively for grilling enthusiasts contain a fun combination of practical and exotic items that would appeal to most outdoor chefs, so taking the time to put a gift basket together on your own would not be necessary.

Surprising the grill master in your life with a basket of new grilling toys will surely put a smile on the face and some delicious food on the table for everyone to enjoy.

Backyard Fun, Outdoor Entertaining

Grilling Recipes Inspired by the Tigers and Tide!!

Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE biggest game of the college football season is happening this weekend, as #1 LSU takes on #2 Alabama. College football fans across the country, especially those in the SEC, are hoping for a shootout that will be one for the football history books! Will you be watching? College football is a perfect reason to fire up the grill and create a delicious meal for your friends and family. Speaking of grills, BackyardCity.com has College Logo Grill Covers for BOTH teams atop the polls this weekend. Which cover would you prefer – LSU purple and gold or the crimson of Alabama? No matter which team you are rooting for, check out the grilling recipes below to whip up a meal that your fellow fans will be sure to love!

Spicy Cajun BBQ Grilled Shrimp

(Perfectly served of purple and gold plates!)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup bottled hickory-flavored BBQ sauce
  • 2 Tbs lemon juice
  • 2 pounds shelled medium to large shrimp
  • Cayenne pepper (As much as you can stand)
  • Black pepper (As much as you can stand)
  • Garlic powder (As much as you can stand)

Melt butter and add BBQ sauce and lemon juice.  Add shrimp and toss to coat. Spread shrimp out and sprinkle cayenne pepper, black pepper and garlic powder generously over the shrimp. You can allow shrimp to marinate for several hours for more intense flavor, but they are also great on the grill after only 30 minutes. Grill shrimp for about 5 minutes, turn, and grill about 5 minutes longer (or until done). Let stand for several minutes to absorb spices.

Alabama Grilled Chicken with White Sauce

(Crimson Tide Approved!)

Ingredients:

  • 1 Whole Chicken
  • 2 Cups Alabama White BBQ sauce (Recipe Below)
  • Oil
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Hickory Chunks (In addition to charcoal)

Butterfly the whole chicken, coat with a layer of oil, sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper, and place on the grill with hickory chunks for smoke (Chicken pieces such as breasts, legs, and wings can be substituted). Cook over indirect heat at 300-325 degrees F for 3-3 1/2 hours (depending on the size of your chicken). Coat with Alabama White BBQ sauce after the chicken is done and serve immediately.

Alabama White BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mayonnaise
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Preparation:

Mix ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 8 hours before using. Brush lightly over chicken, turkey or pork during the last few minutes of grilling. This barbecue sauce is also great as a dipping sauce so set some aside before you start grilling to serve on the table.
(bbq.about.com)
Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

A Unique and Practical Outdoor Focal Point

Comment

Outdoor Chiminea Fireplace

Looking for a unique but practical focal point for your outdoor living space?  Outdoor fireplaces are practical, but not always unique.  Unless you choose a chiminea, that is.

Chimineas are a different kind of outdoor fireplace. Chimineas 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.