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.

Holidays & Gift Ideas, Innovative Solutions

Create a Unique Thanksgiving Feast!

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Thanksgiving is less than one week away! Fun, family, and food are sure to make your holiday a wonderful experience. Thanksgiving food staples are sure to be on your family’s table. Sweet potatoes, stuffing, and the oh so important turkey not only satisfy your stomach, but also your soul. This year, why not try something different with your turkey? By cooking your turkey using a non-traditional method, you can get the same comforting feelings of Thanksgiving and a delicious meal while creating exciting new memories and traditions.

Electric Smoker

Smoking your turkey will create an amazing flavor and super moist meat. Electric smokers cook food more evenly than a traditional charcoal grill. They maintain a constant temperature that’s easy to control so hot spots and flare ups are never a problem. By adding smoker flavor bisquettes, you can impart the subtle flavors of everything from apple to pecan (and even bourbon!) into your turkey. Smoking is a slow process that you will find very rewarding. Smoked turkey is so delicious that it will surely become a family tradition for years to come.

Turkey Rocket Roaster

The Turkey Rocket Roaster is another fun alternative to traditional cooking methods and is great even if you are on the go this holiday season. It is a unique chamber that acts like a dutch over, cooking your turkey quickly and evenly. It uses charcoal to heat and creates that delicious, smokey flavor, but cooks in 2/3 less time than traditional methods. You can cook a 14 pound turkey in under 2 1/2 hours. This is much less time than regular grilling. It is lightweight but heavy-duty.

No matter which method you use to prepare your Thanksgiving feast, remember to take a moment to be thankful for all that you have. This is a perfect day to let go of all the things that are wrong in your life and focus on the positive. Enjoy spending time with your loved ones, and Happy Thanksgiving!

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.

Holidays & Gift Ideas, Indoor Living Spaces

Indoor Game Tables Provide Fun in All Weather Conditions

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Game Table
As much as we all love being outside and enjoying beautiful weather, the cold temps do not have to take away all of your fun! You can find some really amazing indoor game tables to keep you entertained when going outdoors is not an option. They are great for all ages and will make the perfect bonding experience for multi-generational families. When my own family gets together for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are always looking for fun ways to spend the day. These games are going to be a huge hit! Air hockey, pool, foosball, darts, and even a 20-in-1 game table are sure to offer something for every member of my family and yours. They also make perfect Christmas and birthday gifts! You will be entertained for hours – rain or shine.

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.