I woke up this morning and my first thought was, “Yay! It’s blog hop Tuesday!”

Okay, that was a lie.  I think my first thought was actually, “It’s early, where’s the coffee…” But, immediately after that one was the blog hop one.  I promise.

If you’re not up to date on our blog hop, we have five talented, creative, and incredibly diverse designers featuring their expertise in crafts, painting, jewelry, beading and more on 5 different Kathy Peterson Adirondack Chairs.  We wanted to take an outdoor furniture staple, and show how it can be made completely unique.

Last week, quilt designer Pat Sloan knocked her chair out of the water. And this week, painter, Julie Fillo, is sure to inspire a ton of creativity!

Julie Fillo has been painting and loving birds and flowers most of her life. She paints in acrylics and mixed media and loves to splash color and portray exuberance in what she calls Contemporary Folk Art. She really enjoys making up flowers and plants and birds, but lately has been collaborating with a Taiwanese photographer, Sushyue Liao, using his bird images in her paintings.

She has been married 35 years, has 3 wonderful children and 2 beautiful grandchildren. She paints in a tiny studio upstairs that looks out on the back garden in a 105 year old home in the North Slope Historic District in Tacoma, WA.

If you’ve never seen, experienced, or looked into Contemporary Folk Art–I promise that her work will get you excited.  She is amazing!

Hope on over to Julie Fillo’s Art Blog to check out all of the photos, design steps, inspirations, and more!  I love all of the little details she included– like a hidden creepy, crawler, friend!

Don’t miss this one! When art, crafts, outdoor living, design, and blogging all come together– everyone wins.

Have Fun!

Hazel.

classic Pasisian balconies

If you have a small porch, you may be confronted with the issue of choosing and arranging outdoor furniture that will make the most of this outdoor space.  But, before you start fretting, take a moment to give thanks!  Even a small Parisian balcony is something to be thankful for, as an outdoor space attached to your home is a wonderful gift.

But, now that you’re thoroughly thankful for your porch, it’s time to figure out how to make the most of it.

For you dwellers of the small porch, don’t shy away from adding patio furniture.  I find Adirondack chairs and outdoor rocking chairs the most versatile pieces for smaller porches.  They’re easily transportable, fun to re arrange, and can be grouped or separated as needed.  Try facing all of your patio chairs outward to face the view.  You might be thinking, “My view is of a busy road and a neighbor that frequently mows the lawn in his underwear.” You could look into planting trees or trellis sections along the edge of your yard to block that view entirely with green.  But, we’re focusing this post on porches! So, why not try hanging a multitude of hanging flowers and plants around your porch?  Or, if the situation is serious, see if you can hang durable indoor-outdoor curtains or sheers to help camouflage the view. But, also don’t discount the fun of people watching.  While you may have tired of your exhibitionist neighbor-landscaper, your guests might find it thrilling!

Using a mix of outdoor rocking chairs, Adirondack chairs, patio chairs, and other outdoor furniture, you can arrange them to all face out but cluster them to still encourage conversation.  If you feel comfortable, by all means go for larger porch gliders or garden benches, but don’t over-crowd your porch if the space just isn’t available.

Also, evaluate how you’ll use your porch carefully.  Are you looking for a space to relax or to relax… and eat? Or both?  Your porch might not fit a picnic table, but there are plenty of outdoor bistro sets and trestle picnic tables that are perfect for small outdoor spaces.  Plus, you can pull the chairs or benches from that bistro set over to your other outdoor chairs if you have a few extra people over to sit a spell.

If outdoor dining is really your preferred method of enjoying your porch, by all means go for it!  Survey your options for patio dining sets and outdoor bistro sets until you find something that fits your space, your style, and your budget.  And, don’t be afraid to ask for customized options!

If you have the room, make sure to still craft a little secluded corner for yourself.  Even if you use an outdoor rocking chair you plan to pull over to the larger group when guests arrive, have a home base for it.  Add an outdoor accent table for piling books and setting your drink on, and know that that little corner of the porch will be your special spot.  If you prefer afternoon naps to afternoon snacks… string a hammock in the corner of your porch.  It will give you a retreat, while adding a hint of relaxing whimsy to your over-all design scheme.

No matter the size of your porch though, porch swings will work anywhere!  In fact, you might want to use one  to craft that personal retreat I mentioned earlier.  Find an outdoor furniture retailer that provides customizable lengths, measure the widest part of your porch, and ask them what size they recommend to get the most use from the area.  Don’t forget to also get plush outdoor furniture cushions and throw pillows to make your porch swing a destination!

So, no matter the size, shape, or view from your porch… remember that it’s a blessing! Use your space wisely with expert outdoor furniture arrangement, and you’ll enjoy it for longer!

Have Fun!

Hazel

Many people fantasize about having gorgeous yards and gardens like the ones that they see in magazines but making those dreams come true can be difficult.  For some, the challenge may be that they can’t afford to hire professional landscapers; for others, it may be that they don’t have a lot of room.  Truly, if your yard is not huge, it’s easy to start feeling that your options are limited.  However, garden structures, used properly, can work wonders with small spaces.

First, step back and look at the big (or not so big) picture.  Size up the available area, and, rather than thinking of it as being restrictive, assess its possibilities.  Make a list of the elements that you want to add, and decide which ones you can realistically include.  While you’re at it, see if there’s anything that you can get rid of to make more room.  Sometimes, features that have been there forever seem like they’re built-in, when they can actually be removed.

Of course, your plans may not even be that grand; you may simply want to create a nice, cozy, outdoor living area.  If that’s the case, a pergola may be the perfect solution.  Garden pergolas come in such a wide range of sizes that you’re sure to be able to find one to fit into your design.  Get one that’s large enough to cover a few Adirondack chairs and ottomans, or a settee and an outdoor coffee table, and you’ll have a shady little backyard haven; or put a picnic table under it, and make it a charming outdoor dining alcove.

Naturally, you’ll want a pretty garden, too.  Sometimes, in a confined area, people tend to break things up into sections of tiny flower beds; but too many undersized patches can give a yard a disjointed look, and make it seem even more closed in.  Try making garden beds that are longer and wider, even if you have to take out part of your lawn.

If you’re working with a space, such as a side yard, that’s too narrow to hold garden beds on both sides, use planters.  Place several of them on your porch, along its steps, and down the walkway leading to the yard, to create a sense of continuity, and the illusion of a larger area.

If you really don’t have room for a flower bed, add some trellises, and plant flowering vines to cover them.  You can also use trellises and arbors to camouflage any unattractive landscape features that you would like to take out, but can’t, because they really are built-in (such as exposed pipes or old concrete steps leading to nowhere).  Actually, an arbor can be a dreamy little hideaway, all by itself, if you get one with gates and built-in swings or benches.

You don’t need a lot of room to create a focal point, either.  All it takes is a garden bench situated near a small statue or fountain, or a birdfeeder and birdbath; even a planter bench with a lattice back will do the trick.  Use decorative stones to make a pathway leading to the feature, to help to draw the eye in the right direction.

One thing you definitely don’t want to do, when landscaping a small yard, is to clutter it up with a bunch of lawn ornaments.  So, just say “gno” to gnomes.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

I think we’re all guilty of not appreciating what we have.  So often we look out to our porches and outdoor spaces and wish we could have that front page worthy living or dining area.  And then, deciding we can’t completely furnish a new outdoor room, we walk away and let our backyards and patios stay non-functional and boring.

But, on a tight budget, it’s still completely possible to create an outdoor space that you feel comfortable entertaining in.  The first step is to assess what you already have.  Adirondack chairs are great because they can be used in large numbers, alone in the corner, or as a part of a varied outdoor furniture set. If it’s crafted from pine or cypress, you can change the look and brighten it up by adding a coat of paint.  Plus, indoor pieces can often transition to outdoor furniture.  Have a side table that just doesn’t fit into your living room anymore?  Paint it or stain it, then use it in your outdoor space!

When looking at new outdoor furniture, look for pieces that are both versatile and durable.  Going with the most inexpensive furniture you can find might save you money now, but you’ll be in this same predicament by next spring.  Invest now so you can enjoy it for a lifetime.  A good way to see how long-lasting a piece will be is to consider its material, hardware, and construction.  Teak, Eucalyptus, and Cedar are some of the most durable woods available.  While Cypress and Pine also do very well when properly painted, treated, or maintained.  Stainless steel hardware will last you your whole life, and definitely worth looking for, but galvanized steel will serve you well too.  Finally, pieces individually handcrafted from artisans and made in the United State will last infinitely longer than those mass produced overseas.  It’s important to spend your money wisely.  As your outdoor furniture will come into contact with the elements on a regular basis, it’s vital to ensure that it’ll last!

Well, now that you know that criteria… the fun part is picking out your outdoor furniture (of course!)   How do you envision yourself using your outdoor space and who is going to be using it most?  Al fresco dining is fantastic and patio dining sets come in all shapes and sizes.  Looking for just a cozy spot to escape with a loved one? Try an outdoor bistro set that can nestle into a corner.  Hoping to host raucous backyard bashes full of kids and family? Better go with an ultra heavy-duty picnic table that’s big enough to accommodate all the hungry eaters.  Of course, if you’re looking for more of a lounge area than an eating area, you can always take your plates out to the deep seating or patio chairs anyway.  A great deep seating collection is going to be luxurious, hugely functional, and incredibly long lasting.  But, if money’s tight, you can always go with a nice garden bench or patio chair and add an outdoor cushion to still lend comfort.

Outdoor design is not about how much money you can spend.  It’s about getting creative about what you already have and deciding on pieces that are worth your investment.  If you choose your outdoor furniture wisely to serve your needs while mix and matching it with pieces you already have… you’ll have a wonderful outdoor space that you’ll love to come home to!

Have Fun!

Hazel

If you’re looking for an excellent summer project for you and your family, look no further than the blog-osphere!.  TV designer, Kathy Peterson, is using her exclusive new line of patio furniture, Kathy Peterson Inspired-Outdoor Lifestyles to excite creative mastery in crafters everywhere.

“When I was creating my line of patio furniture, I wanted to offer as many color options as possible,” said designer, Peterson. “But, I also wanted to invite the creative in all of us to participate in the fun, so I crafted each piece from Cypress to allow for easy painting and decorating.”  Cypress, a resilient hard word with natural oil embedded in the heartwood, makes it naturally resistant to insects and decay. When kiln dried, cypress has little tendency to warp or cup. But, beyond its durability, it readily accepts all sorts of paints and stains.  “I wanted to find a way to inspire people to put their own personal touch on their outdoor living spaces,” Peterson commented.

To reach this goal, Kathy Peterson hand selected five diverse designers with talents in all areas of creativity.  Each designer will be putting her own unique decorating touch on an unfinished Adirondack chair from Kathy’s line.  Highlighting a designer project every Tuesday from July 20 to August 17, each blogger will be posting photos, directions, inspirations, and materials for her distinctive spin. Everyone involved is anxious to see the completed projects.  As the coordinator, I can tell you that everyone has been buzzing about how each designer is putting her own creative touch on it.

If you thought that once you’ve seen one Adirondack chair, you’ve seen them all… think again!  Kathy Peterson gathered five incredibly unique crafters and designers that will each redefine how you see an Adirondack chair.  And, seeing them all is as easy as ever!

Just stop by this blog (or any of the designer blogs) every Tuesday to see a sneak peak of the decorated chair and a link over to the featured blog.  Then, hop on over there and see all the photos and inspirations!

These versatile designers include Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter TV personality cracking up readers and inspiring creativity in six humorous how-to design books; Kathy Cano-Murillo, author of the crafting book “Waking Up in the Land of Glitter”; Julianna Hudgins, an HGTV and DIY network regular; Julie Fillo, an off beat painter whose work reflects folk tendencies and soul-searching inspiration, and Pat Sloan, a highly sought quilt designer and master quilter.

Beaders, Jewelry makers, quilters, scrap bookers, glitter enthusiasts? How can you not be dying to see what they’re plans are for an Adirondack chair?! It kicks off with Pat Sloan, quilter, tomorrow morning.  So, stop back to see the creativity and get inspired!

Have Fun!!

Hazel.

It doesn’t take weeds, or even pests, to spoil a landscape.  Sometimes, people foil their own efforts to cultivate gorgeous lawns and gardens.  In most instances, it’s not because they start to neglect their outdoor chores.  I mean, sure, that does happen every now and then.  After all, it’s summer, and most people would rather be cooking burgers on their grills, hanging out around their picnic tables, and relaxing in their Adirondack chairs and porch gliders, than doing yard work.

However, that’s not the main problem; and it’s usually not that they’re doing all the wrong things, either.  Actually, it’s more likely that they’re doing the right things, but too often, or too infrequently.  For example, many people over-water their lawns.  This prevents the roots from growing far enough into the ground, which causes them to get tangled up among the blades of grass, and form a mat over the soil.

That’s not a good fashion statement, as the well-coiffed lawn is not sporting dreadlocks this year.   It’s also a waste of water.  The best thing to do is to water deeply, and less frequently, giving the lawn about an inch of water each time.  An easy way to figure out how long it takes to reach that amount is to set an empty tuna can on the grass, then run the sprinkler until it fills to the top.  Just don’t fall asleep in your hammock or swingbed when you’re supposed to be timing this, or you’ll have to start all over.

You may find that watering only once or twice a week will be sufficient.  So, before you water, make sure that your lawn truly needs it.  To determine whether or not it does, simply walk across it.  If the grass springs back into place, it’s in good shape; if it stays compressed in your footprints, it could probably use a drink.  Another way to tell is to push a screwdriver into the ground; if this is difficult, it’s a bit too dry.  Color is also a good indication, as thirsty grass may develop a slight blue tinge.

While watering less is a good way to get a healthier lawn, mowing more often will also help, as it will force the grass to grow thicker, enabling it to crowd out more weeds.  Just be certain that the mower’s blades are very sharp, so that they can make clean, even cuts.  This is important, because ragged edges make the grass more vulnerable to disease.

Furthermore, split ends are not in style for lawns, either; and neither is the close-cropped ‘do.  If you cut the grass too short, it will need more water and herbicides, and become difficult to manage (and they don’t make mousse for grass).  Although the ideal length will depend upon the type of grass that you have, as a rule, you shouldn’t cut off more than one-third of its height at a time.  That’s referred to as scalping, and it takes awhile for grass to recover from it (besides, it’s a really bad look).  Mowing it higher will make its roots grow deeper, increase its immunity to disease, and decrease its need for water.

Naturally, when the weather is extremely hot, you should take breaks whenever necessary.  Keep a pitcher of ice water or lemonade on an outdoor dining table, and enjoy a glass as you rest on a patio chair.

If your lawn is wet, don’t mow it, because the blades won’t be able to cut sharply enough.  Moreover, it will compress the soil and crush the roots, so they won’t be able to breathe.  Then, the grass will die, and your lawn will develop bald spots.

And – you guessed it – baldness is not in vogue for lawns, either!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

One of the things that many people love about summer is being able to relax on their porch swings, chaise lounges, and Adirondack chairs, and admire their gardens.  If you’re in that number, you know the feeling of satisfaction that comes from having created such beauty through hours of hard labor.  Unfortunately, for a lot of people, much of that effort has gone toward trying to keep pests from destroying their handiwork.  In fact, they will continue their struggles in on-going, and, what often turn out to be losing, battles.

Indeed, it seems unfair that, even as you toil in the soil, there’s a host of bugs looting the leaves, pillaging the petals, stalking the stems, and ravaging the roots, of the plants that you are trying to nurture.  It appears that the only course of action is to assault them with a barrage of sprays, powders, and anything else that’s available at garden centers.  These days, however, because people are becoming increasingly loath to use pesticides that can harm the environment (thank goodness), they’re searching for other ways of rubbing out those little wretches.

Luckily, there are dozens of organic products to choose from; but applying these will also take up precious time that you could be spending cooking on your grill, eating at your picnic table, and napping in your hammock.  Moreover, they will wipe out things that are valuable to your garden as well.  Remember, not all of those creepy creatures have malicious intent; many of them are actually waiting in the, uh, wings, to support your endeavors.

Seen and unseen, they are always there, patrolling above and below the soil, and carrying out their vital missions.  With pistils at the ready, these unsung heroes deliver much-needed supplies of pollen to waiting troops.  At the same time, special units are deployed to devour enemy insects that would cause the annihilation of your vegetation; and all of this is accomplished without the use of chemical warfare.

Therefore, instead of attacking everything that crawls, start a recruiting drive to enlist these beneficial bugs as allies.  Whether you’re trying to cultivate flowers, fruits, shrubs, trees, or vegetables, your first tactic is to strategically place the nectar-rich plants in your garden that will entice them over to your side.

These powerhouse pollinators and elite exterminators include bees, lacewings, ladybugs, flower flies, and mini-wasps.  In many cases, their larvae alone have insatiable appetites.  For example, a ladybug larva can consume up to 40 aphids per day, while a single lacewing will eat as many as 10,000 of them over the course of its lifetime.

The favorite flowers of these famished forces include Dill (Anethum graveolens), Korean angelica (Angelica gigas), Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), Poached egg plant (Limnanthes douglasii), Goldenrod (Solidago), and French marigold (Tagetes patula).

Add these lovely plants to your landscape, and you’ll soon have some selfless soldiers doing your drone work for you.  Of course, you’ll have to return their thoughtfulness, by being kind to them as well.

So, the next time you’re bothered by buzzing as you snooze in your swingbed or steamer chair, look twice before you bring in the swat team!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

I truly believe that any garden is enhanced by an outdoor living space.  A simple seating group or even a dining area will allow you to enjoy your garden as much as you work in it.  After all, having a place to spend more time in the fruits of your labor will only lend to your overall enjoyment.  Sure, the sweet smell and exciting sights of your blooms and plants while walking along your garden path are certainly enchanting.  But, imagine sitting in it while reading a book, while sharing coffee with friends, while simply thinking about how much you love your garden!

Though, as many people embark to create an outdoor living area, they feel overwhelmed.  Flipping through gardening and home magazines, it would seem everyone would need to be an interior designer with years of experience and unlimited funds in order to craft comfortable seating or dining areas.  Is it possible to achieve relaxed balance?

In reality, it’s much simpler than you might think.  There a few simple planning tricks to keep your spaces even-looking, without seeming sterile.  I’m here to convince you that anyone can!

Start With The Basics: Before considering which historic architect your living space is aiming to exude, try dialing back and thinking about the bare essentials.  What do you want to get out of this space?  A relaxed retreat for just you and perhaps one other person?  An open-air dining area to share meals with big groups all summer long?  Or, are you looking for a more intimate setting to linger over tea and conversation?  Pinpointing these kinds of expectations will allow you to add the details in a much smoother way.  Remember to keep your purpose in mind throughout the entire process.  While picking each piece, ask yourself if it lends to your original intent.  That way, your entire outdoor area will keep a consistent feeling.

Rustic or Refined: Once you’ve decided whether you’re creating a big family living room or a quiet and secluded oasis, you can consider how lavish of a direction you’d like to take.  Many people thrive on the rustic, untreated wood settings.  If using cedar outdoor furniture, you can enjoy the sweet aroma of western red cedar while viewing the beauties of nature.  The natural luster of the wood can reflect the perfect simplicity of a day spent in the garden.  Of course, there’s also something to be said for luxurious outdoor spaces equipped with big patio umbrellas, outdoor furniture cushions, pillows and throws; as well as outdoor ceiling fans and even electric outdoor lighting.  Again, a lot of these decisions will relate back to the first one.  There’s no wow-factor quite like a plush outdoor room, but that also means that you’re likely to spend a bit more money and up the continued work required to maintain it.  If you want to add some amenities, but aren’t looking for over-the-top luxury, just add one or two things that you would find most helpful.  Hate the still air? An outdoor ceiling fan will keep the breeze going.  Worried about the sun? A patio umbrella in a bright color surrounded by more rustic furnishings will create a wonderful space.  Also try simple, unadorned outdoor furniture cushions to keep your back side comfortable without adding needless luxury (unless, of course, you want it!)

Vary the Pieces: While this probably applies more to outdoor living areas than open-air dining spaces, it’s important not to get too stuck on just one type of furniture.  Create a dynamic area by grouping porch gliders with Adirondack Chairs, garden benches with outdoor rocking chairs and unexpected accent tables.  Having a lot of different pieces will not only create interest and start conversation; it will also make it more comfortable for more people.  Some people love to relax in a chaise lounge, while for others a porch swing is the height of relaxation.  Cater to yourself, cater to your guests, and add as much variety in seating options as you can! Often, you can get all different kinds of outdoor furniture with a common thread—like a heart shape cut into the back or a similar line in the legs.

Add Color: Besides adding variety, the best way to make your living or dining area reflect you and look fantastic is to add color.  The ways to do this are nearly endless.  Some people choose to use their fabrics to create comfortable pairings of natural wood and coordinating colors. I would suggest having two or three colors in mind, before you embark on the fabrics.  Also remember not to overdo the patterns.  Stripes on your outdoor furniture cushions, plaid pillows, a flowered throw blanket, and a block-print patio umbrella is likely to be a bit overwhelming.  A no-fail strategy is to pick one area to highlight a pattern, and keep everything else solid colors.  Another great way to add color is to use paint.  This will allow you to make a wonderfully bright and unexpected space, or you can simply use a well placed lime green accent table, to draw the eyes around the entire space.  Imagine a porch with white wicker outdoor furniture, with muted blue outdoor furniture cushions paired with a matching blue porch swing off to the side.  The coordination of color will allow the entire porch to hold together as one living space.  Deciding on your colors and pattern placements before going into the project will ease some of those overwhelming choices, though.  So think about which garden hues make you most excited about being out in nature.

Make it Functional: Even the most lavish outdoor living area can still be extremely functional.  As I’m sure you’ve considered, designing a room completely exposed to the elements can create some decorating pitfalls.  Two big tips I would give come right down to the tables.  First, consider your tables!  Whether you use several accent and side tables, or one big coffee table, think about how you’re going to use it.  Personally, I love the outdoor tables that have a little bottom shelf.  It gives me a place to stash magazines or even dirty dishes until I’m ready to come inside.  Having a place to keep your “stuff” while keeping table tops clear makes me feel a bit more at ease.  But, if you’re someone who likes everything right out where you can see it, you should look for nice big table tops with room for all your outdoor helpers.  You might also want to consider storage or deck boxes.  A lot of really nice looking storage and deck boxes are available that can be used as a coffee or side table, or even just set out of the way to remain available for emergency extra seating.  These can hold your pillows, throws, even your furniture cushions.  Of course, it can also hold board games, outdoor dishes, or anything else you’d like to keep outside, but worry about its reaction to harsh elements.   Also, if you’re aiming for a dining area, remember that many outdoor dining sets are foldable.  This will let you simply fold them up and stash them behind your back porch when they’re not in use.

Well! I hope that helped.  Please don’t let another season go by without creating an outdoor living area within or near your garden, simply because the task of decorating another space seems overwhelming.  It’s true, outdoor room design is a bit more complicated than indoor rooms because the options and space constraints are so, well, unrestrictive.  But, relax! Have fun, try different things, and develop a space you can’t wait to use and enjoy by keeping unity while adding variety.

While we may not be thrilled to find nicks on our wood outdoor furniture, usually, we can be relieved if they’re minor ones, as these are the easiest to handle.  Of course, the amount of damage that a particular piece will suffer, in any situation, will depend upon the kind of wood that it’s made from, and whether or not it is finished (and, if it is, the type of finish can also make a big difference).  Even so, in many cases, it is possible to fix scratches, or, at least, make them less noticeable.

Certainly, there are other things that can mar wooden outdoor furniture, such as the white rings that often appear after someone has set down a glass without a coaster under it.  If you can blot up the moisture right away, it may not leave a trace; but if you don’t get to it in time, a hairdryer may save the day.  Put it on a low setting, and run it over the spot a few times, keeping it at least six inches away, so that the wood will get warm, but not hot.  If that fails, try rubbing the area with some boiled linseed, olive, or vegetable oil, then wiping it clean.

If nail polish gets spilled on your wood outdoor furniture, don’t wipe it up, because it contains solvents that can soften and remove the finish.  Just wait for it to dry, gently scrape it off with something plastic, such as a credit card or a driver’s license, then apply some wax, using superfine steel wool.

Undoubtedly, it’s nice to know that we can restore the good looks of our wood picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, porch swings, and garden benches.  At the same time, however, we must also remember that, like beauty, the damage sometimes runs deep.  A burn, for example, can be quite troublesome; but if it’s not too severe, try rubbing it with a paste made of fine fireplace ash and lemon juice.  Afterward, wipe it clean, and touch it up with the same kind of finish that is already on the wood.

If it’s a deeper burn, surround it with masking or painter’s tape, and scrape out the burned wood with the rounded blade of a craft knife.  If necessary, re-stain the exposed wood, then use a mixture of equal parts of clear nail polish and acetone-based polish remover to fill the hole, one coat at a time, making sure that each layer dries before applying the next.  Finally, use superfine sandpaper to smooth the surface before you remove the tape.

Because such burns are usually caused by cigarettes, you may be able to prevent them by not putting ashtrays on your outdoor coffee table or accent tables.  Ask smokers to light up only on the perimeter of the yard, or in another designated area, and provide large ash urns, or empty coffee cans, filled with a few inches of sand.  Indeed, this is the best way to make sure that people will keep their butts off your outdoor tables.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Now that Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us, visions of grills, picnic tables, burgers, and hot dogs are dancing in our heads.  This long-anticipated holiday marks the unofficial start of summer; and, because, in many regions, it’s the biggest season for outdoor living, people are going to be having as many picnics as possible, between now and Labor Day.

When you think about it, picnics are among the greatest social events ever devised.  Perfectly blending food, family, friends, recreation, entertainment, and merriment, they’ve been bringing people together since long before Yogi Bear ever swiped his first “pic-a-nic” basket.  In fact, they’re viewed by many as the ultimate, all-American way to celebrate our national holidays.

However, even though many consider the picnic to be red, white, and blue, its beginnings are actually more bleu, blanc, et rouge.  Making its first appearance as a new word in the 1692 edition of Origines de la Langue Françoise de Ménage, the word, pique-nique, is believed to have been derived from a combination of the French word, piquer, meaning to “pick” or “peck” and nique, an obsolete word, which meant “trifle” or “little pieces.”  In the book, it was described as a potluck gathering, to which everyone brought a dish; and the food, which was packed and carried in the first picnic baskets, was set out for all to “peck at.”

The word, picnic, was introduced in English in 1748.  Then, in the 19th century, a group of wealthy Londoners formed the Picnic Society, promoting it as a fashionable social affair, to which each attendee was expected to bring food, and contribute some form of entertainment.  It wasn’t until the middle of the century that it became associated with the outdoors, and the first picnic blankets appeared; soon afterward, its rapid rise in popularity led to the invention of the picnic table.

These days, while picnics can still be grand occasions, they are usually more on the casual side, and can take place in backyards, public parks, or on small, out-of-the-way patches of ground.  Furthermore, it doesn’t take a lot of people to make a picnic; in fact, you can have one all by yourself.

Of course, this weekend, there will probably be a lot more of the large gatherings; so you’d better be prepared.  Besides having an ample food supply, make sure that you have enough patio chairs, Adirondack chairs, outdoor rocking chairs, garden benches, and extra picnic table benches, so that everyone has a place to sit.

Oh, yeah, and don’t forget that everybody will be looking forward to playing some all-American outdoor lawn games, too.  Hmm.  Let’s see.  Uh, how about croquet and quoits?

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy