Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

Certainly, the more you investigate the assortment of outdoor furniture that is available, the more you realize just how many options you have for decorating your outdoor (or indoor/ outdoor) living spaces.  When you get right down to it, you probably have just about as many as you do when you’re selecting indoor furniture.

Yesterday, in comparing the two types of furniture, I mentioned the huge variety of patio chairs, outdoor sofas, loveseats, settees, porch swings and gliders, garden benches, and outdoor rocking chairs, which can be used to create spectacular outdoor living rooms.  Of course, there are also millions of outdoor kitchens and bedrooms to be furnished as well; and, luckily, porch furniture, once again, stacks up favorably against its indoor counterparts.

Naturally, there are several pieces that can cross over from room to room, just as daybeds, pull-out sofas, and chaise lounges do in our homes.  In fact, the outdoor chaise lounge is a good example, as it can be used for sitting, reclining, or sleeping.  Undoubtedly, lounge chairs are as important to outdoor furniture collections as they are to living room suites; and they are just as comfortable, as they have adjustable backs, wide armrests, and seats that are raised in the middle, to keep knees elevated.

When it’s time to lie down and take a snooze, truly, hammocks rival the comfort of even the softest beds.  Among the most popular pieces of outdoor furniture, they come in all colors, and can be made of canvas, rope, or mesh; and many of them have attached pillows.  They can be used anywhere, because, if you don’t have a place to hang one, you can always get a hammock stand; and the same goes for hammock chairs.  Swingbeds are also great for sitting, swinging, or napping.

As in indoor rooms, end tables are integral to the décor of all outdoor rooms; and they’re available in choices that are nearly, well, endless.  You’ll find an array of accent tables, such as outdoor coffee tables, terrace tables, and conversation tables, in cedar, pine, oak, cherry, teak, and polywood, in all colors and styles.

As for the eating arrangements, there’s no denying that, in most homes, picnic tables have always ranked right up there with kitchen tables.  Furthermore, because they have undergone such impressive changes over the past several years, they feature more styles, sizes, colors, and shapes than ever.  Along with the traditional rectangular picnic tables with attached benches, you’ll find hexagonal, octagonal, trestle, and extra-wide picnic tables with backed benches.  If you want something a bit more contemporary, you can get an outdoor dining table or a bistro set.

Indeed, whether in an open area, or an enclosed porch, patio, or gazebo, you can create any motif imaginable, as today’s patio furniture comes in such a wide range of materials, styles, and colors.  Moreover, the countless colors, color combinations, and patterns available for outdoor furniture cushions, patio umbrellas, and outdoor throw pillows, give you even more artistic opportunities for your outdoor décor.

It’s no wonder that we’re so crazy about outdoor living!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

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Tags: accent tables, bistro set, chaise lounges, garden benches, gazebo, gliders, hammock chairs, hammock stand, Hammocks, outdoor chaise lounge, outdoor coffee tables, outdoor decor, outdoor dining table, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture collections, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor rocking chairs, outdoor sofas, patio chairs, picnic tables, porch furniture, porch swings, swing beds

It’s the same every year; in winter, people fantasize about cooking on their grills, eating at their picnic tables, relaxing on their porch swings and gliders, and doing a little gardening.  Then, suddenly, summer is in full swing, it’s too hot, and things are growing, blossoming, and ripening so fast that it’s nearly impossible to keep up with them.

Certainly, there’s no such thing as a “little gardening” in July.  Naturally, we wouldn’t mind it if we had only to tend to those gorgeous flowers that we’ve been waiting to see in full bloom, or harvest the fruits and vegetables that we so patiently cultivated.  What we can’t stand are the tedious, repetitive, maintenance chores, and the constant skirmishes with the marplots that have been put on this planet specifically to ruin our landscapes.

Indeed, along with the mouth-watering sight of those plump, juicy berries that are finally ready to be picked, there’s the nauseating spectacle of those rotten, prickly old weeds that seem to have regenerative powers.  They’re not confined to our lawns and gardens, either.  No-o!  They also pop up between and among bricks, stones, cement slabs, and gravel, weaving hideous, insidious unwelcome mats across our walkways, driveways, and patios.

There are many sprays available that will supposedly kill the weeds, and prevent new ones from growing, for the rest of the season.  Some of them contain harsh chemicals (although their labels say that they’re safe after they’ve dried), while others are organic, and, purportedly, non-toxic to people and pets.  Even so, some folks hesitate to use them.  I’m a little reluctant, too, because I have birdfeeders and birdhouses around my patio, and the birds are always pecking about between the bricks.

A lot of people swear by the very simple approach of pouring boiling water into weed-infested cracks.  As a bonus, this method will wipe out colonies of ants, yellow jackets, and other ground-nesting insects that happen to be living within these crevices.  Saltwater is also effective for killing weeds, but it ruins the soil as well; so if you use it, avoid areas that you have pinpointed for future plantings.

If weeds are young, and not yet firmly established, use a hoe or a rake to expose their roots, early on a cloudless day, leave them where they are, and let the sun finish the job.  Of course, you can always remove weeds the old-fashioned way, by digging them up with a spade or a trowel.

Before you decide on a weeding technique, however, consider the type and consistency of the soil in which they’re growing.  For example, if it’s loose, you may be able to pull them up, roots and all, with no more effort than it would take to pluck the aforementioned ripe berries – or to spray the weeds.  This is often the case in gravel driveways, or older brick, stone, or concrete paths and patios, where you may just need one of those little scooter things that you can sit on (or an outdoor ottoman), for your weed-extracting expedition.

Sure, there’s a lot to do in the garden in July; and even though fighting against weeds may be an uphill battle, there’s no reason to throw in the trowel.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: gardening, gliders, grills, outdoor ottomans, picnic tables, porch swings

Any home on the market today absolutely must have curb appeal.  If it doesn’t, its owners may be in for a lot of drive-by viewings.  However, getting people to stop for a better look is just the first step.  The next is even more significant.  They have to get out of the car; but if the yard is unattractive, they may not even go that far.

Indeed, the landscape of a house can make all the difference in potential buyers’ decisions about whether or not to take those first steps, and then, to continue to the front door, for the full tour.  The problem is that there are so many aspects of it to consider, that it’s difficult to get everything right.

Sometimes, home sellers are so wrapped up in getting the insides of their homes show-ready, that they don’t give the exteriors all of the attention that they need.  Certainly, they’ll cut the grass, prune the hedges, and weed the garden beds; but it takes a lot more than a lush, well-kept lawn, neatly-trimmed shrubbery, and beautiful flowers, to entice people to explore further.

Of course, they want to see a place that’s charming, inviting, and picturesque; and they want to be able to put themselves into that picture, living the good life.  Outdoor furniture can contribute greatly, in that regard.  Porch swings, gliders, outdoor sofas, lounge chairs, and hammocks can really make a house look warm and welcoming.

Other outdoor décor items can influence people as well.  While a few birdfeeders, birdhouses, and some planters are fine, yards that are cluttered with too many garish lawn ornaments, such as plastic deer and geese, gazing balls, and the dreaded gnomes, can be repellent.  It’s best to let the interested parties see the gorgeous greenery.

Actually, though, even if the grass, plants, and trees all look spectacular, there can be other elements that people find disturbing.  One thing that can instantly detract from the impression of a meticulously-maintained landscape is the sight of weeds or grass growing in the cracks of pavement, or between the bricks of patios and walkways.  This can be taken as a sign that the inside of the house may not have been kept up properly, either.

On top of that, if the cracks are in the concrete, instead of between separate, solid sections, it shows, without a doubt, that the property is in need of some repairs, and, apparently, the pavement is not the most pressing issue.  This will get people thinking about all of the other things that they may have to fix; so, it’s definitely worth it to replace broken or cracked driveways and walkways.

After working so hard to get people moving toward your front door, don’t let them step on a crack on the way there.  It may not break anyone’s back, but it could break the deal.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: birdfeeders, birdhouses, gliders, Hammocks, lounge chairs, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor sofas, Planters, porch swings

When you’re having an outdoor wedding in your backyard, there are, of course, many things to worry about, besides the insects that are waiting to crash the affair.  During every step of the planning stage, the comfort of your guests must be your paramount concern.  Then, after each detail is painstakingly worked out, and you think that you’ve got everything covered, go back to the beginning, and make arrangements for the unexpected.

As I’ve said before, even if you’re having a simple cookout, it’s essential that you supply everything that anyone could possibly need, before you sit down at the picnic table.  Well, that’s nothing, compared to the magnitude of preparedness that is required for an outdoor wedding.

Naturally, it’s absolutely necessary to have some sort of shelter.  If you own a gazebo, you already have the ideal setting for the ceremony.  Undoubtedly, it’s picturesque on its own; so it will be utterly spectacular when it’s decorated for the wedding.  However, unless you have a very large gazebo, or a backyard pavilion, you’ll have to rent a tent for the reception; and make sure that it is sturdy enough to endure heavy winds, and that it has thick, weighted sides.

You can also have an indoor room set up for guests, in case the weather really gets nasty.  Decorate an enclosed patio or porch, including your patio chairs, gliders, chaise lounges, accent tables, and planters, with ribbons and/or streamers in the wedding theme colors.

Of course, providing cover is crucial, even if the weather is magnificent, as too much sun can become unbearable (and there’s enough fainting at weddings as it is!).  To begin with, make sure that it won’t be glaring in people’s eyes during the ceremony.  If you’re going to be standing under an arbor or a pergola, position the seats on the side of it that will have the sun at their backs.  It’s also a good idea to use wood outdoor folding chairs, as metal can get very hot.

As for the reception, have patio umbrellas for all of your outdoor dining tables.  Large, free-standing cantilever umbrellas, or commercial market umbrellas, with heavy umbrella stands, are also great for use over food and beverage tables, outdoor bars, and garden benches.

Another way to protect guests from the sun and heat is to have sunscreen available for people who forget to bring their own.  In extremely hot weather, consider renting some large, electric fans for the tents; and if your gazebo is equipped with outdoor ceiling fans, don’t forget to turn them on.  To keep everyone cool from the start, you may even want to print your programs on decorative fans, and have your ushers pass out cold bottles of water to the guests as they arrive.

After all, it’s better to have your ushers pass out water, than to have your guests pass out!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: accent tables, arbor, backyard pavilion, cantilever umbrellas, chaise lounges, commercial market umbrellas, garden benches, gazebo, gliders, outdoor bards, outdoor ceiling fans, outdoor dining tables, patio chairs, patio umbrellas, pergola, Planters, umbrella stands, wood outdoor folding chairs

In the coming months, millions of people will be hosting backyard parties, and cooking all sorts of meats on their grills.  Whether they are charcoal grills, gas grills, or electric grills, they will produce tempting aromas that will have all of the guests who are sitting around picnic tables, on porch swings, gliders, and patio chairs, waiting eagerly for the main course to be done.

Of course, that aroma will be even more tantalizing if the food is being smoked.  Indeed, smoke has been used for centuries, to preserve meats for long periods of time; and now, using barbecue wood chips is seen as the ultimate way to enhance their flavors.  Moreover, the variety of woods that can be used is just as extensive as the assortment of meats that can be grilled or barbecued.

Hickory, which is commonly used for most of the brands of bacon, and other meats, that we always find in grocery stores, is probably the most familiar of all, and is recognized as the leader among the smoking woods.  It smokes intensely, for long periods, and penetrates deep into the meat, giving it a nice, pink hue, and a savory, smoky flavor.  It’s great for smoking pork, red meat, poultry, and game.

Certainly, however, hickory is not the only option, as there are tons of other chips, made from all kinds of woods.  Each one creates its own, distinct flavor, and is thought to be particularly suited to specific types of meat.

One popular choice, mesquite, is a southwestern wood that’s ideal for use with beef, chicken, fish, pork, and lamb, and is ideal for making jerky.  You have to be careful when using it, though, because it is one of the hottest burning of all of the smoking woods, and has an extremely bold, rich flavor that can rapidly overpower the taste of the meat.  To prevent this from happening, many experienced outdoor cooks recommend mixing it, in equal parts, with hickory, unless it’s being used to make jerky.

Cherry wood smokes for a fairly long time, and creates a delicate, fruity, sweet smoke, that does not overwhelm the flavor of the meat.  It can be used for burgers, steaks, chicken, pork, seafood, quail, and game hens.

Oak is also a well-known and widely used wood.   Although, like hickory, it smokes strongly for long intervals, its flavor is not as strong.  Considered one of the most versatile of all of the smoking woods, oak can be soaked in anything from wine to whiskey, to create various flavors on all kinds of meat.  Wine barrel oak, which has been aged in wine for at least ten years, adds a wonderful, fruity smoke to burgers, beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and wild game.

These are but a few of the woods that can be used to make any meat more succulent and delicious.  You can experiment with these, and many more, to add diversity to your outdoor fare.

So, if you can’t afford that trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, you will, at least, be able to enjoy some great, smoky flavors.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy.

Tags: charcoal grills, gas grills, gliders, grills, patio chairs, picnic tables, porch swings

Besides getting your lawn looking lush and lovely, and your garden blooming brilliantly, there are many other things to do outside this month.  Of course, it’s time for spring cleaning; but not just inside your house.  No-o!  Your home’s exterior may need just as much attention.

Naturally, you’ll want your home to look friendly and inviting.  You may think that it already does, but take a walk out to the curb and try to see it as a passerby would.  It’s funny, isn’t it?  It seems as if it were only a few weeks ago that you spent hours putting up Christmas decorations; and you really had that house looking shiny.  (Shiny?!  Why, you would even say it glowed!)  Warm? Yeah!  Welcoming?  Heck, yeah!

So, how did it go from that jolly-looking place, to the dull spectacle that it is today?  Well, time surely flies, doesn’t it?  Believe it or not, that was four months ago; since then, the decorations have come down (I hope!), the snow has melted, and you have been left with muddy, salt-stained welcome mats, sagging gutters, damaged fences, and layers of dirt and dust on everything.  Furthermore, your yards and walkways may be strewn with wind-blown debris, tree limbs, and branches.  If so, you’re not alone, as this is the case for millions of people.

Now, it’s time to right the ravages that winter hath wrought, and rid ourselves of its residue; and one of the best ways to freshen a home’s appearance is by sprucing up the front entryway.  Beginning with the basics, sweep your porch, the steps, and the entire walkway, out to the curb, removing any rubble along the way.  After all, it’s no good having a friendly-looking front door, if the path leading up to it is fraught with hazardous obstacles.

Get a bucket of soapy water, a rag or a sponge, and wash the threshold, door, and jamb.  If the door still looks drab, give it a fun splash of color with a coat of glossy paint.  To make things even brighter, put a couple of planters, in complementary colors, on each side of the door, and fill them with gorgeous flowers.  Polish your outdoor light fixtures as well; but if you can’t get them to sparkle, replace them.  While you’re at it, get new doormats for the porch and the foyer.

If your porch furniture has been sitting there all winter, and you didn’t put any outdoor furniture covers on it, it probably needs to be cleaned as well.  Wipe down outdoor rocking chairs, porch swings and gliders, wicker furniture, accent tables, outdoor dining tables, and all of your outdoor furniture cushions.  Wash off your porch railings and steps, and sand, prime, and touch up spots where the paint is peeled or chipped; or simply repaint the whole area.

Ah, yes, the list of outdoor chores goes on and on; but getting your front door and porch spiffed up will have a big impact on your home’s overall appeal.  Now, I’ve just got to find the time to go out and do it, instead of simply writing about it.  Right now, by the looks of my front porch, my address could very well be 1313 Mockingbird Lane!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: accent tables, gliders, ourdoor furniture cushions, outdoor dining tables, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor lighting, outdoor rocking chairs, Planters, porch furniture, porch swings, wicker furniture

Certainly, we love outdoor living, and we love our yards; but maintaining the latter can use up precious time that we would rather be spending on the former.  I know – tending to the lawn and garden can technically be called outdoor living, as we are outdoors, and we are living (and some people really like these tasks).  However, most of us would rather be sitting around our picnic tables, enjoying food hot off the grill, easing back in our Adirondack chairs, sipping a beverage, swaying lazily on our porch swings, or napping soundly in our hammocks.

In fact, some people so disdain the constant care that their landscapes demand, that they end up developing a deep-rooted contempt for their lawns.  This resentment often builds to the point where they completely rip out all vegetation (then nothing is deep-rooted).  That’s a shame, because, while they now have more time to relax on their garden benches, gliders, and patio chairs, they no longer have beautiful grass or flowers to admire.

So, if you’re starting to have disparaging feelings toward your greenery, but don’t want to ruin your scenery, nip them in the bud.  There are ways to compromise.  For example, you can have a yard full of color, texture, and variety, with minimal effort, by planting ornamental grasses.  Although they have, in the past, been used mainly as borders or accents for flower gardens, one of the biggest trends these days is to use them alone.  You can find several types, in all sizes and colors, which will turn your high-maintenance lawn into a breath-taking landscape that requires almost no upkeep.

Ornamental grasses can flourish in, and adapt to, a wide range of climates and soils, from the richest, to the poorest.  Whether you live in a cool, moist region, and have a yard that’s mostly in the shade, or in a sun-baked part of the country, with rocky terrain and parched soil – or even clay – in your yard, you can find some that will thrive in your area.

The easiest option, for the bulk of your yard, is to plant masses of sedge grass, which is very low-growing.  Once it establishes itself, it’s simple to maintain, as it needs very little water, and hardly ever has to be mowed; and there are hundreds of varieties of sedges, so it won’t be difficult to find one that will work well in your climate.

Take care to use the appropriate grasses in the right places.  Taller grasses, which include Giant Reed, Eulalia, and Amur Silver, can reach a height of ten feet, so don’t plant them unless you have enough space to let them grow.  If low maintenance is your goal, inquire at a nursery to make sure that you are not buying self-seeding grasses.

When planted correctly, ornamental grasses will give you a knockout yard that you won’t have to knock yourself out to maintain.  When they are in full bloom, they will set the scenery ablaze with spectacular colors, such as bronze, orange, red, yellow, blue, and purple.  They also attract large numbers of birds and butterflies.

So, if you’re sick of spending all of your time doing yard work, this is just one solution to consider, before taking any drastic measures that you may regret.  I’d hate to see any innocent grass mowed down in the prime of its life.  Besides, I’m always on the side of lawn order.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, garden benches, gliders, Hammocks, patio chairs, picnic tables, porch swings

Among the many indoor projects that people are working on at this time of the year, painting is one of the most common.  This is understandable, as it’s a great way to give a room a whole new look, without the expense of remodeling; and virtually anyone can do it.  For first-timers, however, the myriad choices in paints can be rather confusing.  Heck, it’s difficult enough just to pick from the millions of available colors.  Then, after you make that monumental decision, you have to figure out whether flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, or gloss paint, will best suit your purpose.

So, if you’re not familiar with these terms, remember that flat paint has a matte finish, with no sheen, shine, or shimmer.  Because it doesn’t reflect light, it can hide some minor imperfections; but it’s less durable, more porous, and harder to clean, than glossier types.  This makes it more hospitable to mold and mildew growth, so it shouldn’t be used in high-humidity rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens, or in backyard structures that aren’t insulated.

Eggshell has just a slight hint of luster, but can add a bit more depth and warmth to a room.  Easier to clean than flat paint, it still disguises small defects, and is less attractive to mildew.

Smooth and somewhat shiny, satin paint is much more durable than flat and eggshell varieties.  Very easy to clean, and resistant to mold and mildew, it’s great for use in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as high-traffic areas.

With its beautiful, sparkling finish, semi-gloss paint is extremely durable and easy to keep clean.  It’s used mostly for trim, doors, and bathroom and kitchen cabinets; but it’s highly reflective, and will draw attention to even the slightest blemish.

Gleaming, glistening gloss paint is mainly for trim, wainscoting, and cabinets; but it can also make a home look stylish and welcoming when used on the front door.  Because it spotlights every imperfection, however, wherever, whenever, and if ever you use it, be sure that whatever you put it on has no flaws whatsoever.

Once you’re done with the indoors, you can start planning a fresh look for the outdoors.  Adding patio furniture to your porch or lawn is a great way to add an entirely new living space to enjoy.   Of course, with the thousands of patio chairs, porch swings, garden benches, swingbeds, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, hammocks, accent tables, gliders, outdoor dining tables, garden structures, and ottomans available, there’s practically as many varieties of outdoor furniture as there are paint colors!

Luckily, though, this will cause you no consternation.  Because materials can be easily split into two categories; cedar, pine, oak, cherry, teak, eucalyptus, and cypress, verses aluminum, synthetic wicker, polywood, and vinyl.  Your decision is simple: either you wood, or wood not.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: accent tables, adirondack chairs, aluminum, backyard structures, cedar, chaise lounges, cherry, cypress, eucalyptus, garden benches, garden structures, gliders, Hammocks, oak, ottomans, outdoor dining tables, patio chairs, patio furniture, picnic tables, pine, polywood, porch swings, Swingbeds, synthetic wicker, teak, vinyl

As we anxiously await the arrival of spring, it’s being reported that all of the lower 48 states have snow at this time.  So, it looks like Punxsutawney Phil was dead serious.  In fact, he seems to be downright angry, for some reason.  Well, I don’t know what happened to displease him, but it appears that there’s nothing more dangerous than a vengeful groundhog.

One thing for sure is that we all want to put this behind us, and welcome the warmer days, when we can put out our patio furniture, picnic tables, porch swings, hammocks, gliders, and outdoor sofas, and get back to some refreshing outdoor living.

However, the recent, crippling winter storms, which caused week-long power outages, impassable roads that took days to clear, and nearly-empty store shelves, have taught us that it is possible to have trouble surviving in our own homes.  That’s a lesson that is worth remembering, because, even without snow, at any time of the year, many things can happen, from natural disasters that affect millions, to individual emergencies that occur in our homes.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to have an emergency survival kit, which will include many things that you already have around the house; you may just have to stock up on some items.  Although, in most cases, you’ll probably just have to get through a power outage, you should still be prepared for the worst.

Naturally, the first thing you’ll want is a supply of batteries and flashlights.  Yes, you can use candles, but they pose a real danger, especially when people light a bunch of them in every room, to try to keep their entire houses bright.  Forget about that.  After all, you’re supposed to turn out the lights in empty rooms anyway, so it’s better to use only flashlights, or battery-powered lanterns, particularly with the powerful, long-lasting, LED flashlights that are available today.  Having a portable generator can be a blessing; but it has its own, long list of hazards and safety precautions, so make sure that you know how to use it properly.

You’ll also need a source of heat.  Even if you’re not in danger of freezing, you’ll still want to be comfortable, so, for starters, dress in warm layers, and always have plenty of extra blankets on hand.  If you have a fireplace, that’s great, but make sure that it’s clean and safe to use.  In fact, that should be a part of your yearly routine maintenance.  Kerosene and propane space heaters are also excellent for providing heat, but they, too, require many safety measures, and must be clean, fully operational, and constantly attended.

You should also have a supply of non-perishable foods, such as energy bars and canned goods (make sure you have a manual can opener) on hand.  Try to get things that can be eaten – and enjoyed – cold.

I know, right now, in many areas, it seems like everything’s cold, and impossible to enjoy; but spring will come soon, and winter will be a distant memory.  You know, I’ve heard that they may be making a movie about this month of monstrous storms, which they’ll call “Snowmageddon.”  Hmm.  I prefer, “The Wrath of Phil.”

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Don't worry, you'll be using fire places for marshmellows instead of warmth quite soon!

Tags: gliders, Hammocks, outdoor living, outdoor sofas, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch swings

There are places where people are going to be grilling hamburgers and chicken tonight, and having dinner at their picnic tables.  Certainly, somewhere, there are people who are looking forward to getting home from work and relaxing on their porch swings and gliders, having cocktails at their outdoor bistro sets, lying around their pools on chaise lounges or steamer chairs, or napping under shady trees in their hammocks.  Indeed, I know that all of these things are happening somewhere.

A February Evening... for some!

But it ain’t here!  No-o!

In Western Pennsylvania, and many other parts of the country, from the Midwest, to the East Coast, we’re buried under a few feet of snow.  Furthermore, even as utility crews work around the clock to clear roads and restore power to millions of people left in the dark by this past weekend’s storm, round two is dumping several inches on top of what we already have.  Now, meteorologists are saying that even more is on the way this weekend.

Worse yet, besides electricity and heat being out in many places, the shelves in some grocery and hardware stores are almost bare; and even gas supplies are getting low.  Suddenly, so many different types of calamities are occurring, that people are realizing that it can actually be a struggle to survive in their own homes.

Undoubtedly, the cold and snow can wreak all kinds of havoc, from knocking down trees and power lines, to causing roofs to collapse and pipes to burst.  These things can happen in an instant, so it’s important to know where all of the main valves and circuit breakers are in your home, and what controls what.  So, if, for instance, your home is suddenly being flooded, you’ll know how to shut the water off at its source.  Then, at least, you won’t have one catastrophe on top of another.  Make sure that everyone who lives in the house also knows where these things are, and how to operate them.

It’s also a good idea to put together an emergency home survival kit.  Next time, I’ll have some tips on what should go into one.  This can really be a worthwhile project.  Even if you never see a single flake of snow, cheer up; there are tons of other disasters that can happen, so you may still get to use it.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: chaise lounges, gliders, Hammocks, outdoor bistro sets, picnic tables, porch swings, steamer chairs