Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

Whether you’re putting your porch furniture in the storage shed, or under some outdoor furniture covers, if you’re hosting a large party for Thanksgiving, it’s a good idea to keep some of it handy.  After all, you may need a few picnic table benches, patio chairs, or outdoor folding chairs, for extra seating.  Moreover, if you have a kids’ picnic table, the problem of where to seat the children is already solved.

Of course, before the big day, you’ll still have to get your home and yard ready for winter.  As for the vegetation, if you’re going to take any of it indoors for the season, make sure that no unwanted houseguests come along for the ride.  Check the leaves, stems, and the topsoil, for stowaways; and wipe off the bottoms of the planters.

As the decreasing sunlight eliminates the need for extra nutrients at this time of the year, your houseplants won’t have to be fertilized.  Most of them won’t require as much water, either; but, because the air inside of your home is likely to be very dry, make sure the soil stays moist, and give plants an occasional misting.

Before putting planters, window boxes, and flower boxes into storage for the winter, remove all debris, and clean them with a solution of mild soap and bleach. To keep garden hoses from freezing and cracking, drain them and store them in the shed, too.  Put insulation on all outdoor water connections, to prevent the pipes from bursting, which is one of the most common – and most disastrous – cold-weather troubles.

Naturally, leaves are in abundance now; and if they’re still on the trees, sporting their autumn colors, they’re adding to the scenery.  However, if they’ve already fallen, as most have by now, they may be contributing to some ugly scenes, depending upon where they have landed.  For example, if they’re piling up on sidewalks, they can be dangerously slick, especially when wet.

If they’re left lying on the lawn, in thick mats, they may kill the grass underneath them; but, you can always run over them with a lawnmower and turn them into mulch.  You also have the option of raking them up, putting them into a compost pile, and letting them rot for the winter, so that they’ll be ready for your garden in the spring.

Another place where leaves may be gathering, and conspiring to cause havoc, is on your roof.  One of their favorite tricks is to use rain as a waterslide, which will take them into your gutters.  There, they will form clogs, and prevent the gutters from doing their jobs, which is to drain the water from rain, and melting snow and ice, away from your home’s foundation.

Therefore, cleaning gutters is another one of those chores that should be done before the weather gets nasty.  While you’re at it, prune the branches of overhanging trees, and you may be able to keep some of the leaves from falling onto the roof in the first place.  However, because they can blow in from all directions, this may not eliminate the problem completely.

You know, when you think about it, it’s ironic that they’re called leaves.  I mean, they never go away!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: kids picnnic tables, outdoor folding chairs, Outdoor Furniture Covers, patio chairs, picnic table benches, Planters, porch furniture, storage shed

Every year, millions of people get married outdoors.  Some take their vows in their own backyards, as they stand in beautifully-decorated gazebos, or beneath arbors or pergolas, while others choose public places, such as parks or beaches.  No matter where the ceremonies are held, however, those who are planning outdoor weddings must be prepared for every eventuality.

For example, I once attended an outdoor wedding in Minnesota, during the second week of October.  Naturally, when I first heard of it, I was worried that the event could be ruined by cold temperatures, rain, or, considering the location, even an early snow.  Instead, there was a freak heat wave, and it was 94º on the big day!

Now, even in August, that would have been a bit uncomfortable; but it wouldn’t have been the nightmare that it was for the out-of-towners who had packed for chilly weather.  So, if your ceremony is going to be outside, stay abreast of weather conditions, and e-mail your local forecast to long-distance guests a few days in advance.

Remember, their comfort is key to the success of your event; and, aside from the weather, seating is one of the most crucial considerations.  For the actual ceremony, of course, you’ll probably have to rent some wood outdoor folding chairs.  If you want to dress them up, you can use ribbons, or, for a more formal look, go to any event planner and get some of those white outdoor furniture covers that are designed to slip right over the chairs.

Afterward, during the period when people will be mingling, make sure that they will find patio chairs, garden benches, outdoor sofas, settees, porch swings, and porch gliders, in all areas where they are welcome to wander.  Don’t leave anyone without a place to sit.

Wind is another thing that can blow your plans; and it can kick into high gear on any day of the year.  Therefore, it’s best to avoid light fabrics, such as chiffon or silk, for bridal, and bridal party, gowns.  Likewise, long trains and veils may prove to be injudicious selections if it really gets gusty.  You should also plan for wind when you’re getting your hair done for the occasion.

Of course, even more substantial materials will be tossed around in very high winds; so, for good measure, you may want to use fishing weights, which can be spray-painted to match any color, to hold down veils, dresses, and tablecloths.  You can also use the weights on ribbons, and attach them to place cards, to keep them where they belong; or put the cards into decorative photo frames, which will be your favors.  Moreover, be sure that the patio umbrellas on your outdoor dining tables and picnic tables are held down firmly with heavy umbrella stands.

Indeed, there’s an endless list of details to tend to, in order to be certain that your outdoor wedding will go off without a hitch.  Uh, I’d better make that, in order to be certain that everything will go smoothly.  After all, if there’s not a hitch, it won’t actually be a wedding!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, garden benches, Gazebos, outdoor ceremonies, outdoor dining tables, outdoor folding chairs, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor sofas, outdoor weddings, patio chairs, patio umbrellas, Pergolas, picnic tables, porch gliders, porch swings, settees, umbrella stands

As we’ve established, when packing for a picnic that won’t be held close to home (yours, or anyone else’s) it’s important to include anything and everything that you could possibly want or need.  Now, I don’t know whether or not anyone has ever actually accomplished this, but I do know that even the most organized, fastidious, list-making perfectionists can slip up sometimes.

Strangely enough, often, the overlooked articles also happen to be some of the most basic and obvious, such as salt and pepper, ketchup, or other condiments.  Another interesting-yet-common mistake that people make is forgetting something that is closely related to another item that they have already packed.

For example, they’ll put in the silverware (or plastic ware, as the case may be), but not the serving utensils, or the long-handled forks, tongs, and barbecue mitts that are needed for safely cooking on grills.  Likewise, they’ll bring blankets, but forget outdoor throw pillows, or towels (if they’re planning to go swimming).

Therefore, it’s best to think of things as belonging to certain families, so you’ll be able to make quick associations when you’re readying for an outing.  Perhaps you may even want to draw up some “family trees” for the essentials, and store them in your picnic basket.

Among the oft-forgotten things that should be on your lists are cutting boards, if you’re going to be slicing anything, and sharp knives, not only for said slicing, but for when you’re serving meat; in these cases, plastic knives just won’t, well, cut it.

You may also want to set aside an attractive, unbreakable vase to take with you on occasions when you wish to dress up the picnic table.  Fill it with flowers from your garden, or wildflowers that are growing near your picnic site, and you’ll have a lovely centerpiece.

Outdoor folding chairs are great to have along as well, but if you don’t have room for them in your vehicle, load up some of your outdoor furniture cushions.  You can use the ones from your patio chairs to sit on, and those from your lounge chairs for napping or sunbathing.  Take a beach umbrella with you for extra shade, even if you’re not going near the water; and don’t forget the first aid kit, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Books, magazines, puzzles, and lawn games, such as croquet, horseshoes, badminton, and quoits, are absolute musts for traditional outdoor family fun and recreation.  Of course, to make it official, you’ll have to leave the video games and other high-tech gadgets at home, turn off your  cell phones, and don’t check your e-mail (yes, I realize that’s a preposterous suggestion, but, at least, try it; you may enjoy your triumph over technology!).

Well, since I can’t think of another famous bear to quote, I’ll end this blog on a serious note.  While we’re all having our safe and happy Memorial Day celebrations this weekend (and that is what I wish everyone), the most important thing to remember is the true reason for this holiday.  It is meant to honor all of the women and men who have died while defending our great country, and showing appreciation to veterans, as well as those who are still serving in the military.  Without them, life here would surely be no picnic.

Happy Memorial Day!

Kathy 

Tags: beach umbrella, Croquet, lawn games, outdoor folding chairs, outdoor furniture cushions, patio chairs, Quoits

If you’re having a picnic in your backyard, it’s no big deal if you forget something when you’re setting up your picnic table and grill.  In most cases, you’ll either have it in your house, or you’ll simply have to go to a convenience store and get it.  However, when you’re going to a park, or out to the woods, you will have to be extra careful not to leave anything behind.

Just for starters, make sure that you not only have the right containers for transporting everything, but that you have enough of them.  I mean, one picnic basket is rarely sufficient for all of the food that you’ll be taking (and that’s not even counting the stuff that will have to go into coolers).  You can use a couple of baskets for food, and another one (or more) for carrying the dishes, glasses, utensils, and napery.  You should also have coolers of all sizes, whether they’re the regular, old-fashioned kind, or the newer ones that are like combinations of coolers, backpacks, purses, briefcases, and luggage (some of which even have wheels).

The type of tableware that you’ll use will largely depend upon the occasion, and the location of your picnic.  For casual get-togethers, regular paper plates and plastic tablecloths and utensils will do just fine.  If, however, you want to dress things up, you may decide to use one of your better tablecloths; but if you do, bring an old sheet to put under it as a liner to protect it from snags.  You can also find festive-looking, heavy-duty plates and napkins, as well as multi-colored plastic dishes and glasses that look just like the real things.

Now, if it’s going to be really fancy, and you’re bringing the good tableware, pack it in with the blankets, which are also prerequisites for any cookout.  Even if you’re going to be eating at a picnic table, you’ll want to have a place to stretch out and relax afterward; and don’t forget to pack some plastic sheeting to put under the blankets if the ground is moist.  You can also bring along a hammock, and, just in case the trees don’t line up right, a hammock stand.  For extra seating, load up some outdoor folding chairs or steamer chairs as well.

If you’re cooking out at a park, you’ll probably be in a pavilion with a nearby park grill; otherwise, you’ll have to bring a tent, if you want shelter, and a small charcoal grill or a fire ring for cooking.

Leaving the area spotless is a must, too, so pack paper towels or cloths that you can use to clean the picnic tables, and put all of your trash into waste receptacles.  If you’re going to be in the wilderness, where no trash cans are provided, bring some large garbage bags.

Of course, in the latter case, it’s extremely important to make sure that any fires that you have built are put out completely.  In fact, it is, literally, a matter of life and death.  So, since Smokey Bear isn’t here to write this himself (he’s terrible at typing, anyway!), I’ll say it for him: “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires!”

Wow!  I just realized that’s the second blog in a row in which I’ve quoted a bear!  Quoted a bear?!  Even that sounds crazy (well, if the quote fits)!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: charcoal grill, fire ring, hammock, hammock stand, outdoor folding chairs, pavilion, picnic table, steamer chairs, trashcans, waste receptacles