Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

Certainly, you’ll want to create the perfect atmosphere for your outdoor dinner party, as well as the ultimate experience for those attending it; and the food, the outdoor décor, and the company will be integral to your achieving that goal.  In fact, there are times when putting together just the right combination of these ingredients can almost guarantee success.  However, when you’re planning an outdoor affair, especially at this volatile time of the year, there’s another force that can undo all of your efforts at the drop of a hat; er, rather, let’s make that several drops – of rain.

Indeed, sometimes, Mother Nature can get mighty testy when she is not included on the guest list; and if she decides to crash your party, there’s not a thing that you can do about it.  Moreover, in some cases, rain may be the least of your worries, because she does not simply have the element of surprise – she has many of them; and if she’s really angry, she may show no quarter.

Therefore, your first consideration should be keeping your guests out of her path, as well as her wrath.  Luckily, there are steps that you can take that will prevent everyone from being entirely at the mercy of Mother Nature’s capricious nature.  These precautions can also help to preserve the food, the tableware, and the decorations.

Of course, the ideal situation would be to have a gazebo or a pavilion that’s large enough for all of the guests, the picnic tables, and the patio furniture.  In the absence of either of these garden structures, a patio that’s covered by a roof, awning, or even a pergola, will afford some level of protection.

Even if you have a small gazebo that won’t accommodate the entire party, you may want to, at least, keep the food in it, on an outdoor buffet.  Then, make sure that whatever picnic tables, outdoor dining tables, or bistro tables that you will be using are equipped with patio umbrellas.  You can get them in beautiful fall colors, such as burgundy, bronze, plum, red, orange, gold, and russet.  Another option is to put a large market umbrella over the outdoor serving table and the outdoor bar.  Naturally, if you have any other kind of outdoor structure, such as a garage, pool house, cabana, sunroom, or shed, or even an enclosed porch, you should use it to house the food.

Otherwise, it might be wise to rent a tent or two; but if you don’t, just be certain that you have some kind of backup plan, in case things get nasty, and the party has to move indoors.  Wherever you intend to take refuge, you must provide adequate seating for everyone; so, if you don’t have enough outdoor furniture, get some extra folding chairs.  If there’s not adequate room to fit a picnic table inside, you can use a folding table, some outdoor accent tables, or even bring in just the picnic table benches.

The key is to make arrangements for dealing with unfavorable circumstances, and have everything set up in advance.  That way, you, your guests, and your party, can continue the revelry, unscathed.

On the other hand, there is always the chance that your foresight will irritate a certain, spiteful entity, who may feel cheated that she didn’t get to have her revenge; so, just be careful, as she may be waiting to launch another assault the minute you step back outside.

After all, it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: cabana, garden structures, gazebo, market umbreall, oudoor accent tables, outdoor decor, outdoor dining tables, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor structure, patio furniture, patio umbrellas, pavilion, pergola, picnic tables, picnnic table benches, Pool house, shed, sunroom

Sure, your outdoor furniture can provide you with premium seating for foliage viewing (or, to use a more common – and, I think, comical – phrase, “leaf peeping”).  That, alone, is worth delaying the shrouding of it in outdoor furniture covers, and the shoving of it into the storage shed; but that’s not the only valuable service that it can offer.  No-o!  Indeed, it can be as much a part of your outdoor décor now, as it is in the summer.

Now, if you live in a warm climate, or have an enclosed porch or gazebo, where you use your patio furniture year-round, you can dress it up with some outdoor furniture cushions and throw pillows in autumn hues, such as gold, russet, red, yellow, brown, and burgundy.  Heck, this is a good idea no matter where you live, if you’re not going to be putting anything into storage for a couple more months.

As for the decorations, take your inspiration from nature.  For starters, of course, there are pumpkins, which are the quintessential symbols of the season.  They can be found in abundance everywhere, from farmers’ markets, to supermarkets; and there are hundreds of pumpkin patches where you can pick them fresh.  Instead of getting just one, choose a bunch of them, in assorted sizes, because they’re good for so many other things, besides making jack-o-lanterns.

Truly, pumpkins are great, for a number of reasons.  For one thing, they can be used in countless ways, inside and outdoors; and on top of that, they’re natural.  Furthermore, they can last all the way through to Thanksgiving (yes, fall decorations should still be in place on that day; let the Christmas lights wait until the turkey has been gobbled!).  Actually, there are several other non-artificial things that you can use for ornamental purposes as well.

Visit roadside markets and nurseries for cornstalks, bales of hay, straw, and the many other types of gourds that are available; or find a farm that offers them at very little cost.  You can even take a walk in the woods, and simply collect most of the items that you’ll need.  Using the real things, instead of imitations, will not only save you money, but will look much more elegant and refined.  If you don’t consider yourself to be particularly creative, go to a craft store, or look through some magazines, for ideas.

You can place pumpkins along your porch railings and steps, set them on your outdoor accent tables, or use them in centerpieces for picnic tables and outdoor dining tables.  Put hay bales and pumpkins on and around patio chairs, or stack them up against outdoor lamps, mailboxes, and mailbox posts.  If you want a scarecrow, make your own, and sit it in a porch chair.

There is no end to the possibilities for fall decorating; and the best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune, or have a lot of experience in designing.  In fact, if you stick to using only what nature provides, you’re sure to have an attractive and tasteful display.  After all, you certainly won’t find any giant, inflatable pumpkins growing wild.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: gazebo, outdoor decor, outdoor dining tables, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor lamps, patio chairs, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chair, storage shed

Even though you’ll be sitting around on your patio chairs, porch swings, lounge chairs, and picnic tables, as you enjoy autumn’s breath-taking scenery, that doesn’t mean that you have to just sit around.  You can also be doing some of those chores that must be finished before the onset of cold weather.  In fact, if you’re going to be storing your patio furniture in the garden shed for the winter, before you put the outdoor furniture covers on it, you can give it a good cleaning; and that includes the outdoor furniture cushions.

The amount of cleaning that they will need will depend upon how heavily they were used during the summer, and how diligently you kept up with regular maintenance.  If you hosed them down, or, at least, wiped them off, periodically, you shouldn’t have to deal with a lot of built-up dirt or mildew.  Moreover, if you tended to spills immediately, and made sure that anyone who was slathered in suntan lotion put a towel on the outdoor furniture cushion before sitting down, you probably won’t have set-in stains, either.

Naturally, the method that you will use to wash your patio furniture cushions will be determined by the materials from which they are made.  Some of the most common fabrics are acrylics, such as Sunbrella®, woven polyesters that are coated with PVC, and vinyl; and these are normally treated to be resistant to water, mildew, and UV rays.  Usually, they have polyester fillings that won’t hold water; but some may contain urethane foam, which is not completely waterproof.

The thing to remember is that, even if outdoor furniture cushions are designed to stand up to the elements, they can lose some of their resistance, over time.  Harsh detergents, for example, can break down their waterproof barriers, stiff-bristled brushes can scratch or damage their seals, and tanning products, besides causing stains, can weaken some fabrics.

In most cases, everything that you need to know, including the type of material, and the cleaning instructions, should be listed on the label.  However, if you’ve committed the egregious crime of removing the tag, not only will you be left in the dark about how to care for your outdoor furniture cushion, but you may suffer serious “penalties of law” as well.

If your outdoor furniture cushions are made from a treated, acrylic fabric, such as Sunbrella®, PVC polyester, or vinyl, you can hose them down to loosen trapped dirt and dust.  Most stains can be removed with mild dish detergent and a sponge.  The best formula is a quarter-cup of detergent to a gallon of water.  To get tougher stains out, you can use a soft-bristled brush, or a product that has gentle scrubbing agents.

Outdoor furniture cushions that are more heavily soiled, or mildewed, may need a deeper cleaning.  If so, many manufacturers recommend soaking them for about a half-hour, in a solution of one cup of non-chlorine bleach, one cup of laundry detergent, and three gallons of warm water, then rinsing and drying them thoroughly.  Of course, before you do this, you should make sure that it’s all right to use bleach on the fabric; and even if it is, always dilute it in water, rather than using it full-strength.

Remember, if you protect your outdoor furniture cushions, they’ll protect you – where it counts!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: garden shed, lounge chairs, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor furniture cushions, patio chairs, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch swings

Everywhere you look, you can see the unmistakable signs of the end of summer.  For one thing, all of the retail stores, and even the supermarkets, are loaded with autumn outdoor décor, such as scarecrows, fall wreaths, Indian corn, pumpkins, and the like.  However, those are not the things that I’m talking about, as I never take my cues from retailers.  Heck, they’re always well ahead of the actual seasons; in fact, before the end of this month, they’ll be completely decked out for Christmas!

No, I’m referring to the natural indications, which include cooler temperatures, the goldenrod that’s blooming, the leaves that are just beginning to drop, and the woods, which are starting to smell like fall.  Mind you, I’m not complaining, because this is my favorite time of the year, as it is for many others.  The only thing that some people dread about it is that the weather will soon be turning much colder, which means that they have a lot of chores to do, in order to prepare their homes and yards for the months ahead.

For those who live in regions where the winters are harsh, these tasks may include putting their outdoor furniture into their garages and garden sheds for storage.  If you’re in this group, remember that, while this is an important step in protecting your patio furniture, you shouldn’t rush into it.  After all, summer’s not quite over, and there’s still plenty of time left for outdoor living.  So don’t tuck those porch swings, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, grills, and outdoor sofas away under outdoor furniture covers just yet.  They can actually help you to enjoy the grandeur of the season.

Sure, the best way to experience nature’s full splendor is to get right out there, into the heart of it all, and immerse yourself in autumn’s magnificent shades of gold, crimson, russet, and orange.  Indeed, there’s nothing like taking a brisk walk in the woods, inhaling the crisp, cool air, and being dazzled by the awesome foliage, or enveloped in a shower of brilliant leaves.  You can also take a ride in the country, pick a pumpkin from a patch, build a bonfire on a chilly evening, or dive right into a pile of leaves.

Of course, for most people, these aren’t exactly everyday activities; they’re more along the lines of weekend adventures.  That’s why it’s a good idea to leave outdoor furniture in place for as long as possible.  Whether in your backyard, or on your porch, deck, or gazebo, it can provide prime seating for the spectacular show that’s going on all around you.

So, take advantage while you can.  Have your morning coffee at your outdoor dining table or bistro set.  Pretend it’s still July; throw some burgers on the grill and eat dinner at your picnic table.  If you’ve been taking in the sights and scents of your garden from your porch glider or garden bench for the past few months, continue to do so; it takes on a whole, new beauty in autumn, especially if you’ve planted some fall-blooming flowers.  On a warm afternoon, lie in your hammock, where you can look directly up and see the sun gleaming through the multi-colored leaves.

Truly, if you want to get the most out of this breath-taking, yet fleeting, display, wait until the last bit of color has vanished before putting your porch furniture away.

Now, if you live in a place where the weather stays warm and sunny all year long, I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to deal with that!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, garden bench, garden sheds, grills, hazebo, outdoor decor, outdoor dining table bistro set, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor sofas, patio furniture, picnic table, picnic tables, porch furniture, porch glider, porch swings

With the advent of outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and even electric outdoor heaters, the outdoor living season is lasting longer than ever.  Of course, if you’re lucky enough to be from warmer climates that never had an issue with outdoor living season ending… well lucky you! We’re just happy to be able to join you!

However, sitting outside at my picnic table last night, I realized that it was getting darker earlier than usual.  It’s no surprise, after all the days will continue getting shorter every day until the winter solstice is upon us! But, it is no longer July and if September and October get-togethers are to last as long as May and June’s, outdoor lighting is essential.

Overhead Lighting: Overhead outdoor lighting works best to illuminate a whole area under a pergola, in a gazebo, or on a porch.  With options for outdoor pendant lights, outdoor chandeliers, and outdoor ceiling fans… you have a lot of different options.  Installing outdoor overhead lighting does lend the entire outdoor living spaces to a bit of elegance, so it will probably look best with patio furniture that can keep up stylishly!

Floor Lighting: For those without a lot of room on their outdoor dining tables, all-weather floor lamps will provide ample light.  With the ability to relocate an outdoor floor lamp to be near whichever group of patio furniture you’re using at the time makes it incredibly versatile.  Plus, if you’re planning to use your patio tables for board games and playing cards, this will leave table tops clear for family fun!

Table Lighting: Perfect for open air outdoor living areas under pergolas and on uncovered decks, outdoor table lights are the most portable.  Plug in and place on the table top when working on a project or game, then simply carry back in with you if you’re worried about inclement weather.  While these usually operate best on outdoor accent tables or patio coffee tables, they will sit in the middle or in the corner of a picnic table well too.

If the moon light isn’t providing enough of a night light in the late evening, that’s no reason to give up on enjoying your outdoor living space!  Whether you need to light up a neighborhood party, a simple family get-together, or a late-night escape with your favorite book… it’s important to choose the right kind of outdoor lighting to suit your style of patio furniture.

Have Fun!

Hazel.

Tags: all-weather floor lamps, firepits, gazebo, outdoor accent tables, outdoor ceiling fans, outdoor chandeliers, outdoor dining tables, outdoor floop lamp, outdoor pendant lights, outdoor table lights, overhead outdoor lighting, patio coffee tables, patio furniture patio tables, pergola, Pergolas, picnic table, picnic tables

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

<!–fdd97ef2647a4060ae4fdbb87c2992cc–>

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

Labor Day has come and gone; and, in its wake, it has left millions of people shaking their heads – as they do every year – and wondering how summer managed to slip away so quickly.  In many regions, there are also those who are mourning the passing of the season, as it means that they’ll soon be moving patio furniture, picnic tables, and grills into their sheds until next spring.

Naturally, these items won’t have to be tucked away under outdoor furniture covers just yet, as there’s still plenty of fair weather left, even in areas where the winters are harsh.  Moreover, those who live where it’s always warm can use their outdoor furniture all year long, as can people who have enclosed porches, patios, gazebos, and sunrooms.  Truly, the latter group is growing larger every year, as folks are becoming increasingly unwilling to give up outdoor living.

Of course, they want to be able to decorate these living spaces as meticulously and fashionably as their other indoor rooms.  That’s why today’s outdoor furniture comes in materials, styles, and colors that will complement any motif; and why it’s also as versatile and comfortable as indoor furniture.  In fact, when you’re furnishing your indoor/outdoor living room – or kitchen, or bedroom – you may even find that patio furniture offers more choices.

Take, for example, the basic chair.  Sure, there was a time when the patio chair bore little resemblance to the one in the living room.  Often made with a flimsy aluminum frame, and stiff, woven plastic strips, it barely had the strength to last for more than one season.  Modern porch chairs, on the other hand, are solidly constructed from a variety of materials, including cedar, pine, oak, cypress, teak, cherry, vinyl, aluminum, cast iron, synthetic wicker, and polywood.  They are also available in dozens of colors and styles, and can be topped with outdoor furniture cushions in scores of colors and patterns.

When you’re trying to find the equivalent of a couch, the outdoor sofa actually comes out ahead of its indoor counterpart.   After all, besides a stationary outdoor sofa, you have the option of selecting a garden bench, porch swing, glider, face-to-face glider, or outdoor settee, which also come in a wide range of materials and colors.  This goes for outdoor loveseats, too.

Certainly, you’ll also want a rocker; inside or out, it’s a universal favorite.  As a matter of fact, most people have rockers that they have cherished for years; and, in many cases, these rocking chairs have been in their families for generations.  Fortunately, contemporary outdoor rocking chairs are not only as comfortable – and comforting – as the old-fashioned ones, but they are durable enough to become heirlooms as well.  What’s more, if you’re not satisfied with an outdoor rocker for one, you can get an outdoor rocking bench.

Of course, no room, of any description, is completely furnished until it has a place where you can rest your feet.  That’s no problem, either, because, these days, you can find ottomans in materials, styles, and colors, to match any piece of outdoor furniture.

Hmm.  I wonder if I’m alone in feeling that the plural of ottoman should be ottomen.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: face-to-face glider, garden bench, Gazebos, grills, orroman, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor rocking chairs, outdoor settee, outdoor sofa, patio chair, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chair, porch glider, porch swing, rockers, rocking chairs, Sunrooms

Naturally, most of the people who are hosting Labor Day cookouts will have made meticulous preparations to ensure that there will be ample food, drinks, and tableware for everyone.  They will also have music and lawn games planned in advance; and if people are going to be swimming, they will have lounge chairs by their pools, and extra towels in their pool houses.

Undoubtedly, they will also have places for everyone to sit and eat comfortably.  If their picnic tables are not large enough to accommodate everybody, they will surely have outdoor settees, Adirondack chairs and chaise lounges with wide armrests, outdoor accent tables, and even ottomans, where people can set their food and drinks.

While this is the ideal scenario, in reality, there will be many not-as-well-put-together get-togethers, because a lot of people will decide to have parties at the last minute.  After all, there are those who like to, uh, fly by the seats of their pants, as I believe the expression goes (you know, I’ve never quite understood where that saying came from; but one of these days, I’ll get to the bottom of it!).

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with doing things on the spur of the moment; actually, sometimes, that’s when you have the most fun.  So, if you suddenly decide to invite people over this weekend, don’t worry about things being unplanned.  Even if you never entertain, and you don’t have a lot of outdoor furniture – or even a picnic table – you can always use a table from your house, and scrape up some folding chairs.

Once you have your friends together, simply add some food and a grill, and it’s a party.  But, wait!  What if you don’t have a grill, either?  That’s okay, too, because you can make one on the spot.  Just take some cinder blocks, and stack them, at least a foot high, in the shape of a ‘U’ on a patch of concrete or bare ground; then put a rack on top of them (your oven rack will do), and start cooking.  In a pinch, you can also use an old, metal wheelbarrow with a rack across the top.  That should really get things rolling!

Just as there are several creative ways of getting the festivities started, there are many techniques for getting the fire started.  For example, a half-gallon waxed milk or juice carton makes an excellent disposable starter.  Just fill it with charcoal briquettes, and set it aflame; the container is easy to light, and will heat things up quickly.  You can also use a brown paper bag, filled with charcoal, twigs, and pieces of paper.

To make a reusable starter, use the sharp end of a bottle opener to punch triangle-shaped holes around the edge of a large coffee can, and remove the bottom with a regular can opener.  Then, place the can in your grill, open side up, put in some scraps of wood and paper, fill it to the top with charcoal, and light it through the holes at the bottom.  After the briquettes get hot, use tongs to lift the can and spread the coals.

In any situation, there are ways to improvise.  Mind you, I’m not saying that they will always amount to gracious living; but they don’t always have to.

The important thing is to have a fun – and safe – holiday weekend.

Happy Labor Day!

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, grill, lounge chairs, ottomans, outdoor accent tables, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor settees, picnic table, picnic tables, pool houses

When thinking about Labor Day weekend, people often picture large backyard cookouts, where burgers are sizzling on the grills, folks are gathered around the picnic tables, and every patio chair, porch swing, glider, and garden bench is occupied.

Of course, not everyone is into this kind of mob scene.  As difficult as it is for many to imagine, there are those who have other things that they would rather be doing on their holidays, besides socializing with tons of people.  Furthermore, even if some are planning to attend one of the events that they are invited to, they may not wish to be overwhelmed with hectic schedules of party-hopping for three days straight.

After all, it is a long weekend; and, because the fair weather may be waning soon, some people look at it as an opportunity to get things done around their houses, before it gets too cold to work outside.  They may be looking forward to getting their gardening tools and wheelbarrows out of their sheds, and spending their holidays just getting dirty in their yards.

Actually, September is one of the favorite months for gardeners, as the temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for working.  At the same time, it’s usually still warm enough for them to relax on their porch chairs or hammocks when they want to rest; and there will be a great need for that, because they have plenty of outdoor chores to keep them busy now.

While many people believe that the only thing to be done in the fall is to reap what was sown in the spring, if you’re a gardener, you know that this is not true.  There is still a lot of planting to do, along with regular maintenance and preparations that will give your lawn and garden a head start on looking their best next year.

For example, the end of the summer is the ideal period for planting several varieties of perennials, shrubs, and trees, including, in many regions, evergreens and heathers.  By putting them into the ground now, you will give them time to establish their roots over the winter months, so that they can produce healthy foliage in the spring.

If you’re not going to be hanging out with the crowds this weekend, you can enjoy browsing nurseries for trees and shrubs that will thrive in your area.  You may want to select some that have edible berries for winter wildlife, or choose ones with leaves that will exhibit spectacular fall colors.

Once the soil temperature drops to below 60 degrees, you can also begin planting the bulbs of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, about three times as deep as their diameters.  Although some people like their tulips in neat rows, you can create a magnificent group display, by planting up to twenty bulbs in a hole that is one foot in diameter, making sure that they are not touching.  If you want to add bursts of fall color, plant some mums, winter pansies, and flowering kale and cabbage.

You can also help to give your lawn a healthy start next spring, by keeping up with your raking.  As fall is usually quite rainy, built-up leaves and grass clippings can turn into thick, wet clumps that are quite inviting to pests; and nobody wants that.

In fact, that’s the very reason why many people avoid large parties – because of all of the pests that are invited!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: garden bench, grills, hammock, patio chair, picnic tables, porch chair, porch glider, porch swing

This is one of those strange weeks, when some prominent beginnings and endings converge, causing a mixture of excitement, wistfulness, anticipation, and melancholy to permeate the air.

First of all, we’re nearing the end of summer, and the indications of fall’s imminent arrival are getting stronger.  In my case, I’ve noticed that my outdoor dining table, patio furniture, and hammock are getting covered with leaves; and when I sit on my porch swing, I’m looking at brown, wilted vines on my arbor and trellises.  I try to tell myself that the leaves are dying early because of the abnormally hot, dry summer, but the truth is hard to deny.

Well, actually, it’s impossible now, because I recently spotted some goldenrod, which is one of the surest signs of autumn.  Then, I saw something else (which, coincidentally, is the same color as goldenrod) that left no doubt about what time of the year it is.  Yes, it was a school bus.

Indeed, that’s one of the things that is fueling this blend of emotions that seems to be affecting everyone right now.  After all, to kids, the close of summer means the opening of school, which is something that they dread.  At the same time, to adults, the close of summer means the opening of school, which is something that they love.

On the other hand, nearly everybody is looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend.  Because it is widely considered the last blast, and the unofficial end, of summer, it naturally conjures some feelings of sadness.  Still, it is enthusiastically welcomed by kids, who have been working so hard in school for a few days, as well as adults, who have been working so hard all year long, with only a few, brief breaks.  So, it’s an occasion for all to celebrate.

Of course, some people aren’t exactly sure what, or why, they’re celebrating; and many don’t really care, as long as they get a day off, and a chance to use their grills, picnic tables, and Adirondack chairs.  First observed on September 5, 1882, in New York City, Labor Day arose from the labor movement, as a tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers, and their contributions to the country’s prosperity.

The second Labor Day was held exactly one year later; but, in 1884, the first Monday of September was chosen for the holiday, and the Central Labor Union, which started it, urged similar organizations in other cities to mark it as well.  The idea took hold, and, in 1885, it was observed by many industrial centers across the nation.

In the first proposal for the holiday, it was suggested that it should include a street parade, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of workers and their families.  In the ensuing years, different states adopted it, one by one, before Congress passed an act, on June 28, 1894, declaring it a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

So, take full advantage of summer’s last hurrah, by making it a full day of merriment and revelry.  Have a cookout, relax in your favorite porch chair, go swimming, play some lawn games, such as volleyball, croquet, or quoits, and watch some fireworks.

Remember, it’s your day, and you deserve to enjoy it; and, no matter what, don’t feel the slightest bit guilty about making your outdoor furniture and grill work so hard on a holiday!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, arbor, Croquet, grills, hammock, lawn games, outdoor dining table, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chairs, porch swing, Quoits, trellises