Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

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

Regarding the difference between barbecuing and grilling, I mentioned recently that a quick way to sum it up is to say that grilling is high and fast, while barbecuing is low and slow.  To be a bit more explicit, grilling is usually done on charcoal grills or gas grills, when one is cooking hamburgers, or tender, thinner cuts of meat, at 500° or more, for an hour or less.

The intense heat and the rapid cooking process help to seal in the juices, which makes the meat more succulent.  If you’re going to use any kind of barbecue sauce when you’re grilling, don’t put it on until the meat is nearly done, or the sugar in the sauce may burn.  It’s also important that you stay close to the grill at all times, as the meat cooks so quickly that it can go from juicy to dry in a matter of minutes.  You can also keep the meat from drying out by turning it with tongs, as a fork will just make a bunch of holes through which the juices can escape; and, believe me, it will be a fast getaway.

Barbecuing, which is normally done over wood or charcoal, is used when cooking larger, tougher cuts of meat, at 225° or less, with smoke, for over an hour; and I mean well over an hour.  As a matter of fact, in some instances, such as when you’re cooking a whole pig, you may have to barbecue overnight.  The good part about a situation like this, however, is that you won’t have to tend to the meat – or even stay awake – the whole time.

Of course, most people who do the pig-cooking thing at least once a year (and I think we all know someone who does) like to make it a marathon event.  Even if the pig won’t be done until Sunday afternoon, they generally like to start getting things ready on Friday evening, right after work.  Besides preparing their picnic tables, they’ll want to make sure that there are enough Adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, garden benches, settees, and folding chairs for everyone to be seated comfortably.  Furthermore, most of them enjoy tending to their barbecues throughout the night, and often end up sleeping in their swingbeds.

When you’re barbecuing, you can brush on sauce as often as you wish, as it will create a delicious glaze on the meat.  You can also give it a great, smoky flavor by putting damp wood chips into the fire.  The long, slow pace of this method dissolves the connective tissues that make meat tough, causing it to become tender enough to fall off the bone; and that’s the goal of all outdoor chefs.

There are many types of wood that you can use, and each lends its own, unique flavor to the meat.  Furthermore, just as certain wines are thought to ideally complement specific foods, various kinds of wood are recommended for use with particular meats; and we’ll explore some of these in upcoming blogs.

In the meantime, I hope that I haven’t made you too hungry!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, charcoal grills, folding chairs, garden benches, gas grills, grills, picnic tables, settees, Swingbeds

As I was saying, some of the things that people do to keep warm in January include partaking of comfort foods and beverages, sitting by roaring fires, luxuriating in hot tubs, and jetting off to tropical islands.

I also mentioned that sunrooms are great places to stay warm, whether you have one that’s built into your home, or standing separately in your backyard.  But, guess what – they’re not the only garden structures that can shield you from the cold.  No-o!  Gazebos can keep you nice and toasty as well.

Now, I realize that, if you’re picturing the gazebos that stand in town parks, or the ornamental gazebos that are in many backyards, you may be thinking that I’m crazy for saying that; but you would be wrong.  Okay, okay – you’d be half right.  Sure, I may be a bit, well, let’s just say, eccentric (no, you don’t have to be rich to be eccentric!), but I definitely know what I’m talking about when it comes to gazebos!

Believe me, they’ve come a long way over the years.  While gazebos certainly can still be used for decorative purposes, or as shelters for picnic tables, patio chairs, porch swings, gliders, outdoor sofas and settees, or other outdoor furniture groups, these days, they’re available with so many features that people can actually live in them!

If you want proof, just go to GazeboCreations.com.  Right away, you’ll be amazed at our wide variety of cedar, treated pine, and vinyl gazebos, which come in all sizes and shapes.  Then, to further astound you, we’ve enlisted the services of a genuine Gazebo Wizard, who will help you to customize you own gazebo right on the site, by offering you dozens of options, including insulation, storm windows, different kinds of flooring, decorative railings, wiring, built-in benches, ceiling fans, special lighting, cupolas, several types and colors of roofing, and more.

Furthermore, he’ll add each one you choose, instantly, right before your eyes!  Truly!

You know, I really, really hope that you do visit our site now.  I mean, after all that stuff I said about a Gazebo Wizard, if you don’t come and see it for yourself, you really will think I’m crazy!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: cedar, garden structures, gazebo, Gazebos, gliders, outdoor furniture groups, outdoor sofas, patio chairs, picnic tables, porch swings, settees, sun rooms, treated pine, vinyl