There are tons of projects for us to do, in and around our homes; but, at least, we get to work with houses that already exist.  Imagine the monumental challenges that our earliest ancestors faced, when, surrounded by wilderness, they had to construct various forms of shelter from whatever was at hand.

Many of those who weren’t lucky enough to find caves to live in (the “high society” crowd), made huts from wood and branches, while others draped animal skins over wooden frameworks, or used the bones of mammoths for the skeletal (literally!) structures, then covered them with the skins.  In any case, it took a lot of effort to build even the most makeshift abode.

Even so, it wasn’t long before people began adding on rooms to these modest dwellings, and furnishing them with chairs and tables that had been crudely fashioned from rocks, wood, and branches.  Outdoor furniture, I guess, was anything that was found lying around on the ground.  Perhaps a felled tree could have been used as a lounge chair, a smooth rock, as a garden bench (or, if it teetered on an uneven surface, a rocker), and an animal pelt tied between two trees, as a hammock, a hammock chair, or even a porch swing.

Naturally, people quickly began accumulating more possessions, in an attempt to keep up with the Joneses – or, the Oggs, as the case may have been.  Then, because of the apparently innate compulsion of the human race to hoard things, even when there’s no place to put them, the first storage sheds were created; and, like many homes, and some inhabitants thereof, they were nothing but skin and bones.

Throughout the ages, they have really fleshed out, appearing in many forms and materials, in virtually every culture, evolving into the good old backyard structures that we’ve all come to know.  In the 21^st century, however, apparently unsatisfied with being used only for storage, the shed has once again changed the way it is perceived in society.

Today, there are several styles of sheds, made from vinyl, cedar, and pine, available with features that include skylights, insulation, window boxes, and dozens of colors of siding and roofing.  Along with their impressive, new looks, garden sheds are taking on daring new roles, as home offices and gyms, studios, playhouses, guest rooms, and hobby rooms.  In fact, because they have proven that they can successfully serve all of these purposes, and many more, sheds have become almost as popular as gazebos.

It just goes to show that great things can happen when you’re courageous enough to shed your old image.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

As I swept heaps of snow from my car this morning, I admit, it was difficult to think what kind of new years resolutions I should be putting in for my backyard, patio, and garden.  It seems like the days of crowding around picnic tables and lounging across Adirondack chairs to take in landscapes and gardens will never be upon us again.

But, isn’t that one of the wonderful things about gardening?  A new beginning stumbles to our feet every spring so we can try the flowers again that failed us last year, and even improve upon our vegetables that were so delicious last summer.  Gardening is a great reoccurring experiment; endlessly forgiving and always beckoning for more.

While many gardeners are vowing to pick their squash before they get too large, to keep up with weeding, or to stake their peonies and lilies to ensure they stay upright through rainstorms… my resolution is a bit more simplistic.  I want to spend more time outside, and to enjoy my time there.

It would seem that we spend all winter waiting for a day that doesn’t chill or shock us as we walk out our front door… but then we spend all summer inside our houses. Instead of spending my free time as the weather gets warmer on airplanes taking me far from home, I plan to stay in my own back yard.  Whether it’s the economy encouraging people to stay closer to home, or more environmentally conscious minds are realizing their ecological footprint grows with cross-country travel—the draw to your very own patio oasis is cost effective, family centered, sustainable, and… well… worthy of your New Years Resolution. Take more time for you and your family.

Instead of spending hours and hours (and dollars and dollars!) scheduling trips to spend time with my family, I want to have a place to casually gather without notice, without traveling, and without planning.  Though many are committing to weight loss, I’m committing to fire-fly blinking summer nights rich with the smell of bug spray and dinner on the grill.  The best table in the house will be my very own, and always open for picnic lunches and raucous dinners.  With a croquet or quoits game set up, some patio chairs, and maybe even a porch swing, I’ll be on vacation all season with plenty of activities and fun for my friends.  Let’s be honest: summer television is never worth it anyway, and the gentle breeze blowing through a gazebo or cabana is absolutely irreplaceable.  Who needs the traffic on the way to the shore, when I can just string my hammock between the posts on a pergola, and read a beach romance novel all afternoon?

a moment to treasure

Of course… I’ll also be spending plenty of days digging up vegetables, tending flowers, weeding with dedication, and creating the perfect scenery for my backyard oasis.  I’ll always mow the grass before it gets unruly and never forget to…

….I’ll never forget to have the garden hose ready when my puppy needs a bath on a sweltering day or a baby pool is looking dry, to keep the grill clean for perfect dinners “out,” keep my patio groups pulled close for get-togethers where no one has to worry about talking too loud, and always remember that my swing bed is waiting for me on the porch when I just need some time to relax.  If my flowers droop and weeds grow… my garden will always forgive me and wait until next year.  If I miss enjoying a beautiful season… that’s one thing I’ll never get back!

See you Outside!

Hazel

As I was driving home from a family Christmas with a boyfriend that braved a holiday with my well… interesting… family, I made an observation. I said, “To me… January and February are the absolutely WORST months!” Naturally, he inquired why I thought so. “Because it’s just the dead grayness of winter. In November and December the cold and snow are still new and exciting… and you have Thanksgiving, The Winter Solstice, Hanukah, Christmas, and The New Year to look forward to. But, January and February have almost nothing but cold darkness and dirty snow.”

I thought about the Christmas gifts I bought for my family; mostly the antithesis of the upcoming months. I grabbed The Skyscraper Garden for my green-living urban-gardening sister-in-law, and the Lighthouse Birdfeeder for my backyard bird-watching, retired Naval engineer grandfather. It would seem that I was doing my very best to make sure everyone else got through these months as well. I love to be outside, and these months seem to just trap me indoors.

As I’m sure many gardeners (and those that don’t so much do work outdoors as lounge in Adirondack chairs, hammocks, and gliders) agree, I thought I would do a push for ways to make your spirits bright with tips to bring the outdoors indoors until spring comes around again.

Why not try to grow an orchid this winter? Though widely accepted as incredibly difficult plants to nurture and manage, there are many that are surprising doable for even a novice gardener. There are several varieties that will bloom without greenhouses, sunlamps, sunrooms, or advanced skills. Plus, tending your flowers will keep you happy and ready for the serious gardening sure to come!

The Nun’s Orchid and Tropical Lady Slipper are probably the two least fickle orchids, and are unlikely to be over-watered, as they are almost always thirsty! The Moth Orchid is another good beginner flower, though it is not as water-loving as the formers, and would prefer slightly dryer roots. My personal favorite, however, is the Cymbidium. Why you ask? Well, unlike me, it responds to the short winter days by flowering and expressing colorful blooms to brighten your days.

The Cymbidium

It’s best to purchase your orchid at a plant nursery rather than a supermarket or home improvement store because nursery orchids are more likely to have solid roots and a strong beginning. It will be easier to grow and maintain an orchid that you bring home already strong and healthy. In many orchids, parts of the roots are visible. Make sure you choose a plant with firm roots that aren’t dried up or rotting. Besides the roots, take a good look at the leaves. Leaves with yellowing or black spots indicate disease or insufficient care. Lastly, though an orchid with several blooms may appear the most attractive at the store, it’s better to choose one with several buds that have not yet bloomed. An abundance of blooms indicates that the orchid’s show is almost over— and you wouldn’t buy tickets to a concert after intermission would you?

There’s no reason to abandon the beauty of flowers just because your garden may be covered in snow. Go out and buy three or four orchids, to set on tables, chests, buffets, trunks, and shelves. The sun may be slipping under the horizon before dinner time, but you’ll have gorgeous, exotic blooms around you to keep your chin up!

And, whether you plan to spend your warmer months pulling weeds and planting tomatoes, or gently swaying on porch swings, lazily rocking on rocking chairs (what else could you do on one?), or just enjoying your gazebo, cabana, or pool house… these seemingly difficult orchids will keep you both occupied and flower-filled until you’re out in your garden again!

See You Outside! (or… inside…)

Hazel.

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A beautifully-set table is crucial to your holiday entertaining. However, unless it’s a formal affair, you don’t necessarily have to use good china and crystal; and that will be great news to those who don’t have good china and crystal. Furthermore, because some people don’t even have full sets of dishes or glasses, the even-better news is that mixing and matching tableware happens to be a big trend right now.

Actually, all you need is creativity. If you don’t have a Christmas tablecloth, you can easily turn a plain, solid-colored cloth into one, by using Christmas place mats and napkins, along with red, green, or gold doilies. No holiday plates or glassware? Get the doilies in several sizes and put them under plates, bowls, glasses, and between cups and saucers, and tie ribbons around the stems of wine glasses.

A striking centerpiece is essential as well, but, once again, you don’t have to spend any money; just use things that are already in your home or backyard. Fill a clear bowl with ornaments or foil-wrapped party favors, or use evergreen and/or berry branches, and some pine cones, tied up with ribbons. Gild some pine cones to make gorgeous place card holders.

Candles are also important, and can be of different sizes and colors. Place them on mirrors for extra shine, float votives in a clear bowl, or use your odd dishes, especially ones with winter scenes, as candle holders.

Many people have a few, mismatched pieces of Depression-era glass, which, in colors such as blue, amethyst, pink, green, gold, and yellow, will be anything but depressing on a holiday table.

If it’s a sit-down dinner, keep the centerpiece low enough so that people can see each other and converse across the table. If you’re having a buffet and people are scattered throughout the house, don’t be shy about using picnic table benches, patio chairs, folding chairs, or even ottomans, for extra seating. If you have enough space, you can even bring in your picnic table or outdoor dining set, and decorate it, too.

These are just a few of the hundreds – nay, thousands – of things that you can do to make your home, your table, and your party, bright, festive, warm, and welcoming.

In fact, I hope that describes your entire holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

Kathy

Picnic tables everywhere are being heavily used during these long summer days; and there’s nothing new about that, as this has always been their big season.  The difference is that, in the not-too-distant past, after their demanding warm-weather performances, picnic tables would normally go into hibernation for the rest of the year.

These days, however, millions of people, reluctant to relinquish the outdoor living experience for three-quarters of the year, are keeping it alive by enclosing their porches, patios, and gazebos.  Although this is a great way to cheat Mother Nature out of her chance to see us pining away for our picnic tables during the cold-weather months, it opens up a whole new area of concern from the standpoint of outdoor decorating – or is that indoor decorating?

You see?  There’s the rub. Once the line between the indoors and outdoors is blurred, it creates correlating questions about the kinds of furnishings and décor that should be used in these new rooms.  Because they’re meant to capture the essence of the outdoors, it stands to reason that some degree of rusticity would be desirable.  On the other hand, because they’re also, technically, indoor rooms (and, in some cases, under the roofs of the main houses), some people may be inclined to be a bit more elaborate with their motifs.  In fact, many people are quite extravagant, not only with their enclosed rooms, but with their outdoor rooms (i.e., yards) as well.    

Whatever the case, it’s no longer enough just to have a few porch chairs, folding chairs, benches, or weatherworn picnic tables, in these new rooms, which are often used year-round for entertaining.  Because of their heightened purposes, even the ones that are country-themed are being decorated as meticulously as regular indoor rooms, complete with coordinating colors and accessories. 

But that’s okay, because AllPicnicTables.com, which is always ahead of the curve when it comes to new trends, has an awesome assortment of rectangular, oval, round, square, hexagonal, octagonal, and extra-wide picnic tables, in virtually limitless colors, styles, and materials.  Besides the classic cedar, pine, oak, teak, and cherry tables, we also feature aluminum, vinyl, polywood, and thermoplastic-coated steel tables, suitable for residential and commercial uses, along with outdoor dining sets, bar and bistro tables, and a full line of outdoor furniture.

Furthermore, even though all of the furniture is built to last, whether it’s used indoors or out, most of the synthetic and metal pieces are practically indestructible.  Indeed, they will refuse to crack, chip, warp, decay, rust, peel, or break, even if they’re left outside year-round to endure Mother Nature’s full arsenal.

So, contrary to popular belief, it is nice to fool Mother Nature!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy