Preparing your Family and Home with Spring Outdoor Patio Ideas

Outdoor Cooking means an Outdoor Kitchen Area

Don’t have an outdoor cooking spot on your patio? Sounds like the perfect spring project! A bar-be-cue is one of the most popular ways to relax and hang out during the spring and summer. A lot of focus is put on the grill, but there are a number of other outdoor kitchen features that make a huge difference.

For instance, outdoor kitchen cabinets help to tie the design together and provide storage space, but they also have to be durable enough to withstand the elements. Another consideration is whether you’re going to need plumbing and electric in place. If you want a sink or refrigerator this has to be planned out well in advance and can limit the location of the outdoor kitchen.

If you want a fully functional outdoor cooking area it will take almost as much planning as renovating the kitchen inside. Pay careful attention to the materials used and try to position the grilling area so that it’s in the shade.

Outdoor Party Ideas are Better at the Pool!

Is your home the hot spot for pool parties? Planning the perfect spring and summertime pool party begins will de-winterizing your pool and spa. Once the last cold snap is safely behind you the process can begin. Outdoor patio ideas can start near the house and end out near the pool! Check out these springtime activities.

De-winterizing the pool consists of three key steps:

• Removing the cover (you may want to remove as much debris as possible first).
• Removing the winterizing plugs and replacing them with the seasonal plugs.
• Reconnect the equipment – pump, filter, automatic cleaner and heater all have to be properly reconnected before the pool can be cleaned.

While you’re opening the pool and getting the pumps fired back up survey the area for safety issues. Anytime water is involved safety has to be the focus. Look for cracks around the pool, make sure ladders and hand railings are tightly secured and check the condition of your lifesaver.

Take Time Off and Enjoy Family Road Trips

Family road trips and spring go hand-in-hand. While the kids are out of school and the weather is fine it’s the perfect time to see a bit of the countryside and create some memories. The biggest decision is where you’ll go. It’s best to get this nailed down ASAP so you have at least a few months to plan a route, line up hotels and decide what attractions you want to see along the way.

If you plan to rent a van, RV or camper for your family road trip now is the time to start weighing your options. Waiting until mid-Spring or later will limit what’s available.

Springtime Family Activities:

One of the time-honored traditions of spring and summer is relaxing by a bonfire and cooking up a few smores. Of course, safety is the top priority of this summertime activity.

Before you invite guests over check the local burn bans. During periods of drought, bonfires are strictly prohibited, even on private property. If there’s no burn ban in place you still may need to get a permit and there are still precautions to take to build a safe bonfire.

• Find an area that’s at least 50 feet from structures and wood areas.
• Clear away brush and debris.
• Keep the bonfire to five foot by five foot.
• Only use dry wood that has no treatment or coating.
• It’s okay to use lighter fluid but keep the container far away from the fire.
• Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby, just in case.
• Once the bonfire is done douse the entire area with water.

For more outdoor patio ideas this spring look to our outdoor archives

You might think that arranging for a family picnic is just as easy as calling up your extended family members, throwing whatever you can find in the pantry into a backpack or basket, packing the kids in the car, and heading to the nearest park for the day. In truth, you can definitely do this on a whim and probably have a decent time. But if you want to plan a shindig for your entire family that all will remember fondly for years to come and beg you to repeat annually, you need to put a little thought into the event. So here are just a few tips that will help you to create the perfect family picnic.

How to Plan the Perfect Fall Family Picnic

Image: The Marion House Book

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Send out invites.

This doesn’t have to be anything fancy; an Evite with the time, date, and place is good enough. But any time you’re coordinating an event with several people it is helpful to contact them en masse with the details and then receive a confirmation of who will and will not attend (so that you can plan accordingly). Evite not only makes it easy to accomplish these goals (provided the majority of people operate in the online arena) but it’s also more efficient, immediate, and eco-friendly than sending out paper invitations.

Pick a place.

The venue you select for your picnic could be important. For starters, you’ll probably want to try to find a central location that is accessible to all family members. If, for example, you have small children or elderly people coming, you might not want to choose a location that requires a five-mile hike to reach. You can almost certainly find a city park that will meet your needs with enough picnic tables to accommodate your family, public restrooms, play equipment for kids, a large field for running around, and perhaps even fire pits or grills provided for cooking.

Arrange entertainment.

It’s not a party; it’s a picnic. So the entertainment should be suited to the event. You don’t have to hire clowns, a band, or other performers like you would for a children’s party, for example. Your goal is not necessarily to wow people. What you do want is to make sure that everyone is interacting and having a good time, and games can provide a great solution. Think about bringing along sporting goods to get a game of soccer, football, baseball, or Frisbee going. Or look online for classic children’s games you might play like capture the flag, Simon says, or telephone. Some will get people working together as teams while others will pit players against one another, but all are sure to make for a fun afternoon that both kids and adults can enjoy.

Image: Wit and Delight

Choose the food.

A picnic lunch need not be confined to sandwiches, chips, and fruit. These days people are finding all kinds of ways to incorporate gourmet selections into their picnics. The main appeal of such an event is that the food is light, easy to transport, and requires no cooking. So bringing lunch meats, cheeses, and other sandwich fixings definitely fits the bill. But you could also create cold pastas or salads ahead of time, or include any ready-made foods or easy-to-assemble items that take your fancy.

Assign tasks.

Planning the perfect picnic can be a lot of work so you should definitely ask family members for help. Some can make food, others can bring plates, cups, and utensils, and everyone can help to clean up. Just because you’re planning the function doesn’t mean you should have to buy all the food, pack up picnic backpacks and baskets, and provide the entertainment. When everybody pitches in a fun time can be had by all.

For more recreation ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Each holiday that comes around me and my family say, “What should we do this holiday?” For one, explaining Labor Day to kids can be difficult. This year I decided to see what other people do on Labor Day. While you would think because Labor Day is supposed to be a break from doing work, many people think it’s the best weekend to get things done! So here are a few activities you can do this weekend to celebrate your time off!

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Do easy household chores

While many people consider household chores to be unenjoyable, many people like having the time to clean their home leisurely! Instead of rushing before or after work to pick up, why not spend a few hours this weekend cleaning? Hey put on your favorite music tunes, and enjoy. Same goes for your outdoor home. My husband and I have been putting off doing yard work, and this weekend we officially will tackle cutting down shrubs, cleaning the sidewalk, and mowing the lawn! Other easy chores could be: walking your dog, planting in your garden, organizing your closet or your garage.

Have a movie marathon with the whole family

O.k. if you’ve decided to take the weekend and chill, then visiting your local video store, or renting movies off the satellite station on tv could be perfect. Watching your favorite movies together with your loved ones is one of the best forms of relaxation. Labor Day is also a big weekend for going to the movie theater. Catch up on the latest flick and enjoy a weekend together for once.

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Play your favorite indoor or outdoor sports

When is the last time you went to the gym, or worked out at home to your favorite Zumba video? With so many things to do at work, you may not find time to play or exercise. Taking time to play this Labor Day weekend it can be very fulfilling on your part. It may help you feel energized and get rid of the stress brought about by work. Once Tuesday comes around, you will look back over your weekend with accomplishment.

Whether you choose to put in some elbow grease and get sweaty or you choose to stay at home and chill with the family, enjoy your Labor Day. After all – enjoy the “work” in deciding what to do this holiday, not sitting at your day job!

Happy Labor Day Weekend all!

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Halloween and October is a great time to let kids show their imagination. Whether you enjoy decorating and carving pumpkins or making a pumpkin talk,  your kids should try one of these fun and easy Halloween kids crafts from Martha Stewart.

Pumpkin Project – Candy Character

Set an intact pumpkin atop a clear, candy-filled container, then give kids an assortment of candy for decorating. This character sports pearly white mini marshmallows for teeth, a construction paper hat with a hole cut out for the stem, and black licorice eyes.

Pumpkin Bird Feeder

For a seasonal supplement to your regular bird feeder, cut a 3- to 5-pound pumpkin in half; scoop out, leaving a 1/2-inch thick wall. Cut a 1/2-inch-deep groove in the rim for pumpkin seeds. For perches, poke holes and insert twigs. To hang, knot two lengths of twine together in center; tack knot to feeder bottom. Fill with birdseed. For bird feeder instructions, click here.

 

Wise Owl Pumpkin

Here, two miniature pumpkins become a wise owl. Secure pumpkins together with skewers. For eyes, push toothpicks through the tips of two pumpkin seeds, insert in pumpkin, and fan out slightly; repeat several times. A pearberry completes each. To add a chrysanthemum plume, make a hole with a toothpick and insert stem. For the beak, dig out a small opening and wedge in an almond.

Talking Pumpkin

Eeek — it’s alive! Make a jack-o’-lantern talk using an old baby monitor. Place the parents’ unit inside the pumpkin. Kids can hide, then speak into the transmitter whenever trick-or-treaters come near. We cut up a synthetic carvable pumpkin, but this project works just as well with the real kind.

Carve synthetic pumpkins with the same tools you would use to carve a real pumpkin. Instead of cutting a lid, make an opening in the bottom big enough for the monitor. To make sure that no one sees the unit, use pushpins to tack a piece of black fabric or paper behind the pumpkin face.

For more Halloween ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I’m always looking for new ways to add color, and comfort into home decor ideas.  Today I came across these beautiful images for floor pillows! Do you use floor pillows in your home?  I love how the following rooms look like they can be casual and relaxed, but not sacrificing great design!

I enjoy the versatility of floor pillows. Depending on the season and the time of year – pillows could change easily with pillow covers. I can easily see this space in the fall and winter, with deep oranges and browns.

Neutral tone pillows seem to blend in with decor, effortlessly.

Pillows outside for casual entertaining and relaxing is a nice way to enjoy the outdoors. I love this gated screen that acts as ‘walls’ for this outdoor room.

What inspires you? Even if it’s nontraditional, I challenge you to find new ways to reinvent your home. It should never be boring!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

]]> https://stagetecture.com/home-decor-floor-pillow-inspiration-ideas/feed/ 8 6549 https://stagetecture.com/gardening-starting-seeds-indoors/ https://stagetecture.com/gardening-starting-seeds-indoors/#comments Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:34:50 +0000 http://stagetecture.wordpress.com/?p=3274

Entry #65, April 14, 2010

Last week I showed you how to get your kids interested in gardening by starting to sprout seeds with coffee filters.  This week HGTV Canada has an article on sprouting seeds indoors. A good step by step guide. – Article by Veronica Sliva

Getting Started
First, you’ll need a container. Plastic flats are available in garden centers, but any container will do if it can hold 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches) deep of growing space. Soggy roots mean death to most seedlings, so drainage holes are essential for excess water to escape.

Soil
Do not invite disaster by using soil from the garden. Garden soil is not sterilized and may harbour all sorts of insect larvae, bacteria and possibly disease. Sand is also a poor choice. It’s best to use only a sterilized soil. You’ll find a wide range of different mixtures designed specifically for starting seeds in the garden centres.

Start by moistening your soil. Most seed should be sown to a depth of twice its size. Some seed like impatients requires light to germinate, so you press them into the surface of the soil. Always read the instructions on the seed packet because some seeds have specific needs. 

Humidity, Temperature and Light
A humid atmosphere encourages germination. You achieve this by covering the container with plastic which traps moisture and prevents evaporation. If light is needed for germination, use clear plastic.

Soil temperature affects the rate of germination too. Most seed germinates faster with bottom heat. Special heating cables are available for this purpose, but the top of the refrigerator works very well too. Once germination occurs, plants must be moved to a bright location.

As for light, fluorescent lights are great, but a south or west window works too, provided that the sun’s light is not so direct that it damages the tender new seedlings.

Visit HGTV Canada for the rest of the sprouting from seeds article.

Now that I’ve moved, I’m finally in a home that has a great yard, and plenty of mature flowering shrubs and trees.  With the onset of Spring, I’m ready to start thinking about a garden! I can admit (don’t like to, but will) I don’t have a green thumb. I can keep a few houseplants, but once we get to the garden, I need help!  I’ve read a few great blog posts over the weekend for some gardening assistance.

At Home At Home, has a post about the vegetables and herbs she’s going to plant in her garden.  Just looking at her pictures makes me want to get started!

So now I’m looking for a step-by-step guide, fool-proof method to get started. Petit Elefant has a post on “How to plant a vegetable garden”! Was she reading my mind or what?!

To follow her easy steps, read below and visit her post. I need more egg cartons! Maybe I’ll use paper Dixie cups instead? This is usually why my gardening goes south, quickly!

Step by Step Guide – Article by Allison Czarnecki

Step 1: Egg Cartons

I start saving egg cartons in about January. Yes, really. They make the perfect little sized containers to transplant your plants once the ground is warm enough outside. Egg cartons are biodegradable, free {well, you know what I mean}, and you’re recycling. Win-win-win.

Step 2: Seeds

I don’t buy my seeds from catalogs, I just pick them up at the local grocery store, for 50% off their listed price {read: I rarely pay more than $1 per seed packet}. Get ’em wherever you like, and whatever variety of vegetables you’ll enjoy. I try to branch out a little more each year. Here’s what’s on the menu this season: Carrots, Beets, Peas, Spinach, Cucumber, & Onions.

For more gardening ideas on Stagetecture, click here.