Having a fire pit at your home or at a campground is a great way to relax and enjoy the great outdoors once the sun sets and it can be a great social activity for the entire family. But because this is such a popular family activity parents must take extra care when their children are around fire pits. And of course once they are old enough to understand, there are several important points you need to make about fire pit safety.

 
Make sure your children understand basic fire safety.
Before teaching your children about fire pit safety you need to first …read more

Summer is leaving us and with its passing, many flowers are dying.  One of the things I really liked about our new house is the mature plants and landscaping but I’m already starting to miss the Black Eyed Susans and other flowers that are becoming dormant. 
After some research, I found some fall blooming flowers that will help to keep your yard looking great.  I didn’t have to look far for help.  Better Homes & Gardens always has great tips for your home.  It’s interesting that many of these flowers are not the traditional fall colors. 

You might want to try these fall …read more

It’s beginning to look like fall and you all know how much I love fall.  I’ve been thinking about getting a firepit so that I can enjoy these cool nights outside for a bit.  And roasting marshmallows and making s’mores sounds like so much fun.  Here’s a few options that I’ve found.

If you’re looking for the most inexpensive firepit or if you don’t plan to use it very often, then this might be the choice for you.  These simple firepits range from $59-75.  This particular one was found at Lowe’s Home Improvement for $59.

This firepit was my husband’s favorite. He …read more

September is the best time to buy plants and patio furniture. Home improvement stores and garden centers are anxious to move their summer inventory so that they can make room for the fall and winter merchandise. It’s a great time for you to save.

Now that’s it’s the end of summer, stores are drastically marking down their patio furniture.  Most stores have marked their inventory down 75% percent!  I found chairs, tables, and benches, but unfortunately I could not find a matching set of anything.  Perhaps you will have better luck than I did.  I’m still hoping for an unexpected bargain somewhere.
Another …read more

Big Lots has their summer items on clearance for 50% off. Save on patio furniture, pools and accessories, beach towels, garden statuary, and more. If you’re needing something for your yard, now is the time to shop and save. Be on the lookout for clearance sales at other stores (such as Target) too.

Guest post by Lou Manfredini
Hello all! Lou Manfredini here, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man.” I’m excited to share some easy tips on adding curb appeal to your home this summer. Keeping the outside of your home looking great has two purposes: you’re able to see a home you’re proud of every day and it increases your home’s overall value.

One of the most important things you’ll want to do is to keep your home’s exterior paint and caulking in tip-top shape. If you have a painted home and there are areas that could use some TLC, follow this advice:

Scrape off any loose …read more

I know today is not Wordless Wednesday, but I wanted to share these pictures with you. I was in my children’s bedroom today and spotted some wild geese. They were walking from my neighbor’s pond to the pond in my backyard. I wish I could have taken better pictures, but by the time I grabbed my camera they were almost at the pond.  When I came outside to capture their picture, they started walking faster. lol

It seems as though there are four adult geese and nine goslings.

Looks like the leader said it was ok to get in.

It’s hard to see …read more

Last week, I mentioned a resource for grill recipes.  Then it occurred to me that some of us don’t know how to properly clean our gas grills.  What are the proper steps to ensuring a clean and healthy grill?  No worries.  It’s pretty easy.

If this is the first time this year that you are using your grill, then it’s a good idea to do a more thorough cleaning.  Turn on the burners, close the lid, and let the grill run for about 30 minutes.  It needs to cook long enough to burn off the residue.  Brush the grates with a brass …read more

Summer will be here before you know it. Now is the time to be thinking and planning ahead for ways that you can enjoy the great outdoors this year.  Here’s some ideas to get you started.
Get a grill – If you already have a grill, then get it working.  Clean it up and change any needed parts.  You also might want to get a grill cover to keep the rain and weather from causing damage.  I don’t know about you, but once summer rolls around I enjoy cooking outside.  It keeps me from heating up the house and there are so many foods …read more