Decorations for Garden and Patio
July 30, 2010
Coolaroo Triangle Shade Sail provides shade where you need it.
If you have a spot in the garden or on the deck or patio that needs some shade and cooler temperatures, this sun shade will do the job. It comes in both green and sand and has stainless steel hardware fasteners. It has a 10 year warranty against UV degradation. You can create your own uniquely designed outdoor living space using multiple sizes and colors of sail shades.
I have friends who have a south facing house with no trees for shade. They put up about five Coolaroos at different angles and planted hops and grapes in planters. The area looks lovely now and provides shade for the house and a cool place to sit and see the sunset. I'm getting a couple of these to put over my double doors which face west. The sun heats up the house in the afternoon and the Coolaroos will keep that from happening until I can get wisteria or grapes growing over a trellis.
At Coolaroo Triangle Shade Sail 16 Feet 5 Inches with Hardware Kit, Brunswick Green
July 9, 2010
A great hammock is the perfect summer pleasure
I bought this hammock four years ago and it has held up very well. It has no tears, no fraying, no problems whatsoever, although I sometimes have the sprinkler going and it gets wet. The colors have stayed bright! I have it up all summer and only take it down when the rains start in the fall.
I've had a lot of hammocks. I used to swear by the Mayan string hammocks, but they did not hold up well with the abuse they get from visiting children. The spreading hammocks are fine for adults. I have a rope one on a stand which is great for me, but kids like a hammock what cradles them. My difficult to put to sleep grandaughter fell asleep easily in the Jobek hammock. Older kids put the strength of this hammock to a real test. They love to swing each other high and fast enough for the adults to occasionally to intervene to calm things down. After my guests had left, I lay down to relax in the hammock and although the rope that held it to the trees had stretched with the vigor of child play, the hammock itself was still unsullied and I relaxed with some lemonade and a short doze before continuing on with my day.
At Jobek 24107 Light Blue, Vanilla Stripe Rumba Spreadless Hammock
June 28, 2010
Mr. BBQ 18-Piece Tool set is a perfect gift
Here's a good idea for Father's day. He already has a grill and this nice set of tools completes the pictures.
- Be prepared in all grilling instances with this loaded, 18-piece tool set from Mr. BBQ
- Includes a 4-in-1 spatula, knife, fork, tongs, basting brush, 8 corn holders, and 4 skewers
- Whip it out to host family and friends at home, or pack it all up in the included aluminum carrying case to take on the road
- Durably made, the set comes backed by a 5-year warranty
It comes with a carrying case if he wants to take it on the road! Have tools; will BBQ!
At Mr. BBQ 18-Piece Tool set with Case
May 28, 2010
Handwoven Mayan Hammock is made for hammock lovers
One of the items we used to carefully bring back from Mexico were Mayan hammocks. They are made by people who used them for sleeping and so know hammock comfort. Usually available in both nylon and cotton, these hammocks use miles of string which is woven so that it gives with body weight and you can easily turn, stretch and roll without falling out. The sides of the hammock are high and children can easily sleep in them without fear of them falling out. My daughter loved the hammock. She said it was like being in a string egg!
Here are some of the selling points:
- Handwoven from more than 2 miles of durable nylon
- Authentic, expert workmanship
- Diamond weave for remarkable strength
- Room for 3 or more; 600-lb. weight capacity
- Bed dimensions: 7 ft. 6 in. L x 11 ft. W
- Overall length: 14 ft. 8 in.
- Several color options available
- Hanging hardware not included
We hung ours in the grape arbor so that you could lie in the shade and eat grapes at your leisure. Only Roman emporers knew such luxury! And gardeners deserve a hour or so of well earned leisure so they can bask in the fruit of their labors.
At Mayan Hammock
May 26, 2010
Sweet Petunias House Flag is a cheerful reminder of spring
The weather is always a topic for the gardener. It rules our lives. In Northern California we have been experiencing a cool, wet spring which has surprised everyone. The old timers used to say about gardening, "Don't put a thing in the ground until June 1st." Of course I always tried to push the season a little. But for many years, it has been possible to plant corn in late April and the second planting in mid May and have all the warm weather vegetables in the ground and flourishing by June. Maybe that change had to to with global warming. But this spring has been a throw back to when I first got here and I've been surprised and a little pleased by the change.
In recent years, spring lasted for a very short period. There would be a few nice days and then suddenly it would be very hot and very dry. It brought on fire season early and many summers ended with smokey skies and fire alerts, so this late rainy spring has made us all feel safer. There is plenty of water and the fire danger will be way down. The small firs and pines are loving it. They have grown a foot at least and are still pushing up. The peas and onions, the carrots and broccoli have sprouted and grown nicely.
However the tomatoes I planted fresh from the greenhouse, have suffered. Some of the newest growth died back. But I am surprised that the corn and beans I planted the second week of May has sprouted in spite of the cold rain and wind. Today was the first sunny day we have had in a while and I spent all day in the flower beds weeding, having to change into my coat and wear a hat when the wind came up. I gave manure tea to the tomatoes and peppers, thinking that will give them the confidence they need to continue growing. They have not put out new leaves since I put them in the ground.
Once the flower bed was weed free, I planted the petunias I bought at the nursery. Their bright colors always cheer my heart. I gave them the manure tea also and have come in the house to start the fire and warm up. It isn't supposed to freeze tonight, but more cold storm is on the way Tuesday. I'm happy with the garden this year, although it's late. And it's almost June, when it's safe to plant!
I found this Petunia flag while I was looking for a present for my sister. I think she'll like it!
At Sweet Petunias House Flag
May 25, 2010
Strathwood Recliners mean high end comfort
Hopefully sometime in the hustle of digging, planting, fertilizing and getting your garden ready to produce, you'll find time to sit back and enjoy the spring. We've had a cold spell that shocked the tomatoes and nipped some leaves with frost, but I've watered them and given them manure tea and they will make it, especially now that the weather has warmed up. I had planted the first planting of corn and a row of beans, and they have not shown themselves yet. I'm hoping they still will come up.
All the cold weather vegetables are fine. The peas are growing; carrots, broccoli and beets have germinated. It's been their kind of weather. I have yet to plant the squash family or the cucumbers. So it's in the interim between plantings that the thought of just sitting and enjoying the sun, the lawn and the garden comes to mind.
These Strathwood recliners are truely wonderful. Strathwood is known for it's great line of outdoor furniture and these recliners adjust to an infinite number of leg and back positions so you can find your most comfortable position and change it when you wish without getting up. The recliner has a sturdy steel frame and flexible fabric seating. It is really easy to set up and take down, comes in a wide variety of colors and some models have a canopy cover to protect you from the sun. Sweet! Time to relax and enjoy!
At Strathwood Anti-Gravity Adjustable Recliners
April 21, 2010
Brome Squirrel Buster Classic has great reviews
Finding a bird feeder that won't attract and feed squirrels is difficult. The bird feeder in my daughter's back yard constantly has squirrels around it and believe me, there are a lot of squirrels in Boston. I'm not bothered by squirrles here in the wilds of Northern California. They don't have an easy life and furthermore, I have a dog and two cats. These pets are well fed and rather lazy, being old, so they are quite content to sit and watch the birds at the bird feeder, which keeps squirrels away, but the birds soon realize they have nothing to fear.
The Squirrel Buster Classic has openings in the wire grid that align with the seed ports and provide birds access to the seed. When a squirrel climbs onto the feeder, its weight automatically forces the grid down, closing access to the seed ports. Squirrels and many large birds are foiled but not harmed in any way. This bird feeder has two downsides. One is that it is a little pricey; the other is that it shuts down not just for squirrels but also for large birds. If you really want a cardinal or larger bird to feed at the feeder, there is another model, the 1024 which has a cardinal perch on it.
The reviews of this feeder are positive. They say it is easy to clean and that the birds love it and that it does shut down, as promised, when a squirrel tries to eat out of it. I don't think there is any bird feeder, no matter how strategically made, that can keep the seed from falling on the ground where the squirrels can get it. Only the cat and dog can keep a squirrel away from such an inviting meal. If you have found such a bird feeder, let us know and we'll rejoice and spread the word!
At Brome 1015 Squirrel Buster Classic
April 12, 2010
Landmann Fireplace saved the Easter Party
The party I have on Easter was threatened by a big late storm. We put up a tarp over the deck and brought out the Landmann fireplace and started fire. This plan worked beautifully. The fire was roaring and people loved standing around talking, drinking, and watching the snow come down, safely dry and warm. In fact, although the cabin was toasty warm everybody stayed outside to enjoy the novelty of snow fall on daffodils and tulips and a brilliant green lawn.
The nice thing about this Landmann Fireplace is that is was high enough off the ground that it didn't kill the lawn underneath it although a fire really blazed in it all day. It also can be moved on it's wheels while burning. We left the top off most of the day and piled the logs on. When everyone left, we put the top on, and let it burn itself out. This fireplace was a real party saver.
At Landmann Heatwave 28-Inch Outdoor Fireplace
March 23, 2010
Garden Hook Bird Feeder Pole is attractive and easy to use
This is an attractive pole, kind of lyrical with an hook at the end, that could be used as a flower hanging basket holder or used for placing wind chimes. It' easy to install in the ground and it should be hard for a squirrel to get to the bird feed. If you're beginning to look around for decorative ideas for the yard and garden, this seems to be a versatile choice with many possible uses.
If anyone has found the perfect squirrel proof birdfeeder, I would so like to hear from you. We have tried and tried again and the squirrels manage to outsmart the feeders, just bumping the pole of the ones they can't climb on, and waiting for the seed to drop to the ground where they can get it. Suburban Boston must be squirrel heaven as there are so many! Here in California, the cats and dog keep them at bay and they stay in the woods where they belong.
At Heath Outdoor Products BFP-3 8-Foot Garden Hook Bird Feeder Pole
March 18, 2010
Easter House Flag reminds the world spring is near
We have a spring holiday approaching and this flag will remind you and others that it's time to get outside and enjoy the yard, the garden, and the lush returning growth of a new growing season. These Brilliance Flags use a dye sublimation technique for the best quality and reversibility. Embroidery is added to the printed icons so that they practically jump off the flags. Simply brilliant! Size: 28 in. x 40 in.
At Easter On Parade House Flag
February 9, 2010
Weeping Willow Tree is a classic landscape addition and easy to grow
Weeping willows are beautiful additions to a yard. They can be used as windbreaks; they are fast growing, and are cold hardy over most all the the country. I am thinking of one near the pond I am planning near my new house. They add a soft and gentle ambiance to any landscape and I remember them from my childhood. One of the main features is they are fast gowing so you don't have to wait forever for the tree to mature. This one when shipped is 3 or 4ft tall so it has a good start on growth and they are easy to grow so dig a hole, throw in some compost and mix it up with some fertilizer, steer manure would do and plant the tree! It should really take off in the spring!
At Weeping Willow Tree, Hardy Green, 36-48-inch Tall
January 20, 2010
Meyer Lemon Tree is easy to grow and produces great fruit
A Meyer lemon is a lovely plant and grows nicely in containers and outside in zones 8-11 Fragrant flowers produce thin skinned, juicy lemons year round. They are different than conventional lemons in that the taste is more sweeter, and less acid. The rind is thinner and more orangish in color than typical lemons. The tree is evergreen and needs full sun or a sunny room in the house. It grows to about 8 to 10 feet tall, or can be pruned to be shorter.
At Meyer Lemon Tree One Gallon by Monrovia Growers
January 5, 2010
Hen-Feathers Boutique Thistle Thermometer adds an antique look to the garden decor
I'm in the market for a new thermometer. The old one is hanging on the locust tree in front of the cabin where it has been for 20 years. It's one that you use a magnet to return temperature so that you can see the change every day. I always forget to do that and I'm not even sure if the thermometer works. So I'm thinking of something simple that I don't have to manage. This thermometer by Hen-Feathers looks really cool. It has an antique look in hand cast copper and if I hang it on the tree outside the window, I can see the temperature easily.
At Hen-Feathers 73370HWTB 7-1/4-Inch High by 4-1/4-Inch Wide by 1-1/2-Inch Deep Boutique Thistle Thermometer
December 24, 2009
Outdoor Fireplace with Copper Accents is perfect for outdoor fun
If you're tired of being couped up in the house, especially with all the relatives around, this outdoor fireplace would get everyone out of the house and bring a welcome change of scene. If the weather's very cold and snowy, the snowball fighters, sledders, and hikers can come and get warms while they tell about their adventures. Outdoors, at night, it gives a lovely light and a 360 degree view of the fire. A large, hinged access door makes it easy to throw another log on the fire. A heavy mesh surround ensures optimal warmth and safety--keeping sparks off the deck. A heavy grate is built to last and support plenty of wood for less refueling and a large cooking grate lets you warm up buns and snacks. This could save everyone's sanity and bring extra enjoyment during the holidays and all the rest of winter.
At Uniflame Black Outdoor Fireplace with Copper Accents
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