Tag Archives: outdoors

Why The Outdoors is Great for Toddlers

Did you know that your backyard (or just about any other outdoor location) is one of the most intellectually stimulating environments that you can spend time in with your toddler? There are things outside that encourage the development of toddlers in every way, and yet many toddlers spend very little time outdoors. Part of the reason for this is that toddlers must be closely supervised while they are outdoors because of their tendencies to put everything in their mouths and to climb whatever they can find to climb on. Providing constant supervision takes time, and for busy parents it can … Continue reading →

Keeping Toddlers Safe Outdoors

Now that it is time to spend lots of time outdoors with the kids, it is also time to think about keeping the kids safe in the yard. Each of our homes and yards presents different safety issues for young children. Keeping curious toddlers safe can feel like a full time job sometimes. Next time you go outside, take a look around the yard and identify any poison ivy or other dangerous plants that are native to your geographic area. Remember where they are and either remove them (learn how to do so safely first) or keep your child away from … Continue reading →

Sunny Days are Here Again

  Today I finally got my wish for weather that was warm enough so that the boys could be outside for more than an hour at a time. I knew this morning when I woke up that it was possible that today could be the day that I had been waiting for. The sun was shining and the sky was cloudless, ith a color that was the most beautifully perfect shade of blue. By the time that we were done eating breakfast and sending my husband off to work, the morning chill had worn off and it was time to go … Continue reading →

How to Plan an Artful Container Garden

You can really enhance your curb appeal and transform your outdoor space through the artful arrangement of plants in container gardening. Think of it as instant art meets practical appeal. Container gardening makes everything flexible enough to be changed with your mood or the seasons. Here are some tips on successful container gardening. Think about the size of your pots. Larger pots make a bigger impact and generally look better against the scale of your home. Lots of little pots can look messy and uninspired. Mix up sizes for interest, but then tie them together in other ways, such as … Continue reading →

Splitting Firewood

Brr, the temperatures today dropped from the comfortable 70s to 45 degrees this morning. it should warm up to the 60s, as the sun comes out, but there is no doubt that fall is really here. I heard rumors that it will soon drop down to 30 overnight. There is almost nothing better in this weather than going out and getting some firewood stacked and split. The rewards of having a good store of firewood means snuggling in on the weekend with a roaring fire and some movies while the cold winds blow outside. Last weekend, we started the process … Continue reading →

Defining Our New Front Walk

In an earlier post, Putting in a New Front Walk, I talked about starting our new project of replacing the problem walk. Unfortunately the weekend project turned into a week-long project due to a need for additional supplies as well as a freak hail storm. After removing all of the weeds that had grown within the path between the flagstone I previously removed, I moved on to defining the path. It needed to be wider and more even than it was previously. I used the same hand tool that I used for weeding to define and edge the walk, and … Continue reading →

4 Landscape Lighting Types

Outside lighting is one of the newest trends in curb appeal of a home. Once used for safety and security, landscape lighting now also serves to enhance your home. If you are ready to take on some landscape lightening, you’ll want to know all about the four most popular lighting types. Here they are. Tier Lighting Tier lighting usually contains multiple levels or pyramid shapes. Think of a small post that has a small hanging lantern from it. Tier lighting casts light over small areas and can be used for narrow paths and level walkways. They are usually available as … Continue reading →

Create Easy Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining is a lot of fun. It is especially great for entertaining and can really set a mood. While you can go formal when dining outside, it is a lot more fun when things are casual and easy. Here are some tips that you can use to create an easy outdoor table. Create a fun and easy centerpiece with natural and found objects for a personal tough with a lot of impact. Some ideas for this type of centerpiece include shells, pretty pebbles, driftwood, pine cones, seed pods, etc. Place the objects under a glass dome or in a … Continue reading →

Tips for Hiking with a Baby

Going on a hike with a 7-year-old is far different than loading up a 7-month-old and hitting the trails. Still, what some would consider a daunting task (and others would call crazy) should not deter you from enjoying the great outdoors with your bundle of joy. The key is preparation. With a little planning and a lot of thought your day in the woods can become a cherished memory. Be Prepared You don’t have to be a Boy Scout to know how vital it is to plan ahead and expect the unexpected. When packing for your trip include the must-haves … Continue reading →

Two Solutions for a Wet Yard

Does your yard suffer from water runoff? If you have a pool in your yard or find your mulch heading down the street every time it rains then you’ll need to fix the problem. Here are two solutions for when you have to take care of your yard’s water problems. Grading in your yard can funnel water down toward your house or wash away your lawn or garden. It can cause soil erosion, as well as an unappealing curb view. Our house sits down at the bottom of a hill, so we know about this problem first hand. One very … Continue reading →