From the site Epic Win: For the Win, the best chair for outdoors ever EVER!

I am going to just step up and admit that I *love* this concept.  For people who love nature, live green, but do not like actually being outdoors, the perfect house has been developed.  From Fast Company,

The luxury retreat is located on the famously beautiful western coast of Scotland, it’s a self-contained geodesic dome. There’s no exterior plumbing or cast foundation–the pod sits on the land, with as minimal an impact as possible.

Why would I like this?  My swollen fingers are begging for it after having been stung by wasps not once but TWICE last week.  Not the bees in my pretty pink tree, but mean evil wasps.

Gazebo is one of those words that is always on the tip of my brain and/or my tongue, but I can never quite vocalize it.  It is a lovely word for a lovely yard feature, though.  We have a long front yard and have often talked about a gazebo for the very front so our daughter would have a place to sit while she waits for the school bus.  As it is now, I drive her up the driveway so she doesn’t get too cold during the winter months.  I like the idea of a gazebo much better!

Why get a gazebo?

We can conclude that a gazebo can enhance the beauty of your garden and your house. It not only gives a unique look at the region where is your booth, but also provides additional room for your home, you can use as a guesthouse. A garden gazebo provides a space for relaxation, meditation, meetings and other activities.

I can imagine how lovely one would be if you had bird feeders around it, along with a path or a pond. I’m adding it to my “someday” list.

Photo by Hickory Rose via Flickr Creative Commons.

If you are looking for a way to extend the time you spend in your backyard on the deck or in your gazebo, Rittenhouse may have what you need.

The Solaira All-Season Outdoor Patio Heater provides instant and directional heat to warm your favorite outdoor area.  This patio heater
generates enough radiant heat to warm up to 9 square meters of floor
space - Enough to heat an average size patio table with 6 chairs.  This outdoor heater allows you to enjoy patio living well into the cool autumn months.

Use it:

1. Heat balconies, terraces, gazebos.
2. Add warmth to patios and decks.
3. Under umbrellas and awnings.
4. Around the hot tub or barbeque.

Details:

1. Dimensions:  15" x 7" x 8"
2. 120 V, 10 A, 1.2 kW.
3. Uses Philips 1.2 kW Quartz Gold Series Lamp (HeLeN).
4. Safe and odorless:  no propane gas tanks or products of combustion.
5. Provides instant and directional radiant heat.
6. IP54 rated weatherproof casing for outdoor use.
7. Toughened safety glass.
8. Includes 16′ long power cord.
9. Includes adjustable steel wall mounting bracket.
10. Easy to install:  Minimum mounting height of 2.5 m (8′2") from floor.
11. Extends the summer season.
12. Available in black or white.

photo courtesy Rittenhouse

When I look outside, the days spent in our backyard seem far away but I know that if I plan now for our all too short summer, I will have more time when it arrives to kick back and enjoy.

This ergonomic lounger from Canadian Tire can help.

Ergonomic Steel Lounger, Sandstone Collection

$79.99

Product #88-0299-2

Features

• Durable, powder-coated steel frame
• Quick-drying, weather resistant text-weave sling fabric
• Adjustable headrest pillow included
• Folds for easy storage
• Complements Sandstone Collection pieces
• Coordinates with Casual-style grouping

Summer is slowly winding down. It is a lovely night here along the Restigouche but it was cold this morning, there are few days left when we will be able to enjoy eating or playing cards outside.

I was looking at this table which is on sale at Canadian Tire. I think it may be what we need to finish our outdoor living season and to get ready for next year.

Telescopic Table

Sale: $39.99 
            Reg: $54.99

Product #68-8001-0

Features

• 24×48" (61×122 cms) resin table with telescopic legs
• Legs adjust to two heights
• 21" (53.3 cms) high - kid’s level
• 29" (73.7 cms) high - standard level
• Terrific for kid’s play table or adult craft table

  As a jewelry lover and a home guru I have a passion for all things about the home and anything that  sparkles. So when I came across the blog at A Story Book Life titled "Backyard Bling" I was mesmerized. Pearl says 

" You don’t have to stop with your chandelier crystals! You could also add any number of other items that you might have around the house such as; spoons, forks, vintage keys, strands of beads from old necklaces & bracelets, large seeds, buttons, shells, marbles, beach glass, small ornaments, charms - or anything else that pops into your creative mind :)"

I couldn’t agree more that accessorising your piece of the outdoors with crystals or your favorite momentos, brings both a personal and glamorous atmosphere to your home. On the personal note it reminds me of special memories of my simple childhood visiting my grandmother, times spent gazing and awing at the beautiful light display created by the glamorous Crystal chandelier in her dining room. It was this feeling of whimsy that I felt when I recently visited my sister in-law’s home for a family celebration. We all gathered around the outdoor dining room table on her veranda when I looked up and noticed a custom made rustic chandelier from Decor Interiors & Jewelry by Judith Edwards Designs.com adorned in crystals with a prism light display dancing above our heads. And just like that I felt right at home and isn’t that what its all about?

The summers, here in Missouri, are wicked hot and humid and this week is being forecasted as one of the worst so far this year! So if there’s any chance of me spending any time outside enjoying my new patio I am going to have to get me one of these super cool umbrella fans.

The Green Head explains that "it fits right around standard umbrella poles and the breeze it
generates keeps you cool while you relax in the shade and also helps to
keep flying insects away".

via cribcandy

A friend of mine asked me if I could bring a lawnchair to the 4th of July thing we’re going to. One, I can do. Enough to seat my entire family? That’s a problem.

So I cruised over to Amazon to look at lawnchairs. Not that I can buy one now or anything, not in time, but I’m amazed at the variety, in both style and price. I believe I’ll buy a few more lawnchairs here soon, just in case I need them.

[photo credit: amazon.com]

Even though the magazines are starting their Fall promotions, I am still in summer mode. This gorgeous Palm Coast Lounge Chair is just what I need to make it through another hot, humid, summer in the Midwest.

A cool glass of ice tea, a nice dip in the pool and you’ll be ready to work on your tan.

With over 50 Sunbrella fabrics to choose from, your patio never looked so good.

via cribcandy