How To Create An Outdoor Space Ready For The Summer

Your outdoor space is an extension of your home where you can transform it into a relaxation spot. With the summer approaching, you’ll need a place to relax when the heat indoors becomes unbearable. Here’s how you can create an outdoor space ready for the summer.

Outdoor spaces offer the unique advantage of being in the open air. They provide somewhere you can sit or lie down to watch the sunset or feel the evening breeze. If you’re yet to transform your outdoor space into a summer spot, here’s how to get started.

Clear Out Your Outdoor Space Ready for Summer

The first thing to do is to clear out your outdoor space to prepare for summer. Most people convert their outdoor spaces for other uses, like storage space or a dumping ground for junk.

Other times, the yard is left unkempt after the long winter. Whatever the case, you need to get your outdoor space in shape for what you have in mind. 

First, clear off all the junk in your backyard and on your patio. Thoroughly sweep, clean, and remove all cobwebs. Also clean any dust and mold on furniture or exterior walls.

Aside from the dust and dirt there’ll also be heaps of leaves to clear, especially if you have trees and plants near your outdoor space.

You’ll also need to clean the porch railings and the siding to create the perfect outdoor look. Once you clean and clear out everything, then you can begin designing and decorating.

Work on Landscaping

Landscaping is an essential part of creating the perfect outdoor space for summer. Landscaping your outdoor space will change the scenery and the physical features in your yard.

You can choose to do your landscaping yourself or hire a professional service. Doing it yourself will require that you get some needed landscaping supplies like grass, soil, stones, pebbles, and gravel.

You’ll also need landscaping ideas and knowledge of the various soil types, and how to go about the decoration and general beautification. This involves dividing the space, arranging, and putting choice items like vases and walkway stones to decorate your area. Other tips you can do include:

• Create a textured look by choosing contrasting pavers – this can be dark and light pavers. Marble pavers are also a great look if you’re hoping for a more natural stone effect.
• Add plants surrounding your outdoor space which are durable. Tall plants in pots around the main entry area offer a natural feel that you’re entering a private outdoor area.
• Add a small garden or patio fountain to help make the area seem tranquil.
• Use decorative pots or paint pots to help bring colour to your area.

These are just some great ideas you can use to help bring life to your outdoor space.

Decide on Flooring and Furniture for your Outdoor Space

To make your outdoor space a truly relaxing spot, you’ll need to add some furniture and flooring. Flooring is optional if you’ve already completed your landscaping. However, if you’re not satisfied with just stones on the floor, you can try adding a rug or a carpet.

Carve a small area out and lay the rug down. This is also where you’ll place the furniture. Always buy comfortable and low-maintenance furniture when doing outdoor spaces. Outdoor furniture can range from cushions to chairs, couch, rocking chairs, and a small table. You can also add throw pillows for more comfort. 

It’s natural to want a comfortable outdoor space. However, avoid overcrowding with a lot of furniture; it defeats the whole purpose. Apart from two or three permanent sitting structures, any other seats should be temporary. For instance, you can consider using folding chairs as add-on furniture

You can also introduce a swing set for your kids to play within the outdoor space if you have young children at home.

Plant a Garden/Add Potted Plants for Summer

Planting a small garden is another way to prepare your outdoor space for summer. You can plant beautiful flowers and other plants in your yard that’ll create beautiful scenery and add a pleasant mix of flowery fragrance to your outdoor space.

Another significant advantage of planting a garden is the plants will increase the fresh air during the hot summer season.

If you can’t go through the stress of planting a garden, add potted plants at strategic points in your outdoor space. Potted plants add beauty to any space and will bring your yard to life. To avoid the need to water the plants, you can buy faux potted plants. It works just the same.  

Summer Lighting for your Outdoor Space

Natural lighting is usually enough for outdoor spaces during the day. However, if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the evening, you’ll have to make plans for artificial lighting.

Lighting not only beautifies your outdoor space but also provides illumination at night. That way, you can enjoy lounging in your outdoor space long after the sun is gone.

You can place lights to strategically light up the lawn. However, you should downplay bright lighting where you set your furniture, to prevent insects from flooding the area. 

Add A Grill for Summer

Although this last tip is optional, it’s a fun way to enjoy your outdoor space during the summer. Place the grill far from your sitting arrangement and your home.

Different laws regulate the use of grills at home. Make sure to check the one for the area to know the appropriate distance to put between the barbecue stand and your home. You should also have access to a fire extinguisher or at least water the prevent any fire outbreak.

Conclusion

It’s not yet too late to prepare your outdoor space for summer. Following the tips above will help you create a personal space where you can relax during the day and even invite friends. So, what are you waiting for? Start getting that space ready for summer today!

12 Delicious Recipes for Refreshing Summer Mocktails

I used to drink alcohol, a lot, before I had children. I was quite the ‘party animal’ in my younger days but once I fell pregnant I gave up drinking. I don’t think I could handle a hangover while having children either so abstained from alcohol all together.  This round up of 12 delicious recipes for refreshing summer mocktails will be a hit at your next party.

I do love a ‘mocktail’. They’re as refreshing as a regular cocktail, minus the alcohol. It’s good that I can serve them to the children as well. They get a real kick out of them.

If you ever find a recipe for a sparkling cocktail, for example, you can omit the alcohol and add ginger ale or soda to give it that ‘fizz’. There’s also a recipe for non alcoholic champagne in this round up so any cocktail that normally uses champagne can be substituted with this.

Check out my round up of easy, make ahead canapes for your next soiree.

Recipes for Mocktails

Sparkling Cranberry Pineapple Punch

“Summer is Coming” Strawberry Mocktail

Raspberry 7Up Punch

 

Non Alcoholic Mojito

Non Alcoholic Sangria

Non Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri

Cucumber Coolers

The Italian Bramble

Mimosa

Cherry Bomb

Mock Champagne

Pina Colada

This round up of recipes for 12 delicious, refreshing summer mocktails will sure to be a hit at your next party.

Marcus Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Ever since the children were toddlers I’ve tried to take them away for a summer vacation. This year we decided to go to Marcus Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Marcus Beach is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. It’s the next beach after Peregian Beach travelling north and just south of Noosa Beach. I’ve been going to the Sunshine Coast since I was a baby and it’s my most favourite part of the world. We usually vacation at Coolum Beach, just south of Marcus Beach but leaving it until the last minute, I couldn’t find any accommodation for the dates we needed so we found a cute little house at Marcus Beach. 

I love the Sunshine Coast for it’s unspoilt beauty. No high rise buildings, no fancy hotels. Just wide open spaces, beautiful beaches, sand dunes, natural bushland adjoining the beach and crystal clear ocean. Except for the busy times people walk their dogs, you can sometimes feel like you’re the only person on the beach.

Accommodation

When my husband and I vacation just with our two dogs, we take any accommodation but because we had the children, we chose a place with a swimming pool. When we weren’t at the beach they were in the pool. It was so refreshing to see them get back their childhood with absolutely no electronic devices brought with them at all.  

Even the dogs went in for a quick dip. The drive up was so hot. We put them in to lower their body temperatures. They aren’t too keen on the water at the best of times.

My husband is such a good step Dad. The kids absolutely adore him. He loved playing with them in the pool and they loved it too.

The house we rented had a real retro feel about it, resembling something like a Swedish sauna with timber internal walls and vaulted ceilings. We had all the creature comforts of home and that’s all we needed. As long as we have a bed, a shower and somewhere to cook, we’re happy. Considering the small window of time we were able to go away, the house was really reasonably priced for the location. Only 1 street away from the beach and surrounded by beautiful trees and nature.

The evenings were spent watching television, playing board games and winding down from a hot, tiring day.

The Beach

In the afternoon, we took the dogs for a walk along the beach. It was a bit windy the first day and there was a really bad storm brewing back home in Brisbane so we didn’t stay long.

The second day we went back to our favourite place, Coolum Beach and a walk through Stumer’s Creek, a dog friendly beach that we love. The dogs immediately remembered it and felt right at home.

Our little miniature Fox Terrer, Bonnie will be 16 years old after Christmas and she still goes alright for an ‘old girl’. She loves the beach and keeps up with us walking even having a little game with ‘Dada’. (We love our dogs and they come everywhere with us.)

My husband is such a joy to go away on vacation with. He packs the car, unpacks it, looks after the dogs, looks after me and makes holidaying a real joy.

It was only 3 days long but hopefully the time we spent together will have a lasting memory for the children. Holidaying with them as they’re getting older is definitely a lot easier compared to when they were toddlers.

 

Endless Summer Days

On this official last day of summer here in Australia (I only just got in – thank goodness for a leap year), I was reflecting on, how in the past, I would be sad at the thought of the last day of summer. We’re pretty blessed here where I live in Queensland that the weather is pretty mild all year round, except for about 3 months in winter time. Normally, the days start to get shorter, the nights cooler, no more humidity (thank goodness) and no more beach days, swimming, cool icy treats and fun outside. But lately I have felt like every day is summer to me.

My husband with his late Mum, circa 1970’s

We didn’t start out this summer very well losing my dear mother-in-law in early December to cancer. Being without her for my husband’s birthday on the 23rd of December and Christmas was really sad. We did however soldier on and celebrate those events as best we could. It was my daughter’s first year of not believing in Santa but she was still pretty excited with her haul of Christmas presents. January was busy with school holidays and managing children, study, the household and looking for a job. I was successful in scoring a little part time job but in early February we were rocked with the news of the death of a really dear friend to my husband. I met him a couple of times but my husband had known him for quite a few years and although they didn’t catch up all the time, they were very near and dear.

Photo Credit & Story

This man and what I knew about him had a very exciting life. He was born in the UK with an older sister and lived a very full and adventurous life. He didn’t start out that well as a baby suffering illnesses which led him to develop epilepsy which would contribute to troubles in his life and maybe his subsequent death. He was an accomplished doctor, singer, violin player, gym junkie, health nut, lover of all music especially heavy metal and an avid lover of sports especially those involving the water. One of his greatest loves was kite boarding where you use a surfboard to stand on and a large kite-like sail to capture the wind to ‘drag’ you over and above the waves. He was very good at it and couldn’t wait for a windy day to get out on the water. Even though he had surgery to repair his epilepsy many years before, it came out that he still had mild seizures. He drowned back on the 9th of February while kite boarding, probably suffering a mild seizure.

Why I’m mentioning it here is because I have never met someone who had overcome so many obstacles and hurdles in his life (other than my darling husband, of which he had a few), who went on to achieve great things. He was truly an asset to the world and a person that will be sorely missed.

As I reflect on this last day of summer and think about all the things I’m going to be missing, I’m grateful for so many things and don’t think I’m missing out on anything. Never in my life have I met a man I’m so in love with that is my husband. I feel pretty much that every day is like summer with him. I got the nicest surprise on Friday. A dear friend of mine messaged me and said that she happened to be our local corner store a week ago and she heard this man’s voice at the counter. He was saying how sick his wife was and how buying this tub of ice cream would hopefully cheer her up. When my friend looked, it was my husband. She said how lucky I was to have someone like that who cared so deeply for me and how I truly deserved it. It really made my husband’s and my day.

It’s not only things like that. He is so affectionate and caring. In nearly 2 years we’ve never said a bad word to each other. We just don’t need to. We know that we can speak openly to each other without fearing retribution and we truly care about each other’s feelings. He really is so precious and I’m so glad I met him. 

Besides that, my children are so dear to me. As they get older and become more independent, time is quickly ticking away and those cute days of cuddles and joking around are coming to an end. I try to cuddle my son, who is 9 years old, as much as I can as I know he won’t want me to for much longer. My daughter and I still cuddle and joke but she is becoming more serious and growing up at 11 years of age. Their quirky little ways bring so much joy to my heart and I treasure every moment I have them.

My two elderly dogs still bring me a lot of joy as well. There’s no slowing down for my 15 year old Mini Fox Terrier. She’s still as spritely as ever and and has such a personality. It sure will be a sad day when they pass. They’ve enriched my life so much. I don’t think about it too much but rather enjoy every day I have them.

So, as far as Autumn (Fall) and Winter goes for me this year, they’re just like endless summer days to me. I’m taking a leaf out of my husband’s friend’s book and grabbing life with both hands and enjoying every moment of it. We have so much we want to do, my husband and I, as both a couple and a family and we’re striving towards it but taking each day as it comes. Life is really good for me at the moment, no matter what the season.

7 sumptuous summer salads

You’ll have to excuse my lack of recipe posting. You see, I put my mobile phone (and only camera in the house, other than my kid’s iPod and iPad which are at their Dad’s) in to be fixed just after we got back from our week away mid December and I haven’t had a camera to take any pictures. Count all the public holidays over the Christmas break plus businesses closing down and I’m still waiting for it to be fixed. I’m hoping I get the call that my phone is fixed tomorrow but let’s not hold our breath.

Being summer here, I’ve been making a lot of salads and been finding a lot of inspiration on Pinterest. You can make salads out of just about anything and I’ve been using a lot of different http://www.naturalmedicine.com/members/paulsen/profile/ seasonal vegetables just to add a bit of interest. These are a few that I’ve made these last few weeks and for Christmas dinner. I’ll post the photos and links from where I got these recipes. If you don’t have the vegetable or particular vinegar, just use what you have. Add a protein for a complete meal or use as a side. If you don’t have pumpkin, use sweet potato. If you don’t have feta, use ricotta. Always substitute with what you have. They’ll always taste good.

 

Crispy Chickpea and Butternut Squash Salad with Quinoa

 

 

Roasted Pumpkin, Feta & Quinoa Salad

 

 

Tomato & Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate

 

 

Grilled Radish, Fennel & Asparagus Salad with Caper Dressing

 

 

Aragula, Pear and Feta Salad with Pomegranate Dressing

 

 

Thai Quinoa & Cashew Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing

 

 

Lentil & Red Cabbage Salad

Meals to make when its too hot to cook

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Summer time is the time for barbecues, eating 'al fresco', salads and icy treats. But life with kids, family commitments and the hot weather don't really create a good recipe for working in the kitchen and we've still got to get a meal on the table but what do you cook? You don't want to use the oven and you don't really feel like eating hot stodgy meals.

 

 When you're thinking of salads, pile all the salad ingredients on a large platter, top with the protein, whether that's sliced grilled chicken, fish, seafood, beef, lamb, pork, etc and a nice salad dressing. Noodles, rice, pasta or croutons and nuts make it go a little bit further. Don't forget about beans like chickpeas, lentils, cannellini and vegetarian grain options like quinoa, barley, couscous or tofu and other vegetarian products. Cheese makes a nice addition to a salad. Varieties like haloumi (grilled), goat's cheese, ricotta, feta, parmesan etc. Creamy or vinaigrette dressings, take your pick. So many varieties of salad meals, you'll never get bored.

 

 

Avocado, Cherry Tomato, Quinoa and Bean Salad

 



 

BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato Salad)

 

 

Chicken, Camembert, Grape & Cashew Salad

 

 

Chicken and Rice Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing

 

 

Mediterranean Salmon Salad

 

 

Salade Nicoise

 

 

Thai Beef Salad

 

 I used to have an electric wok too but it died. I haven't replaced it but it was good for your usual stir fries, pasta sauces, etc. An old fashioned electric fry pan is good for all of these things plus stews, casseroles, even a roast. The good old crockpot can cook a myriad of things that won't heat the kitchen but will still be light and refreshing. Fill with potatoes cooked whole in their jackets and top with bacon bits, salad, coleslaw etc for a fully loaded stuffed potato.

 

 

Fish Biryani with Cashews

 

 

Lemon, Spinach & Chicken Pasta

 

 

4 Ingredient Apricot Chicken

 

 

Easy Pad Thai

 

 

Easy Beef Chow Mein

 



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 I love my super-sized contact grill and sandwich press. I use it to grill meat, cook pancakes/fritters, grill vegetables, make kebabs, burritos or wraps, etc. Doesn't create very much heat at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spanish Breakfast Burrito

 

 

 

Beef Satay with Coconut Rice

 

 

Greek Lamb Wraps

 

 

Quesadillas 

 

 

Copycat KFC Sweet Chilli Twister

 

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And don't forget about the humble supermarket roast chicken. Besides just cutting it up and serving with a salad, here's 5 things to do with it. Last night we had chicken and salad rolls. Contains all 5 food groups as far as I'm concerned. That's all I felt like after another hot day here in the Sunshine State.