When I was just a little Captain, I had some amazing childhood memories at my grandmother’s house in the country. One of the things I remember the most was the sheer number of hummingbirds flying around her property. I spent hours watching them buzz through the air! Now, as a fully grown Captain, I try …
All across the northern hemisphere, September is a time of change. Days start getting shorter, evenings get cooler, and the leaves begin their yearly change. Not only do these hallmarks signal that Autumn is fast approaching, but they also indicate walnut season is upon us. Although black walnut trees provide delicious nuts, an unkempt walnut …
I’m a big fan of avoiding unnecessary work. The less time I spend performing needless tasks, the more time I get to spend on projects that matter. A few years ago, I noticed that I was spending a large chunk of my mornings chasing after the patio chairs that blew into my fence-line the night …
What’s the difference between a relaxing breeze and a gust of wind? One allows you to relax on your patio and enjoy the morning paper. The other forces you to chase the sports section across the lawn! While I enjoy the fresh air of the great outdoors, it got a little tiresome having to cling …
A porch swing adds a certain level of magic to any front porch or patio. In fact, some of my fondest memories involve swinging back and forth on a cool summer evening, hand in hand with my wife. But nothing interrupts a serene moment like that than the creaking of an old porch swing! Since …
Patio lights can make a world of difference to your outdoor space. They immediately signal to all of your guests that you care about the ambiance of your patio and they make dim, dark spaces usable regardless of the time of day. However, it’s not always obvious how to hang them up (especially if you …
September is here, which can only mean one thing. Once the nights start getting a bit cooler, the trees in your backyard will unleash a hurricane of red, orange, and brown leaves. You’ll do your best to contain them, and armed with your rake I’m sure you’ll get your yard taken care of. But if …
If you leave something outside for long enough, a bird will poop on it. This is an indisputable fact of nature. And let’s be honest: this seems to be doubly true for patios. However, there are steps you can take to reduce how often this kind of disaster happens. So gather around folks, and let …
In the patio world, stamped concrete vs. pavers is a question as old as patios themselves. Which one should you choose to craft your picturesque outdoor space? Most questions like these come down to raw personal preference, but there are some considerations you should make when deciding what material to build your patio from. Namely …
Are you one of those people who have lived with a sticky sliding patio door for years? Honestly, the Captain was in that boat too (back when I was just an Ensign). It’s always been easy for me to let these little things slide when there are so many more important things on my old …