I am a big fan of the cooler weather because it gives me the opportunity to go out camping without the worry of bugs, heat stroke, or having to hot of a fire. Unfortunately I can’t get out on weekends as much as I would like, so most often I get my campfire fill by sparking up my Uniflame Copper Fire Pit. I originally had a pottery style chiminea however after a few seasons it began to warp a little too much (due to high heats), and so eventually I decided to go with copper. The Uniflame 30” copper pit is great because it comes with a highly durable wrought iron stand, and can withstand constant high heats season after season. This is an extremely easy top loading fire pit that makes for great 360 degree viewing and heat division, and comes with a porcelain bottom grate in order to get the proper air flow for a nice steady burn. Designed specifically for wood burning (not coal, food, random things you may want to toss in) the Uniflame outdoor fire pit also includes a topper in order to reduce any sparks or ash from shooting up.

Recently moving in to my own place, I find it increasingly difficult to figure out what goes where, and what I need to buy to make a condo look good. How am I supposed to know what home accents I need, or what color I should paint the walls in order to “inspire” people when they walk in the door? There are so many things that need to be accomplished (as I am still living out of boxes) that I need a Better Homes and Gardens Magazine Subscription to figure it all out. Better Homes is all about advice on home decorating, food recipes, crafts, gardening tips, money management, personal living, and everything else to get a house feeling like a home. Especially for recent homeowners who are lacking in “the touch”, Better Homes and Gardens is known for having articles and how-to’s for intriguing designs and remodeling tips! A 12 issue yearly subscription to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine will save you a quick 64% off the cover price, and that means more extra $ for all your upcoming projects.

As the fall is quickly approaching, so are the cooler September winds. Either we can all be annoyed at the natural changing and progression of the seasons, or we can welcome them in with a set of Woodstock Garden Wind Chimes. Each version made with a very tranquil and serene aesthetic, the Woodstock chimes are created to be pleasing for the eyes and the ears. One of my particular favorites is the Eastern style Dharma Gong. The gong was originally sounded to ward off evil spirits, alarm a town of impending attack, heal the sick, and even perhaps to invoke the spirits. The Buddhists believed that to touch a gong would actually bring happiness and strength, and that “Dharma” (inner peace) could occur. I believe that to bring this black ash wood and bronze gong into your home is an excellent way to introduce a bit of a far-east look, tradition, and beauty to any room or patio.

Enjoying a cool night out by the fire is one of my favorite past times. If you are the same, and are a person who truly enjoys the smell and calmness of a mini outdoor fire, I suggest picking up a Uniflame Outdoor Fireplace. Personally, I like this specific 35” Portable fire pit because it is not enclosed like many other chimineas, which means a group of people will be able to enjoy a full 360 view and heat source. The steel bowl is also porcelain lined to ensure a highly durable fire pit, even under intense (and long lasting) heat. As fires are always a fun time, keep in mind there is always a safety issue concerning an outdoor fireplace/chiminea. In order to keep safety a priority, Uniflame has included a spark screen to fit over the bowl which helps to localize sparks or hot pieces of coal from accidentally shooting on to the ground. Uniflame also created the pit to be easily portable with its folding legs and included pouch for transportation.

If you are the outdoorsy type, you must already be aware of the changing seasons. Personally I like the cooler air because I am able to go out to my garden at sit for a few hours by my chiminea. There really is nothing more relaxing then sitting by a fire like this, and smelling aged wood on a cool night. My cast iron chimenea is overall very good, but unfortunately it is enclosed which limits the view and the warmth. If you are in the market, I suggest buying a Deckmate Chiminea Fire Bowl in order to have a really great (and safe) outdoor fire. This 29 in. steel bowl has a full 360-degree view and will allow a full group of people to enjoy the warmth. For safety, the stainless steel construction (with cast iron legs) is corrosion resistant and highly durable against high heats, weights, and various outdoor elements. Also included with the deckmate chiminea is a fire grate that will allow the proper amount of airflow (for a good burn) and a fire tool in order to move hot logs to where you see fit. Overall this is a highly decorative outdoor fire pit that will come in handy as the nights are getting to be the perfect temperature.

If there is one thing I absolutely hate about gardening, it is the pains I get in my hands and back from using tools for hours on end. The Natural Radius Grip Tools however, use an ergonomic shape and non slip grip for long lasting comfort in the hand. As you can you can see from this radius grip ergonomic cultivator, the handle is appropriately proportioned and contoured in order to feel natural, regardless of how long you are using it. In order to further ensure comfort, the Natural Radius series also uses all light weight metals (aluminum/magnesium alloy) that are highly durable and rust preventative for seasons and seasons of use. This hand cultivator uses a very typical 3 prong shape, however the tines are a bit wider and longer in order to achieve deeper soil penetration. I know it may seem like the end of gardening season, but many out there who have the “green thumb” know that there are many bulbs and flowers available that should be planted in the upcoming fall weather. If you are a true gardener, check out the Natural Radius tool set for a comfortable planting season.

If you hadn’t noticed this already, you are soon going to see your lawn become full of fallen leaves and twigs. Using a Weedeater Featherlite Leaf Blower is an ideal way to curb those leaves before they get out of hand. Unlike many other leaf blowers, this particular Weedeater is extremely lightweight and comfortable in your hand. In order to improve grip, the featherlight uses a reduced vibration handle and is surprisingly comfortable regardless of the angle it is at. This is not to say that comfort jeopardizes power. In fact, the featherlite leaf blower is packing a 2 speed control with up to 150mph/200 CFM air volume. The beautiful part about this machine, is the fact that the power of the 23cc engine is very easy to start up and is actually whisper quiet when running. This is a great blower for all of those difficult jobs such as cleaning roof gutters, or when trying to move wet/damp leaves. Any time when weight is an issue, the Weedeater Featherlite Leaf Blower is the powerful leaf remover you want for the job.

This morning while running in the park, I noticed a strange sound coming from all around me. It took me a a quick second to realize, but the various noises were actually common birds seemingly saying hello as I was jogging on by. As the mind wanders when I jog, I tried my hardest to figure out which species of American birds were chirping at me. Was it a Finch, or Sparrow, a little Bluebird or Cardinal? I just could not figure it out. Embarrassed about my lack of nature skills, I had to face how urbanized I had become- I could not even distinguish a little city bird anymore. I felt that it was time for me to read up on these little guys which I had once easily recognized. I found Common Birds of North America, by James D. Wilson to be a reasonable priced guidebook to fill in my gaps of zoology. This soft cover 176 pages, published by Willow Creek Press, takes up only little weight in your backpack so its ideal for any day hiking. I decided the next time I would go for a walk in the park I would bring this North American Common Birds guidebook with me. The expanded full-color edition features 90 of the most commonly seen birds in the East (also available for the Midwest) in beautiful large scale illustrations. It explains their range, behavior, breeding and nesting habits, songs, and migrations. With this easy to follow North American Bird Guide Book in my hands I might just become a serious birdwatcher now.

Since the French movie Amelie (staring Audrey Tautou) hit theaters a few years back, the utmost kitchy and dorky feautre of your front/back lawn is finally back in style: the oddly shaped Garden Gnome . Yes, I too used to think it was a hideous looking fellow. Especially after gazing into my neighbor’s flawless lawn and seeing the bizarre creature stare back at me! After thinking about how these neighbors have such a flawless lawn (i.e the type of people who care more about their grass than they do of their own appearance), something strange got me to thinking. Perhaps the gnome is a good luck charm when it comes to perfectly hedged shrubs, and ideally green grass. Instantaneously, Gus the Original Garden Gnome won my heart. I quickly did some research, and found that the ancient Chinese had a tradition of keeping garden gnomes/dragon to ward off evil spirits at the gate. So when you think about it, Gus the Original Garden Gnome comes from a lineage of tough fighters. This makes sense considering his extremely durable and bonded marble resin body will not easily fade or break. Just rinse Gus with water every now and then with the hose if he ever gets to dirty, and quickly enjoy his protection!

Gus the Original Garden Gnome may seem quiet, but you can see him pop his head up in a variety of places. Check out:

Outdoor Decor and Amazon for a great variety of Garden Gnomes.

When the heat is trying to beat you, but it is still too nice to go inside, these new Coolaroo Shade Sails will be the perfect break from the sun for you! Personally speaking, I have particularly sensitive skin, and know all to well how annoying it is to constantly reapply sunscreen. But, with this new Australian based invention, I am able to sit out and enjoy the warm air, without having to worry about sun/skin damage. Think about this, if these shade sails are good enough for the Australian sun (where even the kangaroos are looking for a bit of shade for lounging around), this form of sun protection will be perfect for you. Coolaroo Triangle Party is made out of knitted shade cloth and comes with knotholes on the sides for easy installment. The fabric will block about 90% of the most harmful UV rays, withstands extreme temperatures, and with a one-year warranty you are practically as safe as it can get. Tie it to some trees or fence during a picnic in the park, leave all year round as weather protection and decoration on your deck, or create a special party tent indoors! You can choose a Coolaroo Shade Sail from a wide colors ranging from blue, green, yellow, orange, or red, and each comes with all the hardware necessary. Promised, this is a fun hide out for your kids above their outdoor playground- keeping your little nuggets protected and cool!