Backyard Bliss

8/14/2008

(ARA) - When you were a kid, your back yard was an adventure waiting to happen, a world of new and exciting things right outside your door. Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you have to give up on the idea of finding paradise on your own property. Here are some tips to turn your own yard into an outdoor oasis.

Warm Water Retreat

Aahh. The memories of running through the sprinkler or enjoying a dip in the kiddie pool on a warm summer day. But wait a minute -- that water was freezing! If you want a slightly less shocking way to cool your family and Fido down and extend the outdoor water play well into the next season, install a single-handle, hot-cold outdoor sill faucet. This faucet is capable of delivering a mix of hot and cold water from one spout, with only one handle. To add to your peace of mind outdoors, the single-handle, hot-cold faucet offers an innovative temperature limit stop mechanism, assuring that the water never gets too hot for little hands (or paws).

Dig This

When you were a kid, having a sandbox in your back yard was the ultimate treat. If you close your eyes, you can still feel the grainy sand between your fingers as you were digging for the perfect building material for the ultimate sandcastle. Now that you're grown up, you may still enjoy the feeling of the dig -- but for a much different reason. Instead of castles, you are growing flowers, fruit and vegetables. This job requires more than just an old sand pail and a plastic shovel. For the former sandboxer turned avid gardener, a potting bench is the perfect backyard amenity. Look for deluxe models with soil trays, tool hooks, drawers and compartments for all of your grown-up gardening tools.

Light Your Fire

Nothing beats a bonfire on a cool autumn evening -- roasting marshmallows around the warm, blazing flames. But, bonfires are temporary and can permanently damage your yard. How about a fire that looks amazing and can be used year round? An outdoor fireplace stands out in the garden, with its sleek, triangular shape and its ever-changing color. Plus, this fire does much more than toast marshmallows -- it doubles as a barbecue grill to facilitate al fresco dining for the entire family.

Still Swinging

The swing set is the ultimate joy for children -- swinging life away under the open sky. As an adult, you could do without the rusty chains and muddy seats. If you're looking for a more relaxing way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon, how about a hammock? Hammocks allows both adults and kids to swing their cares away in a hand-crafted, quick drying swing, with enough room for two.

This year, don't allow summer to pass you by without taking time to enjoy life's simple pleasures. With a few cool summer additions, you can enjoy paradise in your own backyard.

Courtesy of ARAcontent