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"Those Patio Lanterns ..."

by Hanne Andersen

A growing trend in today's home-improvements, is moving the indoors 'out'. Taking the time to make your yard, patio or deck as much a part of your living space as the indoors is an important consideration.

Remember that song? Sure you do ... 'those patio lanterns
were the stars up in the sky...' (sorry, not a good singer
except in my own mind!) Anyway, what I'd like to talk about
is shaping up as a 'trend' ... moving your indoors - out.
Meaning more and more people are making their backyards,
decks or patios an extension of their homes. And why not?
It's still YOUR space ... so make the most of it!

There are many ways to do this, even if your 'space' is small
you CAN make it more comfortable and appealing both for yourself
and for your visitors. Here are a few ideas that I've 'gleaned'
over my extensive 43 yrs ;-)

Speaking of lanterns, putting up lighting outside is great
for both summer or winter. In winter it brings 'light'
and shine to an otherwise dreary season. For summer,
is always nice to spend the warm summer evenings outside.

Can't afford expensive lighting? Here's a neat idea,
that's easy and downright inexpensive. If you have a little
jars around, which with Single Parents I'm sure you have lots of
(baby food jars, etc.), make sure they're clean; get some
metal sheeting (a little heavier than tin foil); some wire;
star, moon or regular hole puncher; needle-nose pliers;
and motive candles (you, know the little ones!)

Oh, and of course some strong scissors or clippers.
Cut the metal sheeting into strips approximately 2 - 3"
wide depending on the jar size, and using the hole puncher
make some designs along the sheet. Wrap around the jars,
and glue securely in place.

Now cut some of the wire in the amount needed to wrap around
the opening of the jar, leaving enough at the end to twist
together with the pliers and form a loop for hanging the jars.
Do this for both sides of the jar for even balance when
hanging them (figuring out 'the sides' is the tricky part
*smile* sorry, must be 'Spring Fever').

Set the motive candles inside, and Voila'! You have some
beautiful outdoor lighting - this is a great project to do with
children if you are a Single Parent, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle -
even just doing it for YOU is fun!

How about setting up a water fountain? This is fairly easy,
and makes such soothing, relaxing sounds. For me, there's
nothing that beats the sound of trickling,bubbling water to
help me relax.

You can go all out and buy kits for making one, or you can
be 'thrifty' and make your own. For this you would need
a water pump, which you can find small, fairly inexpensive ones
in Aquarium or Pet stores. Oh, while at the Aquarium/Pet store
don't forget to grab some plastic tubing to use for running
the water with the pump.

Have some ceramic or terra cotta flower pots you just can't
seem to get something planted in? Great! Ideally, two ceramic
or terra cotta pots would be great, as well as a dish/saucer
to use as the vessel to hold the water.

Place your pump in the water under 1st container,
making sure to anchor it with a few well placed rocks/stones,
and thread the tubing up through the hole in the bottom,
er the top now *S* of one of the pots. Extend it far enough
out so that it reaches just a tad below the top of the other
pot when you place it on the bottom one.

Fill the top pot with smooth, clean stones ... river
rocks are great to use. Be sure there is enough water
in the base dish/saucer or whatever you will have used
to place your fountain in to cover the pump and some more
of the rocks/stones or even broken, but smooth edged glass.
Plug it in and test it out. Sometimes it takes a bit of
playing around with the rocks and the tubing, to get 'just
the right sound effect' that is soothing to you. There are
many things that you can use in place of rocks ... shells
(if you're fortunate enough to live by the ocean); do you have
some earrings or cuff links that just happen to be missing it's
matching mate? Put that in for some eye catching glimmer.
Let your imagination run ..

Another thing to consider is 'comfort'. You want your 'space'
to be as comfortable as possible ... it's your relaxing area,
so make it comfy. Try rounded edges for any furnishings,
and think of full cushions with fabric that breathes and is
fairly water resistant or at least washable. Also, don't forget
the plants! Again, rounded or soft, flowing forms are best for
this type of area. Try and choose plants for their fragrance
as well ... it's wonderful to be outdoors and get a soft
whisper of a plant's fragrance as a light breeze passes by.
Now lie back and relax ... you have wonderful outdoor lighting,
comfy surroundings and soothing sounds.