Randy Beckwith here. I’m thankfully retired. But, my career included graphic designer, copy writer and marketing professional. Now I live with my wife in Roanoke, Virginia enjoying time relaxing on our patio that was a necessary addition to our home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I love to cook fun, simple but tasty food. When enjoying an adult beverage on the patio it’s usually a vodka martini. And I do simple DIY projects to enhance our home and outdoors. We’ve had great fun building an outdoor living space on a “reserved” budget and want to share our experience with anyone who wants the same without breaking the bank. I hope you enjoy reading our blog. And remember, every day is Friday on the patio!
Let’s say it’s winter and you’re wondering how you can use your patio. It’s an overcast day — kinda gloomy — but it is reasonably warm for a winter day. You want to sit on the patio to take in the season but you need something to keep you warm when the winter chill starts to creep in. And you don’t mean a comforter. You need Randy’s Eat Shop White Bean and Bacon Soup.
I had you at “Bacon”, right?
Quick, Easy, and Delicious
This soup goes together in a flash so you’ll be sitting on your winter patio in no time with a bowl of soup in amazement of how your yard brings you such pleasure even though it is barren because it is “resting” for winter. It’s your patio. It’s your garden. It’s your soup. Enjoy!
White Bean and Bacon Soup
1 lb bacon
4 cans white beans (Great Northern)
4 cups of chicken broth
2 Tbsp olive oil
String carrots — handful, to taste
3 – 4 celery stalks, sliced
2 large sweet onions, chopped
2 to 3 large garlic cloves, diced, or more to taste
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground pepper
Do this:
Bacon
Cook bacon in dutch oven until crisp. Remove bacon and save the bacon fat. Chop bacon into bite sized bits.
White Beans
You can use dry beans (Great Northern) and cook them in a pressure cooker — I do that often (but I never soak them — ask me why in the comment section below and I’ll tell you). But to speed the process I use canned beans — they’re almost as good.
Open all four cans. Two will go into the soup whole and two will be pureed to thicken the soup a bit. Do not rinse the beans.
To puree two cans of beans, use a blender or empty them into a bowl and use an immersion blender. If you don’t have an immersion blender get one. I had no idea how fabulous this tool is until a friend bought me one. Now I can’t live without it.
Vegetables
Chop the onions, celery, and mince the garlic. Put them in the dutch oven with the bacon fat. Add two tablespoons of olive oil. Use as much, or less, of the vegetables as looks good in your dutch oven to suit your taste — it’s your soup. Add a handful or so of the string carrots. Saute over medium high heat in the bacon fat/olive oil mix.
Half-way through sauteing the vegies, add the spices so the heat will release their flavor and aroma. How long is “half-way”? Watch the consistency of the vegies. You’ll know when to add the spices and when to finish the soup (maybe 5 to 7 minutes).
Finish Making the Soup
Add the whole beans and the pureed beans to the vegies. Stir to mix the ingredients. Add the chicken broth. Add the chopped bacon. Simmer uncovered about 15 minutes on low heat — stir the soup a couple of times while it simmers. Salt and pepper to taste.
Time to Eat White Bean and Bacon Soup
As with many soups, this will get better day after day. But it should be very tasty the day you make it. Fill up a cup or bowl, grab a spoon, and head out to your favorite seat on the patio. Oh, did you make a hot toddy to compliment your soup and add to keeping you warm? And a hunk of warm bread with butter will be a nice accompaniment to your just finished Randy’s Eat Shop White Bean and Bacon Soup for winter patio dining.
Remember, life happens on the patio . . . even in winter!
Please Leave a Comment
Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Did you make the soup? Was it as quick and easy as we said it is? Did it add to your winter patio experience? Did you modify the recipe? How so? Please include a photo so we can see how delicious your soup looks.
Remember I said that I never soak my beans before cooking them in the pressure cooker? Ask me why in the comment section below and I’ll tell you.
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Not to be dissuaded by the cold of winter, we started looking for ways to keep warm while still enjoying our patio even though winter has set in. Some kind of localized heat generator was going to be needed (read: a heater right next to me on the cold patio). Since our patio is not connected to our house in the backyard we need a free standing unit that would keep four to six people toasty.
Power Sources to Consider
Our patio has no electrical service run to it. And, although our stove, furnace, and water heater are natural gas, the cost to pipe and bury a gas line from our house to the patio was more than we wanted to invest for outdoor heat. Plus, we wanted our heat source to be mobile over the entire 432 square feet of patio surface. So the heater must be portable (moveable). That left propane as the best option.
Research, of Course . . .
We started looking at all the propane patio heater options available that fit our criteria:
Portable
Uses a 20 LB tank (I already had a spare tank and didn’t want to buy another potentially adding $40 to $50 to my cost)
Heat at least a 100 square foot area (10’ x 10’)
Low maintenance
Well constructed for longevity
Purchase price of $150 or less with emphasis on “less”
Many propane patio heater models looked very similar so buyer reviews became very important. Sometimes buyers were complaining about the same issues on any given model — not good. Sometimes buyers loved their purchase and updated their review months or years later to say that their unit was still performing very well — wonderful! So buyer reviews can be very helpful to your research, especially if you read them from several unbiased sources. And remember to pay it forward. If you rely on credible reviews to influence your purchase and you are happy (or not), be sure and take the time to review the product yourself for the benefit of the next person researching the same item.
We Made Our Choice: Propane Patio Heater
When is was all said and done, we found a model at a local BJ’s Wholesale Club. Buying local for this item was a blessing as many reviewers of propane patio heaters they purchased identified damage to their purchase due to shipping. I didn’t want to hassle with a supplier over damaged goods.
Here’s the blurb about our propane patio heater from BJ’s Wholesale Club website:
Berkley Jensen Outdoor Propane Heater “This heater neatly conceals a standard BBQ style propane tank up to 30-lbs. inside the stainless steel base. Powerful heat element produces over 48,000 BTU’s of radiant heat that reaches out up to a full 15′ around the unit (175 sq./ft).”
The three most important factors to consider when choosing a propane patio heater are its size, its BTU output, and the heating diameter it covers. Heating diameter can vary considerably depending on the brand and style of heater; make sure you have a model that covers the entire area you want to keep warm.
Generally outdoor propane patio heaters run from $150 to $200 or more but can be had for less if you are diligent in your research. We paid less than $100 on sale at BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Important Note: Once you make a purchase, please read your heater owner’s manual specifically to note the amount of open space needed for your propane patio heater both side to side and on top of the heating unit to prevent starting a unintended fire.
Patio Heaters Are a Necessity for Winter Entertaining
A friend of mine and I have a habit of enjoying a cheap scotch on the patio most Friday afternoons. Summer adult beverages were easy. But when it got cold that made our ritual a challenge. Enter the propane patio heater. We’ve used it down to around 40 degrees (maybe a bit colder) and it has worked splendidly. It can be breezy (sometimes windy) on our patio and that diminishes it’s heating capacity, but when the breeze quits we are toasty!
UPDATE
OK, so it is December 2023. We have just begun to use our patio heater for this cool-air season. And . . . it wouldn’t start.
In the summer season I had disconnected the propane line from the propane tank and wrapped the line and regulator in plastic to prevent dirt from getting blown in and plugging up the line. Plus, I could smell gas when I tried the final step in lighting the heater. So the line and regulator were not the problem.
Next, I went to YouTube and typed in “outdoor propane heater will not start”. There were several videos from other people who had experienced the same issue. They recommended taking off the top of the heater to look at the simple workings of how the gas gets ignited. They mainly focused on the thermocouple that has to get hot and stay hot when you first start the heater. The hot thermocouple acts as a constant igniter for the gas running the heat lamp until you shut the gas off. If the thermocouple gets dirty or sooty it won’t get hot enough to continue to ignite the gas as the heater is running. The recommended fix is to clean the thermocouple with some steel wool and then reinstall the top of the heater. But that wasn’t my issue. My thermocouple was still bright and shiny.
Now, when I worked the manual spark clicker (meaning the starting clicker was not battery operated) used for igniting the gas there was no spark. That was the problem.
I seriously thought about replacing the heater because many of the commenters on the YouTube repair videos said they were just about to replace their heater until they watched the repair videos. Their issue was the thermocouple and so they fixed their heaters and are now toasty warm. But I was not interested in buying a new part — my clicker — for a heater that I had only used a few times last season. So, what was my “old school” fix that works every time, saved me from buying a new heater, and has kept me toasty warm on my patio during these cool autumn days and nights? Matches.
There is a hole at the bottom of the heater head where the gas comes out from the tank. It is there to start your heater with a match. Strike your match and put it in the hole. Then turn your heater gas knob to “start”. Volia! Instant start! Just don’t push in the “start” button releasing gas into the heater head and then start messing around with your matches unless you want your hair to get scorched. Even safer yet, use a Click N Flame Butane Lighter.
This is an easy fix and now I am throughly enjoying my patio heater once again without spending any money on a repair. Oh, and remember to enjoy a Julie’s Hot Toddy while you’re getting nice and warm under your patio heater.
Propane Patio Heater FAQ
Are propane patio heaters worth it?
Propane patio heaters are a great option, as they heat quickly and can be easily moved from one spot on the patio to another. The average heating area for any outdoor heater is about 100 square feet. Typically, a propane patio heater is effective to about 40 degrees. Effectiveness drops as the temperature cools.
How long does a 20 LB propane tank last in an outdoor patio heater?
The average portable propane patio heater houses a 20 LB propane tank or about 4.7 gallons of fuel. A 20 LB propane tank can last up to 10 hours and costs between $15 – $20 to fill up, making the average cost per hour between $1.50 – $2.00.
Can a propane heater be used on a covered porch?
Propane patio heaters typically require measurable amounts of clear space and can be safely used as long as there is proper ventilation and clearance — at least three around the heating unit and at least three feet above the heating unit as a minimum clearance away from any fire hazard or other combustible materials. Please, let common sense be your guide, and consult your product’s owner’s manual for specifics.
Can outdoor propane heaters be left out in the rain?
No. Outdoor gas heaters should be stored in the upright position in an area that is sheltered from direct contact with rain and other inclement weather conditions.
Wheels are important to be able to reposition your patio heater under covering to avoid leaving it out in inclement weather such as hard rain or excessive snow.
What does BTU mean?
The British Thermal Unit is a way to measure energy. One BTU is the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at sea level.
A heater with a higher BTU rating is more powerful — that is, it has a higher heat output than one with a low BTU rating. The higher the BTU the better to raise the temperature in your space each hour, so you can either heat your space more quickly or heat a larger space.
Please Leave a Comment: Propane Patio Heater
Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Have you added a heater(s) to your patio and what kind? Let us know how it is working for you. Add a picture so we can see you relaxing on your (winter) patio, warm and toasty and sipping a Julie’s Hot Toddy.
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So, I mentioned in our blog post Furnishing the Patio that we had a friend who was moving long distance and was cleaning out her house into which she had acquired many, many items over the years. One of those items was a rope hammock which our friend gave to us as a gift. And that began our adventure into creating a space for our hammock on the patio.
Our Hammock Became a Happy Surprise
It is interesting how one item can become just one element of an entire project of which we had not necessarily planned embarking on, but ended up throughly enjoying the process as well as the finished product. My father, who was a watercolor artist, called it a “happy surprise” when a painting technique he was using netted him a better outcome than he had anticipated. And so, our hammock project became, for us, a “happy surprise”.
What is a Rope Hammock?
There are many kinds of hammocks — rope hammocks, quilted hammocks, fabric hammocks, woven hammocks, camping hammocks made from lightweight nylon, hammocks with spreader bars and those without (spreader bars keep the hammock spread out flat — without spreader bars the hammock wraps around you like a cocoon). You can do an online search and see all the options available. But I will say, a rope hammock takes us both back to our childhoods. This style of hammock was the quintessential example of what a hammock should be as we were growing up. Truly a classic.
While our hammock was a gift, we did find two rope hammock producers online which impressed us enough that we told ourselves if we got another rope hammock or needed to replace the one we have that we would seriously consider buying from either of these options: Twin Oaks Hammocks and Pawleys Island Hammocks.
Where to Hang the Hammock?
We walked around our yard imagining various places where we might want our hammock located. We considered these questions:
Did we want it permanently planted with posts in the ground?
Should we be concerned, if permanently placed, that there may be times when the hammock would not be in the sun because we could not move it as the sun changed positions throughout the summer?
Did we want the hammock on the grass or on the patio? On the patio it might take up valuable living space, but in the yard it might kill the grass if we didn’t move it often. And what about mowing the lawn with the hammock in the yard?
If not permanently placed, what kind of hammock stand should we have? And what would the materials be — wood, metal or something else?
Finally, how much time, effort, and money did we want to invest in having a hammock?
Decision Time . . .
These questions helped us to decide that we wanted to be able to move the hammock at will, so a permanent installation was not for us.
We did extensive research on hammock stands before we made our decision. There are tons of options out there from inexpensive stands (of which many reviewers were dissatisfied with their performance), to beautifully crafted stands that, sadly were out of our budget range. So we decided to go the DIY route. But remember, I am not a craftsman. I stated in my blog post A Grilling Table is My Outdoor Kitchen that I am a very elementary carpenter (read: hacker — “a person who is inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity”). I like 2x4s and maybe 2x12s, sometimes 4x4s. I like straight cuts and as few cuts as possible — no miters or angled cuts. I like screws versus glue because I make mistakes and sometimes I have to take apart what I’m building and reconfigure.
Our DIY Hammock Stand
In my research I found metal brackets that are designed and hand-fabricated to make creating a hammock stand easy. It takes some of the math out of the equation (like what angle do I make the upright ends of the hammock stand). Check out these custom made hammock stand brackets.
Measure Your Hammock
A critical element is to measure your hammock from one end to the other — ring to ring — to learn how long your hammock is. This can be a challenge because laying it on the ground won’t let you account for how much it might stretch when it’s on your stand, adding to its length. You might fudge and add a bit to cover that variable. And here’s why knowing your hammock’s length is important. The producer I bought my custom made hammock stand brackets from was generous enough to provide some instructions on how long each piece of 4×4 should be for the five elements of the stand — the angled two upright pieces, the two cross pieces, and the bottom long piece. I followed these instructions but, unfortunately, they didn’t work for our hammock. It was the long piece that ended up being too short. So I had to replace that bottom 4×4 with a longer one.
Our hammock is 13 feet from ring to ring. So I bought three 10 foot 4x4s, pressure treated for ground contact. I cut two of the 4x4s in half — five feet each. These made up the cross pieces and the angled upright pieces. The last 10 foot 4×4 I used for the long piece on the bottom. I started using it at full length with the idea that I could cut it down if it was too long. But it wasn’t. It was the perfect length — 10 feet.
The chart linked below helped me tremendously to do the math, making sure I was cutting my wood to the right length to stretch our hammock to allow for about 18 inches of the recommended clearance from the ground when a person is laying in the hammock.
The ideal amount of space for hanging a hammock The ideal hanging distance typically averages out to about 2 feet greater than the total length of a hammock, which is measured from ring to ring. Generally speaking, plan on needing about 15 feet of open space for hanging your hammock, though the actual distance can vary anywhere from 13-16 feet. Keep in mind that the closer your hanging points are to each other, the greater the arc, or curve, your hammock is going to have once it’s hung.
Measurements for the hammock stand we built to fit our hammock size.
Distance is measured from ring to ring when hammock is laid flat on the floor. A new hammock may be up to 2 feet shorter than its specifications, to allow for its ropes natural tendency to stretch the first few times the hammock is used.
Seal the Wood
I let the wood dry in my basement shop for about two weeks and then put three coats of urethane on each piece to protect them from the weather since the stand would be outside year-round.
Building the Stand Was Easy
Galvanized lag bolts at 1/4” x 1-1/2” were recommend by the bracket fabricator. The local hardware stores and big box home improvement stores were too expensive as I needed about 80 bolts to complete putting the stand together. I found a bag of 100 bolts at boltdepot.com for around ten dollars plus shipping. Much cheaper than buying local, although I prefer to support local sellers whenever possible.
Since we decided that we’d put the hammock stand on our concrete patio, I installed the angled upright pieces and the cross pieces into the brackets in my basement and took the parts out to the patio to install the 10 foot 4×4 long piece. I had a socket adapter for my drill so I used a 1/4” socket and connecting the brackets to the 4x4s was a breeze.
I installed the eye bolt by drilling through the 4×4 at the end of each of the angled uprights to make sure they were secure and would hold a good weighted person. I had chains with hooks that came with our hammock so we were ready to mount the hammock and test it out.
An Unexpected Issue
Because of the length of the long piece, and, that I still have my “pandemic weight”, when I laid in the hammock the angled upright pieces bent forward a bit and allowed the long piece to bow slightly upward (inward toward me). This issue caused the cross pieces to rock back and forth a bit. Annoying. Not good. Additionally, I didn’t want the wood to sit directly on the concrete in inclement weather, and my wife wanted to be able to move the hammock to sweep the patio. So I resorted to my standard fix for many of life’s issues — add wheels. And where would I get four casters at a reasonable price that are high-weight rated? Harbor Freight! Go to harborfreight.com and buy one of their 18 in. x 12 in. 1000 lb. capacity hardwood dollies and remove the casters. Then, install them onto the bottom of each leg of the hammock cross pieces with the remaining galvanized lag bolts left over from installing the 4x4s into each hammock stand bracket. Viola! Perfectly balanced and easily moveable hammock stand.
Maintenance
The whole idea of sealing the wood was to be able to leave the frame outside, in the place it resides, year-round, through whatever kind of weather. But the rope hammock is another issue all together. Research indicates that, over time, wet weather will mildew and rot the rope. So to get the most longevity out of our rope hammock we leave it outside as long as the weather forecast shows no rain (the dew is no problem). But if the forecast indicates a day or more of rain, we bring the hammock inside and hang it from a hook in the basement ceiling.
The End Result
So now we have a beautiful, comfortable, relaxing hammock on our patio. We never realized how wonderful it was to have a hammock until we had one. We lay in it during the day to capture the warm sun. We lay in it at night to gaze at the stars and the heavens. When we’re fatigued from work and/or life, we sink into the hammock for an hours’ worth of total relaxation. Sometimes we take a snack like a bag of chips and homemade onion dip and enjoy an adult beverage, swinging easy in the hammock. And we know that throughout the seasons, we’ll be chill’n on our patio in the rope hammock that was such a loving gift from our beloved friend who started us on this whole hammock experience.
Hammock and Hammock Stand FAQ
What is the most comfortable type of hammock?
Well, that’s kind of a personal preference. We prefer a rope hammock with spreader bars. In the summer time the rope hammock lets the air circulate around our body and we stay cooler. In the winter time on sunny days, we throw a comforter on the hammock and snuggle in for some serious relaxation. But there are many other kinds of hammocks — quilted hammocks, fabric hammocks, woven hammocks, camping hammocks made from lightweight nylon — you can do an online search and see all the options available.
Are hammock stands worth it?
Absolutely! We have no trees in our backyard so hanging our hammock from trees is not an option. And even if it was, we like being able to move our hammock around our yard based on whether we want it in the sun or in the shade. If we want to change our view from the hammock we just move the stand to a different location in our yard.
What type of hammock stand is the most stable?
We like beefy structures so we made our hammock stand out of 4×4 pressure treated posts. The cross beams on the bottom are five feet in length. So we feel pretty confident that, between the strength of a 4×4 post and the wide cross pieces resting on the ground, that our hammock stand is as stable as you can get. Typically, an 8-foot 4×4 supported at both ends will safely support about 500-pounds in the center. If you buy a stand, be sure to read customer reviews to learn how any particular hammock stand is performing . . . or not.
How much weight can a hammock hold?
Hammocks can hold anywhere from 250 to around 800 pounds. When you purchase your hammock it should tell you what the weight rating is for that particular hammock.
How long should a hammock stand be?
To find the right size of stand for your hammock, measure the length of your hammock from one end to the other — ring to ring — to learn the length of your hammock. This can be a challenge because laying it on the ground won’t let you account for how much it might stretch when it’s on your stand, adding to its length. So you might fudge and add a bit to cover that variable. Then, add two feet to the measurement. If you choose a stand that’s longer than two feet greater than your hammock length, don’t stress. You can buy extension chains to get the best fit for your hammock to the stand.
How far should a hammock be off the ground?
Hang your hammock so it’s no more than 18” off the ground at its lowest point when laying in it. This is called the “sitting height” because your bum will likely be the lowest point in the hammock when you’re in it
Can you leave a hammock and stand outside?
All of our research indicated that leaving your hammock outside in prolonged wet weather will decidedly shorten the life of your hammock. So we bring our hammock into an enclosed space (our walk-out basement) if heavy or multiple-day rain is predicted, and in the winter time.
If your stand is truly weather-proof leaving it outdoors should be okay. We put three coats of exterior grade polyurethane on our 4×4 post hammock stand in addition to the wood being pressure treated for outdoor use. The stand is on wheels to keep it from sitting directly on wet grass or snow for days at a time. Plus, our stand is 16 feet long so I’d have to take it apart to store it in our garden shed. Finally, we live in southwestern Virginia. We have mild winters and frequently lounge on our patio in the winter time on a clear sunny day in the crisp winter air.
Please Leave a Comment
Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or tell us what we missed and can add to this post. And tell us if you’ve added a hammock to your patio or garden area and give us details. Add a picture so we can see your hammock experience.
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Beware of settling into the trap that patio food can only be something grilled in the summertime. Eating on the patio is not the same as picnicking; does not require potato salad or watermelon. Cooking and/or serving unique food on the patio can be a fun and creative dining experience. So let’s jump out of our “comfort zone” and try something totally unexpected for patio dining (think homemade egg rolls) whether for one, two or a group of friends you’ve invited over to party on the patio with fun food and adult beverages.
Homemade Egg Rolls — Why?
Egg rolls are a fun choice for several reasons:
They are great “finger food”.
They are very tasty especially with a variety of sauces.
You can prep them in your kitchen and fry them outside if you have a burner connected to your grill or have a stovetop in your outdoor cooking area. Or fry them on your kitchen stovetop and run them out to the patio. Imagine how surprised your guests will be lining up to get fresh, homemade egg rolls hot from the oil. I’m pretty sure that will be a first for them at a patio party.
Egg roll stuffing is highly variable — whatever suits your taste.
They are really easy to make but appear to be complicated. Your guests will definitely be impressed.
Egg Rolls
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 pound ground pork or diced pork loin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp coarse salt
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced ginger root – skin peeled
3 cups coleslaw mix – chopped fine (16 oz bag)
1/4 cup sliced green onions – chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Egg roll wrappers
Oil for frying
Optional: Cilantro – 1 bunch chopped
Do this:
Combine the ground or diced pork, garlic powder, onion powder, ground pepper, coarse salt, and minced garlic and throughly mix with your hands.
Heat the 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Cook the pork, breaking it up into small chunks with a spatula. Brown until the pork is cooked through.
In a large bowl mix together the coleslaw, green onions, minced ginger root, soy sauce and toasted sesame oil. Add the cilantro if you opted for that green. Mix throughly and salt and pepper to taste. Taste the mix and add more soy sauce and/or sesame oil if you want a stronger flavor. Stir in the cooked pork and mix again.
Spoon approximately 2-3 tablespoons of filling onto each egg roll wrapper and fold according to the package directions. Have a small bowl of water ready to dip your finger in and use that to wet the lip of the egg roll wrapper to seal it shut as you roll it closed. Set aside on a cookie sheet or wax paper, sealed side down. Fill and roll all your wrappers.
Get out your baking cooling rack and cover it with a paper towel or two.
Pour 1 1/2 to 2 inches of oil into a deep pot like a cast iron dutch oven. Heat the oil until it’s shimmering but not smoking. With a pair of tongs, lay 3 egg rolls in the hot oil at a time. Be careful not to splash hot oil as you set the egg rolls in the pot. Keep an eye on your egg rolls — they will cook fast.
When you see the wrapper brown in the oil up to the edge of the uncooked part of the wrapper, turn it over with your tongs. Check both sides and if they are the crunchy brown you want, pull them out. Lay them on your baking cooling rack lined with paper towel so the excess oil will drain off of your egg rolls.
Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice. I have made several attempts at creating dipping sauces but I keep returning to some of my store-bought favorites like Thai sweet chili sauce. Yum!
Remember, every day on the patio is Friday. Enjoy your patio egg rolls!
Please Leave a Comment: Homemade Egg Rolls
Leave a comment below and tell us how well (or not) this recipe worked for you? Did you modify the recipe? How so? Did you cook them on the patio or, at least, serve them on the patio? Add a picture so we can see your yummy egg rolls!
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We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post at no extra cost to you if the affiliate links are utilized to make a purchase. Click this link to see all our disclosures.
If you’re going to relax on the patio you’ve got to have something to relax on, right? Yes. And what you sit on to relax on your patio will depend on your taste, budget, and creativity. So let’s talk patio furniture.
What’s Your Criteria?
Bear in mind, this blog post is about creating a comfortable outdoor living space that you are happy with and proud of, so you might be the person who prefers everything to match. Nothing wrong with that. There was a time in my life, as a professional graphic designer, that continuity of elements was very important in creating an attractive design. So furnishing the patio to match or meld well is OK — if you have the budget to buy a line of outdoor furniture that meets with your design sense. One main focus of this blog, however, is creating a cool outdoor living space without breaking the bank. For me, as a retired professional graphic designer, I have to expand my design sense to match my budget. And I have to get involved in a little DIY.
What’s Eclectic?
Now, a certain eclectic look can work well for your outdoor space, generate a lot of fun, and net some interesting stories along the way. What’s eclectic, you might ask? Here’s a definition: deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. So let me tell you about our furnishing the patio adventure . . . to-date — how we came about what we have, why we think it works, and how you can do the same with your patio.
When Should You Start Furnishing the Patio?
If you are in the position to buy all new patio furniture, the winter months will offer you the best deals. Yes, you’ll have to wait until Spring/Summer to enjoy what you’ve bought (unless you are somewhere close to the equator), but the winter months make it a buyer’s market. You’ll cut your best deals when a retailer has little business because of the weather — out of season.
When Should You Take the Eclectic Approach to Patio Furniture?
Anytime! Here are some opportunities:
You have a friend that is moving long distance and they have too much stuff. You can offer to take some of their furniture off their hands that you think will work on your patio. You can offer to buy it from them or, offer to help them diminish their load by putting the furniture in your car, hugging them to wish them a safe move, and driving away.
You are walking your neighborhood for exercise and you see one of your neighbors has put some furniture at the curb for trash day. You assess the item and decide that your DIY skills can improve this furniture and that it will work just fine on your patio. Go get your car!
You have a friend that manages a local coffee shop or eatery which offers outdoor patio seating. Make sure your friend knows that you are searching for cool patio furniture and if/when their establishment might upgrade their outdoor furniture that you would be interested in their old furniture even if you have to dig it out of the dumpster behind the establishment.
You are at the funky local grocery store that has decided to offer unusual household items as a draw to get customers in their store. They might have patio furniture at a discounted price because the grocery store is just using these items as a hook to get you in to buy food. Bite on their hook and score yourself some nice patio furniture at a steal of a price — because who buys patio furniture at the grocery store? You do.
You have friends who are extremely talented in producing things and they offer you a gift because they are excited about your passion for creating a cool outdoor living space. And, you enjoy spending time with them on the patio. They become family. Be gracious and accept their superlative gift. And invite them over often to enjoy their company on the patio. Alway be well stocked with adult beverages to offer hospitality. And let then sit back and relax in the chairs they’ve made for you as a heartfelt gift.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t go to a patio furniture store and order what you want. But none of the opportunities I described above involved going to a retailer to furnish the patio. And every opportunity mentioned above was an opportunity that we experienced personally and ended up with some cool patio furniture that we are happy with and proud of.
Our Patio Furniture Stories:
Friend Moving #1 We have a friend, an only child, who ended up with her mother’s house when her mom passed at an old age. She spent some time cleaning out the house and getting it ready for sale. All the while, a set of iron furniture was parked on the front porch — two chairs, a loveseat, and a plant stand. When we enquired about the set she said it had been setting in that spot for 40 years. It had some surface rust on it and was faded, but it was quality furniture from an earlier era. We offered her $200 for the set and she accepted.
I used a wire brush on my drill to knock off most of the rust. Next, I applied a primer specifically engineered for rusty metal as a base. Then I used a black semi-gloss spray paint designed for outdoor metals.
The chairs are very comfortable and look like new. They stay out on the patio year-round. We couldn’t be happier. And a search online for similar furniture netted one similar chair for $160. I estimate to replace this set at current retail would cost around $800 to $1,000. The photos above are the chairs and loveseat (the round tables we purchased from Lowes at $30 a piece).
Friend Moving #2
OK, this is a DIY project in-progress. We had an older friend who was moving out of state to be with her son who was going to lovingly tend to his mother in her golden years. Her husband had passed and much of what she had was of no use to her where she was moving. She offered a number of items to us for free. One was a dynamic rope hammock — check out our blog post Hammocks Are Essential for Living on the Patio for more information about this unique piece of patio furniture. She also offered us these cool 1930’s style steel chairs. We wanted some chairs dedicated to our fire pit that would hold up in the winter weather as well as the heat of summer. Sometime this Fall we’ll sand them down and repaint with the same rust primer and metal outdoor paint we used on the iron set. We’re thinking bright red would be cool. Stand by for finished photos. Total estimated cost: a couple of cans of spray paint and a twelve pack of beer.
Update: This DIY project was “in-progress” for at least a season (OK, I was lazy). But I finally wire-brushed and sanded them to get them ready for new paint. Now, I won’t say this is my best prep and paint job. These chairs have many miles on them. So it wasn’t worth going overboard trying to make them look brand new. However, they serve a purpose on the grill deck as a seating option to enjoy a cocktail while monitoring whatever is on the grill. And the color looks really cool! But the project did, in fact, require a twelve pack.
Walking Your Neighborhood on Trash Day Julie was walking the neighborhood for exercise and noticed a concrete bird bath at the curb for the trash guys. She came back home and told me she wanted it. I was NOT happy. But I love my wife and wanted to please her. So, begrudgingly, I agreed. We have a “boxy” SUV so it fit into the back with space to spare. But, it weighed tons! (I’m not exaggerating.) We barely could lift the two pieces ourselves to get it into the car. I had to use a furniture dolly to wheel both pieces, separately, into the back yard. The bath basin was cracked so I caulked it and repainted the interior of the bath basin. But the outside was stunning — green moss and weathered concrete. It looked like something you’d see in a patio area of a vineyard in France or Italy. Great character. For free! To purchase it new would cost around $100.00
Friend Manages a Local Coffee Shop/Eatery Offering Outdoor Patio Seating
So, we had a friend who was a manager for a local store of a noted world-wide chain of coffee shops — you can figure that out, right? One afternoon she called and said that her store was changing their entire compliment of outdoor seating furniture — that night! While corporate policy prevented her from giving us the furniture, corporate instructed her to put the old furniture next to the trash dumpster in the alley behind the store — around 10 p.m. that night! You’re keeping up with me, right? We borrowed another friend’s truck and scored this metal bistro table and two plastic wicker chairs. All we did was paint the tabletop. Several days a week we eat our lunch and dinner at this table. This set stays on the patio year-round so when the winter cool air meets the warmth of the winter sun we relax at the table on the patio. To replace this set we’d probably pay around $250 or more retail.
The Funky Local Grocery Store
Where we lived in Florida there was a small grocery store chain that was kinda funky in terms of the groceries they offered — many European brands — offbeat foodstuffs. But the food was tasty and less expensive than the big-chain grocer in the community. To get people in the door they’d offer home items for sale that were very out-of-the-ordinary for a grocery store. But it was quality merchandise. One day we got a flyer from the store and Julie noticed these “gravity chairs” — like a chaise lounge. They were inexpensive but well-made. They’ve lasted over five years. They were $30 a piece — about half what the current retail market price is for these chairs (we added the pillows).
Friends Who Are Extremely Talented There are many talented people in the world. We happen to be friends with a couple and the husband is a retired master carpenter. He renovated our kitchen and I have never walked into it and said, “I wish we had done this or done that.” Preston’s work is stunning craftsmanship.
Before we started building our patio we used to sit out in our car port at the end of our car. We only had the black table and wicker chairs I talked about earlier. The space was functional but lacked any aesthetic appeal. One day, out of the blue, never having made a request or even hinting about the beautiful Adirondack chairs Preston builds by hand, he showed up with two — one for Julie and one for me.
His wife Pam came along and we celebrated their fabulous gift in our carport with adult beverages. In part, Preston and Pam’s gift of the Adirondack chairs was inspiration to start this blog, Living on the Patio. Truly these chairs are a work of art and wonderfully comfortable. Yes, you can buy a cheap plastic knockoff from the big box stores for $89.00. But they have no heart, no class.
So, if you have a friend who has great talent in whatever, tap into that resource. Pay them their fair market price for whatever they do and revel in having something handmade with great expertise and crafted with love. You won’t regret it or second guess your decision. This is one of the reasons why life happens on the patio.
Important Tip
One design secret we learned in furnishing the patio is to always have two matching of whatever. We’ve placed them so that each style of furniture denotes its own area on the patio. There’s never an odd-duck, single chair — unless every chair is different and then that’s a cool design idea.
Seasonal Shifts
Everything on the patio stays out year round except the gravity chairs. They go in the garden shed till spring.
We have covers for the Adirondack chairs that we leave on through the snowy parts of winter. Check out these two suppliers from whom we have bought several covers for items such as our grilling table, fire pit, and Adirondack chairs: National Covers and The Cover Store.
As added protection, we usually spray our covers with a coat of Scotchgard™. They offer Outdoor Water & Sun Shield or Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield.
Julie oils the Adirondack chairs at least twice a year to keep them looking new and helping them stay water resistant.
How Much Should You Spend on New Patio Furniture?
Now you know how we were able to furnish our patio with limited expense, unique creativity, and lots of elbow grease. And we’re happy with what we have.
An online search turned up this question along with the answer provided. Question: How much should you spend on patio furniture? Answer: It can be tricky to figure it all out. Generally speaking, a quality cushioned chair will cost between $800 and $2,000. A quality sofa will cost $1,800 to $3,000. Look for dining tables between $900 and $2,000 or more.
We decided to take the eclectic route and put our dollars into other elements of our outdoor living space. It’s all about what’s important to you. Just don’t discourage yourself from having fun patio furniture because your budget won’t allow you to buy brand new. As you can see, we think we’ve done alright for a small dollar investment and have had fun being creative along the way. So sit and relax. And always remember, every day is Friday on the patio.
Please Leave a Comment: Patio Furniture
Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or tell us what we missed and can add to this post. And tell us what direction you’ve gone in when furnishing your patio. Add a picture so we can see where you sit and relax!
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Let’s say that it is late-afternoon on a Saturday. The sun is warm. The sky is blue. You’ve worked hard around the house and yard this day and now you’re going to reward yourself with a cold beer on the patio. You grab your beer from the fridge and head outside but then you STOP. You think, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a snack with my cold beer on the patio?” YES! You check the pantry and, in fact, there is a bag of unopened potato chips just waiting for you. But what about a dip? A creamy onion dip?
Don’t even think about hoping in the car and running down to the store because you are ready to relax on the patio RIGHT NOW! But, with Randy’s Eat Shop Creamy Onion Dip you’ll be on the patio in about 10 minutes with cold beer, crinkle potato chips (ridges provide more structure to the chips making them better for dipping), and creamy onion dip that YOU MADE from scratch (no onion soup mix required).
Here’s the recipe:
Creamy Onion Dip
1/4 cup of dried onions crushed (in a mortar and pestle if you have one)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 1/3 cup sour cream
Add all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a whisk or hand mixer. Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator for later.
Here’s what mine looked like the last time I whipped this dip together in less than 10 minutes:
And yes, I ate the entire batch on the patio with two cold beers. I did not feel guilty. And I was very happy.
Tell us if you tried this recipe. Did you like it? Did it come together in ten minutes or less? Did you eat the whole batch in one sitting? Did it require two cold beers? Most importantly, were you happy? Tell us how it worked for you . . . or not.
Remember: life happens on the patio. Enjoy!
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Let’s start with a definition of just what is a patio? The website, dictionary.com defines a patio this way: “An area, usually paved, adjoining a house and used as an area for outdoor lounging, dining, etc.” Now, many people have well manicured lawns that are a joy to sit on, lay down on, relax on. But then, there’s something to be said about having a table, some chairs, a chaise lounge, perhaps a grill all on a hard surface — a patio hardscape, away from moisture, bugs and, quite simply, just more comfortable for outdoor living.
What’s Your Patio Motive?
Have you asked yourself, “Why do I want a patio?” If you haven’t, let’s throw out a few motives for wanting, as our definition states, “An area, usually paved, adjoining a house and used as an area for outdoor lounging, dining, etc.”
The pandemic was a huge motivator for us because we were new to Roanoke, Virginia and hadn’t had a chance to explore this beautiful place we had retired to before being sequestered at home due to the COVID-19 virus (About Us). We needed an outdoor space to recreate and relax since we were stuck at home for who knew how long. (As we all know now it was several years!)
Other Motivators?
I’m not a big fan of yard maintenance (read: lawn mowing) so I wanted to cover as much of the backyard with hardscape or low maintenance plantings as possible.
We like to entertain. I do the cooking. So I wanted a large hardscape area to seat a good number of friends in conversation areas that would be comfortable to eat “patio food” like Sausage Wonton Cups while enjoying adult beverages like Julie’s Cosmopolitan Cocktail.
We also wanted a clean, dry, private area to “wile away” an afternoon in the shade or sun, again, with an adult beverage. Just plain old chill’n.
So, what’s your motive for building a patio? Better make a list before you start so you have objectives to review as you make design and construction decisions.
Patio Decisions — What Kind?
Patio Size
Size is one of the early decisions you should consider. Think of every use you may have for your outdoor space. Determine every reason why your patio should be the size you are considering. And then make it larger. The company who built our patio told me that most of their clients, after the patio was completed, said they wished they’d made it bigger. And they were right! Our patio has a 12 foot walkway out to the patio which is 12 feet wide by 36 feet long. Now I wish I had added another 12 feet in length. After it was built I started thinking about other uses for the space but it wasn’t practical or economically feasible at that point to make it bigger. Lesson learned.
Patio Hardscape Materials
There are several kinds of material you can use to create your patio hardscape. Let’s do a quick review of several and then I’ll describe what we selected and why.
Wood Deck
Pro: Wood decks can be very aesthetically pleasing especially if your outdoor space includes trees or a wooded area. Your deck nicely melds into your outdoor environment. Con: Wood decks can be expensive to build (or have built) and they require more maintenance than I was willing to invest to protect the wood from the weather.
Gravel
Pro: Very inexpensive and easy to build. Con: My parents had a gravel patio when I was growing up. Not only was it messy but it was very uncomfortable trying to get table and chairs level and stable. Plus, the ground barrier degraded and weeds started popping up in the patio area (which I had to pull!).
Poured Concrete
Pro: Durable and long lasting. Con: Not as aesthetically pleasing unless you have it stamped and/or acid-etched.
Brick
Pro: Very aesthetically pleasing with a classic, old-world feel. Con: Probably will have to be professionally built adding to overall patio development cost. May be an uneven surface over time decreasing the comfort of your outdoor space.
Pavers
Pro: Top of the line in terms of durability, craftsmanship and totally aesthetically pleasing. Con: Very pricey. I bid my project to a paver provider and their price amounted to 2/3rds of my total backyard budget.
Patio Location
Our street/home is situated on a hill. A BIG hill. One side of our backyard is decidedly higher than the other (downhill) side. So we chose to put our patio on the most level part of your yard. Fortunately it was well positioned to walk out our back door, off the carport and onto a 12 foot sidewalk leading out to the patio.
Originally we were going to butt our patio hardscape up against the driveway in our carport. Logistics prevented that and it was a blessing (more on that in a minute). We moved the patio 12 feet out from the house with a paved sidewalk. What it did was create a feeling of a completely separate living space rather than a continuation of our house. In a small but significant way, going out to the patio was to leave the house and any stresses, issues — whatever — behind for the time we were relaxing on our patio. Food for thought.
The logistics issue was that we had contracted for a white vinyl six foot high fence which was delayed in installation because of material issues due to the pandemic. Had we stuck to our idea of butting the patio up to the driveway, in essence making one long stretch of concrete, we would have had to delay pouring concrete until the fence with a gate was installed so they could pour concrete around the gate posts. The fence ended up getting installed about two months after our concrete patio was poured. We were able to get the concrete when we did by moving the patio out farther from the house and connecting the driveway to the patio with a paved walkway — easy for the fence installer to set posts on either side of the sidewalk to install our gate.
So what’s the point? Clearly think through ALL of the elements of your outdoor space, decide on what gets built first, second, and so on, and discuss your proposed process with all of your vendors BEFORE beginning your project. It will save you headache and heartache down the road.
So What Patio Hardscape Material Did We Choose?
We had a concrete pad poured. Here’s why:
We wanted these elements in our outdoor space within the project budget — a maintenance-free privacy fence, a BIG patio hardscape, and a garden shed. We weighted each element and the desired materials against each element’s cost and then started making compromises based on our number one priority, then number two and so on. Concrete fit the budget, was low maintenance, and fit into a quasi-industrial look we had in mind for our space. Plus, for the cost, we didn’t have to compromise on the size we wanted — at that time (remember, I said once you decide on a size, make it larger). Budget plays a huge role in your decision making so check out this blog post, A Patio Budgeting Guide when you’re finished reading this one.
We ordered our patio at the height of the pandemic when everyone else was making home improvements because they were stuck at home too. So we had to wait a few months to work our way up in the vendor’s cue. But when it was our turn, the production went fast and we were able to start enjoying our patio sooner than if we had selected one of the other hardscape options.
Winters can be mild in Roanoke with cool air and warm sun during the winter months. We wanted a year-round patio so concrete was a great choice for several reasons: A) it was easy to clear off the snow when that did occur, B) the sun warmed the concrete making it very comfortable to enjoy, say, lunch on the patio with the heat of the January sun radiating off of the concrete surface, and C) when we fired up our fire pit (A Fire Pit is Year-round Fun!) we had a clean, dry space to set up winter snacks like Homemade Pizza and hot adult beverages like Julie’s Hot Toddy to enjoy around the fire.
We wanted to enjoy the value of the money we invested in our patio a full twelve months of the year. For our needs and desires, concrete was the best choice.
Before You Play on it, Seal it!
One caveat I’ll mention about concrete is that it is a porous material that easily absorbs water. In freeze-thaw climates, the expansion of frozen water can crack concrete. Thus, by preventing water from penetrating into the concrete you also help prevent cracks. Therefore, please seal your concrete patio! There are several types of sealers — too many to mention here. Do your research and be ready to seal your concrete before you move onto it. I learned that lesson — only half of my patio is sealed to-date because it got too late last year to finish the job before winter set in. Now I’m waiting for a week of dry, not-too-hot weather to complete my sealing.
Who’s Going to Build Your Patio?
Some of you reading this are accomplished DIYers. I applaud you. I have said in previous blog posts (A Grilling Table is My Outdoor Kitchen) that I am good at straight cutting and screwing together 2x4s. That’s about it. So I knew I was going to outsource our concrete work.
In my local research there were several concrete vendors listed. I looked online at addresses and what their facility looked like. I also contacted companies in my locale who sell volume concrete seeking any referrals they might suggest, but to no avail — no one responded to my voice mail requests. Most importantly, I read reviews on as many websites as I could find — vendor websites, Google, the BBB website — wherever I could find a review by current or former customers of my potential concrete vendor choices in Roanoke. I’ll be honest and say most reviews were not complimentary. Shoddy workmanship or uncompleted work were the two biggest complaints. But I have a reputation for being dogmatic in my research and I eventually found a vendor with very positive reviews — people who had used their services, were happy, and willing to speak about their experience with this vendor. So here’s a personal referral based on our experience: if you’re in Roanoke or anywhere in southwest Virginia, contact Concrete Rescue. They are a great provider — reasonably priced, faithful to their commitments, highly seasoned in flat concrete work, resourceful, and friendly. The crew was a joy to have around my home during construction. Because I was here to view their work, I have every confidence in the long-term durability of our patio after having seen how they built it. And our patio looks great and works great for our needs.
Please Make a Comment: Patio Hardscape
I hope this blog has helped you in your decision making process about a patio hardscape for your outdoor living space. Please make a comment below if you enjoyed this blog and found it beneficial or tell us if there is other information we need to include to add value to this blog. Or . . . tell us what you’ve done to build your patio.
And always remember: Life happens on the patio!
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What a silly question! Who doesn’t like food that tastes good? Other than for pure nutrition (read: human fuel), if it doesn’t taste good, why eat?
So, how do you like your food to taste? What spices do you use to get the flavor that, when you take a bite, makes you smile, close your eyes, and whisper to yourself in an undertone . . . “yummy!”? Well, whatever you have in your spice cabinet, you may want to try Randy’s Eat Shop Smoked Paprika Spice and end up adding it to your seasonings as a “regular”. Here’s the recipe and then I’ll tell you how I use it.
Smoked Paprika Spice
2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoons coarse salt
4 Tablespoons smoked paprika
1 Tablespoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon onion powder
1 Tablespoon chili powder
2 Teaspoons cocoa powder
1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
In a bowl, combine all the spices and mix well. Then, using an immersion blender, pulverize the mix to a powder. This works best if you have a tall jar that the blender will fit into to prevent the mix from being thrown about while blending. Or, use a coffee bean grinder.
Store in a small jar in your spice cabinet.
Tasty Ideas for Using Smoked Paprika Spice
Pan fried pork cutlet seasoned with Smoked Paprika Spice.
So, you can use this spice as a rub on chicken or pork. I frequently fry up a pork cutlet with some potatoes for breakfast.
And speaking of potatoes, if you like to dust your breakfast potatoes with a little seasoned flour or seasoned cornstarch to get them nice and crispy, add a couple of teaspoons of Smoked Paprika Spice with your other seasonings for some solid base and zing to the flavor of your potatoes. (I use canned diced potatoes with skin on — they cook up much faster.)
Mix cornstarch and spices including Smoked Paprika Spice to dust potatoes and get them tasty and crispy.
Or, when you make rice, do you add a little garlic powder or onion powder to the rice before cooking? Well, add a couple of teaspoons of Smoked Paprika Spice and taste the difference in your cooked rice.
You could even add a couple of teaspoons of Smoked Paprika Spice to the red sauce you make for your homemade pizza. That will make the flavor of your pizza truly yours.
This is a very versatile spice that has the flavor of summer all over it! And of course, you’ll want to enjoy this wonderful summer flavor on the patio, right? So mix up a batch and use it in your favorite recipes.
Let us know in the comment section below if you made it, liked it . . . or not. Tell us in what recipes you use the spice. Life happens on the patio. Enjoy!
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The weather is good now on the patio. And what a better way to enjoy the patio in nice weather than to commune with nature while enjoying a warm-weather cocktail. Something slightly sweet with a bit of “tang”. Muted in color as the spring flowers are also while they eke out their first buds. Of course, this adult beverage should be served in a martini glass! Yes, it could only be a cosmopolitan cocktail — cosmo for short.
Popular several decades ago when we were “budding” ourselves, the cosmo lost its devoted following but more recently is making a come-back. Surely the cosmo is a welcome quest on any patio.
Mix-up a Cosmopolitan Cocktail
Perhaps you are familiar with a cosmo, maybe you know it but haven’t enjoyed one in years, or you might just be new to the succulent joys of this elixir. Whatever the case, here is a recipe for a delectable cocktail that will become a standard for your patio enjoyment.
This lovely cocktail can be made with ingredients you likely already have in your personal bar or fridge.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail
2.5 oz Citron (Lemon) Vodka — do not substitute plain vodka
1.0 oz Triple Sec or Cointreau
1.0 oz Cranberry Juice — NOT Cranberry Juice Cocktail
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
1 tsp maple syrup
Orange peel for garnish
Add vodka, Triple Sec or Cointreau, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until very cold. Strain into a sugar rimmed martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Details
The vodka must be lemon flavored. You choose the quality. Substituting regular vodka will not result in a “real” cosmo.
Use plain cranberry juice. Do not use cranberry juice cocktail. Because it is sweetened, your cosmo will be overly sweet. Yuk! Who wants to drink candy?
If you plan in advance to have fresh limes, use them. If not, bottled lime juice is a good substitute. (I always have bottled lime juice in my fridge.)
Use a strip of orange peel to wipe around the rim of the martini glass to make it sticky so it will capture the granulated sugar with which you’ll want to rim the glass edge. Give the orange peel a twist to squeeze out a bit of the oil from the peel before wiping the glass rim. Then dunk the glass on a plate of granulated sugar to coat the rim. Drop the orange peel in the glass before pouring in the cosmo.
You now have a delightful concoction with which to enjoy while relaxing on the patio. You might want to enjoy your cocktail with some shrimp and brie wonton cups by scrolling to the bottom of the recipe for Sausage Wonton Cups. Yum!
Let us know in the comment section below if you tried this recipe and how you liked it . . . or not. Or, did you modify it with success? How so? Do you have another Cosmopolitan cocktail mix you’d like to share? Post a photo of your finished cocktail.
Remember, every day is Friday on the patio!
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When most people hear the words “fire pit” they think of chilly weather with mittens and hot chocolate. And yes, fire pits are great for getting outdoors in the winter months. But really, a fire pit creates a year-round backyard event. Consider a fire pit in your backyard in terms of an “urban campfire”: a reason to congregate outdoors during all seasons — including summer — to watch the stars and roast marsh mellows. Yes, we consider a fire pit to be an essential element of our patio environment.
What Kind of Fire Pit Should You Have?
Initially I thought I wanted a huge pit for a crowd of friends to enjoy. Go big or go home, right? I researched one of those corrugated metal rings around which I could encase in stone or pavers . . . the kind you get your feet up on to keep your toes toasty in the cooler air. But that was more involved than I wanted a fire pit to be. And I had some other criteria that my fire pit needed to meet.
This style of fire pit was not going to work for us.
My Fire Pit Wishlist:
Our backyard is sloped so I didn’t want to have to re-grade a large portion of my yard to build a level seating area around the pit. I needed a smaller fire pit that was movable in case I wanted to relocate it in my yard at a later date. A smaller pit meant more intimate fires with fewer friends each time but that’s OK.
I wanted a fire pit with a mesh or screen over the flames to keep any sparks or embers in-check to prevent fire where it wasn’t wanted. When looking at a larger, custom fire pit, I would have had to go to a metal shop and have a mesh cover fabricated. That added several hundred dollars to the cost — not budget friendly.
I also wanted a solid metal cover so when I was done enjoying my patio fire pit and was ready to head inside for the night, I could confidently cover any remaining embers knowing nothing would get out of control as the fire burned itself out. Again, a custom fabrication was required for more dollars then I was willing to spend. I did find some pre-fab options online, but their cost was equal to what I would spend locally plus the cost of shipping.
I wanted a fire pit that would hold up in the weather. Stainless steel was my initial choice.
And I like things that are well made — beefy.
And So the Search Began . . .
I looked at many options online and read hundreds of reviews. (I am a faithful reviewer when I buy a product because I rely on reviews so much when I am making a purchase.) I read about wear and tear, early rust, lack of amenities such as the mesh cover I wanted. But I also heard people say how much they and their families enjoyed the time they spent around the fire pit they selected. My search was fruitful because I finally found one option that met all of my wants and needs at the price point I was willing to pay. We bought the Smokeless Wood Fire Pit from Sam’s Club for about $250. It’s currently out of stock but check Sam’s often because it is a great fire pit at a reasonable price. If you can’t wait, click here for another option from Yaheetech.
This style fire pit worked much better for us.
This pit is stainless steel and double-walled to help cut down on the smoke. It has both a mesh dome to cover the fire while it’s burning to check embers as well as a solid steel cover to close it off when you’re ready for bed. It is big enough/small enough for four to six people to comfortably saddle-up to the fire, winter or summer.
Can You Put a Fire Pit in Your Backyard?
OK, normally I am anal retentive in terms of details and cover all my bases in the correct order. Not this time (but it worked out OK). After getting the fire pit and putting it all together (it is beefy — yay!), I decided to take some photos of the pit and email the guy in our town who handles code issues. He forwarded my email to the county fire chief. Here’s what the chief said:
The device pictured would be legal. (Sending a photo was a good idea.)
Ensure that it is located at least 15 feet from anything that could burn.
The fire should be attended at all times and extinguished when done.
Burn only dry, seasoned wood to diminish the amount of smoke the fire may create.
Locally there are outdoor burning restrictions during certain hours of the day and months of the year due to dry conditions and high winds.
I was very happy that I took the time to check the regulations and get the fire chief’s approval to make sure I was in compliance and we could enjoy our fire pit to the max!
Fire Pit Prep:
My fire pit area is grass covered but I knew the heat from the fire would scorch the grass so I did dig up the sod and laid in some pavers I had knocking around. This gave me a level spot for the pit and the pavers acted as a heat barrier.
And, despite the pit being stainless steel, I did buy a fabric cover that fit perfectly. It was weather proof but I sprayed a coat of Scotch Guard on it anyway.
How to Build a Fire
The website rei.com has a fabulous post about building a fire and all that’s involved. See the post here.
To burn a successful fire, you’ll need three types fuel: tinder, kindling, and firewood.
Tinder includes small twigs, dry leaves, needles or forest duff. Or, you could use livingonthepatio.com Fire Starter Pouches as your tinder.
Kindling consists of small sticks, typically less than one inch around.
Firewood is any larger piece of wood and is what will keep your fire going long into the night.
Are Fire Pits a Good Idea?
Absolutely! We have found it is one of the best ways to spark conversation (no pun intended) and spend an hour or two with people who willingly do not check their cell phones for any reason — the fire is that engaging. And it offers a chance for you to get creative:
When you’re around the fire and it’s chilly outside, wrap your hands around one of Julie’s Hot Toddys.
When you’re around the fire on a balmy summer night, grab a cold beer and enjoy some sausage wontons or homemade pizza.
Finally, you can explore various aromas the burning wood creates. Our favorite, after spending several decades living in and traveling around Colorado and New Mexico, is the smell of Pinyon wood from the Pinyon pine trees that grow in the southwestern U.S. It is truly a unique and enticing aroma. Search for it online to find local suppliers.
Please Leave a Comment
I hope telling you about our fire pit journey has been interesting and, if you don’t have a fire pit, that you may be inspired to get one to start life happening on your patio. Take a few minutes in the comment section below to give us your thoughts on this post and/or tell us about your fire pit experiences. And post a photo of your pit!
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