It's easy to create a vacation right in your own backyard

With the exception of the recent wave of unbearably hot temperatures, we are lucky that Bay Area summers provide us with many wonderfully balmy evenings. On warm nights, my husband and I enjoy sitting on our backyard patio, especially now that most of our landscaping projects have been completed. In fact, at this moment I am writing this column on my laptop in the backyard, admiring the pink flowers of our Crepe Myrtle that is in full bloom.

I've noticed that during our vacations, my husband and I spend a lot of time outdoors. We take walks and explore, we drink our morning coffee on the deck, and at restaurants we frequently ask to be seated outside. (Oh, how we loved the hot tub on our private deck at the spa resort we stayed in during our last getaway!) I admit that our hectic daily schedules keep us from spending as much time outside as we might like. But perhaps one of these ideas will inspire you to recreate that vacation feel in your own yard.

For your next dinner outside, set a beautiful table, using cloth napkins, placemats and real dishes, not paper plates. Serve beverages in elegant goblets, and arrange a casual centerpiece of fresh flowers. As the sun sets, light candles for ambiance. What a lovely setting for a romantic meal for two or a special family dinner.

For a more casual dinner event, how about having a picnic on the lawn? Young kids would love to spread a blanket and set out paper plates, cups and plastic utensils. Your meal could be something simple such as store-bought chicken and salad or deli sandwiches. What you eat for dinner is less important than the time the family spends together.

One of the things my family likes to do while on vacation is play board games. At home it seems like there is never enough time. A great way to make a regular weeknight feel like vacation is to play a game outside in the backyard. Instead of watching television after dinner, pop some popcorn, light some candles and play a game with your family. A lantern used for camping can also provide ample light.

Currently there are many products on the market specially designed for outdoor living. Upholstered furniture pieces are available in durable indoor/outdoor fabrics. These fabrics resist fading and moisture, and now come in a large variety of styles and colors. How about some throw pillows to make a bench or hammock even more comfortable? And wouldn't it be nice to create an outdoor living room with a sofa and chairs? Have you seen the indoor/outdoor area rugs and plug-in lamps? With a lamp, a chair and ottoman, and a blanket in case it gets chilly, you can create a cozy reading corner in your yard. Don't forget a side table for a cup of tea and dessert.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Aug. 19, 2006.

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All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna Jacoby.