Solar-Powered Landscape Lighting the Alternative Energy Option

When looking to add or upgrade your outdoor lighting system, you will want to look for a system that will provide enough light for you to relax on your patio comfortably or walk around your property safely. Ideally, the lighting should complement your property, enhance its looks and be energy efficient, while not cutting too deep into your budget. To provide you with these necessities and more, look no further than solar powered landscape lighting! Apart from meeting all the criteria listed, you have the additional advantage of not having to deal with wires, because the system is wireless and easy to install.

Specific benefits of solar lighting:

·We already know they are energy efficient. Added to this, the suns energy is free for you to harness.
·While saving on your energy bills, you are being environmentally friendly, conserving the earth resources.
·You will take something like an hour, at most, to set up your solar garden lights.
·You have decided to get some durable stainless steel garden solar lights. Because there is no wiring you can locate them just about anywhere. You just need to stake them into the ground and that is it.
·You can easily make additions. During the holidays, you can add to your landscape lighting by getting solar Christmas lights and you do not have to make any additional arrangements to install them, so long as your source of light is positioned right.
·With all their benefits, solar powered lights can also look great with the variety of designs available.

How the concept of solar lighting works:
The source of energy is the sun, which is freely available. For the illumination, you can use LED lamps, which are long lasting. The solar panels that convert the sun’s energy are composed of photocells, which charge the solar battery for landscape lights. So the most important part of setting up solar lighting is to place the solar panels in a position that receives the maximum sunlight. Generally, the rechargeable batteries can last approximately eight to ten hours of continuous use. The built in sensors in these solar lights can turn the lamps on and off automatically.


Using solar-powered landscape lighting:
You can start by marking the right places in your backyard or garden to see where you would like to position your lights. You might want to go in for different lights to light up your barbecue grill area, your outdoor cooking equipment, your pathways, your flowerbeds, and any other special feature that you have on your property. A friend of mine owns the Malibu Outdoor Metal Bollard lighting system, which he uses to illuminate the walkway from the gate on the side of the house leading into the backyard. I was there for a barbecue in the evening recently, and I must say, the lights really do look great. If you have a woodstove, gas fireplace or a woodburning fireplace, you might want to illuminate this area as well, regardless of whether you are using the heat source. You can also use floodlights focused on your cooking equipment or BBQ, perfect for those late night summer cookouts.

Couple Arrested for Using BBQ Grill As Weapon to Beat One Another

A man and woman found themselves in jail after beating one another with a barbecue grill. The attack on one another began after a heated argument, when the woman picked up the barbeque grill, and hit the man over the head with it. Stunned, the man picked up the same grill and retaliated by striking the woman over the head with the object. (At this point, there was concern about a disqualification, but the referee ok'd the object, and the fight continued.) The woman then picked up the barbecue pit and threw it though the back window of the man's car.
After medics treated the man and the woman (can someone say head wound?), both parties were arrested and charged with aggravated battery.

Drunk Uncle Attacks Nephew with Bottle and Knives at BBQ

A family barbecue turned ugly when an intoxicated 35-year-old man attacked his nephew with kitchen knives. According to the reports filed with the Salt Lake County Jail, the suspect had been drinking and began arguing with his nephew. He then began throwing beer bottles at the young man, a probable cause statement claims. The man then ran inside the home, grabbed two knives from the kitchen, and allegedly came after his nephew. Following the attack, the man fled the scene, only to be picked up a mile away by police. The man was booked on suspicion of aggravated assault and public intoxication.

Homeowners Mistake Smell of House Fire for BBQ

A young couple lay sunbathing in their back yard, enjoying the beautiful summer day. The birds chirping, the sun shining, the neighbors barbecuing; all the ingredients for a most enjoyable and relaxing afternoon. Until the couple realizes the smell of the neighbor's BBQ is actually their house on fire.

The couple attempted to attack the fire with a garden hose, while neighbors phoned police. Firefighters arrived shortly after, and extinguished the blaze. The fire, believed to have started from a fault in the boiler, destroyed the kitchen, and caused severe smoke damage to the rest of the house. Luckily, no one was injured. Officials say, "They stayed outside the house and did a good of attempting to extinguish the flames. Without their quick actions, the fire could have been worse."

Ex-convict Barbecue Turns Into Brawl

A barbecue thrown by the Hells Angels to celebrate the release of a friend from prison was interrupted when three members of the rival gang, Devil’s Disciples, rode past the barbecue tauntingly. Shortly after, police in an unmarked cruiser followed several of the Angels to a gas station, where a member allegedly assaulted a Disciple with his helmet, and stomped him with his boots. Police arrested the man and charged him with two counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon and one count of assault and battery after police detained him.

Steak Knife Becomes Murder Weapon at BBQ

A domestic dispute at a BBQ turned fatal Saturday, when 48 year-old Keith Thomas allegedly attacked his girlfriend Diane Barrow with a barbecue steak knife and fled the scene. Shortly after, a member of the slain victim's family received a phone call, which caused approximately 10 of Barrow's family members to pile into cars and speed away. "They wanted to hurt somebody last night. They wanted to find that guy, and do something to him," said neighbor Herman Duncan, "There was street justice to be completed." A quick-thinking officer followed them to a nearby gas station where he found the family members were taking "street justice" into their own hands, letting the punches fly on the cornered Thomas. "The family and friends would have killed this guy. There's no doubt in my mind," said Duncan. Two officers stepped in, protected Thomas and arrested him. The officers suffered minor injuries during the melee, but because they weren't seriously hurt, Upper Darby Police made the decision not to charge any of Barrow's family members. Now, instead of street justice, Thomas will face legal justice. Though for Diane Barrow's family, that won't be good enough. Thomas, who later confessed to the killing, has been charged with murder, and is currently being held without bail.

Tabletop Lighting the Practical Alternative to An Outdoor Fireplace

There is something I find quite tranquil about outdoor lighting on a warm summer’s night. As many will agree, there is something remarkable about the ambiance the right outdoor lighting can create as you relax on your patio or deck with friends or family. However, some people may want to enjoy the benefits of outdoor lighting without necessarily having to dedicate all your effort and attention tending to a fire. For those who apply, outdoor tabletop lighting may be a sufficient alternative. Outdoor tabletop lighting is a tremendous way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space and, due to the variety of available sizes, shapes and material, can be customized to compliment any backyard patio or deck.

When selecting an outdoor tabletop light fixture for your home, you must first question your own motive. These light fixtures can be decorative or utilitarian depending on your preference, so it is important to determine what your requisites are before selecting. For those who aren’t sure what they need exactly, a good idea might be to make a plan that provides for both ambient and task lighting. This means you can have some lights focusing upward and some downward in order to create a special ambiance that is both warm and inviting.

There are various outdoor lighting options, sure to fulfill the needs of any homeowner. Deck owners may enjoy fixtures they can mount on their deck and deck rails to illuminate the area, while others may prefer wall sconces or decorative chandeliers for that warm glow in addition to looking stylish. If you believe something portable would better suit your needs, both floor and tabletop style lamps are available that may be conveniently placed wherever you choose. I own the Kenroy Home Marianas Outdoor Table Lamp, and am very pleased with the way it compliments the rest of my outdoor décor.

Outdoor tabletop lighting is practical and appealing, and can prove to be a great alternative to the outdoor fireplace. These outdoor lighting fixtures can transform any outdoor space into a cozy area to unwind at the end of a long day, or to spend time with your friends and family.

400 People Dead and Counting From Bad UK BBQ Food

Former French President Jacques Chirac once joked about the food in the UK, saying, "one cannot trust people whose cuisine is so bad". For a time, the cooking incompetencies of the British were merely punchlines, but authorities are now warning that their culinary carelessness can prove deadly. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the summer BBQ in England is largely to blame for poorly stored and cooked meat, leading to the biggest rise in salmonella and campylobacter cases in six years. The FSA goes on to say, 9 out of 10 Britons don't know how to store raw meat in preparation for cooking, others don't know how to cook it and two-thirds don't wash their hands after handling meat and fish. As a result, the UK has averaged over 120,000 reported cases of food poisoning, 400 of which result in death each year. Yes, death.

The ability of the Britons to turn the humble barbecue grill into a killing machine has prompted UK authorities to launch a national awareness campaign. The FSA has launched a 1950s-style horror movie poster campaign featuring killer bugs and a cartoon eyeball. Posters include "It Came From the Chopping Board", "Curse of the Uncooked" and "Terror Stalks the Fridge". Sound a little silly? Consider this. If death by barbecue is not bad enough, another report shows people in the UK were healthier in medieval times than they are today! More Brits are dying today from cholesterol and weight-related diseases than they were a thousand years ago, when they had to deal with the pox, the plague, and the occasional black knight roaming the forest. So perhaps the silly, vintage horror-style awareness campaign will help Britons take more care in handling and preparing their food, and help put an end to the 400 preventable deaths Britons suffer each year from their barbecue blunders.

How To Prepare Oysters on the Grill

Tired of grilling up the same food at every barbecue? Free yourself from BBQ redundancy and test your proficiency with some barbecue oysters! Oysters can be cooked in their shells on your barbecue grill. The heat from the grill steams the oysters and pops the shells open, while poaching the oyster inside. They're easy to cook and make great appetizers!

Before you get started, make sure you have the following utensils to handle the hot oyster shells: oyster knife (or equivalent ), gloves, hot pads and/or tongs. Also, be sure to have a pot of melted butter and garlic, hot sauce, horseradish, lemons, ect. for you and your guests to enjoy.

To cook:

Step 1: Place the oysters on the barbecue. Be sure and place the oysters on the grill with the cupped-side down. (Also called the bottom shell).

Normally, the oysters will cook open on their own. Sometimes, however, they cook without opening up. Check the oyster by tapping them with your knife. If they sound hollow, they're probably ready. Go ahead and pry them open with your knife.

Warning: Oysters sometimes pop open violently as they cook, spitting out hot oyster liquid and bits of shell. To avoid injury, try to aim the fluted end of the oyster away from you, or just place a lid over the barbecue.

Step 2: When the oyster opens up, you can serve them in one of two ways:

1. Sever the remaining muscles that connect the meat to the shell, and slide the oyster into your pot of melted butter.

2. Remove the top shell, sever the bottom muscle, and leave the oyster in its bottom shell. At this point, we suggest spooning a little of the butter/garlic sauce onto the oyster.

The Perfect Way to End a Barbecue

Grilled fruit is an easy, healthy way to end a summer barbecue, and satisfy the taste buds of any guest. When selecting your pieces of fruit, it is important to choose ones that are on the firmer side of ripe, because if they're too soft, they will turn to mush when you cut them and not hold up well on the grill. Stone fruits, such as peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, and pluots, are best to use, especially since stone fruits are at their peak this time of year. Cut the fruit in half vertically, brush with olive oil, and grilled until desired, resulting in intensely flavored fruit with beautiful grill marks. For extra flavor, finely chop some fresh rosemary to add into the olive oil. Drizzle your delicious grilled fruit with balsamic vinegar to add some extra zing or serve with fresh cream, ricotta or mascarpone cheese, or ice cream. Or both! Remember, the possibilities are limited only to your creative imagination.

Top 10 Safety and Life Extending Tips for Your Chiminea

Originating back thousands of years ago by Mexican tribesman, chimineas were developed as a means of providing heat for their family, as well as an instrument for cooking and baking. The original chimineas, made of mud or river clay, were designed to keep the rain off the fire, and keep the family warm using a few sticks.

Today, however, chimineas have become an increasingly popular backyard and deck accessory. Unlike the chimineas of old, which were built for functionality, chimineas today are built mainly for aesthetic appeal, coming in many different styles and designs. Recently, I bought my brother-in-law a forty-two inch Chiminea for his back yard, which he absolutely loves.

Chimineas are a great addition to any backyard, deck or patio, but many owners are not educated on the proper ways to operate a chiminea safely, or how to maximize the life of their chiminea. Here are my picks of top 10 tips to help owners enjoy the benefits of their chiminea safely, and extend the life of their unit.


Tip 1: Before lighting large fires, it is important to season your chimenea. Build small, fires with a couple pieces of kindle for the first 5 to 10 fires. Be sure and let the fire burn out naturally.

Tip 2: Never burn pressure treated wood, they can emit toxic gas. A good rule of thumb is that if it has a greenish tint it may be pressure treated. If you are not sure, don’t burn it!

Tip 3: For clay Chimeneas NEVER use lighter fluid or any other type of flame enhancing material because it can absorb the liquid.

Tip 4: Although not necessary with some styles, it is important to weatherproof most Chimeneas, by applying any type of floor wax to the outer shell. This helps to seal some of the pores and hairline cracks that are not visible to the naked eye, and will prevent moisture from being absorbed and crack the shell. This only needs to be done once in the lifetime of the unit.

Tip 5: During the winter months, store the chimenea in the garage or any other warm, dry area to prevent cracking resulting from the cold and moisture.

Tip 6: Avoid burning damp wood, as it gives off an abundance of excess smoke.

Tip 7: Take care to see that there’s nothing directly above the chimenea that could catch fire.

Tip 8: For wooden deck owners, be sure to place a non-combustible pad underneath the chimenea, to prevent any chances of your deck catching fire.

Tip 9: It is important not to lift the chimenea from the neck, as there’s a risk of it separating from the base.

Tip 10: When using the chiminea, it is best to keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Grilling Etiquette 101

The basics of ‘how to grill’ prevail as universal, but when it comes to the rights and wrongs of hosting and attending cookouts, everyone has their opinion. For instance, when asked to attend a barbecue is it always standard to bring your own meat? If you are hosting the party should you invite your neighbors? And, how important is it to supply vegetarian options for non-meat eating guests? To ensure a blunder-free outdoor cookout, follow these dos and don’ts revealed from a national poll of Americans fielded by the Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association.

When invited to a barbecue:
• 49% of barbecue attendees say its acceptable to bring your own sauce.
• Expect the meat to be provided by the host, but pull your weight by bringing
some side dishes and beverages, enough to share with every else attending.
• 61% of those surveyed say only the host or hostess should ‘man’ the grill. As a guest you can look, but don’t touch.

As the host of a barbecue:
• 83% of those surveyed said the host should have all grilled food ready at relatively the same time.
• 66% said the host needs to offer a grilled vegetarian option.
• 33% said you shouldn't feel obligated to invite your neighbors even if they can see and smell your barbecue.

In general, when grilling with others:
• It's ok to start eating your food if your meat is finished before everyone else’s.
• It's ok to stake your claim at a community grill by laying out your grilling utensils or meat.
• Be considerate of others – it is only appropriate to flip your own meat and the
meat of others when manning a grill.

Keeping It Green at Your Next Barbecue

Rick Browne has put together some simple tips for “going green” at your next barbecue. Browne lives in Washington State and is the author of five books on barbecuing. He is also the creator and host of the public television series "Barbecue America.” Here are his top five tips:

1. Don’t Use Charcoal to Grill – Charcoal briquettes are loaded with petrochemicals and therefore product a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide. Propane and natural gas grills are much more efficient. If you do have a charcoal grill, try an organic brand of briquettes that have no nitrates or petroleum distillates and burn clean.

2. Don’t use liquid charcoal starters. These also have harsh petrochemicals and can contribute to global warming, Rick suggests saving cotton sheet and towel lint from your clothes dryer and using that to start your grill.

3. Try using an organic biodegradable product to clean the barbecue grill and food preparation areas in the kitchen. You can find ones that are phosphate free and work well to remove grease and dirt.

4. Grill with a slow burn instead of intense quick heat. It's better to cook slowly and at a low temperature. You’ll save energy and produce a better quality product.

5. Carry reusable totes for shopping at grocery stores and farmers markets, and skip plastic bags that can take up to 1,000 years to break down in landfills. Using a cloth shopping bag can save up to 300 plastic bags over a year's time.

More helpful suggestions can be found at the full article by clicking here.

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