Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: Outdoor Activities

  • Have a Memorable Fourth of July

    Have a blast this July 4th using the following recipes, backyard décor ideas, and fun outdoor activities.  

     Fourth of July Recipes 

    • These delicious July 4th picnic recipes will result in an all-star gathering.    
    • Stir this Provencal pesto into a bowl of boiled potatoes or pasta salad with shredded chicken.  
    • Mix a refreshing pear vinaigrette with this grilled vegetable and mozzarella ensalada. 
    • These open-face pesto-chicken mozzarella melts will be a huge hit at any gathering. Serve these grilled chicken burgers on a slice of ciabatta bread with a few fresh basil leaves for one incredible meal.  
    • Serve flavor-packed black bean chipotle burgers that will make everyone’s tastebuds dance with joy.  
    • Easy to grab, delicious to eat, these hamburger sliders with cranberry chutney are perfect for any backyard gathering.  
    • Bake one white and one red velvet cake. After they have cooled, cut each cake into about 1-inch slices and stack them alternating each layer, so it looks like the stripes on the American flag. Add blue food coloring to icing before spreading it on top, and then for the final touch, add white star sprinkles.  
    • End the day with a fresh and berry-topped, berry delicious flag cake.  
    • Bake an Independence Day cookie pizza! Press and flatten cookie dough into a 14-inch pizza pan and bake it until golden. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, and then scatter mini marshmallows across the top. Then sprinkle the top with red and blue candy-coated chocolates. Easy and delicious.  
    • This patriotic berry flag tart is just as tasty as it looks.  
    • Make American flag pretzel sticks by dipping a pretzel into melted white chocolate about 5 inches. After it has cooled, dip the same end of the pretzel into melted blue chocolate about 1 inch and place white start sprinkles on the blue portion before it dries. Fill a piping bag with red icing and drizzle it back and forth across the white chocolate to create the stripes.  

    • Get your patriotic party on with incredible 4th of July drinks.  
    • Enjoy these refreshing summer cocktails that are exactly what your guests will enjoy at the end of a hot day.  

     

    Backyard Preparation and July 4th Décor 

    • Check out creative benches and built-in seating solutions for your deck or patio that are practical and look great.  
    • Learn how to build a freestanding deck to enhance your home’s exterior and host memorable outdoor gatherings.   
    • Summer is in full swing; here are a few outdoor patio ideas that will help you enjoy your July 4th gathering and all future outdoor parties.    
    • Red, white, and blue, these Fourth of July crafts are for you.  
    • These DIY planter rockets will be a blast to create and will make your yard look fabulous.    

     

    Outdoor Activities for the 4th of July 

    • Get your game on and discover some family fun with fourth of July games for kids.  
    • Make a photo booth in your backyard! Use construction paper to cut out patriotic themed props such as red hats and blue bowties. Take silly photos and share them with loved ones.   
    • Discover endless entertainment with these games you’ll be playing all summer long.  
    • Build a rocket out of cardboard boxes so the young ones can fly high. Take a large cardboard box, cut out ½ of one side, and place it upright so the opening serves as a window. Cut out two wings and tape one to each side. For the top of the rocket, cut out a triangle and attach it to the top. If you want to take it another level, you can paint the outside or wrap it in fun wrapping paper. Glue painted bottle caps on to look like buttons and use a paper plate as a wheel. Blast off!  

    • These fun outdoor yard games are great family entertainment and will be a hit at parties.  
    • Set up a kid’s craft table. Use toilet paper or paper towel tubes to make little rockets! You and the kids can paint the cardboard red, white, and blue and then glue ribbons or tassels onto one end. Paint little stars on the outside to give it a boost! For the top of the rocket, make a cone shape out of paper to glue it to the top. 

  • How to Host the Perfect Winter Outdoor Gathering – BHGRE Season of Sharing

    Recently, being out and about has been more challenging. It’s time to adapt and host smaller outdoor gatherings. Just because it has gotten colder doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the great outdoors. Below are tips on how to make your backyard cozy and inviting this winter. There are also several delicious recipes that will warm up your soul. 

    How to prepare your backyard for an outdoor gathering 

    • Place lanterns, lamps and string lights to add sparkle. This is an easy way to improve the ambiance any time of the year.  
    • Fill a basket with blankets and pillows so everyone can get nice and toasty. You can also look into portable outdoor heaters or fire pits to keep your toes warm.  
    • Invest in electric warming blankets! They are great for those chilly winter nights and will keep you snug as a bug. 
    • Try out these holiday outdoor décor ideas for a beautiful and cozy winter.  
    • Make a magical winter landscape with 10 winter garden delight ideas.  
    • Spruce up your furniture. If you don’t want to buy new outdoor furniture, simply update what you have. Take an old side table or stump and place a blanket over it. Try using a warm pattern to make it look inviting.   
    • Add drama or privacy. If you have a covered patio, consider using outdoor fabric to hang as drapes. They can boost privacy and keep the wind or cold chill out.  

     

    • Build a fire pit so you can have a nice and toasty winter. You will need gravel, a shovel, concrete landscaping stones, a metal fire pit ring, masonry adhesive, and a rubber mallet. Before you start building, check the recreational fire codes in your area to make sure it’s allowed. You’ll want to build your fire pit at least 10-12 feet from any building structures, trees or fences. The first step is to pick the perfect spot and outline with spray paint where you want it to be. Grab your shovel and dig out the circle about 7 inches deep. Then pour the gravel into the hole until it’s level with the ground, which allows for proper drainage. If you’re using a metal ring place it in the center before you start placing your stones around the edge of the gravel circle. Use your rubber mallet to make them all level. Stagger the placement of the second row. When placing the second ring of stones use the adhesive on the bottom of each or if you prefer you can use cement to adhere the stones together. Repeat again for a third row. After its dry, grab some outdoor pillows and place them around the fire pit.  
    • Here are several fabulous outdoor fireplace designs or check out another great way to create your own fire pit.  

    Great drinks to serve at an outdoor party

    • Warm up with these winter drink recipes.  
    • A perfect drink to serve during winter is the classic Hot Toddy. All you need is ¾ cup of warm water, 1 ½ ounce of whiskey, 3 teaspoons of honey, 3 teaspoons of lemon juice, and top it all off with a cinnamon stick and lemon wedge. You can also substitute the whiskey for rum or brandy.  
    • The seasonal spice blend of cinnamon, allspice, and cloves make this hot spiced cider recipe perfect for drinking in the great outdoors.   

    Warm up with these tasty appetizers, dishes, and sweets

    • These rustic winter vegetable tarts are savory and combine bacon, goat cheese, and squash for a warm appetizer. 
    • If you really want to have a cozy and comfy evening, go with the phenomenal combination of tomato soup and gooey grilled cheese. For an easy way to serve this outside, put the tomato bisque or soup in coffee mugs so it’s easy to serve and easy to consume.  
    • Check out this winter pear salad filled with pears, orange, kale, kumquats and more.  
    • Grow and serve your own varieties of winter squash and the good news is every type is edible.  
    • It’s not a winter gathering without mouthwatering s’mores. If you’re looking for a step up from the usual s’mores try incorporating granny smith apples. After you toast marshmallows until golden and add the chocolate, include a few slivers of granny smith apples. Then before you sandwich all the goodies together between graham crackers drizzle caramel over the apples. Here are 17 delicious ways to dress up a classic s’mores for ooey-gooey sweet snacks.