Redding, California, ranks number two in the nation for sunshine. Summer is long and lazy, with locals doing a lot of living in their back yards. Walking down the streets around dinner time makes a person want to get on home and break out the grill. With the smell of burgers and hot dogs on the coals, along with the voices of families enjoying their evening, Redding is a reminder of how good it is to live where the living is easy.
Here are a few tips to get you ready for some summer living.
Depending on how you stored your patio furniture when you packed it away last year, you may need to paint or replace some items. The average life expectancy for a table umbrella is no more than a couple of years, and the same goes for chair cushions. Replacing these things will give your deck or patio area a new face-lift, and you’ll have the opportunity to decorate with a whole new color scheme. Pier One in Redding stocks a large selection of cushions and umbrellas.
The home and garden stores are abuzz here in Redding. People are replenishing their supply of citronella candles, fuel for the tiki torches, and buying the coals or fueling up their tanks for the BBQ. Kiddie pools are being filled, and the old hand-crank ice cream maker is ready for the summer. Everyone is anticipating the fun evenings to come. Orchard Supply Hardware on Athens Avenue is a local favorite for nearly anything, including potted plants to give your outdoor space a tropical feel.
Add a wireless speaker system to your outdoor area — they’re inexpensive and easy to use. Choose music from your favorite station on your television, sound system in your home, or iPod, and program the speaker. After that, just plug it in and enjoy.
After cleaning, painting, or replacing the necessities, a few new yard games could add to your summer family fun. Ladder Toss is a great game for the entire family, from the youngest to the oldest, and requires little effort to set it up. If you have a grassy yard, badminton is a game for older children or adults, and of course there’s always horseshoes.
The only thing missing is the food and drinks. A plastic drink dispenser is great because you can serve any liquid from lemonade to just plain water, and everyone can help themselves. Pull out the plastic or dispensable drink glasses and relax. Stock up on paper plates or plastic dinnerware. Plastic dinnerware is best for cutting meat, but paper works just fine for burgers or hot dogs. For the best local meat in Redding, Kent’s Meats & Groceries on Airport Road is well known for their locally grown beef. R&R Quality Meats on East Street in downtown Redding also prides themselves on selling home-grown meat. There’s nothing like a big juicy steak that you know was raised on a local ranch. The fun is just around the corner, so do a little inventory and get ready. Summer is knocking on your door!
Image Source: Flickr/Sue Lowndes
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