Looking to bring your patio to the next level but you wonder what’s involved? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Outdoor cafe culture started in Europe and eventually took over even the smallest American towns. Now homeowners are picking up on the trend. Additions like outdoor rooms, patios, kitchens and sports bars are topping homeowners’

Top o’ the potato! With a little luck of the Irish, the weather will support this delicious plan for grilling and serving up some great baked potatoes and a ton of fun fixings. As they say, “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day” and what is more Irish than a potato? In 1800s Ireland, the

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler – Let the good times roll! – Everyone in New Orleans Midweek dinners can be a rush for many families. Adding a celebration to a school night is a tall order. But you can let those good times roll tonight with just a few simple additions. First, if the weather

Don’t say goodbye to the season just yet. Late summer can be the best time to get outside. American culture seems to treat Labor Day as the official end of summer. It isn’t, really, as the Summer season ends at sunset on Sept. 20. While it’s common to treat the beginning of the school semester

In 1894, Labor Day became a US federal holiday. It was created to celebrate the craftsmen of the early labor movement and their contribution to this nation. Now, Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year for the kids. Let’s honor the roots of the holiday by looking

The 2016 Rio Olympics are in full swing. We love to watch the Games’ thrilling events and see the amazing achievements of our US team. But being stone experts, the Olympic Games also reminds us of something else we love – Greek architecture! The ancient culture’s mark can be seen not only in our government

Crack open an outdoor living magazine and you’ll see spreads of beautiful backyards, designed in harmony with nature and dotted with rambling garden paths leading to decorative pergolas.  Flowering annuals and grape vines perfectly shade breathtaking outdoor living patios. Lovely, for sure. But as the phrase goes “home is where the hearth is.” It isn’t

Step up your fiesta with an authentic flair Cinco de Mayo is commonly thought of as the holiday to celebrate Mexican independence, but it is actually a celebration of all things Mexican, based on the day Mexican army forces fought back French invaders in a tiny little town called Puebla de los Angeles in 1862.

It’s been a long road. They haven’t always walked a straight path but they made it. They are finishing one goal and beginning the steps toward another. Now it’s time to honor their accomplishments. It’s time to place the stepping stone and mark the start of their new lives. Planning to celebrate a milestone moment

Fall may just be starting but, depending on your region, there could be plenty of time left to plan for outdoor activities including pumpkin painting and carving, bonfires with s’mores and hayrides with warm (or cold)  apple cider. An outdoor kitchen is the ideal setting for your party, offering the accoutrements of your indoor kitchen