Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Outdoor Dining: An Elegant Experience



When the days get longer, and the weather gets warmer, everyone gets excited about getting outside.  The parks suddenly get crowded with people eager to soak in the beautiful day, and public gardens begin to look more like amusement parks as the spring flowers begin to bloom.  This afternoon, my daughters and I headed to tour our local gardens and enjoyed the tulips, azaleas, and dogwood trees.   I am eager to get back outside to soak up the rest of this gorgeous day, and why not? 

My theory is, when you have a day this perfect, why spend time inside?  So, the next thing on our schedule is dinner and  "Surprise!" "Girls, we will be dining outdoors!"  Forget restaurants and take out, when this time of year comes around, I save money on dining out, and instead, I dine in my own quaint and inviting space, outdoors. 

It's really the best kept secret for a "budget-friendly" dining experience.  Grab a few candles, and maybe some spring flowers from the yard, and "TADAAH!"  your own little backyard restaurant is in business.  Dust off the grill after checking out your local grocery store for the best deals in the meat department.  Pick up some fresh produce and create a colorful and healthy fruit salad.  Boil some noodles and toss them with some pesto sauce.  Then, open a bottlee of Pinot Grigio before sitting back and relaxing in your own backyard escape.

By creating an elegant atmosphere in your outdoor living space, you can have an intimate dining experience in your own backyard.


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