White Bear Lake: Your Patio Season Hot List

Gardening in Central Texas often focuses on the vibrant blooms and robust growth from early spring through late fall. However, the winter months frequently leave gardens looking bare and stark. With careful planning and preparation, it is possible to maintain a dynamic and engaging landscape year-round, including during the colder season. Key to achieving a four-season garden is a balanced integration of both evergreen and perennial plants. Evergreens are crucial for winter interest, and their selection should extend beyond traditional green foliage. Incorporating plants with burgundy, gray, or variegated leaves, such as fuzzy grey Jerusalem sage, waxy hunter green holly, or Twist of Lime abelia shrubs, provides continuous contrast and varied textures. Sculptural plants also contribute significantly to winter drama. Agaves, yuccas, and various grasses offer bold focal points. Examples like sculptural Agave Parryi, bright edge yucca, and big muhly grass can command attention. Trees such as Crape Myrtles and native persimmons showcase interesting trunks and bark patterns, while Japanese maples offer vibrant colors and distinctive branching year-round. Japanese flowering quince, with its gnarly, thorny branches, stands out in winter, blooming before developing delicate leaves in spring. Pruning most dormant plants should be delayed until spring. Allowing branches, leaves, and seed heads to remain offers attractive contrasts in winter, transforming from verdant green to hues of wheat and gray. Uncut grasses, including feathergrass, gulf muhly, and miscanthus, provide texture, movement, and a soothing rustle. The diverse shapes of seedpods add further visual interest and dynamism. Retaining dormant plants is also vital for supporting wildlife, offering shelter and food sources like nuts, berries, foliage, fruits, sap, and seeds for birds, bunnies, and other animals. Bees, butterflies, frogs, and toads often overwinter under dormant ground cover and leaves. Plants like yaupon, Possumhaw holly, and American beautyberry offer striking red and fuchsia berries, respectively, during winter. Other beneficial plantings include coral berry, juniper, sumac, wax myrtle, viburnum, native Texas persimmon, and fruit trees, all of which provide both aesthetic appeal and wildlife sustenance. Frostweed, a hardy plant that thrives in partial or full shade, provides an interesting spectacle after the first freeze when its stems burst to create magical ice sculptures. Even during winter, consistent watering is essential as roots continue to grow, building strength for the upcoming spring season. Beyond plant selection, garden art and pottery can introduce color and form into the winter landscape. Bold ceramic pots, either as single focal points or grouped, can add texture and visual interest even without plants. Water features contribute auditory appeal and serve as crucial water sources for wildlife. Sculptures, driftwood, and strategically placed seating arrangements can further enhance the garden's appeal when perennial growth is minimal. Fall is an opportune time to assess the garden and implement these changes to ensure a delightful and engaging winter landscape, even as warm-weather plants recede and the subtle grays of winter dominate. #WinterGarden #LandscapeDesign #CentralTexasGardening #EvergreenPlants #WildlifeHabitat #SeasonalInterest #GardenPlanning #PlantSelection #WinterWatering

Fire pits enhance outdoor ambiance, drawing people together for social gatherings and creating a cozy atmosphere for backyard entertaining. This review focuses on selecting the best fire pits available, considering various factors like fuel type, size, portability, and design. The testing process involved evaluating eight different fire pits, seven wood/charcoal/pellet-fueled and one gas-fueled, along with insights from an industry expert from the Valencia Hotel Group. The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit is recognized as the best overall fire pit. It is a clean-burning, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-assemble stainless steel tube design, comfortably accommodating four to six people. While it weighs 23 pounds, its portability is enhanced by an included carrying bag. The Bonfire 2.0 features a smokeless design that utilizes a secondary burn, significantly reducing smoke and odors, leaving fine white ash for easy cleanup via a removable ash pan. Accessories like a pellet adapter, stand, and lid are available to enhance its functionality and protection. Solo Stove offers other models (Ranger, Yukon, Canyon) with similar designs and accessories, though all sit relatively low, necessitating a stand. For cooking enthusiasts, the Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit is the top recommendation. This 62-pound model, constructed from Corten and stainless steel, develops a distinctive patina over time. It employs a convection design for a secondary burn, though this is most effective with tall flames. Breeo offers a wide array of cooking accessories, including flat tops, grates, hangers, Dutch ovens, and a pizza oven, transforming the fire pit into a versatile outdoor cooking station. These accessories are sold separately or in bundles. The Outland Living 24" Mega Fire Pit is highlighted as the best gas fire pit, offering a significant heat output of 58,000 BTU, providing warmth up to 4 feet away with virtually no smoke. It sets up quickly by connecting to a standard propane tank, with a 10-foot hose allowing for discrete tank placement. While efficient and easy to control with a simple dial, its utilitarian appearance is noted as a minor drawback. The Blue Sky Outdoor Living The Peak Smokeless Fire Pit offers excellent value. Made of durable, powder-coated steel, it withstands weather and maintains its appearance. While generally smokeless, it may produce smoke during startup or if the fire becomes too large. It provides a heat radius of 4-5 feet and is relatively easy to move. The removable wood grate and ash tray simplify cleaning. Its performance, durability, and competitive price make it a strong value choice. The Solo Stove Mesa XL Tabletop Fire Pit is praised for its portability and suitability as a centerpiece for small gatherings. This smaller version of the Bonfire, measuring approximately 5x7 inches and weighing 1.4 pounds, also features a smokeless convection design and comes with a stand. It is ideal for s'mores and provides heat up to 3 feet, though performance can vary in windy conditions. Its main limitations include the lack of ash management (though easy to empty) and no quick method for extinguishing the fire, requiring it to cool naturally before transport. For larger gatherings, the Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 is recommended. This substantial fire pit, measuring 27x20 inches and weighing 42 pounds, accommodates six to eight people comfortably with a heat radius of 6-8 feet. It incorporates the same convection and secondary burn technology as other Solo Stove models and features a lift-out ash system. However, its exterior can become very hot. For camping, the BioLite FirePit+ stands out. This steel fire pit with mesh sides features a unique, high-tech smoke reduction system with a rechargeable fan that monitors and adjusts airflow via Bluetooth. Weighing almost 20 pounds, it is suitable for car camping or RV use, with foldable legs for compact storage. It also functions as a cooktop with an included grill grate. Issues with leg folding were noted in testing. Lastly, the Tiki Smokeless Fire Pit is recognized for its heat and style. This contemporary, stand-mounted unit uses a convection-based smokeless design and can burn standard firewood or pellets (with an insert). While pellets can burn too hot initially, it provides a pleasant heat radius of about four feet for medium-sized fires. A key feature is the slide-out ash collection tray for easy disposal. A spark screen and weather-resistant cover are available separately. Key factors to consider when choosing a fire pit include size, ensuring sufficient space and distance from flammable structures (typically 10-25 feet), and the type of outdoor surface it will be placed on (fire-resistant materials like sand, gravel, or concrete are preferred). Fuel source is another critical decision: gas fire pits are cleaner and easier to control but offer less visual appeal, while wood-burning pits provide a primal campfire feel but require more maintenance and adherence to local regulations. Wood-burning pits generally produce more heat than gas ones. When using a fire pit, safety is paramount, ensuring it is never used under a roof or overhanging trees. Cooking is possible with most fire pits, but specific designs and accessories are needed, and regular cleaning is essential. #FirePits #OutdoorLiving #HomeImprovement #PatioFurniture #OutdoorCooking #SmokelessFirePits #BackyardDesign #CampingGear #ProductReview

This guide highlights the best patio happy hour spots in Western New York for the summer season, providing details on specific deals and locations. The article acknowledges that happy hour specials are subject to change and advises patrons to call ahead to confirm details directly with the establishments. It also offers a way for businesses to submit changes to their specials and for readers to report discrepancies, ensuring the information remains as current as possible. Casa Azul, located at 191 Allen St, Buffalo, offers happy hour specials from Monday to Wednesday, 4 PM to 7 PM. Their weekly promotions include Margarita Monday with $7 margaritas, Taco Tuesday featuring $2 off tacos, and BOGO Wednesday, where patrons can buy one and get one free on margaritas, palomas, and mules. Hartman’s Distilling, situated at 55 Chicago St, Buffalo, was recognized as the Best of 716 Happy Hour in 2023. This establishment provides daily happy hour drink specials from 3 PM to 7 PM, catering to those looking for a consistent happy hour experience throughout the week. Santora’s Pizza Pub & Grill has two locations featured: 7800 Transit Rd., Williamsville, and 1 Walden Galleria, Cheektowaga. Both locations offer happy hour every day from 4 PM to 7 PM. A notable aspect of their happy hour is the availability of seasonal cocktails priced at $10 during this period. El Punto Mexican Cantina at 58 Webster St., North Tonawanda, presents a varied happy hour schedule. From Tuesday to Friday, between 4 PM and 6 PM, they offer $5 margaritas and draft beers. On Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 PM to 4 PM, they feature drink specials and a $7 appetizer menu. Additionally, El Punto provides a late-night happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 PM to 10 PM, which includes 2-for-1 margaritas and draft beers, alongside the $7 appetizer menu. Soho, located at 65 Vandalia St., Buffalo, distinguishes its happy hour with specific offerings on Thursdays. Happy hour runs from 4 PM to 9 PM, complemented by live hibachi on the patio from 9 PM until closing. This provides both drink specials and entertainment for patrons. The guide emphasizes the importance of verifying these specials due to their dynamic nature. #PatioHappyHour #SummerDrinks #BuffaloDining #WNYFoodie #DrinkSpecials #OutdoorDining #HappyHourGuide