Archive for August, 2010
10 Interesting Facts about the Sun
The sun is a powerful source of energy and has been used for centuries. In fact, its history goes as far back as 7th century BC, when magnifying glasses were used to concentrate the sun’s rays to start fires.
How much do you know about the sun? Here are some fun facts to get you started.
- The Sun makes up about 99.8% of the weight of our entire solar system.
- The Sun is about 4.5 billion years old and is expected to shine for another 5 billion years.
- The sun is also known as the “yellow dwarf star”.
- 75% of all the stars in the Universe are smaller and less massive than the Sun.
- The sun is about 92.96 million miles away and is the closest star to Earth.
- The sun’s temperature is about 27 million degrees Fahrenheit at its core (that equates to 15 million degrees Celsius).
- Energy from the sun comes in the forms of light and heat. Light from Sun takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth
- Only the Sun’s exterior shines bright, while its inside is entirely dark. If the outside of the sun were to disappear, so would the glow.
- Gravity holds the Sun together.
- In just one hour, the earth receives more energy from the sun than the whole world uses in an an entire year.
Outdora carries an extensive selection of solar products for your backyard and garden area. From solar fountains to bird baths to solar lighting, Outdora has a plethora of merchandise that will not only add aesthetic appeal to your outdoor living space but will reduce your dependency on electricity and will ultimately pay for itself in electric bill savings.
Bulb Planters for Year Long Color
There’s nothing quite like the slight glint of a snowdrop petal to bring a smile on a gloomy winters day. Freezing weather and possible snow can dismay many people, with their outdoor spaces becoming horticultural wastelands with no flower in sight. A particularly quiet time in the gardener’s year, the small glimmer of vibrant flowers signals the beginning of spring, and the onset of warmer weather. And with such a huge array of beautiful flower specimens emerging from seemingly lifeless bulbs, a bit of care and thought can result in seasonal color throughout the year.
Planters and pots are particularly useful for growing bulbs, largely because varieties can often be lost in garden borders unless used in huge quantities. An expanse of spring tulips or a sea of daffodils easily provides a stunning sight, but a few clumps of even the most vivid petals can quickly be overshadowed by other shrubs and perennials. Meanwhile, with pots easily movable, color can be taken to where it’s most needed. And by choosing varieties with differing flowering times, a single planter can provide beautiful blooms from season to season.
Outdora announces new Executive Chef, Norm Owens
Meet Norm Owens, Outdora’s new Executive Chef. As a graduate of the New England Culinary School, Norm’s diverse background includes working with award-winning celebrity chef Michael Mina and cooking at Napa Valley’s premier restaurant, Bottega. His years of experience have led him to a new venture as proprietor and head chef of the Hot Box Grill opening in Sonoma, California on Tuesday, August 17th.
At the grand opening of the Outdora Showroom in Sonoma, Norm treated party guests to his savory flank steak tacos grilled on one of Outdora’s very own Viking Grills. It was there that this relationship was fused. Enjoying the delicious dishes Norm Owens prepared on our high-end Viking barbeque grill was a match made in heaven.
Look for Outdora’s honorary Executive Chef Norm Owens at one of our upcoming events, and in the meantime, drop into the Hot Box Grill located at 18350 Sonoma Highway, and taste some truly delectable California cuisine.
EGGfest Chili – Compliments of Big Green Egg
This recipe was inspired by one of the original EGGheads, who was very instrumental in organizing the first EGGtoberfest. This version of the recipe is slightly elaborated. All you need is a bowl of this satisfying chili, some buttery cornbread and a few good friends to share it with to understand what the EGG is all about.
INGREDIENTS
6 ounces applewood-smoked bacon (about 7 slices)
2 cups diced yellow onions
2 cups diced celery
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 pounds ground chuck
1/4 cup Basic Barbecue Rub
1/4 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
Essential Tips for Fire Pit Safety
Having a fire pit is a wonderful way to add comfort in your backyard. But to make sure your cozy gathering place stays that way for the entire family, remember to practice a few basic safety tips.
Constructed of steel, masonry or reinforced concrete, fire pits come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Find one that suits your space and always be sure to install it away from buildings and overhanging tree branches or other greenery.
Although fire pits are built to sit up on legs or another type of support, you still need to ensure the area around the pit is made of flame resistant materials. A stone patio or concrete slab underneath will work best, although a level dirt surface is fine. If you’re installing the pit on a wood or composite deck, lay a decent sized patio slab between the two for protection.
Sparks are also an issue with open top fire pits. Place the seating a safe distance away from the pit and use a specially made screen if you’re burning wood that tends to spark, like cedar.
Brined Barbecued Pork Chops recipe from the Fig Café
We’ve shared several mouth-watering recipes in recent months from the girl and the fig® restaurant located in Sonoma and the sister establishment Estate, and now we’re excited to share a recipe for Brined Pork Chops from the Fig Café in Glen Ellen. Chef Bryan Jones is also General Manager at the Fig Café, and his experience cooking at restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Bavarian Alps of Germany contribute to the unique flavor and flair of dishes at the Fig Café. With a focus on French bistro fare and fresh local ingredients, you’re sure to find a dish to tempt your palate.
This recipe is best prepared on a backyard barbecue grill or smoker grill—browse a wide assortment of specialty options at Outdora.
Water Conservation for the Economical Gardener
Any gardener will know that water is vital for any flourishing oasis. Dry spells leave our plants wilting in the sunlight, blooms fading, leaves turning crisp and brown. And whilst there are many drought tolerant plants available, even they need a good drenching now and then. It is therefore not unusual that gardeners wanting to protect their beloved plants turn to watering to help strong and vibrant growth. But there are a few simple tricks that increase the efficiency of such methods, whilst also being as environmentally friendly as possible.
Watering Times
The time at which you water plants is vital to overall watering efficiency. Whilst many assume that you can water at any time of the day, factors such as heat and humidity vary the rates at which water can be absorbed. Watering at midday, when the sun is high in the sky, is therefore by far the worst time. Not only will large amounts of water be lost before it manages to percolate into the soil, but the suns rays can also potentially burn delicate plant leaves as droplets evaporate. For this reason watering is at its peak efficiency in the early morning or late evening. Meanwhile, if gardeners have sprinkler systems, leaving them on a timer overnight is ideal, thereby letting as much water as possible to soak into the soil.
Meanwhile care must also be taken to water plants in a healthy way. Continuous watering, little and often, is not advised as such a process results in plants developing a network of shallow roots at the surface. Whilst looking vibrant, these plants essentially become drought intolerant, meaning that watering becomes a constant necessity. Watering every few days and providing a good drenching is therefore advisable for gardeners wanting healthy specimens. As the water soaks through the soil it draws plant roots down with it, creating individuals which are healthy both above and below the surface.
It’s the Time of the Season
The end of the summer is nigh but, alas, another season is around the corner. While we are on the last stretch of summer and barbecue season is drawing to an end, it’s still not too late to purchase one of Outdora’s high-end barbecue grills and outdoor kitchen appliances. Outdora has recently expanded their refrigerator and barbecue sections of the store by adding KitchenAid and Summit lines to the mix. If you’re in Northern California, why not visit Outdora’s showroom in beautiful downtown Sonoma and witness, first hand, Outdora’s amazing selection of top of the line grills and smokers like Lynx, Twin Eagles, Viking, Big Green Egg, Fuego and Sole? Appliances from True Refrigeration and Perlick will make your outdoor kitchen complete and define your culinary experience.
Besides, just because the weather is about to shift, doesn’t mean that you have to cease those outdoor barbeques. Outdora’s fire pit store is currently adding new brands for their Fall selection. Bond Manufacturing’s unique and stylish selection of fire bowls, columns, fire pits and even a fire pit/fountain combo will highlight your patio space and induce a peaceful ambiance. And, California Outdoor Concepts offers classy and elegant fire pit tables like no other.
To make those Fall nights extra toasty and ensure your patio is warm enough to entertain, Outdora stocks a vast selection of patio heaters. Electric heaters, gas heaters, ceiling or wall-mounted heaters, standing heaters and table top heaters are all part of the Outdora array of outdoor heating devices.
Tracing the Roots of the Adirondack Chair
It’s an outdoor furniture icon with an intriguing past. Supremely comfortable with classic appeal, the Adirondack chair has changed only a little in over 100 years.
Originally designed by American Thomas Lee, the Adirondack chair was made for both indoor and outdoor use. In 1903 Lee was vacationing at his mountainside summer home in Westport, New York and decided that a new style of simple furniture was needed. Using only 11 flat planks, he constructed a collection of Adirondack chair prototypes. With a slanted back designed for the best balance on rough, mountainside terrain and handy, wide arm rests, all of the chairs made Lee’s family a little skeptical at first.
Once they sat down though, it was a different story.
Adirondack chairs, and more recent adaptations like gliders, rockers and benches, have a few trademarks. Besides the flat, slanted back with arched top, they boast a deep seat and tend to sit low to the ground. Newer styles include an angled ottoman for even more comfort and the Adirondack style has also become popular for porch swings.
Take Advantage of Outdora’s August Greenhouse Special: Buy One Get $400 Worth of Accessories Free
Owning a backyard greenhouse has several advantages. Along with growing a fresh, organic selection of fruits and vegetables, you can try your green thumb at ornamental plants and seed harvesting. Not to mention, you can also compost and nurture plants all year round, which can save you money, give you a hobby and reduce your impact on the environment. It can be a win-win situation, that is, if you have the right accessories to get you started.
Fortunately for you, Outdora has quite an offer for those wanting to start their greenhouse adventure. With the purchase of any Sunglo greenhouse, Outdora will be giving away $400 in free greenhouse accessories. This package includes a 25-gallon soil mixing tub, a drip watering kit, a customized solar shade cloth, a 400-watt High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide all-in-one light fixture made by Floralux, and a water resistant light timer.
Why is this a great deal? How can these accessories make your greenhouse more successful?
