Creating a Staycation Retreat in Your Own Backyard.In tough economic times, homeowners are planning at-home vacations ROSEVILLE, Minn. -- From rising airfares and gasoline prices, to the hassle and stress of travel itself, there are a number of factors driving the ideal vacation spot closer to home. In fact, many homeowners are opting to create a vacation spot in their own backyard. Dubbed a "staycation," this at-home retreat is characterized by finding rest, relaxation and the amenities of a vacation in the comfort of one's home. "Whether the reason is to save money or avoid the hassle of traveling, vacationing at home allows for enjoyable time off without unnecessary worry," said Michelle Sahlin, managing director, Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA PAMA Professional Aviation Maintenance Association PAMA Performing Arts Medicine Association PAMA Pulse-Address Multiple Access PAMA Power Aware Multiprocessor Architecture PAMA Pediatric, Adolescent, and Maternal AIDS branch (US NIH) ). "By planning ahead and creating an outdoor living room, homeowners don't need to travel around the world to get rest and relaxation." Vacations often lead to visions of sitting under a canopy or awning, drinking a glass of lemonade and enjoying beautiful scenery or landscape. Another vision is spending time with family, playing games and enjoying a few good meals. Whether vacationers opt for tranquility or activity, it can be achieved with a staycation. Just like a vacation, a staycation requires some preparation. Here are some items to consider prior to the time off: * Establish the official staycation timeline: To avoid falling into the daily routine around the house, create a start and end date to the staycation so it is a true vacation. * Brighten the landscape: A freshly mowed lawn and flowers in bloom brighten any backyard. Plant a variety of flowers, update the landscape and incorporate a waterfall, fountain or focal point focal point n. See focus. . * Create an outdoor living room or kitchen: Extending outdoor living is one of the latest trends. And there's no better time to have the new outdoor living room ready in time for enjoyable summer weather. By adding an awning or canopy over a deck or patio, the living space is versatile in a variety of weather conditions. A grill, cozy See COSE. furniture, speakers and ambient lighting Light that comes from all directions. Contrast with "directional lighting," which is made up of a light source with parallel light rays that do not diminish with distance. Also, contrast with "positional lighting," in which the rays are not parallel, but diminish in intensity from the can also compliment the area. * Stock up on games: From bocce ball Noun 1. bocce ball - wooden ball that is bowled in the Italian game of bocce bocci ball, boccie ball ball - round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games; "the ball travelled 90 mph on his serve"; "the mayor threw out the first ball"; "the ball and croquet croquet (krōkā`), lawn game in which the players hit wooden balls with wooden mallets through a series of 9 or 10 wire arches, or wickets. The first player to hit the posts placed at each end of the field wins. to badminton badminton (băd`mĭntən), game played by volleying a shuttlecock (called a "bird")—a small, cork hemisphere to which feathers are attached—over a net. Light, gut-strung rackets are used. and horseshoes, there are plenty of backyard games well-suited for family and friends. A game of cards or board games This is a list of board games. This page classifies board games according to the concerns which might be uppermost for someone organizing a gaming event or party. See the article on game classification for other alternatives, or see for a list of board game articles. also make for more low-key activities. * Find a good book: Grab a few good reads - a newly released book, a classic tale and a few favorite magazines. * Plan a luau: Just because a flight to Hawaii is out of the picture for now, it doesn't mean a luau can't take place. Grab all the essentials - leis, tiki torches, pineapple, mango, a roast and Hawaiian music. Preparing for the evening ahead of time allows for easy implementation and enjoyment during the staycation. * Plan a real vacation: After the staycation is complete, it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a to plan a real vacation, away from home. Determine ways to save and budget for a future getaway after enjoying the comforts of home. About PAMA The Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA), a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI IFAI Instituto Federal de Acceso a la Información Pública (Spanish: Federal Institute for Access to Public Information; Mexico) IFAI Industrial Fabric Association International ), is the only international trade association committed to the awning industry. PAMA membership is open to companies who are current members of IFAI and manufacture or sell awnings, as well as those who supply goods/services to the awning industry. PAMA maintains two Web sites - www.awninginfo.com, which focuses on association members and commercial awning use, and www.awningstoday.com, which educates consumers about awnings and awning benefits. |
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