Enjoy The Outdoors With TIKI

One of my very favorite things to do on warm nights is sit outside and enjoy the peace and quiet. I like to be able to read, and enjoy the nature sounds that come out at night. I've been a porch sitter since my last home. I'd put the kids to bed, and then sit outside on the adirondack chairs. Just me and the big sky above me.

Flip to the other side of our home, and I have bigger, better ideas for that. We're hoping to have a deck out back by the end of summer. I'd love it before that so we could enjoy it, but when there's no money in the coffers for something like that, you plan until it can happen.

The backyard will need an ambiance that encourages fun and enjoyment, which is why I reached out to TIKI Brand to see if they'd work with me to help make our outdoor experience just right. Thankfully they agreed, and I decided the porch is the first place to start. Obvious choice since that's the only thing completed!

Nearly three weeks ago, it started raining. Monday was the FIRST time in those three weeks that it didn't rain. The last time I experienced that amount of rain was when I was living in Washington. I don't mind the rain, and actually enjoy it, but it has caused more frustration than anything. Trying to enjoy a porch when it's cold and miserable out just isn't possible. Even my garden couldn't go in!

Finally this weekend, there was a small break, and the hubster and I were able to sit outside in the evening enjoying our books. We just bought a little bistro set, and I've been excited to spend some time reading quietly together. We've also found a table & chair set for our "one day" deck! Hopefully we'll be getting that in the next couple of months. Piece by piece I'm telling ya!

When you think of TIKI, you're probably like me. You think of the bamboo kind that stakes into the ground. Makes sense. I actually bought a couple of them when I was at the store about a month ago! What you might not realize is they're so much more than that!

They have a fun variety of torches for the table, stakes, and ones to sit on the floor/ground! And no, they're not all bamboo.

I've already decided how I want to decorate my porch for Memorial Weekend and 4th of July! TIKI has the Americana Bamboo torch which will be awesome with a couple in my garden. Then they have a variety of options with their candles. One is the Americana 3 pk, next is the American Flag bucket, and last is the mini 3 pk and they're red, white, and blue!

For now, I've got the two basic bamboo torches in the garden, and my bistro table set up with the Clean Burn™Tabletop Firepiece. Now, if you're wondering what Clean Burn™ is, let me explain. This is a fuel that is 85% plant based so it burns cleaner. That means less smoke and soot. Let me tell you, being that we have a yellow house with white trim, the last thing I need is to have a smokey look to our porch.

Do you ever see a product, and wonder what it will be like when you're actually using it? Will you truly like it and what it does or looks like? What I really like about the TIKI website is they show you what each piece looks like in regular lighting as well as in the dark!

Even with the cruddy weather, I've spent the last couple of nights out on the porch. Last night I hung out with my hubby, and tonight I participated in a Twitter party. Froze my butt off, but it was so relaxing.

I know with the weather we won't be having any outdoor parties soon, but I'm thankful that I have a porch we can enjoy once the sun comes out and warms us up! Until then, I'm going to keep warm, and enjoy our new patio furniture and TIKI torches!

Be sure to follow TIKI on their social channels: Facebook & Pinterest!

Are you planning any outdoor events this spring or summer?