Sam Hickey, Author at Creekstone Outdoors

03 Aug

7 Backyard Barbecue Dishes to Try This Summer

Summer is the perfect time to get together with family and friends and enjoy a backyard barbecue. Don’t bore your guests with the same old brisket or grilled chicken recipe you cook up every time they come, instead, impress them by cooking up a new summer-fresh meal that will tempt their taste buds and get them begging for seconds. Try something new and expand your culinary wheelhouse for your next backyard barbecue. Share on X

Delicious Backyard Barbecue Ideas

There are so many amazing backyard barbecue recipes out there these days. Try grilling up one of these perfect summertime barbecue recipes on your new grill or outdoor kitchen.

1) Crazy for Kabobs

Everyone loves kabobs and it is easy to set up a “build your own kabob” station for your guests! Marinate steak, chicken, fish, or other proteins overnight to get them ready and flavorful. Have veggies available, like bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, zucchini chunks, baby potatoes, and corn for people to slide on their skewers and let you grill. Cook directly over heat for 10-15 minutes, or until done.

2) Honey Soy Grilled Pork Chops

Super easy and delicious are these grilled honey soy pork chops. Marinate eight pork chops overnight in a ½ cup of honey,1 cup low sodium soy sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, and some red pepper flakes for two hours. Heat grill and cook eight minutes per side. Let rest five minutes before serving.

3) Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken

Nobody wants boring chicken! Spice up the night with this scrumptious tequila lime chicken. Marinate eight chicken breasts for 2-8 hours in:

1 cup tequila
1 cup olive oil
Juice of 4 limes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
4 Tbsp agave nectar
1 bunch of cilantro

Cook chicken on grill over medium heat until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Remove and let rest for five minutes before serving.

4) Stuffed Burgers

Surprise your guests by stuffing their burgers! Add an ounce or so of cheese, chopped jalapenos, bacon, or whatever else you can think of into your burgers to make them juicy and mouthwatering. Make sure to seal your goodies in well so they don’t seep out the sides of the burger and spoil the surprise!

5) Grilled Pizza

Grilled pizza is amazing to serve at your next backyard barbecue! Just roll out your dough (homemade or store-bought), drizzle it with olive oil and salt and grill for two minutes. Add your favorite toppings and continue to cook until it is done (another two to five minutes). There is nothing better than spending time with loved ones and enjoying a grilled pizza.

6) Veggies Galore

Your grill isn’t there just for cooking meats. Vegetables taste amazing when grilled to perfection in your outdoor kitchen or over your charcoal grill. Mushrooms, corn, zucchini, asparagus, and peppers are just a few examples of vegetables that go great on the grill. Coat them with oil, salt, and pepper (or marinate them overnight), and cook until tender-crisp.

7) Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa

Fish tastes great on the grill! Grill your fish over medium heat until done (most fish needs to be cooked 10 minutes per inch of thickness), and serve with a summer pineapple salsa. Mix together 2 cups fresh cubed pineapple, 2 green onions, ¼ cup chopped green pepper, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, 4 teaspoons lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve over your fish (it also tastes yummy on tortilla chips, too).

Backyard Barbecue Dishes to Try This Summer

Don’t hesitate! Now that you have so many options for dinner, go ahead and call your friends and get that backyard barbecue scheduled! And to make those vittles taste even more spectacular, consider picking up a new Big Green Egg, Lynx, or Fire Magic Grill, today!

To learn more about the best backyard barbecue dishes to try this summer, Contact Us.

27 Jul

Relaxing Backyard Ideas For a Tranquil Space

Whether you have a small backyard or a spacious sprawling one, your backyard is meant to be a retreat from the hustle and bustle of every day. It is easy to make your backyard the perfect place to unwind, relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. Choosing the right outdoor elements can provide ambiance and privacy to transform your backyard into a tranquil oasis. Share on X

Relaxing Backyard Ideas

Start spending more time relaxing in your own private paradise with these six proven ways of creating a peaceful backyard:

1) Comfortable Seating

Getting comfortable seating is the first step in creating a relaxing backyard space. Couches, loungers, and oversized chairs set up under your covered patio or deck gives you a place to let you stretch out, relax and enjoy the fresh air. The more comfortable the seating, the more likely you are to spend time relaxing in your outdoor room.

2) Add a Spark for Tranquility

Fire always adds a relaxing ambiance to anyone’s yard. Having an outdoor fireplace or fire pit is sure to add warmth to your yard, making it a perfect place to sit and get comfy with your loved ones.

3) Just Add Water

A water feature in your yard instantly adds enjoyment to your outdoor living space. The sound of water has been found to have a soothing and calming effect on people. Consider adding a waterfall, bubblers, koi pond, or water fountain to your backyard to help shield your yard from the sounds of cars driving by or those noisy neighbors.

4) A landscape for an Escape

The right backyard landscaping will help set a mood in your backyard and help transport you to a relaxing oasis. Choose plants natural to your area that will thrive and grow with ease. Make sure to have a mix of trees, shrubs, and flowers that are adapted to your climate.

5) Secret Spaces

An integral part of creating a relaxing backyard is to have areas of privacy. A path to a secluded part of the yard with carefully placed plants or an arbor can prove the perfect place to relax with a book or a glass of wine on the weekends.

6) Mood Lighting

Outdoor lighting can set the mood and keep you relaxing in your backyard through the night hours. Lighting can be added through candles, floating pool globes, landscape lighting, or overhead lighting in your pergola or arbor.

Setting the Mood

With the above relaxing backyard ideas, you don’t have to travel far to find the perfect place to relax–just go outside. Create your own sanctuary by adding a few features like water, fire, and comfortable seating, to create the perfect place to sit, relax, and unwind.
To learn more ideas for creating a relaxing backyard, Contact Us.

20 Jul

Backyard Design Do’s and Don’ts

When thinking about backyard design, there are many things to consider. If you make the wrong decisions during the design process, changes could end up costing you more in the long run. Here are some of the top do’s and don’ts to consider when planning your backyard design.

Backyard Design Do’s

With the proper backyard design, your outdoor living space can become the perfect after-work retreat, a great play space for the kiddos, or an ideal place for entertaining. Here are the top things you do need for a successful backyard design:

Get A Solid Plan

Before you begin, get a solid plan in mind. Sketch out your ideas on paper and make sure to consider the size of your yard and what it will be used for. Take a moment to stand at the far back corner of your yard and imagine the design possibilities. Share on X Take notes and get ideas from websites, television shows, and magazines.

Use Native Plants

To help ease your upkeep, choose plants native to your area. This ensures your landscaping will hold up to the climate and weather changes. Native plants will be less maintenance, giving you more time to enjoy your backyard, rather than tending to it.

Landscape Lighting

The right landscape lighting can instantly add charm and character to your home. Lighting can accent your favorite areas of the yard, add security, and curb appeal. There are many options for outdoor lighting, such as LED lights, string lights, lanterns, and sconces.

Develop a Focal Point

Create a focal point in your yard with an element that stands out, such as a water fountain, outdoor kitchen, natural pond, or an outdoor fireplace. This makes sure your yard isn’t boring or simply a lawn of grass. Adding a focal point also helps cut down on yard maintenance, too.

Hire a Landscape Designer

The easiest way to stay away from the pitfalls of backyard design is to hire a landscape professional to help with the planning and installation. A landscape designer will know what plants work best and where, and will save you a lot of hassle and hard work.

Backyard Don’ts

There are some backyard don’ts that need to taken seriously or they could pose problems in the future. Here are the top don’ts you need to remember when planning your backyard design:

Plant Invasive Species

Some plants like to spread and grow and take over. They might look pretty, but you don’t want an invasive plant species in your backyard. Make sure to ask a landscape professional about which plants will cause issues in the long-term.

Forget the Hardscape

Don’t forget to add hardscape! Hardscape adds character and keeps your yard from being a bore. A pergola with flowering vines, or an outdoor kitchen, or a covered patio are the perfect additions to your backyard design!

Plant Basic Beds

Don’t go for basic beds with a hedge. Add color and depth by planting a variety of plants of different sizes. Mix and match colors and objects to create a one of a kind look that is sure to dazzle your neighbors and add curb appeal.

Plant Trees Too Close

Be careful about planting trees too close to the house, walkways, or hardscapes. Make sure to do research on any trees you plan to plant to see how much space they need when fully grown.

Do’s & Don’ts of Backyard Design

Backyard design can make your backyard the perfect place for relaxing, entertaining, and hang out with loved ones if you choose the right design options. Make sure to follow these do’s and don’ts when you are ready to create your perfect outdoor space.

To learn more about the do’s and don’ts of backyard design, Contact Us.

13 Jul

Covered Patio Designs For An Impressive Backyard

Your backyard is a large part of your home and it should be enjoyed just as much as your indoor space. Enhance your backyard living space with style and functionality with a custom covered patio design. A covered patio provides shade, beauty, and function to your backyard design. Share on X

Covered Patio Designs

There are so many options for creating a backyard with a covered patio. Whether you use your patio for entertaining, relaxing, or cooking dinner, you can create the ideal ambiance with these top tips for getting your covered patio design to help create an impressive backyard.

All About Style

When it comes to creating a stylish and impressive backyard with a covered patio, it’s all about style! Consider the following various styles and choose one depending on your covered patio needs and the character you are hoping to achieve in your outdoor living space.

Tuscan–with warm colors, natural stones, and bold flowers and vines.
Old World–Cast iron, stones, and rustic furniture create the perfect Old World look.
Zen–Create the perfect place of solace and relaxation with simple lines and designs, and elements of earth, fire, and water.
Modern–Use bright colors, bold prints, and simple lines to create a modern covered patio space.

Covered Patio with Fireplace

A covered patio with an outdoor fireplace is a quick way to make your backyard more impressive. Adding a fireplace to your covered patio area is the perfect way to make your patio feel more private and inviting, and creates the perfect place to sit, relax, and converse with friends and loved ones.

The Perfect Pergola

If you are looking to keep your patio more open and airy, a pergola is a perfect option. A pergola will offer the shade and privacy you are looking for, and also add charm and character to your backyard. A pergola costs less than a patio cover and there are many different styles, colors, and materials to choose from.

Covered Patio with Kitchen

If you love entertaining or grilling outside, a covered patio with an outdoor kitchen will certainly make for an impressive backyard! A covered patio with an outdoor kitchen is certain to become the center point of your outside space. A customized outdoor kitchen allows you to make a one-of-a-kind place for entertaining and spending quality time with your family and friends.

A Sunny Room for Sitting

Go a step further and make your patio into a sunroom! A sunroom is typically fully enclosed, protecting you from the elements, but allowing natural sunlight into your home. A sunroom is functional and can be used as a family living room, reading lounge, an extra dining area, or even a sunny office space.

Create an Impressive Backyard with Covered Patio Designs

A well-designed patio cover can turn your outdoor living space into an impressive space that will be the envy of all your friends. Not only does a covered patio design help provide more living space, it lets you use your outside space during any type of weather, and it also boosts home value, too!

To learn more about how to create an impressive backyard with covered patio designs, Contact Us.

06 Jul

5 Upscale Additions for Luxury Outdoor Living

Do you love the look and feel of the inside of your house, but your backyard feels boring and bland? Many of us spend a lot of time and money in fixing up and decorating the interior, but there is no need to neglect your outdoor living space! There are plenty of ways to transform your yard into a luxury outdoor oasis perfect for relaxing or outdoor entertaining. Share on X

Luxury Outdoor Living

From stunning patios to the perfect pool house, there are multiple ways to take your backyard from lacking to luxurious. With these five upscale additions, your backyard will quickly become your favorite place to spend time, and it will boost the value of your home, as well.

1) Outdoor Kitchens

Adding an outdoor kitchen instantly adds luxury to your outside space, and gives you the perfect excuse to entertain friends and family. Not only does an outdoor kitchen give your yard an instant upscale look, but it adds value to your home when it comes time to sell.

2) Add an Arbor

There is nothing more luxurious than adding an arbor or pergola to your outdoor space. Pergolas and arbors add charm and character and provide much-needed shade for the hot summer months. They also provide the perfect place to grow flowering vines and plants to add some color to your yard.

3) Fire Pits and Fireplaces

Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are perfect for adding warmth and ambiance to your outdoor living area. Whether freestanding or built into your patio, the fire will become a focal point for get-togethers and allow people to enjoy your luxurious backyard all year long.

4) Pool House

You can add instant elegance to your backyard with a custom pool house. Choose to envelop your entire pool for shade and privacy, or build the ultimate guest house. A pool house can be designed to fit your home style, as well as add seating areas and ceiling fans for people to relax and cool off on a hot summer day.

5) Covered Patio

If you don’t have a pool for a pool house, but still want to upgrade your outdoor space for luxury, consider transforming your patio with a patio cover. Adding a covered patio not only makes your yard look elegant, but it also increases your home’s value.

Style & Lighting

The style you choose for your additions makes a difference in the overall feel of your backyard. Work with a custom outdoor design company and discuss your end goal for your outdoor living area. By working with professionals, you are sure to get the luxurious look you are looking for. Also, make sure to add some lighting features to your landscape and around hardscape areas to add ambiance and elegance.

Upscale Outdoor Additions for Luxury Living

Take your backyard to the next level of luxury outdoor living with the above addition ideas. As mentioned, they not only will help create the outdoor oasis you’ve always dreamed about but will boost the value of your home and also give you the perfect reason to celebrate with friends and family.

To learn more about which upscale additions will give your yard a luxurious feel, Contact Us.

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Author Archives: Sam Hickey