Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

It is important to remember that Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have fought and died in our nation’s wars. While the last Monday in May is symbolized by many things – the placement of flowers on soldier’s graves, waving American flags and, of course, backyard barbeques – we would like to commemorate in celebration. 

So this Memorial Day, invite your friends and family to enjoy a festive gathering! Your custom System Pavers, built-in barbeque will be a hit this weekend… and if you don’t already have one, you still have time before the Fourth of July!!

In the meantime, turn on a little music and enjoy the holiday weekend!

Maybe even enjoy Red Sangria…

Ingredients:

• 1 orange
• 1 lime
• 1 lemon
• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 ½ cups rum
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• Club soda or ginger ale

Directions:

Add wine, rum, sugar and orange juice to a pitcher and stir. Thinly slice the orange, lime and lime into round slices and add to pitcher. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Or to serve right away, use chilled red wine or add ice. And as an option, top it off with club soda or ginger ale to taste.

Or for a virgin drink, try Lemon Strawberry Punch by bettycrocker.com…

Ingredients:

• 3 cans (6 oz each) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1 box (10 oz) frozen strawberries in light syrup, thawed and undrained
• 1 liter ginger ale

Directions:

In 4-quart container, stir lemonade concentrate and 9 cans water until well mixed. Then pour lemonade into the punch bowl. Stir in strawberries. And just before serving, add ginger ale and ice; gently stir.

Enjoy!

At System Pavers, our furry friends are important to us. Too many dogs and cats are left without a home, but the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society has provided food, shelter and medical care to homeless and rescued animals since 1924. That is why we teamed up with them to make the dogs and cats’ temporary home, a better place.

The 300 square feet of SP Turf we installed was for the “Meet & Greet” courtyard area, where potential pet owners can interact with the animals before going through the adoption process. The space is also a place where the dogs can get a little sunshine and exercise.

“Now, all the animals get outdoor time every day,” said Operations Manager and Board President Pat Brayer in a Daily News article.

We are proud to help, and hope our pet-friendly turf is making a difference. For more information on SP Turf, CLICK HERE. Or to learn more about the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, visit their Web site at www.sgvhumane.org

The San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, its new SP Turf “Meet & Greet” courtyard and its hopeful future of improvements made it in a Daily News, Los Angeles article. CLICK HERE to see the full article.

As you know from yesterday’s post, interior design can be a fun way to show off your personal style. Well exterior design can be just as fun and is just as important! How you feel about your home has a lot to do with how it looks. Front, back and side yard… get ready to be inspired with our creative tips and ideas to transform your outdoor living.

Exterior Design Tips & Ideas

Start with a Base – Transforming the ground you walk on will make an immense difference to the overall appearance.

• System Pavers’ has an endless array of paving stone colors, patterns and textures that can be used in an exclusive design. They will add beauty and value in a way you never imagined.
• Paving stones are superior to concrete and asphalt as they will not crack or break, even under the harshest conditions.

Achieve a Pristine Lawn – Keeping your lawn looking perfectly manicured can be time consuming and costly. That is why synthetic turf is the perfect solution!

• It looks and feels like the real thing, and is perfectly safe for children and pets.
• Eco-friendly, SP Turf will also save you money on your monthly water bill. And if you check with your city, you may be eligible for a rebate.

Grow a Garden – Lush trees, shrubs and colorful flowers really add beauty to a home. Or why not try growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs?

• Trees and shrubs add a healthy, flourishing feel to your yard. A tip to find plants that will thrive is to look for plants native to your area. Go to the garden section in the local home improvement store or find a local landscape and garden center.
• Flowers add a beautiful pop of color that you are sure to find appealing. If you choose to plant them on your own, perennials will last longer. Or if you don’t mind replanting, you may find lovely annuals suit your home best. And adding mulch or wood chips to the garden bed looks nice.
• Fruit trees are easy to maintain… And you will be glad when your favorite fruit is right in you own backyard. As for veggies, they may vary so consult your local garden center. And for tips on growing your own herb garden, see our May 11 post.

Garden Accessories – Adding a little décor to your garden can really create a little more style to your outdoor spaces.

• Wind chimes are a simple way to create a relaxing mood.
• Garden benches create more seating and can add a sense of style. Maybe you would enjoy a wooden bench, a boldly colored one or even a swinging bench. You can even add accent pillows to make them more comfortable. 
• Furniture cushions with fun colors and patterns will make your patio furniture stand out in the best way possible.

Barbeque Time – Equipping your back yard with the entertaining essentials will make your home an inviting place for friends and family.

• When it’s time to start up the grill, a state-of-the-art, built-in barbeque island is exactly what you’ll need.
• Fire pits are great for entertaining too. They emit a warm feeling of nostalgia and create the perfect ambiance for any occasion.

Illuminate Your Home – Lighting can create a sense of safety and security, but it also helps create a cozy atmosphere.

• Whether for an intimate meal or a huge event, SP Lighting will effortlessly set the mood.
• Good lighting will showcase you home even after the sun goes down. The lighting will look beautiful from the inside too as you gaze out the window.
• If you install energy efficient lighting, it can cut back on your monthly utility bill as well.

Make it Meaningful – Whether you choose to keep it simple or really add flare, make your outdoor design something meaningful that reflects your family’s style.