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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1986-04-16, Page 44PAGE 18 ore and more people are uta ra.ia� By JOHN FARINA Copley News Service Because of diffieult economic times xnore and more people are upgrading existing. tomes instead of moving to more expensive ones. More popular improvements include patios, upper decks, cantilevered decks over sloping terrain, water fountains, garden furniture and all the other outdoor amenities that make for gracious outdoor hiving. Decks and patios are great for outdoor eating events, dancing and parties. Randy Bates, owner of a landscape firm, says "business is the best it's ever been for us in the older home field. People can't af- ford the bucks for a new home." Money is definitely tight. Which means the home owner is More likely to build his own patio or deck with pro- fessional plans and a little advice. The cost of outdoor improvements. depends on how grandiose the project., whether a contractor does it all or the home owner helps or the home owner does the complete job. Plans for wood deck or concrete -based patio arrangements can be purchased from landscape designers and materials purchas- ed from lumber -yards and retail outlets. And it is not impossible for the home owner to completea modest outdoor living design over a period of several weekends with diligent, sustained effort, providing he or she has a sensible plan. The cost of such an effort might be kept under $1,OW But an ;ornate development with features .including lattice roofs, redwood decking, furniture, water fountain, shrubbery, trees, fencing requiring substantial materials and the talent and labor of professional land- scape andscape architects and craftsmen could cost in the range of $35,000. Concrete patios also vary in price, depen- ding on materials used and the size of the project; Total cost rests on several factors. Will it include landscaping, lights and other special features? Price depends, too, on materials used,redwood being more expen- sive than some other woods. Do-it-yourselfers can bring those costs down considerably, as much as 40 per cent of what a landscaping firm must charge for labor and expertise, says Charlie Turner, manager of a landscape firm. Residents who are thinking about deck projects on their own would do well to pur- chase plans from an architect or landscap- ing firm, says landscape firm manager Vi- vian Akers.. 1 Tools Equipment for NOME -FARM -CONTRACTOR EISanders a Saw lilting Equipment West Hole Augers Auto Tools mpaction Equipment IiConcrete and Masonry (Power Trowels Drills and Saws) t hoists and Jacks Bladders wn and Carden Equipment .dandling and Moving Equipment Plaster Sprayers 'Meana est out & sane for future referenci. Scaffolding Heaters Fastening Tools Saws f...Water Pumps IACenerators Drills and Rotary Hammer Drills Grinders and Sanders Miscellaneous Demolition Equipment Canoes floor Sanders V Pave/nent and Concrete Breakers 1 MANY OTHER ITEMS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION!! Two great locations lo sel''ve you better! NEED II? RENT IT.! `il+'Y7Yiii�"�y Of course, the home owner with an artistic eye, a knowledge of plants and a knack: for building might, p,.roduce an .outdoor living: er- rangement with a charming. effect at a trexnemdous savings. - There are two reasons home Owners think about creating outdoor living 'space — to make iife more comfortable and to enhance the value of the home, "a real asset when the time comes to sell," says Akers. Water is an increasingly papular accom- paniment to decks and patios, with the trend toward Jacuzzis and self-contained water- falls and fountains. For those desiring elaborate decks, they may choose to have thein contoured, rather than square, and built on several levels with step approaches rather than 'rising, pnly a i boni few inches oft the ground. For home owners who want to use water sparingly and grass sparsely, rock -soaping is the answer. ' Tom cullington, a landscape architect, • says the creation of outdoor living en- vironments is an art,each project to be tailored to the paricular physical re- quirements of the residence for the lent effect. "Much depends, too," he said, "on the home owner's personal taste, whether he wants a closed roof, one with a skylight, a glass -enclosed patio, lattice roof, fenced deck and so forth. "In any case, the deck should be designed to fit the hack. We just don't build a square. deck unless that's what the home owner wants." Furniture can be looked after inexpensively with good results Furniture may not need refinishing when it looks dull' and dingy. First. try a thorough cleaning with a household solvent such as mineral spirits or naphtha. Use plenty of dry, clean cloths to rub in the solvent and wipe off loosened soil. When no more soil appears, the surface is ready for an application of a good furniture polish. This treatment is often successful, and saves expensive refinishing. Barbecue Many varied recipes can be cooked on your gas barbecue CORNBREAD COFFEE CAKE , Prepared on the Gas Barbecue 1 cup sifted flour 2 Tbsp. sugar 3 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup cornmeal 1 egg 1 cup milk 3 Tbsp. cooking oil 1/2 cup strawberry jam or other flavoured jam 1 Tbsp. sugar the 2 In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, Tbsp. sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in cornmeal. Blend egg, milk and oil; add to dry ingredients. Beat just until smooth (do not overheat). Spread batter in cast iron fry- ing pan; spoon jam over batter. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 Tbsp. sugar. Cover and cook over moderate heat for 20-25 minutes. Remove cover for the last 10 minutes to dry out the surface. Spread top of cornbread with butter before serving. Serves 6 to 8. GARDEN VEGETABLE MEDLEY Prepared on the Gas Barbecue 1/21b. fresh snow peas 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced 10 tiny, whole radishes 2 Tbsp. oil or margarine 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 Tbsp. cider vinegar 1/2 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. lemon pepper 1 dash paprika gas barbecue to high for 5 minutes. Stirring constantly, saute onion 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add snow peas, cucumbers and radishes; saute 2 minutes. Pour sauce over cooked vegetables. Bring to a boil. Serve im- mediately. Serves 6. NOTE: This recipe may also be prepared in foil. Secure all ingredients tightly in heavy duty foil, dotting with margarine in- stead of oil. Place on medium setting on the gas barbecue for 10-15 minutes. Turn occasionally. WESTERN QUICK PECAN PIE Prepared on the Gas Barbecue 1-9 inch frozen unbaked pastry shell 3 eggs 1/a cup butter, soft 2 cups dark brown sugar 1/4 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla 3/4 to 1 cup pecans Remove pastry shell from freezer. Break eggs into a bowl, add melted butter, sugar, milk and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer or spoon until well combined. Add pecans. Pour into shell. Bake on low setting of the gas barbecue 35 to 40 minutes. Cool and serve. Top with slightly sweetened whipping cream. Serves 8-10. BANANA DELIGHT Prepared on the Gas Barbecue 1 banana 4 marshmallows 1 oz. dark chocolate, chopped Peel banana and cut in half lengthways. Cut marshmallows in halves with scissors. Place banana on a piece of aluminum foil, Ina small custard cup, combine vinegar, cover w sugar, salt, ginger, pepper and paprika; set Seal foil firmly and place on barbecue over -' d hes and snow peas. Snip hot coals for 10-15 minutes, or until banana ith marshmallows and chocolate., aside. Clean radishes tops and remove strings from pea pods. is tender and chocolate and marshmallow Remove grids from gas barbecue. Place melt. wok directly on coals. Bank coals around the NOTE: Not suitable for infra -red {y Si �P bat�becues.... : „ "v",. 2.�� "..�.,.{....,u,. .,�.,..,� .... ,.�. ��-.....�..� s►des�of-the�wok:�.,Plaee�.oil,��n=a�ok. � �tteheatw��,�k. •