Coffee on the Patio

There is not a time of year that I don’t enjoy a good cup of coffee on the patio. Whether it’s a mid-winter morning cuppa with my shoulders wrapped in a shawl and my hands wrapped around a warm mug; or a later afternoon summer laté with a frothy, creamy foam; the two main ingredients you need is good coffee and a comfortable lounge chair. We’re always on the lookout for a great cup of coffee, one that we can make at home because we’re definitely not into going to the corner coffee store every day!We like to save our money for more important things!



Our favorite new find is Seattle’s Best - Level 5! It is seriously the very best coffee you can make at home. It’s bold, dark and intense without any bitterness, and as smooth as silk with or without creamer. I think the only coffee I’ve ever tasted that can even compare is the Kona Peaberry coffee from the Pele Plantation on the Big Island. Buyer beware, Seattle’s Best Level 5 is a bit pricey (as is Kona Peaberry) and hard to find, so if you see it on sale, stock up!

I was in Tennessee this past September to visit my son and daughter-in-love and grand angels. The weather was unusually perfect, which apparently only happens a couple of times a year in that part of the country. I started each day in the balmy 78 degree morning air, and enjoyed a cup of coffee or two while sitting out on the front porch on the most comfortable teak lounge chairs! They had aged to a spectacular silvery gray and had deep cushions and a headrest pillow. A teak side table was conveniently set between each chair so I could put my coffee down each time one of the little ones came over for a hug or snuggle. Those mornings, I was definitely in my happy place.

I especially liked the country-style living which includes large front yards where the kids and dogs can romp, and neighbors rode by on their bikes and waved to me … something I’m definitely not used to!

For me, it’s all about carving out a few moments of time and creating memories that will last a forever. If I can do it with a cup of coffee in an environment that invites comfort, so much the better. Coffee on the Patio - it has a certain ring to it, don't you think?

Click here to shop for the highest quality Teak furniture on the market, or give us a call at (888) 564 – 4744. We’re all about helping our customers find just the item that will help you create lifetime memories.

Tips for Dramatic Outdoor Decorating

Stumped for ideas on how to create drama on your porch, deck or patio? Check out these super suggestions and start getting inspired today!

If you're like us, when the weather turns nice you head outdoors, thoroughly tired of the cold winter months. We can't wait for Spring! So if you're looking to create a little drama, there's no need to buy all new furniture! Pick up a couple of unique pieces (like those below), a new indoor/ourdoor rug and maybe a lamp and you've got yourself an fresh new outdoor room.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Experience unique style combined with comfort in the Urban Balance Cove. The unique design on this Urban Balance Cove Hanging Chair allows you to curl up, get comfortable and relax. The beautiful and contemporary design enhances any outdoor setting, but it would work just as well indoors in the living room or bedroom. Great for kids and teens too. This chair makes a dramatic statement and is super comfortable too!

For double the fun, try the Urban Balance Expanse Hanging Chair for Two. Get out and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air on your deck or patio in the Urban Balance Expanse. The gentle contours of this unique chair make relaxing a breeze! Not only is this unique, it's also a great place to curl up for a late afternoon cat-nap.

What modern outdoor retreat is complete without a hammock? The Urban Balance Wave gives unique design to the traditional hanging hammock. This form fitting hammock is made for your ultimate comfort. Step 1: Grab a good book. Step 2: Fill up an ice cold glass of lemonade. Step 3: Doze in the shade. Ahhh! Life just doesn't get any better than this! Talk about drama!

Aside from adding one or two unique pieces of furniture, don't forget to add just a few accessories. One thing that most people forget about is the rug. It can be used to cover up unsightly patches in the cement, or add just the right accent to finish the room. We suggest these Indoor/Outdoor Egyptian Cotton rugs. Super easy to clean, and when the season turns chilly, you can bring it back inside, making this an accent that can be used all year long!

We have one last suggestion - one that will work for you all year long as well. You need a lamp and on occasion when the summer air turns cool, a little bit of heat wouldn't hurt either. Take a look at the 34" Northgate Electric Tabletop Lamp that emits soft waves of heat up to 12' in diameter. This heater uses a standard electrical outlet and is great for patios, decks, porches and businesses. In the winter you can bring it inside and use it as a side lamp and stay cozy and warm, making this lamp one of the most versatile pieces you will own.

There's no need to obsess over the details, a few added pieces will make all the difference and create the "WOW" factor that you're looking for.

Please feel free to give us a call if you have any outdoor decorating questions. We offer complimentary consultation services for your indoor or outdoor decorating needs. After all, we do promise "Legendary Service" to each and every one of our customers. For more information, go to Odyssey Homestore® or call (888) 564 - 4744. We also offer live chat 7 days a week. We'd love to hear from you!

Cute Christmas Craft Ideas

Although it isn't exactly related to what we do, we are all about family. And what better time for family then Christmas? Our nieces, nephews and grandkids will be coming for a visit, and we are always looking for ways to keep them happy and occupied. So we went in search of a few websites and blogs that had good craft ideas.

Here's just a few we found. The Santa Hat or Tree Topper would make a great craft that'll take more than a few minutes and they'll enjoy the results of their efforts if you use this cute little craft as a tree topper like we plan to. (You can find the directions at www.enchantedlearning.com)








I think this tree offers endless possibilities! If your child has a short attention span, this would be great because it involves a little cutting a gluing. If you have an older or more adventurous child, you could have them decorate this with little strings of beads, glitter glue or anything that appeals to their creativity. (You can find the directions at www.craftideas.com).






 

And what craft project would be complete without a Reindeer! This one is adorable because it uses your child's hand and footprint. When you've finished decorating it, be sure to date it on the back so you'll know just "how big" your little darling was! You can find the directions by clicking here. Thanks HogWild!


This is one my granddaughter brought home to me last year. I don't have the directions, but it looks pretty easy to figure out: Paint a clothes pin white, add some glittery paper or have them glue and glitter some white tissue paper, add the little triangle of white material for the angel dress, and cut out their face and glue it with a halo made of glittery pipe cleaner.





This is a picture of some of the many notes she writes to me that I keep on my fridge. If you have any cute and simple craft ideas for kids, please feel free to share them. We love to hear from our friends and customers!


















Merry Christmas from the Odyssey Team! (888)564-4744

Surprise and Amaze with Gifts for Even the Hard to Please ...

We believe in surprises. Big ones! Eye-popping ones! Perfect Ones!

Whatever the size, every gift should amaze. So without further ado, below is our Twelve Days of Christmas favorite things; gifts for even the hardest to please.

 

12 Days of Christmas - a Few of Our Favorite Things ...

	Anyone can give a gift. Yours can speak! Give them the gift that will speak to their heart strings, like the Cast Iron Boot Scraper. Beautiful as well as durable, strong enough for indoor or outdoor use, a gift for the dog lover will be appreciated for many years!
	Crank up the heat with this Hand Carved Bellow. Dark stain with beautiful scroll work, building a fire has never been easier. Classic. Timeless. Thoughtful.
	Don't let too much time pass without reminding them how much their love has meant with a 23" Regency Villa Tesio Pendulum Wall Clock. Handcrafted, beautiful and functional.
	'Tis the season to let the magic, and the water, flow. A brilliant marriage of classic and contemporary, the Adelle Fountain provides the dramatic flourish your garden has been waiting for. Useful all year long; spend a cool evening cuddling under a blanket, or enjoy the stars in the summer.
	For the little darling of your lives, the Kiddie-Up Rock-A-My-Baby Rocking Horse pulls on the heartstrings when you rock with Rock a Bye Baby. The little cradle in the back will rock her and her baby!
	For the special little guy in your life, the Rock-it Spaceship Rocker has an out of this world design featuring spinning plants, stars, and a photo frame. A tiny space shuttle moves back and forth as the child rocks and the sound of a rocket blasting off when the joystick moves! So adorable!
	Give smart gifts like the Original Sunheat Room Heater, which provides comfortable, even heat and warms up the cold spots of the room with the latest infrared technology. It keeps the room warm long after its been turned off!
	For the perfect gift for your four legged friend, The Tajo Leopard and Leather Pet Bed is as luxurious as it gets. From the black and gold leopard print buckle to the hardwood sofa frame, your pet baby will rest in style. Certainly not the least expensive pet bed on the market, not by far, but if your pet deserves to live in the lap of luxury, this is for you.
	Think ahead on your wish list and be part of the solution with Eco Friendly Patio Furniture. One of our favorites is this Siesta Rocking Bench for two. Light enough to move from indoors to out, available in your choices of colors and sizes, this bench looks great on the front porch while youre sipping ice tea and reading a good book, or just cuddling up watching fireflies.
	If summertime is your season, the Royal Teak Miami Deep Seating Relax and Chill 5-pc Patio Set will last as long as your love. Elegantly functional and gracefully lined early 19th century English garden style inspires the classic design of our teakwood furniture, perfectly suited for the most casual to the most sophisticated decor. The best teak available on the market today.
	If wintertime is your favorite time of the year, The Ashley Indoor Fireplace will add warmth and ambiance to any room in the house. Vent-free, the heat comes from environmentally-friendly Gel Fuel, which crackles and pops and creates yellow, orange and red flames just like a real fire It puts off a warmth thatll make you want to put a bear rug down in front and enjoy a good martini!
	Be the light of their life with a Concord Floor or Table Lamp for either indoors or out. As versatile as it is beautiful, this weatherproof and portable lamp has an unbreakable poly carbonate waterproof light bulb enclosure, and the shade comes in your choice of 27 beautiful and contemporary Sunbrella fabric, with a two-level dimming switch to set just the right mood.

 

The beauty of a Christmas gift

Cannot be seen at all.

For the loveliness of giving

Is a feeling, grand and tall.

 

If you've found any of our gift ideas useful and decided to make a purchase, please feel free take a picture of their surprise and email to us here. We love to show our customers enjoying our products!

Happy Holidays from our Home to Yours

Odyssey Homestore®

(888-564-4744)

Swing into Cyber Monday Specials Today

Swing into Cyber Monday Gorilla Playset Sale and Save Hundreds!

Swing Sets and Swing Set Accessories

Premium Wooden Swing Sets and Swing Set Accessories at Affordable Prices
Gorilla's ready-to-assemble swing sets are designed for the customer who wants to buy today

and assemble this afternoon. These economically priced swing sets come pre-boxed and ready

to assemble. The T-nut construction of these wooden swing set kits makes home assembly

simple and safe using common household tools. These swing sets include all pre-cut,

pre-sanded and pre-drilled lumber as well as all the required hardware, accessories, slide and

detailed instructions required to assemble the unit. Your Gorilla swing set will arrive pre-cut,

pre-sanded, pre-drilled and ready to assemble. It comes with everything you need

to make your home assembly easy, including step-by-step 3-D illustrated instructions.

Click Here to view our full line of wooden swing sets.

These wooden swing sets come standard as shown. They are designed

with a child's safety in mind, yet they still provide a challenging and fun

recreational setting. All of the Gorilla wood swing sets are constructed

with choice grade wood, naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage.

Unlike other pre-cut and pre-packaged wooden swing sets, Gorilla

incorporates solid framing and all bolt construction, heavy-duty

swing belts, components and slides, all of which provide maximum stability,

longevity and safety and makes the Gorilla brand wood swing sets

the heaviest duty and best-valued pre-milled kit in the marketplace.

Sale ends at 11:59pm Monday, 11/28/11 or while supplies last!

Offer does not include set up.

Birth of a New Christmas Tradition

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans.

There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.

Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Forward this to everyone on your mailing list, post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments.

This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

We'd love to hear some more ideas. Please feel free to share them with us!

Odyssey Homestore® also offers gift certificates which make great gifts all year long!

If you have any question, feel free to give us a call! (888) 564-4744

Thank you John Morris for this great email! You really made me stop and think and I hope a few other people do as well.

Full Steam Ahead with Thomas and Friends Toddler Furniture

All aboard! Engine No. 1 has arrived with style! The new Kidkraft Thomas and Friends furniture line is sure to be a hit with preschoolers. This new, brightly colored furniture collection is made of wood, modestly priced and just the right size for growing toddlers and preschool aged children. The set pieces include a wonderful toy box, table and chair set, a step stool capable of hiding treasures and an adorable Thomas the Tank Engine bed that will fit a crib mattress. Each piece of furniture is soundly constructed and depicts Thomas the Tank Engine as he goes about his daily routine.


Thomas & Friends first arrived on the children's scene in 1946 as the stars of The Railway Series written by Rev. W. Awdry. Shortly after his introduction into popular literature, Thomas, and his friends on the Island of Sodor, became favorites of kids everywhere. Rev. W. Awdry eventually retired from writing, but in 1983, his son Christopher began writing stories for his own son Richard. In 1984 The Railway Series was given the animation treatment, and Thomas was given the lead role. In 2004 Thomas and Friends received a make-over, giving fans the face of Thomas that is well-known today.


It is this much loved Thomas that is depicted so beautifully on the Kidkraft Thomas & Friends furniture line. Kidkraft's Thomas & Friends toy box is designed for placement in a child's bedroom or playroom. The toy box is a great way to keep kids' bedrooms and playrooms organized and also doubles as a handy bench. The step-and-store stool is another great multi-purpose item that can be used to store and organize odds and ends. But it is the table and chairs set and toddler bed that are the real scene stealers of the collection. Thomas's face, train car body and railway will bring life to any room; the bright colors, scenic details and embellishments on the furniture are hard to beat.


All Kidkraft Thomas & Friends furniture pieces have a sturdy wood construction and are decorated with non-toxic, lead-free paint and materials. However, it is Thomas and his friends themselves that are the true selling points of this great children's furniture. Thomas's blue tank engine, colorful friends and red color accents will make any room fun and cheery. Their friendly, familiar faces are just the ticket for sending children on a trip to dreamland.

Click Here to Shop for Kidkraft Thomas and Friends Furniture

Shop on line or call them at 888-564-4744