With "staycations" on everyone's mind these days, my wife and I recently talked about how many people are coming around to our approach-- making a paradise in our backyard.

We have some chairs and tables surrounding a cast iron chiminia we rescued from the dump (these things retail for $200-300-- I made it look new with $5 of black spray paint).  The chairs are surrounded by three $3 tiki torches from WalMart and some $4 citronella bucket candles.

We serve fresh drinks and snacks and enjoy the more exotic birds that visit our bird feeders while the kids play badminton and volleyball or ride their bikes.  Next year we are thinking of adding a small pool-- above ground (less expensive and no property taxes associated with an inground pool).

While we try to get away for a while each summer-- virtually every weekend has its vacation like atmosphere in our paradise.