HOME | Around the Kitchen Island (4)
After another long Calgary winter, there’s something special about that first evening spent outside.
The BBQ is finally uncovered. The patio furniture comes out of storage. The evenings stretch a little longer. Suddenly, the backyard becomes the place everyone wants to be.
Tomorrow is Canada Day, and in true Calgary fashion, the forecast is looking… hopeful with a side of “maybe keep an eye on the sky.” Mostly cloudy, around 20 degrees, and a possible afternoon thunderstorm.
So basically, summer.
It’s still the perfect excuse to spend a little time getting your outdoor space ready. Not because it has to be perfect, but because it’s about to become your favourite “room” of the house for the next few months.
For me, the best outdoor spaces aren’t the fanciest ones. They’re the ones that make you lose track of time.
The Ultimate Summer Backyard Checklist
☐ Comfortable seating that invites people to stay awhile
Pretty is nice. Comfortable is better. If people can settle in, they will.
☐ Twinkle lights overhead
Nothing makes a backyard feel more magical than twinkle lights once the sun goes down.
☐ An amazing deck with incredible plants
A great deck becomes even better with lush planters, colourful flowers, herbs by the BBQ, and greenery that makes the whole space feel alive.
☐ A BBQ that’s ready to go
Because summer dinners should be easy, casual, and ideally eaten outside.
☐ Backyard games for everyone
Cornhole, ladder golf, bocce, giant Jenga, or whatever gets people laughing and off their phones.
☐ A cozy backup plan for Calgary weather
Blankets, a covered spot, an umbrella, or somewhere to run if the clouds decide to be dramatic.
☐ A backyard movie setup
A projector, a screen, lawn chairs, blankets, popcorn, and friends gathered under the stars. One of the best summer traditions.
☐ Lighting, warmth, and somewhere to linger after dark
Lanterns, candles, a fire table, or extra blankets can stretch the evening a little longer.
☐ Good people and nowhere else to be
The most important part. The furniture, flowers, and lights are just the backdrop.
It’s Not About Perfection
You don’t need brand-new furniture or a magazine-worthy backyard.
A few fresh cushions. Healthy plants. Twinkle lights overhead. A clean BBQ. A good outdoor rug. Maybe a basket of blankets by the door for those cooler Calgary evenings.
The goal isn’t to impress people.
It’s to create a space where your family lingers after dinner, neighbours stop by unexpectedly, kids make memories, and summer somehow feels just a little longer.
Tomorrow, people all over Calgary will be celebrating Canada Day in parks, at festivals, around campfires, and in backyards just like yours. And whether the sun shines all day or the clouds roll in for a classic Calgary surprise, summer is officially here.
We wait all year for these few precious months.
We might as well make every evening outside count.
See you around the kitchen island (… or maybe the backyard fire table…)
Erika
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