Trusted Saskatoon Blog

Here they give great Tips for Building an Outdoor Kitchen:

With warm weather beckoning us outside, why make a meal indoors? If you want to transform your yard into another favourite spot on your property, an outdoor kitchen is a great place to start - and it doesn't have to cost a lot to be functional.

Planning Your Space

Location is the key to an outdoor kitchen that is functional and well-integrated into your deck or yard.

Consider what you want in your outdoor kitchen. It can be as simple as using your existing barbecue and adding a small counter prep area and storage unit.
Plan the arrangement of your components. Place them against an existing wall or fence for a galley-style kitchen that takes up the least amount of space. Or use a corner to create a more expansive L-shaped space that works well if you have several cooks in the kitchen.
Factor in the placement of your outdoor eating area - it should be close enough to the grill to work in tandem with it but not so near that smoke wafts over the dining set.
Pick a spot close to outdoor electrical outlets and a water source.
Make sure you have room to expand the kitchen in the future to add more counter space and storage, or perhaps a wood-burning pizza oven or smoker.

Choosing Materials
With a little planning, it's possible to choose materials to create an outdoor kitchen without spending a fortune.

Use materials that can stand up to sun, water and stains for counter prep area and storage. Durable solid surface Corian®, quartz Silestone® and stainless steel are all great options.
If you're short on space, use storage units on castors, a serving cart, or build a counter that folds down.
You'll need a level surface to start. Pavers are the most economical option for creating a patio space and easy to add to if you want to expand your outdoor kitchen space in the future.
If you're planning to have a permanent grilling area, build your base with affordable brick and stone for decorative emphasis.
Make sure your outdoor fridge and grill are easy to move so they can be stored inside during the winter.
If you live in an area with high humidity, choose rust-resistant materials.

Safety Tips
An outdoor kitchen tends to be a high-traffic area, so it's important to follow these safety guidelines.

Keep a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher on hand.
Ensure the grill is located at least five feet from the house and not too close to the dining area to restrict movement between the cooking area and the rest of the yard.
Choose a location that gets some shade so you don't have to worry about always being exposed to the elements.
Make sure the grill isn't too close to windows and doors to avoid your house filling with smoke when you're cooking.
To avoid attracting insects and wildlife, choose materials and appliances that are easy to clean.

TOP 10 TIPS TO HANDLE HOMEWORK

One of the simplest ways for students to develop in-class confidence is by being able to confidently turn in homework, completed and on time. But in order to accomplish this, students need a reliable homework strategy.

When it comes to homework, a little organization and strategic planning helps students of all ages to complete their homework on time. When solid homework habits are established, good grades are sure to follow…not just for the next test but for the entire school year.

Set Up a Study Area—From the first day of class, even if there is no homework, designate one area of the house as the “homework zone.” This is an area with no distractions that is dedicated to working on projects and assignments.

Make Materials Available to the Homework Zone—What tools does your child need to get the homework done? Use a container or box to keep all supplies handy. Anything that your child may need access to during homework should be easily accessible so that he won’t waste time rummaging around for it.

Remove the Distractions—If the homework zone is the dining room table, and a TV is nearby, make sure that the TV is off. But don’t be too stringent; some people work best with a little background noise, such as a radio playing quietly in the background.

Set a Time Frame—Choose a time that is best suited to your family’s needs to work on homework. Whether it is right after school, or after dinner, sticking to a set schedule helps the work to get done.

Offer Guidance—Don’t do the homework for your child; be available, read the newspaper, or read a book so that if your child needs to ask a question she won’t have to go looking for you.

Use An Agenda—Agendas are the key organizational tool for homework. An agenda reminds students of tasks to be completed, and is also a great place to write down questions to ask the teacher.

Stay Informed—Regularly talking to your child’s teacher is a great routine to establish. Ask about upcoming projects that may require extra help or any regularly occurring assignments such as vocab quizzes. These things can all go onto a Master Schedule that the family shares.

Be a Role Model—“Do your homework!” is a refrain heard in many households. Set a good example by practising what you preach; read a book, do some research, or scratch some chore off your to-do list.

Offer Praise—Be specific in your praise, and be sure to recognize children’s efforts, and hard work, not their intelligence. Kids will appreciate that their efforts are not going unrecognized, and you’ll help bolster their confidence.

Watch Frustration Levels—If your child is feeling stressed by homework, or just can’t master the concepts, then it’s time to seek help. Getting homework done is a routine part of school, just like eating lunch, but with a well-established homework routine, it can even be confidence boosting.