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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 9, 20 18 | 36 www.concretetrimmings.com CONCRETE FREE ESTIMATES 905-844-5518 1-888-944-5518 uality At Its Best! Call Fernando www 1-888-944-5518 • DRIVEWAYS • FRENCH CURBS • PATIOS • STEPS • WALKWAYS • GARAGE FLOORS ExposEd aggrEgatE (pebble)Interlocking & Concrete Specialists • Pebble Concrete • Stamped Concrete • Interlocking • Flagstone • Walkways • Garage Floors • Patios • Driveways • Curbs (French) Call Mario 905.842.7171 sunmarlandscape.com Interlocking & Concrete Specialists ™ Home & GardenJane Muller, Editor An Advertising Feature Section Today's homeowners are managing busy schedules and daytime commitments, leaving little time to take advan- tage of their backyard during daylight hours. With the ad- dition of lighting, you can extend the use of your outdoor space, turning it into a nighttime retreat. Here, the Electrical Safety Authority and gardening ex- pert Frankie Flowers share tips to achieve a well-lit back- yard escape to help you relax and unwind under the stars.   Flowers at night While often thought of as a daytime enjoyment, some flowers can enhance your garden at night. Frankie Flowers suggests adding a mix of white flowers and silver foliage to reflect light. Great options for sunny spaces include geraniums, star jasmine or moon flower; for shady spots try tuberous, begonias or impatiens. For foliage, try dusty miller, Russian sage, sage or a Japanese painted fern to accent any garden by day or night.  Choose the right lighting Good lighting is the key to adding ambiance to any space. As you would for indoor lighting, incorporate a lay- ered lighting plan to enhance key features in your garden. Landscape lighting brings features like a row of cedars to life that would otherwise be in the shadows, and pathway lighting is decorative, but can also be added for safety. A nicely lit landscape can not only help you navigate your property safely at night but can also be a deterrent for would-be thieves. Landscape lighting can be extra-low volt- age and use very little electricity while still looking beau- tiful, but it's important to remember that certain units require a special isolating transformer specific for this purpose. Powering your backyard To achieve a glowing ambiance, you'll need to bring elec- tricity into your garden. Wires can be run in a trench in the ground and will need to be buried between 45 centimetres up to one metre underground depending on the location, voltage and wiring method. A licensed electrical contractor will help ensure the job is done right and the proper light- ing is installed. Find more tips online at poweryourlife.ca. (NC) Three tips to light up your backyard this summer We all love a great burger or hot dog grilled on the barbecue, but sometimes it's nice to step up your hosting game and go gourmet. Fortunately, treating your guests to a high-end meal doesn't have to be complicated or break the bank. Here, chef Andrea Buckett shares her top tips on how to host a budget-friendly, deca- dent summer barbecue. 1. Keep your shopping limited to one store. One-stop shopping at a spot like Walmart cuts down on the time you spend running around for various menu and décor items. Not only do you save on time and gas, you also know you are get- ting your groceries at great prices. 2. Choose seasonal and Canadian ingredients. Homegrown foods always taste better, which means preparing them to taste delicious takes little to no work. 3. Less is more. Choose one high-end protein and two sides. Think grilled Canadian AAA Angus striploin steaks, sliced, with grilled veggies and couscous topped with goat cheese and tomato with basil. Simple, delicious and to the point. 4. Plate everything family-style so it looks abundant and well thought out. Choose white platters so the food will shine. 5. Make a couple of pitchers of beverages, offering a choice of alcoholic and non-alcohol- ic. Garnish with fresh fruit and let guests help themselves. 6. Keep décor to a minimum. A couple of un- scented candles and some seasonal floral ar- rangements are all you really need. Remember to keep floral arrangements below seated eye level so guests can see each other across the table. 7. Set the vibe with a great playlist. Music al- ways sets the mood and it's free. (NC) Tips for outdoor entertaining on a budget