Slowing down just doesn’t seem to come naturally for us anymore. As a society we’re working more hours and sleeping less than any other generation in our nation’s history, and that’s to say nothing of our social calendars and school functions.

Sometimes, don’t you just wish you could turn it all off for a bit?

Well, not to the status quo of New Year’s resolutions that never really seem to go anywhere, but why don’t you really make an effort to find more peace and tranquility in 2017? And sometimes, it’s good to recognize that we need tools to help us be consistent and make a new habit out of something good for us. Say… like… adding a Dream Maker Spa to your backyard!

A hot tub can really help to minimize your stress level. Studies have proven hydrotherapy (through heated water and jet massage) to relax muscles, sooth aches and pains, reduce stress and improve overall health.

And back to that sleeping thing… did you know that daily use (just 20 minutes) of a hot tub can actually help you to sleep better? It’s true! See, when we go to bed, our body temperature drops, cuing deep sleep. When you use a hot tub it raises the body temperature so that, when you exit it, your body temperature drops more rapidly, resulting in drowsiness. Doing this right before bed can help you fall asleep faster and maintain a deeper sleep so that you’re ready for the next day.

If the results are relaxation, stress reduction and better sleep, then why wouldn’t you want a spa to help you reach your goals for a more peace-filled 2017? We’d be glad to help you get started. This may be the year you see one of those New Year’s resolutions through to completion!

Good for you – you’ve made the decision to get a pool! But which should you go with – an above ground or in-ground pool? Both have great benefits and the decision can be harder than you might expect, so we’d like to help.

Budget

The biggest factor to consider is the expense, which varies widely based upon the design, size and features, regardless of which type of pool you choose. However, one thing you can most certainly count on is that in-ground pools cost significantly more than above ground pools, mostly due to the materials used and a more complicated installation process. Generally speaking, a top-of-the-line above ground pool will be similar in cost to a basic in-ground pool.

Safety

If you have small children, then an above ground pool may provide more safety, simply because it reduces the chances of a small child falling in. That said, safety precautions – like a latched fence or a safety cover – can make an in-ground pool safer as well. So which option is safest for you simply depends on your budget.

Design

Desiring an extremely customized design for your pool (and yard) probably means that an in-ground pool is the best option for you. The possibilities for design are virtually limitless if the pool is made with concrete rather than fiberglass. Aesthetic appeal may be a factor in your decision as well. However, with an attached deck and landscaping, an above ground pool can look just as spectacular as an in-ground pool.

Maintenance

As far as upkeep and maintenance go, both pool types require regular cleaning, seasonal opening and closing, filter replacements, chemical balancing and repairs (such as liner replacement). Concrete and fiberglass in-ground pools generally last longer than above ground before repairs are needed. It’s also important to note that in-ground pools are a permanent fixture in your yard.

Basically, what it comes down to is your budget and personal preferences. There is no right or wrong answer here – just what is right for you. Both in-ground pools and above ground pools are great options.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the grill enthusiast in your life, your only problem is too many options. First of all, if you know someone who lives and dies by their grill, that person better own a Kamado Joe grill. If they don’t, then this conversation is over. Go buy them a Kamado grill. It’s the greatest griller/smoker ever conceived. If they already have a Kamado Joe, congratulations — you have cool friends.

So what’s the perfect gift?

Flame Boss Temperature Controller

Set a target temperature for whatever you’re cooking and then go about your business. It’s that simple. The Flame Boss is Wi-Fi enabled, so it will send you a text message when your meat hits the perfect temp.

Ivation Wireless Thermometer

One probe goes in your meat, the other monitors the grill’s internal temperature. If either goes above or a below a preset threshold, an alarm goes off.

Looftlighter

Sort of like an electric flamethrower, you point the mechanism — which looks like a curling iron on steroids — at your charcoal and blast it with super-heated air. Poof! You’re ready to cook.

Grill Tool Set

A good griller never blames his tools — and he won’t have a reason to if you get him the right set. Heavy duty, super shiny and all-around awesome, look for a set that comes with its own carrying case. 

Grilling Gloves

Finally, every serious grill aficionado needs is a good set of grilling gloves. With soft, comfy, silicone grill gloves, you can pretty much grab the sun and come back without a burn.

So there you have it. If you know someone who loves to grill, your shopping list pretty much writes itself.

Stargazing is probably the oldest form of visual entertainment. Long before there were Netflix binges, cavemen grabbed a patch of grass, laid on their backs, nibbled on a mastodon rib and waited for the show to start.

Fast forward a few millennia, and the show is still going on in the night sky. It’s time to honor your ancestors by choosing a celestial event and laying down in the grass to behold the wonder of — scratch that. Grass is wet and dirty. Maybe a lawn chair? Wait. Just. A. Minute.

You have a hot tub!

When it comes to watching a cosmic performance in a heavenly theater, there is no better seat in the house than in a spa. Crank up the heat, sink into the water, relax and enjoy the show.

Here is a list of upcoming events to mark on your astronomical calendar.

December 14: The next supermoon.

January 3-4: The Quadrantids meteor shower, which lights up the sky with 40 meteors per hour at its peak.

January 12: The planet Venus reaches its greatest eastern elongation, making it appear bigger and brighter than any other time of the year.

January 19: The planet Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation.

February 11: Penumbral lunar eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes through the partial shadow of the Earth, also called the penumbra.

February 26: Annular solar eclipse. This phenomenon occurs when the moon is so far from the Earth that it can’t completely cover the sun.

April 1: Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation.

April 7: Jupiter will be at opposition, which is the moment that the biggest planet in the solar system is at its closest approach to Earth. Fully illuminated by the sun, the giant planet will be brighter and bigger than any other time of year.