We are continuing our series of most popularly asked questions with a question nearly everyone asks. Everyone wants every thing now, now, now!  We often get calls requesting an immediate start date of “tomorrow.”  While we are just as excited as you, it takes just a little bit more time to  get things going.   So a popular question asked daily is, “can you start tomorrow?”  The answer is, we can get the ball rolling, but we won’t be installing the outdoor kitchen sink by tomorrow’s patio party.

We have a thorough process that includes really getting to know our customers.  When you choose to build with us, you get your own project developer who will get to know you, your goals, and your style!  Your new best friend will oversee your entire outdoor living project, from start to finish!

Schedule your free consultation today by calling our office or filling out our contact form. We will send one of our experienced project developers to your home to gather information about your project. If we can provide an outdoor living project that meets your budget, then we will create a proposal for you.

Not sure how to budget for your outdoor living project? Look at our dream patio budgeting guide for some ideas.

After your project developer visits your home, we will provide you with a proposal that includes an exact quote proposal for your project. On average, the proposal will be completed in about a week. This proposal will include a design drawing with specifications and dimensions and rendered views and elevations so you can see what the project will look like after completion.

Your project developer will schedule an in-person meeting with you to go over your proposal and answer any questions. Once we have signed a contract, you can visit our office showroom to view samples and make final selections for your project!

Can you handle all of the lime goodness?  The summer is hot, hot, and hotter … so all you need is a little shade and some citrus to cool you!  We are sharing 3 of our most favorite lime recipes, all super easy and over-the-top delicious!

Let’s get things started with a Key Lime Cocktail!

INGREDIENTS:

2 parts Calico Jack Key Lime Pie Rum

1 part ginger ale

DIRECTIONS:

Mix in a glass with ice and garnish with … you guessed it, a lime wedge!

Now, let’s heat up the grill and sizzle some BBQ Lime Pork Chops.

INGREDIENTS:

4 boneless center cut pork chops, marinated

1/3 cup lime juice

2 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon lime zest

Salt and pepper

Lime slices

DIRECTIONS:

Mix the marinade ingredients in a large zip lock bag or in a shallow glass dish. Add pork chops to the marinade, coat the chops on both sides. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Heat BBQ to medium heat. Place chops on grill and brush with marinade;  grill, turning once. Cook for approximately 10 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Place on platter and garnish with lime slices. Chow down!  

Let’s end with something sweet!

We’re doing cheesecake with a tangy twist, try our Key Lime Cheesecake! 

INGREDIENTS:

CRUST:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 12 whole graham crackers)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
• Pinch of salt
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

CHEESECAKE:

• 2-8 ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons key lime juice (fresh or bottled if you can’t get key limes)
• Zest of two key limes (or regular limes if you can’t find key limes)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Fresh whipped cream and/or lime curd for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Wrap the bottom of a 9” or 9 1/2” springform pan in two layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. You will be baking your cheesecake in a water bath and you want to make sure no water gets into the pan from the seam at the bottom.
• Make the crust: If you’re using whole graham crackers, finely crush them in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and roll with a rolling pin.
• Stir graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Add melted butter and stir with a fork.
• Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides (about 1”) of your pan. Press hard to compact. Chill until ready to fill.
• Place a kettle of water on to boil for the water bath.
• Make the cheesecake: Beat cream cheese with a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Beat in sugar and sour cream until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Mix in flour, lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla extract. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of your bowl during mixing to get any clumps of cream cheese stuck to the sides or bottom. Pour into crust.
• Place the cheesecake in a large roasting pan. Place pan in the center of your preheated oven. Pour the boiling water carefully in one corner of the pan, until it reaches about a third to halfway up the cheesecake.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the cheesecake is just slightly jiggly in the center. Turn off the oven and let it sit for one hour. Remove from oven and let it cool completely, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to serve, carefully remove ring of the springform pan. Top with whipped cream. Serve with lime curd, if desired. (If your cheesecake happens to crack, frosting it with lime curd will cover any blemishes!)

Enjoy!

The Fourth of July is about coming together and celebrating with family and friends!  Be the “it” patio party this holiday … just add a little red, white & blue for all the oohs and aahs!  We have decor demos, tasty treats, boozy sips and kid-friendly fun on our Pinterest page! It is stocked with patriotic pins great for ideas on how to perk up your patio.  Check out these clever ways to use mason jars, perfect for centerpieces, decorative candles and more.

Or load up a clear mason jar with the something salty, sweet and super cute like these Patriotic Pretzel Dippers!

Something fun for the kids … homemade edible firecracker popcorn, made with POP ROCKS!  Watch out for the tasty lil’ explosion in your mouth!

Salute to this super salad that will leave you refreshed on a hot 4th of July!

How ’bout some 50 Star Chicken and other festive foods for the main course?

End things with a real bang with these boozy bombs!

And top it off with some Star Spangled Sweetness!