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Spring is (finally) upon us. If your neck of the woods is anything like mine, you've been mired in unusually cold, unusually precipitous weather…and you're pretty darn sick of it. Waiting for the sunshine and some outdoor living can't come soon enough!

With spring weather upon us (most days), we've been getting out into the yard. The grass has been mown four times now, and we're trying to set up our new backyard. There is much to be done, given that the snow fell just days after our landscaping was put in last fall.

One of the things we're trying to create is entertainment space. With no outdoor furniture to speak of, patio set sales at the local home and furniture stores have been drawing my attention. Although I haven't seen anything terribly innovative in outdoor furniture, there are some fun styles that are actually functional and comfortable.

If you're looking for patio furniture sales or patio chair deals to spruce up your backyard living space, check local stores and then compare online. I used to think that buying such bulky items online would be prohibitive due to shipping costs, but you may be surprised at the favorable comparison.

Get your yard ready for summer and take advantage of family time in the great weather!

Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.