How to take a break from your homeowner responsibilities and enjoy your back yard.

While Labor Day marks the unofficial start of fall, there’s still plenty of good weather in store for enjoying your back yard. Here are some relaxing things to do while the Michigan weather remains mild.

Outdoor movie night
Bring the cinema to your back yard. The simplest way is by moving a TV outside. Or, go big with a projector and a screen. Explore these tips for a DIY outdoor movie theater.

Hang out in a hammock
A hammock allows you to have your downtime while enjoying your back yard, too.  Strung between trees, hung from the porch or on a stand, the gentle sway of a hammock can help relieve stress. Take in the beauty of the sky or close your eyes for an outdoor snooze.

Go gourmet with your s’mores
Cooler evenings call for bonfires, and every bonfire needs s’mores. While a toasted marshmallow, chocolate bar and graham crackers are the classic, who says you can’t add a little variation? For example, candied bacon or salted caramel s’mores. Check out recipes for these adaptations and more creative s’mores recipes.

Invite the birds for a feast
Bird feeding is easy, and birdwatching is a delight. The type of seed you offer will determine what kind of birds drop by to dine. Goldfinches, Indigo Buntings and Pine Siskins like thistle, while cardinals prefer safflower seeds. The Audubon Society has several guidelines for feeding that keep birds healthy.

Sit for a spell
You’ve worked hard all summer long to get your back yard Instagram-worthy, but make sure you take time to enjoy it, too. Pour a glass of your favorite beverage, take a seat in your most comfortable chair and allow yourself to relax. Maybe read a book. After all, it is Labor Day, and you deserve a rest!

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