Every backyard, no matter how large or small, has a purpose. Does yours?

If you’re not sure, let’s define what a purpose might be.

1. Social Pleasure:

This may be a time to entertain. Imagine a cool summer breeze wafting through the trees and onto your patio. Delight your guests with a mouth-watering new barbecue recipe.

Light some tiki torches for atmosphere. Your friends will soon find your backyard patio a comfort zone.

And don’t forget to ask them to contribute food! Have them bring ‘pot luck’. While you’re enjoying your backyard barbecue grill, friends can show off their culinary talents with complimentary summer salads and tasty desserts.

Do Your Summer Grilling Right with BBQ's from Cooking.com.

2. Relaxation: This may be a time to unwind from the stress of the day. Stretch out in a lawn hammock or enjoy the evening paper in a new hammock chair.

Many times I have gently swayed under a full moon in my Pauleys Island hammock. It holds two people and my late husband and I could communicate without interruption. If you haven’t lain in a hammock under the stars, you should try it!

This two-person hammock can be a perfect solution for a good relationship.

3. Fun: Got kids? Summertime is water time and every kid likes to get wet. When I was a child I found water three different ways.

First, I lived by a river so I went swimming a lot.

Second of all, the city where my parents had their business would let out the fire hydrants and kids from all over were attracted to that rush of water like moths to a flame.

And thirdly, sprinklers had my sister and I running through them with squeals of delight, not caring whether our clothes and shoes got soaked. After all, kids just want to have fun!

Today’s sprinklers can be pretty ornate and stand taller than a toddler is high. Check them out for your own backyard and let the kids be "cool".

Ethereal Rain Decorative Copper Sprinkler

4. Beauty: Some people just want a view! Flower beds are never out of style. Even tiny little places can house some color. And, if nothing else, a window box filled with annual bedding plants can make a big difference when looking outside from within your home.

Climbing vines can be placed on a trellis against a wall or side of a building, like a shed. A trellis is flat and takes up little space. Plants like clematis have beautiful big blooms and are sure to be seen by your visitors as you train the vine to climb.

 Arbors, Trellis, Planters and more at Yardiac.com

I'll be addressing these four facets among other things in future newsletters. Until then, happy backyarding . . . .