Solar ambiance, please

As I was relaxing in a hot tub last weekend with my family, my cousin commented on how much energy it must take to maintain the heat and power the jets. I had no response beyond "yeah..." because when you're enjoying the comforts of a consumer lifestyle, it's not as easy to be environmentally conscious.

Although I don't have a suggestion for an energy-saving hot tub, I do have a suggestion for creating ambiance in your outdoor setting without using a lot of energy. Imagine sitting in your recycled plastic patio lounger, enjoying a cool drink on a warm summer night. Now imagine solar-powered LED lanterns lining your garden pathway. You can enjoy the soft, romantic ambiance of the lights as you stroll with someone special, or you can simply shed a little light on your landscaping for night viewing.

Whatever your intended use, your pocket book will appreciate the reduced energy bill, and you'll be happy you've made this slight adjustment for the sake of conservation. That's good hospitality.