Tag Archives: kid activities

Inexpensive And Easy Ideas To Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Space

A popular trend here on Martha’s Vineyard is to have a comfortable, yet functional outdoor living space. There’s nothing better than having family and friends together for food and quality time from spring all the way into fall. Here are some astonishingly easy ideas to bring new life into your outdoor living space.

Mason Jar Votives

1) Mason Jar Votives

This simple update will bring a serene feeling to your outdoor space. All you need is 3 Mason Jars, thick twine, sand from the beach, and your favorite votive candles.

1)Fill the mason jars with sand at varying levels. this will give the candles different heights.
2) Next wrap the top of the mason jar twice with the twine, tying it off in a simple bow.
3) Finally place the votice candles in the sand and arrange them to your liking on your outdoor table.

 

Foundation decoration

2) Hide Your Boring Foundation

Tired of looking at that brick or concrete slab at the base of your house? Head to your favorite home improvement store and pick up your favorite faux stone siding, and install it along your foundation. This subtle change will make a huge difference. 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor dog bowl ideas

3) Easily Made Fancy Dog Bowls

 

Style doesn’t just have to be for humans. Head to the Home Goods and pick up some inexpensive planters, and some dog bowls. Once home, place the in a spot next to either a garden or a statue, just make sure they blend in within your design motif. Once the planters are situated place the dog bowls within the planters. This way fido has a source of water that is discrete and decorative.

 

 

Solar Chandilier

4) Make Your Own Cordless Outdoor Chandelier

There’s something fun and romantic about having a chandelier outside. This Chandelier is perfect for hanging over a table outside. You don’t even need a power cord.

Find an old chandelier you’re fond of at a thrift or antique store, take out the bulbs, and replace them with outdoor solar lights, then hang it from your favorite spot or tree, and enjoy! 

 

 

 

These quick subtle changes will make a world of difference to your outdoor space. Adding lighting that will illuminate the outdoor living space during the evening will extend the use of your outdoor space well past sunset. And hiding the foundation will create a more appealing look to your outdoor space, as well as improve the resale value should you ever choose to sell. For a property enrichment evaluation, please feel free to contact us. Sandpiper would love to help take your home to the next level in vacation rentals.

Sandpiper Rentals, Inc
Rent@SandpiperRental.com
CLICK HERE  to search our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental home SPECIALS
or
CLICK HERE to search through our inventory of over 500 homes

‘Green’ Martha’s Vineyard: Conservation, Sustainability, & Community

The past couple of years has brought the “going green” movement to the forefront of our everyday society, but here on Martha’s Vineyard we’ve believed in being green since before it was ‘cool’.  Due to Martha’s Vineyard only being 87 square miles, locals here know our resources are finite and we do our best to preserve them. Did you know there are over 10 groups on island dedicated solely to preserving Martha’s Vineyard? And that’s not even counting all  the local farms that provide fresh produce and proteins to our locally owned restaurants and grocers! Below is a list of all the different organizations, farmers markets, and farm to table restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard.

 

Conservation and Environmental Organizations on Martha’s Vineyard

Community Solar Greenhouse (COMSOG), 508-693-2019. Since 1983 COMSOG has striven to provide a sustainable agriculture cooperative in Oak Bluffs, including seedlings, flowers, plants, and veggies.
Conservation Partnership of MV, 508-693-9588. Formed in the summer of 1997, the partnership is an all island conservation consortium, consisting of 5 separate programs, for an enhanced effort to save and preserve as much land as possible.
FARM Institute, 508-627-7007. The FARM Institute is a non-profit teaching farm whose mission is to reconnect children and adults with agriculture through the diverse operations of a 162-acre working farm
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, 508-627-4850.  Felix Neck is 321 acres of wildlife sanctuary with four miles of trails, and truly impressive views of Martha’s Vineyard landscape.
Island Grown Initiative, office@islandgrown.org. The Island Grown Initiative (IGI) is a non-profit grassroots organization working to support local food and farming on Martha’s Vineyard. Currently there are over 28 local farms working with IGI. 
MV Agricultural Society
, 508-693-9549. Established in 1859 the Agricultural Society is, perhaps, one of our oldest and most respected group on Martha’s Vineyard. The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society was established to promote awareness and “pursuit of  agriculture, horticulture, land conservation, youth activities, mechanic and domestic arts and encourages the raising and improving of plant and animal stock and the sale of island-grown produce and flowers at local farmers’ markets”
MV Land Bank , 508-627-7141. Established in 1986 the martha’s Vineyard Land Bank acquires land in order to preserve and protect it. “The land bank is a rare breed. Neither a sanctuary program nor a park system, it is a middle ground where the highest virtues of conservation can be realized: public enjoyment of nature, where limits and restraint secure the natural world’s future and prosperity.”
Nature Conservancy, 508-693-6287. The Nature Conservancy on Martha’s Vineyard focuses on preserving  and restoring oyster reefs, eelgrass beds, and sandplain grasslands.
Polly Hill Arboretum, 508-693-9426. Poly Hill was first founded in 1958 as a private arboretum, then in 1998 Poly Hill became a not-for-profit program with a focus on “the cultivation and study of plants and the preservation of the character and magic of this tranquil landscape.”
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, 508-693-5207. Formally Chartered in 1952 Sheriff’s Meadow focuses on conserving and managing wildlife properties on Martha’s Vineyard.
Trustees of Reservations, 508-693-7662. The Trustees of The Reservation focus on protecting properties of historic, ecological, or scenic value for the people of Massachusetts to enjoy.
Vineyard Conservation Society, 508-693-9588. Founded in 1965 The Vineyard Conservation Society supports land conservation on Martha’s Vineyard through many initiatives.
Vineyard Open Land Foundation, 508-693-3280. Vineyard Open Land Foundation is a non-profit land use planning  organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and rural character of Martha’s Vineyard since 1970.
Vineyard Power, 508-693-3002. Vineyard Power is a  non-profit, energy co-operative with a mission to produce electricity from local renewable sources including wind, solar, and sea. Recently they built public solar charging stations for smart cars.

Farmers Markets and Local Grocers

West Tisbury Farmers Market, Grange Hall, West Tisbury. Celebrating it’s 39th year, the West Tisbury Farmers Market meets Saturdays June 8th- October 5th, and Wednesdays June 19th- August 28th. Here you’ll find that all products and produce sold are made or grown on Martha’s Vineyard.

Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury partners with the Island Grown Initiative to provide locally grown produce to the public
Vineyard Grocer & Tisbury Farm Market have combined forces to provide produce, groceries, supplements, and prepared foods on Martha’s Vineyard. Here you’ll find locally grown foods from Martha’s Vineyard as well as other organic items from small independent groups throughout the nation.

Farms & Farm To Table Restaurants

 North Tabor Farm, (508) 645-3311.  North Tabor Farm is a 6-acre family-run farm off of North Road in Chilmark. It specializes in organically grown salad greens, shitake mushrooms, blueberries and farm fresh eggs.
Whippoorwill Farm old county road | west tisbury. Established in 1992 Whippoorwill Farm is the first “Community Supported Agriculture” (CSA), on Martha’s Vineyard. When you purchase a share you get a fresh bundle of organic produce every week, and you help keep a business running.
The Grey Barn 22 South Road | Chilmark. Purchased in 2009, this family run farm full of foodies provides cheese, raw milk, pork, beef and eggs all from their farm.
Fiddlehead Farm 632 State Road| West Tisbury. Fiddlehead provides locally organic grown groceries and produce every day from 8 – 6
Sweet Neck Farm 76 Norton Orchard Road | Edgartown. Sweet Neck Farm is revolutionizing the farming industry, but farming oysters into creation naturally, and organically. In 1996, the Blake family  first brought oysters to Katama Bay, establishing the first and most elaborate of 8 oyster farms on Martha’s Vineyard. Today, his oysters are highly sought after, rarely leaving the island, but when they do, they go to some of the finest oyster bars on the East Coast.

State Road Restaurant 688 State Road | West Tisbury. State Road’s unparallelled menu highlights Martha’s Vineyard sustainability by using ingredients from local farms and seafood caught in local waters.
The Little House Cafe 339 State Road | Vineyard Haven. The Little House Cafe is known for its made to order organic, made from scratch food.
Lucky Hanks 218 Upper Main Street | Edgartown. Lucky Hanks is a cafe and restaurant offering a menu inspired by Martha’s Vineyard’s favorite comfort foods with an organic, locally grown twist.
The Port Hunter 55 Main Street | Edgartown. Designed with sustainability and the “locally grown” movement in mind, The Port Hunter is the newest, and well praised restaurant & bar in Edgartown. From the chairs & tables, to the food that is served, all come from Martha’s Vineyard or Maine.

 

 

Sandpiper Rentals, Inc

Rent@SandpiperRental.com

CLICK HERE  to search our Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental home SPECIALS

or

 CLICK HERE to search through our inventory of over 500 homes

 

Feature Friday ~ Reverse Style Vacation Home on Wasque

ExteriorProperty #411

After a short drive from the Chappy Ferry, you’ll pull up to a contemporary style home. Upon entering you’ll be greeted with soft warm neutrals, that instantly make all that tension and stress disappear. This newly updated reverse style vacation home on Chappaquiddick has all the creature comforts made for relaxation and family bonding. This three bedroom, two bathroom home is perfect for families on a budget who are looking to live like a celebrity for a week. The open second floor has rich deep leather couches, a recently renovated kitchen with granite counter tops, updated cabinets, and new appliances.  Spend time with your family at the beach with access to the Katama Bay Beach Association, or Wasque (pronounced Way-squee), or enjoy spectacular sunsets from the large second story deck just off the dining area. Another bonus to this fantastic home? It’s minutes from the Chappy community Center that has a ton of programs throughout the summer for children and adults alike.

Property Highlights:

  • Desirable location on Chappaquiddick
  • Newly renovated kitchen
  • Updated furniture throughout the second floor
  • Style and quality of home
  • Three bedrooms
  • Two bathrooms
  • Access to Katama Bay Beach Association
  • Large exterior second level deck for viewing the sunset

 

perhaps this isn’t the right home for you and yours. To find that perfect home, CLICK HERE

 

Sandpiper Rentals, LLC

Rent@sandpiperrental.com