I won’t say variety is exclusively American, but Americans may be the best at embracing it. The dill-covered salmon curing in my refrigerator is what brings this to mind. Our melting pot of cultures makes for a stew rich with traditions, and one of them- a Swedish Midsummer celebration- is what’s dominated my household this week. But like any week in this fair country, it could be any of 10,000 other things worthy of celebration.

Speaking of celebrations, you’re invited to save up to 50% at Hayneedle’s July 4th Sale!

I can hardly wait to watch the fun unfold in my backyard tomorrow. American barbecue alongside the undeniably Swedish lutefisk. Bocce and ladder golf while waiting for my turn in the next game of kubb. Kids caroming in and out of the bouncehouse. What better way to work off all that pickled fish and make room for strawberries and cream? Or, if my guests prefer something more definitively American, they can always hold out for fire pit s’mores.

Whatever you’re celebrating, be it a wedding or the World Cup, a cookout or the College World Series, these June weekends are loaded with options. Heck, if you’re looking for a reason to get together tonight, just remind your friends that today is Log Cabin Day. For real. It’s Log Cabin Day.

For the fest of the season, or just the happy hour of the day, Hayneedle has all the essentials you need to entertain. From grills to canopies, from conversation sets to outdoor lighting, it’s all here. And in every one of these categories you’ll find an abundance of options, along with a powerful filtering system that lets you narrow your choices based on what you want. That’s true variety, and that’s how we know you’ll find what you love and love what you find.

While temperatures across most of the continent have settled stubbornly below normal, one undeniable sign of spring shines through. The light at the end of this icy tunnel is daylight itself, and we’re getting more of it by the day. And though it’s still plenty cold out there, we’ll gladly take an accumulation of sunshine over snowfall every day from here till the next solstice.

Winter will recede. The gray landscape will grow green and pop with color. After one of the coldest, snowiest winters on record, it’s fixing to be one epic spring. And since spring really is just a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking outside those four confining walls.

Your deck or patio may look pretty uninviting at the moment, but we’ve got a simple three-step plan to help you reclaim it:

1. Reserve your seats.

Finding the patio furniture you’d like to sink into won’t be difficult at Hayneedle. With exclusive patio sets, custom fabrics and finishes, and new collections for 2010 already available, now’s the time to order so you don’t miss a day of spring.

2. Keep ‘em warm.

Get out earlier and stay out longer with patio heaters, fire pits, chimineas, and more. Adding heat to your deck or patio is a surefire way to extend the outdoor season.

3. Make it yours.

Choose from an endless variety of outdoor decor and accessories to make the outdoors yours. From planters to wind chimes and bird baths to outdoor rugs, you’ll find everything you need to put a personal touch on your little slice of paradise.