All the comforts of home, but outdoors

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Last summer upscale homeowners wanted to live outdoors. Movable furniture that could be pushed onto the deck, deluxe grills and elaborate gardens were in high demand for what people considered their extra room.
But in a tough winter you'd think people would have sense enough to come in from the cold. Not necessarily.
The Wall Street Journal reports that ice-skating rinks, small greenhouses, deep hot tubs, downsized snow-making machines and sledding runs are all the rage for the home in some communities.
It seems outdoor furniture industries are promoting the idea of year-round living both under the sun and the snow clouds. Greenhouse sales are up 60 percent in five years, the Journal says.