"The outdoor kitchen trend is definitely catching on. A lot of people are adding on fireplaces, some stationary, some portable, to porches and patios," said George Wright of George Wright Construction.

Cabinets will be multi-functional. Instead of lining up cabinetry unity, staggered setups are being used to create more movement and intrigue.

"We're seeing outdoor kitchens with full sets of appliances. People are going for fully functional kitchens," said Hank Matheny from Haskell Interiors Design Collection.

"Now people are starting to use different and more exciting materials for the outdoor kitchen space that complement the exterior of the house." he said. "We are seeing people use glass mosaics and porcelain tiles. More designs like what you would see on the interior of the house."

Now, the trend is to create the seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Many homeowners consider their outdoor living area as an addition to their homes. Building a major outdoor project (such as a kitchen, pond, fire feature) is the second most popular home improvement project, according to a survey by Better Homes and Garden magazine.

Charlie is a wild-born coyote who was unexpectedly delivered to my doorstep this past April after both his parents were shot for killing sheep. Whatever reservations I had about raising a wild animal simply didn't matter - couldn't matter - when I realized his survival, at least in the short term, depended on me.

At the time I write this, Charlie is nearly six months old. I don't think of him as "my pet," even though he sleeps curled against me every night (every night except the nights around a full moon), and happily rides in my truck, and adores my cat. I don't wish to own him, just to live together in harmony. And that we do.