Grillmeisters are excited about the Weber Q Portable Gas Grill Series. New models like the Q100, a 28-pounder, can easily pop in the car for a beach barbecue. The Q100 uses disposable gas tanks, or you can get an adapter for a bigger tank. Prices start at $129.

On the higher end (like 20 times higher) is the $3,000 Smart Grill from Cal Flame. Sleek and stainless steel, it will ease your grilling angst with its built-in computer. You can turn the grill on, light your fire, check the temperature, and time your meat with a touch of a button on the touch-panel face (calspas.com lists dealers).

You need not work in silence. Music can fill the yard via Niles Audio Corp. speakers, designed to look like sandstone, granite, or coral rocks ($210-$460) and exceeding military standards for corrosion, temperature-proofing, and UV- and water-resistance. There's also a 10-gallon speaker built into a planter ($400, at any Niles dealer or at tweeter.com).

Ready for rest? Ease your environmental conscience by flinging yourself into the Envirope Hammock, made of mildew-proof recycled plastic that looks just like rope ($115, greenFeet.com). And for cool libations in the yard or on an outing, there is Sharper Image's Rechargeable Wine Cooler($100), a portable "ice bucket" that runs on eight rechargeable batteries, keeping wine chilled up to two hours a charge. Even Al Gore would drink to that.