fall Archives - DeckTec Outdoor Designs

Colorado: Lucky Us

October 18th, 2017|Life On Deck|

You may have noticed that the secret’s out – Colorado’s an amazing place to visit, and for an increasing number of people from all over the country, an ideal place to live. Who can blame these folks for appreciating what we Coloradans have been enjoying all these years? There’s the breathtaking scenery, a growing professional arts and music scene, and world-class culinary delights. Our state, and the metro area in particular, are on the short list of top destinations, and with this comes gains as well as some inevitable growing pains. Denver commerce is moving full steam ahead and shows no signs of slowing. This means a steady stream of people moving here, and an unemployment rate at nearly zero. But the slower pace and idyllic serenity of our favorite mountain towns and trails – a treasure for many of us – is likewise impacted by our new neighbors and [...]

Where Did Summer Go?

September 27th, 2017|Life On Deck|

Wow, isn’t that what we always say at this time of year? As I get older, time seems to go by faster here in Colorado, where the weather and the seasons don’t often appear to be in sync. Labor Day is generally considered the milestone that defines the end of summer, even though the “official” end of summer is September 22, according to the calendar. I’ve lived in Colorado since grade school in the late 60’s, and I’ve noticed that the seasonal climate dial seems to have moved with winter pushing into spring, spring into summer, and summer into fall, and fall into winter. Long term Colorado residents know our climate can be unpredictable. Nevertheless, my calendar has winter ending around Easter, summer beginning around the 4th of July, fall begins around Halloween, and winter around the New Year. So, with milder days and nights ahead, let’s get ready to [...]

Delicious Hot Apple Cider

November 22nd, 2016|Blog, Outdoor Recipes|

It's hard to beat cup of hot apple cider on a cold fall or winter day. This recipe is great and will warm you from the inside out. Ingredients 6 cups apple cider ¼ cup real maple syrup 2 cinnamon sticks 6 whole cloves 6 whole allspice berries 1 orange peel, cut into strips 1 lemon peel, cut into strips Directions Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel, and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture. Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5–10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling. Remove the cider from the heat. Discard [...]

Time to Fall Back

November 4th, 2016|Blog, Life On Deck|

Daylight Savings Ends this Weekend As the northern hemisphere begins its annual tilt away from the sun, our shorter days are approaching. This weekend marks the end of Daylight Savings Time and provides a great reminder of some of our 6-month cycles of home tasks. Here are four top tasks from your friends at DeckTec: TURN BACK THE CLOCK - Before you head to bed this weekend, be sure to turn back your clock an hour, and enjoy a little extra sleep in the morning. Did you know that in December, at the deepest part of winter, we will have approximately five and one half hours less of sunshine than the longest days in June? CHECK YOUR BATTERIES - Now is also a great time to check the batteries on your fire alarms and practice the family emergency preparedness plan. Kids will have fun running out into the last piles [...]

Fall Thoughts: The Best Season for Outdoor Living

September 22nd, 2016|Life On Deck, Outdoor Living|

Change is in the air and after a long, hot, and dry summer; fall is now upon us. People are finishing their vacations, kids are going back to school, and collectively our routines all seem to settle down as summer winds to a close. Hopefully you took advantage of the beautiful weather and participated in some of the many fantastic festivals, fairs, and other events throughout summer. The Best Season for Outdoor Living In my opinion, fall is the best season of the year for outdoor living in Colorado. Is it just me, or does it seem like the seasons have been shifting here for several years? Winter weather often extends throughout half of spring; hot summer weather seems to start yielding to fall in August. Fall appears to be the longest and most predictable season producing pleasant and mild weather that’s ideal for enjoying the outdoors. If you ask me, [...]