Deck-Worthy Dishes – Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes)
Ingredients 3 lbs. potatoes, scrubbed 2 sticks butter 1¼ cups hot milk 1 head cabbage, cored and finely shredded 1 (1-lb.) piece ham or bacon, cooked the day before 4 scallions, finely chopped parsley leaves, chopped black pepper, freshly ground Directions Steam potatoes in their skins for 30 minutes. Peel using a knife and fork. Chop with knife before mashing thoroughly to remove lumps. Add 1 stick butter in pieces. Gradually add hot milk, stirring consistently. Season with salt and a few grinds black pepper. Boil cabbage in unsalted water with 2 tablespoons butter until cabbage turns darker color, then cover with lid for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly before returning to pan. Chop cabbage into small pieces. Put ham/bacon in large saucepan, cover with water. Bring to boil, simmer 45 minutes until tender. Drain. Remove any fat, chop into small pieces. Add cabbage, scallions, and ham/bacon to mashed potatoes, stirring in gently. Serve in individual soup bowls. Make an indentation on top of each bowl by swirling a wooden spoon. Put 1 tablespoon butter into indentations,[...]
When a Deck Becomes a Room
Whether it’s wood floors, wood furniture or, of course, wood decks and roofs, I’ve always had tremendous appreciation not only for the durability of wood but for the warm, welcoming atmosphere that wood contributes to our living spaces. As I see it, there’s no substitute for the way that wood enhances our sense of home. Wood offers a solid, authentic and earthy feel, with subtle warm tones and natural markings that make each piece as unique as each of our customers. Nothing manufactured or mass-produced can possibly compare with what nature has provided, and that’s why DeckTec relies exclusively on quality softwoods such as Redwood and Cedar and hardwoods like Mahogany and Ipe when creating our custom decks. Over the years I’ve watched the trend toward increasing sophistication in outdoor living, with the outdoor “room” now rivaling the finest interiors in terms of design, furnishings, and material quality. Today’s homeowners want their outdoor environment to reflect their particular taste, values and lifestyle – it’s not just any deck, it’s “our” deck. And with the growing emphasis[...]
Best Local Cold Weather Micro-Brrrews
Beer is a big part of the Colorado lifestyle! For every camping trip, whitewater adventure or 14’er summit there’s beer shared on the back of a tailgate, at one of Colorado’s 300+ taprooms or on your custom redwood deck. But what to do when the temperature drops and the flakes start flying? We’re blessed with plenty of excellent Colorado craft beers for the 65 days of the year when the sun isn’t shining. Find them at your local brewery or stock up until deck weather returns in the spring. These malt-focused beers are perfect for cozying up by the fire after a long day in the Colorado cold and are guaranteed to chase your winter brrrews away! German Dunkel If you’re a fan of Porter be sure to give Dunkel a try – similar to the English favorite but with a cleaner taste from cold fermentation and lagering. Dunkel is German for “dark,” and this beer showcases chocolate and coffee flavors from its roasted dark malts. Best bet: Wibby Dunkel (Longmont) Belgian Quadruple Sugar and spice[...]
Ann & Paul Sims: Windsor’s Winter Wonder Deck
When Ann and Paul Sims moved from Loveland to Windsor in April, choosing DeckTec to create and build a winterized deck for their new home was a no-brainer. “This is our third project with DeckTec.” Ann, a construction software consultant, said. “They just do fantastic work.” Paul, deputy sheriff of Larimer County, agreed. While they’ve been in Colorado for 20 years, the Sims, originally from Florida, enjoy being outdoors as much as possible. For their first deck at the Loveland house, other contractors simply offered the basic slatted roof (trellis or pergola) that the Sims had asked for. DeckTec, on the other hand, proposed a more functional and appealing open gable (A-frame) roof addition, and the rest is history. “Steve came out and knew we needed something more. He came up with his own design and we loved it. It’s turned out to be perfect for us,” Ann said. “When we saw how well the roof worked, we brought DeckTec back to build our outdoor kitchen and install our heater, which was project #2.” When the[...]
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Garden & Home Show!
Did you know that the Colorado Garden & Home Show, all 400,000 square feet of it, is the largest and most prestigious home and garden show west of the Mississippi? More than 600 companies from 25 states and Canada are showcasing cutting-edge technologies in landscaping, gardening, energy-efficient heating and cooling, window treatments, flooring, lighting, fireplaces, patio furniture and fun stuff like greenhouses, sound systems, decks and hot tubs. This year’s show includes 11 inspiring landscaped gardens. It’s the place to go to get out of the cold or if you’ve got cabin fever. More than 50 free educational seminars and how-to demos offer something for everyone. If you’re a flower lover, Wednesday, February 13 is the annual flower sale with proceeds benefiting the Arvada Rotary. This one-stop garden and home improvement marketplace is obviously not-to-be-missed. No matter how big or small your home-related concerns, you’ll find options and answers from a host of vendors. With free tickets provided by DeckTec, there’s simply no excuse not to share in the fun. What have you got to lose?[...]
Come One, Come All See You At The Show
How time flies. I can’t believe this is DeckTec’s 29th year of participation in the Colorado Garden & Home Show down at the Colorado Convention Center. You’d think we’d get tired of this massive production and all the hard work exhibiting entails – assembling, staffing and disassembling our massive 20 x 20 display. Take a year off? Unthinkable! This magnificent home show is totally worth the effort. It’s an unsurpassed opportunity for connecting with wonderful clients such as yourself, with free tickets for all, including your friends and family, courtesy of DeckTec. The more the merrier! We love catching up with you and hearing how things are going “on deck” as well as in the rest of your life. If you have feedback or suggestions for us, we hope you’ll share those. The show really helps us to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to what our clients are wanting and needing in their outdoor living. And if you’re looking for something a little different this Valentine’s Day, bring your special someone down to[...]
The Winter Bird Blurb
We’re back for an update on winter birds with our favorite birding expert, Scott Menough, co-owner with his wife, Sandy, of Wild Birds Unlimited in Lakewood since 1989. Scott is the host of BirdTalk radio on Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. on 710 KNUS and 1690 KDMT, and also hosts a podcast at www.BirdTalkGuys.com. An Abundance of Winter Birds We’re fortunate to have lots of birds that stay with us here all winter, Scott said, although of course not all of them will stick around. Birds that only rely on insects, such as hummingbirds, swallows and flycatchers, head south for warmer weather, while still other birds head down here from the north. (Everything is relative!) Fish-eating birds, for instance, such as ducks and herons come in search of open water and stay until it freezes over. Winter birds need high-protein, high-fat foods. Fat helps them stay warm and keep their energy up. Chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, bushtits and other insect-eating birds that stay year-round rely more heavily on fat-rich seeds in the winter. Finches and some[...]
Vehicle Winterization and Safer-Driving Tips
When it comes to winter driving, an ounce of prevention and preparation, as they say, is truly worth a pound of cure. It’s no fun getting stranded in below-zero temps or a blizzard, and the best way to handle a fender bender is to avoid one. Use this checklist now to keep you and your family safe on the road during this frigid season. Safer-Driving Tips for Winter Always give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. This is not the time to rush. Drive slowly and carefully and be extra aware of your surroundings. Safety really does come first. DO NOT TEXT while driving in winter conditions. If you must make a call, find a safe spot to pull over and stop driving before you pick up that phone. Stopping distances are much, much longer on snow and ice. Give yourself extra room and time to be able to stop safely. Allow ample room between you and the vehicle in front of you. It might seem counterintuitive, but steer into a skid. Once you[...]
A Season of Gratitude
It’s that time of year again, when we collectively pause and take a moment from our busy lives to reflect on the many things we have to be grateful for. No matter the ups and downs of our lives – and we all have some – there’s always so much to appreciate if we just look. We’re blessed to live in an unusually beautiful place full of cultural and recreational riches. The economy is strong and has allowed DeckTec to grow and even expand. (And, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably grateful that the elections are over!) It’s hard for me to believe that 30 years have passed since I founded DeckTec. I was just a spry pup when I started this thing! I still feel young at heart, but the reality is that I’ve grown older and hopefully a bit wiser. With the holidays, I find myself reflecting on the past and I've come to realize that they have taken on a different meaning to me. My children have grown and now I'm a[...]
Deck Worthy Dinners: Beer-Brined Turkey with Onion Gravy & Bacon
Ingredients ¼ c. yellow mustard seeds 2 tbsp. black peppercorns 8 bay leaves 1 c. dark brown sugar 1 c. kosher salt 2 onions, cut into thick wedges 1 lb. bacon slab, skin removed, sliced 1/3-in. thick six 12-oz. bottles Guinness stout one 12-14 lb. turkey 1 c. turkey stock or chicken broth 1 tbsp. unsalted butter 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour Directions In very large pot, combine mustard seeds, peppercorns and bay leaves. Toast on moderate heat until fragrant, about 2 mins. Add brown sugar and salt, remove from heat. Add 4 cups water, stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Let cool completely. Add onions, bacon, Guinness and 16 cups cold water to pot. Add turkey to brine, breast side down, keep submerged with heavy lid. Cover and refrigerate 24 hours. Preheat oven to 350°, put rack on bottom shelf. Lift turkey from brine, pick off spices, pat dry. Transfer to large roasting pan breast side up. Scatter onion wedges, add 1 cup water. Secure bacon with toothpicks on turkey breast. Roast about 2 hours, turning[...]
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