Thoughts About Birds
In our busy, nosey, electronic media dominated world, we are told to “stop and smell the roses.” I think we should, especially this time of year. However, there is something else that often gets overlooked in the hustle of our everyday – the birds that surround us. As you sit out on your deck, porch, patio, or go for a leisurely walk, take a moment to relax, breathe, and listen. You will notice the beautiful sounds and songs through the busy sounds of traffic, lawn mowers, and kids playing. Like gardening, bird watching is a stress reducing and relaxing activity. It gets you outdoors and in touch with nature without travel or leaving your home. So, get outside, quiet your mind, and open your eyes. For many people, birding is a passion, and we are happy to introduce you to one of the “Bird Talk Guys” from Wild Birds Unlimited, to share a little about attracting birds. Scott Menough is the host of BirdTalk radio, which airs Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. on 710 KNUS[...]
Spicy Lime Grilled Salmon
Try this light salmon recipe the next time you're looking for something new to try! SPICY LIME GRILLED SALMON Serves 4 Ingredients 1 lime 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes salt and pepper to taste 1.5 lbs. wild Alaskan salmon lime wedges (optional garnish) olive oil to coat grill Directions 1. Using microplane, zest lime into small mixing bowl. 2. Juice lime. Add juice to zest. 3. Whisk together juice, oil, garlic, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. 4. Lay fish in small baking dish, filet skin side up so marinade soaks in. Pour marinade over fish, turning to cover completely. 5. Cover salmon with airtight lid in fridge for 30-60 minutes, or until you’re ready to eat. 6. Heat outdoor grill (or grill pan) over medium-high heat until piping hot. Brush olive oil over grill grates with heat-resistant pastry brush to prevent sticking. 7. Place marinated salmon on hot grill or pan. Let cook – without touching it! – for 5-7[...]
Deck to Table Dining
Our March issue offered helpful tips for designing an “on deck” container garden. Now we’re ready to “get growing!” If you’re up for the container gardening adventure, the rewards are great – imagine the joys of watching plants you’ve carefully tended grow into maturity. How wonderful is a dinner party with friends and family gathered round enjoying the “fruits” (and vegetables) of your labor from the deck where they were raised? There’s just no better way to impress your guests! Salad greens such as arugula, mustard, and mesculun, sassy, baby and braising mixes as well as lettuces grow quickly and easily from seed. They do well in cool weather and ideally should be planted now, as rain and snow will aid germination. These greens are especially great for pots because they don’t take up much room, and, even better, they grow back after being cut for multiple harvests. You can cover plants a bit for insulation and to speed up the process, but it’s not required, as there’s no need to be concerned about frost with[...]
On Deck with Joe Freemyer
Lead DeckTec carpenter Joe Freemyer wasn’t born in Colorado, but he might as well have been – this guy takes to the mountains, so to speak, like a fish to water. “Colorado is where it’s at. I’m a very outdoorsy person, I just love the mountains and everything that comes with it – hiking, mountain biking, trail running, bouldering, climbing. I definitely take advantage of it all, a lot more than some people do,” Joe said. “I’m an avid mountain biker.” “Exercise is really important to me, I work out every day,” he added. “I definitely take advantage of the trails and open space.” While it may seem hard to believe, Joe actually grew up in the oh-so-flatlands of Pleasantville, Iowa, a small town of about 1,500 folks near the center of the state, and also lived briefly in Tennessee, which didn’t quite suit him. “I was in Tennessee for about three months when I was 22, and then I was like, ‘I’m outta here,’” he said. “I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t want to[...]
Spring Has Sprung!
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to head outside, especially since we have “sprung forward” and the days are steadily getting warmer. With the Rockies home opener this Friday, I know summer is on its way. With summer comes all of the graduations, weddings, BBQs, and outdoor parties that are ideal for celebrating in your outdoor living environment. I can’t remember the start of a Colorado baseball season where the team has had such promise. Even though I’ll have many opportunities to see the Rockies play at Coors Field, I’m sure I’ll have many more wonderful evenings watching from my covered patio. With our amazing climate, there’s no better place for outdoor living than right here in Colorado. Just thinking about it gets me excited for another season. As we begin to spend more time outdoors we’re always looking for ways to enhance our pleasure and enjoyment, from deep cushioned sectionals and comfy outdoor furnishings to gathering round with wine or coffee (and I love coffee!), gas firepits, and an outdoor TV to watch[...]
Gardening On Deck: Dress It Up
You’re probably familiar with interior design and decorating, but did you know that you can also give your deck a makeover with “exterior” design? Container gardening is so easy. It brings the garden to you and works in whatever space you have available. You can grow anything and everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and herbs, and there’s no better time to start planning your own “on deck” garden than now! Map It Out Deck space is finite, and you’ll want to use that space in the most effective way possible. Planning is key – step back and take a look at your deck and landscape features. Grab a pencil and paper and start mapping out different designs to get your creative ideas flowing. Potted plants for the deck, flower boxes on the railing, and hanging plants for posts and walls are just a few of the ways you can bring the garden onto the deck. Is there adequate sun for the plants you’ve chosen, or do you need more suitable options? What about shade?[...]
Corned Beef and Cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day
With St. Patrick's Day this weekend, it's time to get our Irish on! 2 celery stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces 3 carrots, cut into 3-inch pieces 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1-inch wedges (root end left intact) Onions Yellow/ Brown 1/2 pound small potatoes, halved if large 6 sprigs thyme 1 corned beef brisket (about 3 pounds), plus pickling spice packet or 1 tablespoon pickling spice 1/2 head Savoy cabbage, cut into 1 1/2-inch wedges Grainy mustard, for serving In a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker, place celery, carrots, onion, potatoes, and thyme. Place corned beef, fat side up, on top of vegetables and sprinkle with pickling spice; add enough water to almost cover meat (4 to 6 cups). Cover and cook on high until corned beef is tender, 4 1/4 hours (or 8 1/2 hours on low). Arrange cabbage over corned beef, cover, and continue cooking until cabbage is tender, 45 minutes (or 1 1/2 hours on low). Thinly slice corned beef against the grain and serve with vegetables, cooking liquid, and grainy mustard.
Get Ready for Outdoor Living
You look out over your deck every day from your family room and kitchen. What are you seeing through those back windows and doors? Is your deck neglected, or the outdoor oasis that you originally intended? I certainly hope it’s an oasis. For some folks, decorating and designing seems to come so naturally. I’m awed by the time and care that our clients invest in making their decks truly their own. I love to see the furniture, art pieces, flowers and other greenery that people have so thoughtfully arranged. It’s always an experience for me because each one is so individual, reflecting the homeowners’ personal tastes. There’s nothing that brings me more joy than seeing our carefully-crafted decks enhancing your backyard environment. For others, decorating can seem a bit daunting or overwhelming. Some people just don’t know where to start or how to approach things. Perhaps you’re looking out over an empty or, cluttered space just waiting to be spruced up? Here at DeckTec we want your deck to bring you as much joy and use[...]
How to Beat Those Winter Blues
If you find yourself feeling down lately, know that you’re not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of seasonal depression. The most common seasonal winter depression, a serious disorder that affects about five percent of people. Another 10 to 20 percent of people are believed to suffer from “mild” winter depression – that’s one out of every five to ten of us! Winter depression typically starts in late fall and resolves in spring or summer, and symptoms will tend to come and go at the same time each year. It’s worth noting that SAD affects four times as many women as men. So how do you know when it’s time to seek professional help? If you’re seeing some of the following winter depression symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, it’s time to take action: Fatigue Oversleeping Overeating and weight gain Cravings for sweet and starchy foods Difficulty concentrating Social withdrawal or “hibernation” Possible Causes Research indicates that people with SAD may have difficulty[...]
It’s That Time Again
Colorado has long been recognized as an outdoor living and sports mecca for good reason. With the breathtaking Rocky Mountains in our backyard, our wild and scenic state can often seem like one big year-round playground for outdoor activities such as skiing, camping, hiking, hunting, and leisurely sightseeing. We are so fortunate to live in a place that offers a variety of outdoor activities that we can enjoy year-round! Well-deserved recognition of Colorado as the nation’s outdoor living and recreation capital surely contributed to Denver being able to land and secure a five-year contract to host Outdoor Retailer, a large and prestigious show. Though this event is not open to the public, its new Denver location is just further proof of the tremendously positive outdoor living reputation that Colorado has these days. Hosting a massive event like the Outdoor Retailer show has shaken up the regular schedule of consumer trade shows that usually fill the early months of the year here. This is a major industry event that took over the entire Colorado Convention Center (that’s[...]
Recent Works
