Pumpkin Spice Latte
Enjoy this seasonal favorite in the comfort of your own home! Serves 2 2 tbsp. canned pumpkin ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice + more to garnish freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp. sugar 2 c. whole milk 2 tbsp. vanilla extract ¼ c. espresso or strong coffee whipped cream optional: 2 oz. coffee liqueur or rum In small saucepan over medium heat, combine pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and black pepper - to taste, for 2 minutes, or until hot. Stir continuously. Add sugar and stir until becomes a bubbly, thick syrup. Whisk in milk and vanilla and warm gently over medium heat. Be careful not to reach a boil. Froth with a hand blender or whisk until frothy. Pour coffee into two mugs and add frothed milk. Optional: add 1 oz. liquor to each mug, more or less to taste Top with whipped cream and pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg, to taste. (adapted from thekitchn.com)
Dave Hall: All in the Family
If he were alive today, Rod Hall might hardly recognize the small, one-man wholesale barbecue distribution company he started in Denver in 1968 under his own name. Now called Colorado Comfort Products, and under the leadership his son Dave since 1978, the family business has expanded into the high-end retail market with barbecues as well as fire pits and tables, outdoor heating systems, ornamental fire features and more. The entire product line, Dave said, is manufactured in the United States and Canada, with nothing from overseas. “We’re a three-generation business,” Dave said proudly. “I enjoy working with my family, number one.” Dave’s daughter, Shellie Kenfield, handles phones, accounting, payroll, computer systems and other operational and administrative duties, while Dave’s nephew, Matt Hall, and his son, Jeff Hall, handle sales, work crews, liaise with contractors, and perform troubleshooting. And, of course, there’s Dave’s wife, Cindy Hall, his right-hand gal who “helps out with everything” – from sales to collections to well – “just about anything.” “Our family’s goal is really to take care of our customers, so[...]
Everyone Loves a Fire Pit
When it comes to “fire on deck” and staying warm, there’s something for every need – from a fire pit to fireplaces and heaters. DeckTec can make it happen. “There’s been a big evolution in all of this since the first outdoor fire options came on board in the late 90s and early 2000s,” Steve Sparhawk, owner of DeckTec said. (Download: The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Custom Outdoor Deck Project) “Fire pits warm the lower body, whereas fire tables, when you sit around them, warm the upper body,” Dave Hall, owner of Colorado Comfort Products, said. “A lot of people prefer a fire pit because of that lower body warmth.” Fire pits are great because they can also double as a coffee table. Hall said that he sells five times more fire pits than tables. “The advantage of fire tables is that they provide warmth around an eating surface,” he said. They come in many different shapes, styles, colors and heights. If people don’t like the appearance of the typical stainless steel, he added, there’s[...]
Colorado: Lucky Us
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 guests. Although a boon to mountain economies, for Denverites it means noticeably increased traffic, leading to frustration and long travel times as we head to the[...]
Grilled Chicken with Brother John’s Peach Pineapple Habanero Sauce
Ingredients 4 chicken breasts 1 c. sugar ¼ c. apple cider vinegar 1/4 c. pineapple juice 1/4 tbsp. lemon juice 1/4 tbsp. cornstarch (mixed with a bit of water to create a slurry) 1/4 medium to large pineapple roasted and chopped 1/4 medium onion finely chopped 1/4 red pepper finely chopped 1 and 1/4 peaches finely chopped 2-3 habanero peppers, roasted and finely chopped Directions Create a simple syrup in a large pot by whisking the sugar, vinegar, pineapple juice, and lemon juice over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit while prepping the other ingredients. Stir the remaining ingredients into the syrup, stir in the cornstarch mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn down the heat to simmer for 5-10 minutes. The consistency should be syrupy and chunky. Pour over chicken breasts. Marinate for 2 hours or longer. Grill and enjoy.
Gary Gansar Loves His DeckTec Deck
When your adult children start hosting their parties on your newly-built backyard deck, you know you’ve done something right. “I’ve got four grown kids, and they have their parties over here now,” Gary Gansar said, referring to his 817 square-foot mahogany DeckTec deck that was completed in May. Maybe it’s the great music, with separate upper and lower deck controls for the Sonos sound system, the television designed specifically for the outdoors, or the cozy indoor comforts brought outside. “DeckTec installed a fairly large pergola that we’ve suspended a swing from, people get a lot of use and enjoyment out of that swing,” Gansar said. But it’s not just Gansar’s adult children who dig the new deck. The deck, which Gansar described as, “A tremendous upgrade from what we had before,” has something for everybody. “It’s great, it’s very comfortable. We get tremendous compliments on it, people tell us it’s just first rate. A friend of mine from New Orleans told me that I’d ‘hit a home run’ on this deck. People just love to sit[...]
Where Did Summer Go?
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 enjoy what I believe is the best time of the year for outdoor living! There is an incredible amount of events and activities to take in[...]
Take a Peek At the Peak to Peak!
September brings relief from summer heat and a return of colorful autumn, with fall foliage along the Front Range typically turning between mid-September and early October. There’s no better time for a high-country drive or hike than on a comfortably cool September day as clear blue skies set off those golden aspens. We’re fortunate in the Denver area to have these beautiful but fleeting landscapes so accessible to us. So get out there soon, and catch a “peak” while you can! Keep in mind that trees generally “bloom” in a given location for about a week and can peak early from a cold snap or high winds, so keep an eye on the weather as you plan your trip. Check the U.S. Forest Service fall foliage hot-line, which starts operating in late September, call for updates at 1-800-354-4595. An excellent choice for viewing foliage is the Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway, which runs 55 miles from Black Hawk to Estes Park, offering superb autumn scenery, access to great hiking, and the mountain towns of[...]
Picture This! Second Annual Photo Contest
Here at DeckTec, we love nothing more than seeing you loving your deck! That’s why we do what we do – so you can create lasting memories of outdoor living fun. Last year we launched our Picture This! photo contest as a way of expressing our appreciation for our valued customers, and to see our fine designs being used and enjoyed. Back at our office, we have literally thousands of photos of our projects, but these pics are incomplete. What’s missing is YOU - our wonderful customers out there making their DeckTec decks come alive, and the personal touches – the outdoor plants, landscaping, furnishings, and deck decorations that you’ve carefully selected. Nothing would make us happier than seeing pictures of your barbecues, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, graduation parties, fine dining, beautiful sunsets, children at play, and of course, lots and lots of smiles. The good news is that there’s still time to share your favorite DeckTec outdoor living images. You have until Saturday, September 30th to submit your entries to our second annual Picture This! contest.[...]
Beat the Heat: Time to Get Shady!
There’s no contest – Mother Nature holds the trademark on the best backyard cooling system ever invented –a mature shade tree. But many of us on the Front Range, especially in new developments and out on the plains, may not have a backyard so well-endowed. So, what are some ways to keep friends and family cool during the dog days of summer? The good news is that you’ve got options, from the simplest to the most elaborate, for enjoying your DeckTec deck on even the sunniest, hottest days. Umbrellas These ubiquitous summer fixtures are either over-the-table or cantilevered –typically 8 to 11 feet in diameter with weighted bases. They can be positioned where you need them, and with bases weighing hundreds of pounds, moving them can be cumbersome but they can be easily retracted, rotated, and tilted. Trellises or Pergolas These freestanding, latticed arches covered in climbing or trailing plants are typically seen in gardens and work best there. They can certainly add charm and privacy to a section of the backyard, but they offer limited[...]
Recent Works
