Playing It Safe in the Summer Heat
Summer in Colorado offers unparalleled outdoor fun in the sun. Who can resist walking, running or cycling on open space trails, or heading up to the gorgeous high country for a day or a week? But staying safe during the upcoming ‘dog days’ means taking extra care to stay cool – and knowing when to call it quits. Always keep your fitness level and health in mind – a 98-degree day is probably not the time to attempt your first fourteener. Set realistic goals, and be prepared to adjust them as needed. Your body needs time to adjust to the heat. Work up gradually to greater challenges. Staying hydrated is essential! Hydration packs with sip tubes are a convenient way to drink frequently without having to stop and reach for a bottle. Always bring more water than you think you’ll need. Check hydration guidelines for your activity, for instance, strenuous hiking in high temps can require one liter of water (or more) per hour. When assessing water needs, consider weather, intensity and duration of activity, age[...]
Golden, Parker, & Lafayette Farmers Markets
Mid-July through September is prime time for homegrown Colorado produce, so head down to your local farmers market for juicy Western Slope fruit and a nearly-endless list of veggies – from beets and broccoli to carrots, corn, zucchini, beans and salad greens. A crop calendar guide to what you might find at the markets from month to month is available at http://coloradofreshmarkets.com/crop-calendar/. Presented by the Golden Chamber of Commerce, the award-winning Golden Farmers Market is in its 17th season, and its second year of management by the Boulder-based Colorado Fresh Markets, which also manages the Cherry Creek, City Park, and Stapleton farmers markets. The Golden market meets downtown at the Golden Public Library, 1019 10th Street, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through October 7 (except July 29, when its closed for the spectacular Buffalo Bill Days). In addition to fresh produce, the market offers prepared foods, home and garden items, educational experiences , and community gathering space. If Saturdays aren’t enough, head south to the Parker Farmers Market on Sundays from 8 a.m. to[...]
Cool Summer Fruit Soup
Serves 4 Ingredients 2 c. Ripe cantaloupe cut into chunks 1 Ripe large peach, peeled and cut into chunks 1 c. Freshly blended peach nectar (or canned) ½ c. White Zinfandel (or ½ c. peach nectar) 2 tbsp. Freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 c. Fresh or frozen raspberries Sugar or other sweetener Fresh mint sprigs Directions Fresh Peach Nectar Start with soft, ripe, fragrant peaches. Submerge peaches in boiling water until skin loosens. Remove peaches from hot water and submerge in ice water. Once peaches cool, peel and remove pits and cut into chunks. Liquefy peaches with water (2:1 ratio) in blender. Fruit Soup In blender or food processor, combine fruit, nectar and wine until smooth. Add sweetener to taste. Chill soup until cold in covered container, at least 1 hour. Pour soup into bowls and top with raspberries. Garnish with mint sprigs. Adapted from Jane Shapton, myrecipes.com
As Good As It Gets
I have something to admit – I’m going to be a Grandfather soon and I have never been outside the United States. Yes, I have a passport, but I’ve never been to Mexico, Canada, or any other foreign country. I’ve been very lucky, though, to have traveled to many parts of this country and to have stayed at some very luxurious hotels and resorts. In addition, in over thirty years within my profession, I’ve been in many incredibly beautiful homes throughout the Denver metro area and Colorado. As spectacular as these places are, what strikes me most are the professionally designed environments that bring the indoors and outdoors together. I know I’m not alone, because everywhere I go I see restaurants expanding their open air seating and lounging areas with beautiful decks and patios. For example, during a recent trip to Austin, Texas, I saw many restaurant and hotel rooftop decks. In Minneapolis, the Union restaurant has a rooftop deck with, of all things, a retractable greenhouse! And the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, they have acres[...]
Gazpacho Soup with Beer and Jalapeno (Vegan)
A tangy, chilled summer tomato soup with extra punch from your favorite light craft beer. (Serves 4) Ingredients 4 c. diced red tomatoes 1/2 c. chunk baguette or sourdough bread 1 tbsp. olive oil 2 tsp. salt 1/2 green pepper, seeded and diced (about 1/2 c.) 1/2 English cucumber, diced (about 1 c.) 1/4 c. red onion 1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped 2 tbsp. lime juice (or juice of 1 lime) 1/2- 1 jalapeno, diced, depending on desired heat level 1/2 c. beer freshly ground pepper to taste cilantro leaves, to garnish Directions Place all ingredients, except pepper, cilantro, and beer, in blender. Puree to desired consistency Stir in beer, add pepper to taste Pour into bowls and garnish with cilantro Adapted from: cookingforluv.com
Container Tomatoes
Imagine picking a ripe, juicy tomato right on your deck! All you need are some starts, and pots of various sizes. You can extend the season by covering plants, or taking them in overnight, as the weather cools. Pick a spot with good sun, but don’t overdo – tomatoes can wilt or burn under the hot Colorado sun. Test out and adjust locations as needed. Grouping pots together provides some shade and wind protection. Tomatoes need plenty of water and good drainage. Soil should be evenly damp to the touch, not dry, hard, or soggy. Transplant tomatoes in a timely manner as they outgrow containers. “Patio” tomatoes intended for pots may not taste quite as good. You can grow regular tomatoes and even some heirlooms in containers. Talk with your local gardening expert. Stake potted plants for support and monitor for disease – just like tomatoes planted in the ground. Time your harvests - some types of tomatoes grow much faster than others. Protecting Your Wood Deck Make sure that your containers and saucers – whether[...]
Beer Myths
Thousands of years of brewing science still has not put some classic beer myths to rest. Let’s debunk them once and for all! Myth #1: All Dark Beer is Heavy Don’t be afraid of the dark! While a beer’s color can offer clues about flavor, color has little to do with “mouthfeel” – the way a beer’s weight and texture feel, literally, in the mouth. To understand mouthfeel, consider how skim milk feels and weighs on your palate compared to whole milk. While it’s commonly believed that dark beers feel thick, more like whole milk, this is a myth. Why not give a Schwarzbier or Dunkelweizen a try, both dark, German-style brews that are perfect for your deck. Myth #2: Beer is Best Ice Cold The truth is that extremely cold temperatures inhibit the flavor and aroma of beer. As well, pouring beer into a frozen mug often results in excessive foaming. Nobody wants to miss anything that these Colorado craft beers have to offer. If you’re serious about enjoying your beer, consider fishing those mugs[...]
Responding to Hail Damage
According to DeckTec repair and restoration specialist Vince Stover, it’s only when you file a claim that you find out how good your insurance company actually is – this is when the rubber hits the road. Contact your agent with questions about your coverage before the next storm hits, and be sure to patch any policy holes. What you want as a DeckTec homeowner is to have your investment fully restored to its pre-storm condition. DeckTec does not use subcontractors. We create high-quality, unique custom decks, and our craftsmen are the only ones qualified to repair them. It’s your right as a policy holder to decide who performs your deck restoration. Be aware that a substandard restoration can VOID your DeckTec warranty – and no one wants to see this happen, least of all us. You may get resistance or conflicting information from your insurance company or roofer, but rest assured that you always have the right to deal directly with DeckTec. Managing storm damage and insurance claims is stressful for anyone. We hope to make[...]
Deck Worthy Beer Pairings
Sunset Classic Barbecued Ribs with a Quadrupel Beer Pairing: Quadrupel No fat, no flavor. Properly seasoned and grilled pork ribs satisfy some of our most primal urges, and nothing less than a bold beer pairing is called for. Wine lovers would likely reach for a brawny Zin or Barbera. The beer pairing you need for ribs is a quadrupel, the Belgian abbey brew that marries huge layers of rich, stonefruit flavor with peppery yeast strains without the astringent tannins of big red wines. Look for Apis IV from Elevation Beer Co in Poncha Springs, CO; Elevationbeerco.com. Grilled Seafood and Chorizo Paella with Saison Beer Pairing: Saison Whatever else paella brings to the party, from shellfish to piquant sausage, saffron rules them all, and it’s both too delicately delicious and dear to overpower. Enter saison, traditionally brewed in Flemish farmhouses for seasonal workers. The most traditional versions are a touch sour, which, Albariño-like, cuts through paella’s richness. It’s a super versatile beer style: think delicate spiciness, cracker-like malt backbone, and tongue-scrubbing carbonation. Our pick: Surette, Crooked Stave[...]
Deck or Patio? What’s best for you?
One of the most often asked questions over the years has been: “What’s better, a deck or a patio?” The truth is, a lot of that is determined by the site and the elevation that the house is set at. After that’s first considered, for the homes that are relatively close to the ground, where both are viable options, my answer is simple. Better than a deck or a patio, is a deck AND a patio. You can have too much of anything. Just as you can have too much grass, rock, or concrete, you can also have too much wood, or too much stone. Ultimately for the greatest appeal, you’ll want balance. The wood and the stone are the perfect compliments to each other. Artfully Combining Decks & Patios is Best Patios are going to be at or near the ground, and decks are going to be in elevated areas. Decks are ideal for expanding the living area; however, they’re not meant to be in contact with the earth. Patios on the other hand are[...]
Recent Works
