Shake off the Cabin Fever & Get an Early Taste of Spring!
If you’ve been in the Denver media area for any number of years, there’s no doubt you’re aware of the annual Colorado Garden and Home Show, even if you haven’t yet attended. For many that have attended in the past, it’s a great exhibit that they look forward to checking out regularly. The major themed garden is always extravagant and different and the many gardens are beautiful and new. The gardens include flowers, plants, and trees in full spring bloom that make you feel like you’re visiting a warm tropical destination for a day. (Talk about spring fever!) A week indoors in this environment is often more enjoyable than the alternatives. This year marks the 58th year of the annual Garden and Home Show. For 26 consecutive years now, we here at DeckTec have participated! For us, what started as an event to showcase our custom projects and attract new business has morphed into more of a reunion event to reconnect with current and past clients. Of course, we do find some new clients to serve as well. The[...]
Amazingly Good Eggnog
A seasonal favorite treat, sure to please your family! Ingredients 4 cups milk 5 whole cloves 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 12 egg yolks 2 ½ cups light rum 1 ½ cups sugar 4 cups light cream ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg Directions Combine milk, cloves, ½ teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves and let cool for about an hour. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving. Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com
So Much To Be Thankful For!
First let me extend a huge THANK YOU from our family to you for being a DeckTec client. Hopefully it’s been a great year for you full of lasting memories with family and friends. There are truly too many things to be thankful for to list them all in the little space this blog allows. We can give thanks for wonderful friends and family, good health, and abundant opportunities. With the great climate and economy in this awesome state, who wouldn’t be thankful? Secondly, let’s all give thanks the election is finally over! This election seems to be far more dramatic than others. However, I’m sure there are more historically knowledgeable folks who could tell me otherwise. Life goes on either way, and even if your favorite candidate didn’t win, we all still need to come together and unite as a nation. The people are what make this country so great, not any one single leader, but our collective people. Additionally, we are thankful for our company’s longevity. Did you know that this February (4th-12th) will mark[...]
Where The Deck Are We?
When I mention our office and shop is located in Golden, many people seem to think it’s far away in the mountains for some reason, but it’s actually very close. Our offices have been based in Golden, at the junction of many major roads since 1995. We love that it’s so easy to get anywhere from our central hub with I-76, C-470, I-70, Hwy. 93, and U.S. Hwy. 6 all surrounding us. The city of Golden is rich in many aspects: its culture, its history, and its natural resources. It’s a beautiful historic town and a fabulous place to visit or spend the day. It’s nestled between the North and South Table Mountains and the majestic foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and got its name by formerly being a busy gold rush town. It was known as Golden City when originally founded in 1859, and it quickly became the capital of the Colorado Territory in 1862. Many locals became outraged when the neighboring city of Denver took the honor in 1876 when Colorado officially became a state.[...]
Delicious Hot Apple Cider
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 the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired. Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com
7 Reasons Why Savvy Homeowners Build Their Outdoor Living Addition “Off-Season”
Eliminate Hassle, Save Time, & Receive Supreme Value by Planning Like a Pro The vast majority of people don’t even begin to think about initiating their outdoor living projects until the weather starts to become consistently warm. They all wait and then rush to start the process at the same time. This produces an effect akin to everyone funneling out of a concert or ball game simultaneously; movement becomes congested and people become irritated by the slow progress. Don’t follow the herd. Instead, discover why off-season (anytime snow can affect a job) is the best time to build your unique outdoor living addition. 1) Greater Scheduling Flexibility During peak seasons everyone seems to be in a hurry to get their project underway. This can be overwhelming and frustrating for everyone. With minimal scheduling flexibility in the peak seasons, construction times can be challenging to align with all of your fun summer plans. In the off-season we have more time to work closely with you to discuss your unique needs and desires, so take full advantage! 2) Less Weather[...]
Time to Fall Back
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 of dry leaves in your yard, and you'll feel better knowing your alarm system is in order. Just be sure to check with your fire department[...]
Preparing for The Winter Season
Prepare Like a Bear I think there is a lot to be learned from nature; as the great Albert Einstein said "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Fall is now upon us, with a change in colors, light, and air. In my opinion, this is one of the best times of the year for outdoor living. What do animals do during autumn? If you notice, they’re all busy preparing for winter. Many of them have distinct routines, but the one thing they all have in common is preparation. Squirrels come to mind, gathering and storing as much food as they can to last through winter. Other animals, like bears, eat extra food in order to store the energy as fat and then find or build a warm shelter to hibernate through the winter. Even the birds prepare by migrating as a flock to warmer climates where it’s easier for them to find food to survive. We humans have a different set of situations to prepare for and problems to solve. Just[...]
Picture This! Photo Contest Voting
Summer is over, but don't fret, that just means that the best time to enjoy outdoor living is here! This is my favorite time of year, and I hope you join me in celebrating it. If you want some tips, look no further than our latest newsletters, especially the one we have coming out this October. Speaking of newsletters, earlier this year we asked you, our community of outdoor enthusiasts, to share with us photos celebrating deck life and you did not disappoint. We’ve seen some fantastic entries come into the office and we wish we could have been there celebrating each moment. It is time to share those moments with everyone and ask, will you help us pick our winners? Visit this link to cast your vote for your favorite outdoor moment! I know that not everyone reading this submitted a photo, but it’s not too late to participate by lending your voice. I want to thank all of you for participating and showing off your beautiful outdoor living spaces in use! Our mission is[...]
Fall Thoughts: The Best Season for 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, fall provides the perfect environment for enjoying ball games, barbecuing, and celebrating life with friends and family. Extending the Season There are many ways to extend[...]
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