Colorado, Coyotes, & You
Just about every science and science fiction magazine has a list of "species most likely to survive the Apocalypse." If you want to expand your list of cockroaches and crows, you may want to think about the coyote. This venerable member of the canine family is smart, adaptable, curious, and much more, according to Jennifer Churchill, Public Information Officer of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife department. Far from being on anyone's endangered species list, Jenn says you can find coyotes just about anywhere. "These animals have recorded populations in every state, except Hawaii," said Jenn. "And with Hawaii, there very well could be one stowed away on a ship headed that way." She explained that coyotes, while once a native of the plains areas, are highly adaptable and have become prolific around human populations. Here in Colorado the coyote population is such that it would be as easy to estimate the number of squirrels living here. Our human population seems to have a love-hate relationship to these animals. In rural areas, coyotes are shy creatures, easily[...]
2014 Out Your Back Door New Year’s Resolutions
Yes, it's that time of year again to sit down and take stock. Time to think about what's going well in our lives and where we can make improvements. In short, it's time for making our New Year's resolutions. And because DeckTec is focused on making outdoor living a grand experience, we thought we'd put together 14 resolutions to make 2014 the best year yet. Here's what we envision: Get outside more – According to a 2013 article in the Huffington Post, just 20 minutes outside can revitalize your outlook and your energy. Take care of what's yours – Pride of ownership can only take you so far, especially if what you own becomes run down. Get a jump on feeling great by taking good care of your deck with a maintenance service twice a year. Build a closer relationship – Create a good place to talk in your yard with a couple of chairs, a blanket for when the weather is chill, and quiet away from electronics of all kinds. Who knows what you'll[...]
Shooting Photos this Holiday Season
As the holidays approach, everyone likes to run for their cameras. Grandma's hugs need to be captured along with the little ones' joy over gifts and holiday lights. The outdoor sights glisten with snow, and promises of winter adventure. Why not make this year's photos, both indoor and out, look better than ever before? We recently spoke with Lakewood photographer Ben D'Andrea to see how he comes up with his best shots. "Good photography always boils down to composition and light," said Ben. "This lesson is easy to understand, but is an ongoing process of learning the entire time you take photos." After thirty years as a professional photographer, Ben knows a lot about both elements. We asked what to focus on first, and Ben recommended learning about the rule of thirds or the golden mean. "The rule of thirds is a great skill to master because it doesn't matter whether you shoot your photos inside or out, in whatever season you choose," said Ben. He explained that this rule is a matter of training[...]
Cold Weather Getting To You? Try A Fire Pit!
As the thermostat continues to drop over the winter season, it may seem difficult to imagine a great Outdoor Living Experience for you and your family. Yes, you can head to the mountains for a day of skiing or snowshoeing, but what happens when you get home again? Where's the après ski experience? Why not continue your fun with a family gathering around your own fire pit in the back yard? According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are among the most popular outdoor additions with a 97% rating in popularity for 2013. Here are some of the reasons we found for this: Fire pits extend your Outdoor Living season – the added heat, while not enough to warm your entire back yard will keep those gathered at your pit comfortable. Fire pits bring people together—Let's face it. Part of the human experience is to gather close together, share stories, and enjoy each other's company. We have been gathering in fire rituals since time began. Fire pits add beauty[...]
Protect Your Pets This Winter
Pets add so much fun and love in our lives that it is no wonder we have as much as 164 million furry friends throughout homes in the United States.* But as winter's cold and snow keeps us humans inside, it is important to realize that our pets need much of the same sheltering and care. "Our highest times of lost animal intake is after heavy winds, snow, and thunder storms," said Operations Manager Susan Fredinburg of the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley. This low-euthanasia and not-for-profit shelter takes in strays and lost animals from seven cities in the Denver area, and does their best to either reunite a pet with their owner, or prepare the animal for adoption by another family. Susan said that the changing weather conditions she mentioned cause pets to jump backyard fences, dig holes underneath, and generally look for ways to escape their current conditions. Another concern is that pets used to being indoors with owners, or even outdoors in Colorado's hot summer conditions are not acclimated properly[...]
Fried Turkey Safety Tips
Turkey. It's as American as—well—eating turkey on Thanksgiving. This patriotic bird, once promoted by Ben Franklin to be our national symbol, is the centerpiece for many holiday festivities. Question is, how do you cook such a large bird? There are the traditionalists who enjoy it roasted, of course, and those who will grill it, but a growing number of people seem to enjoy the added flavor and fun of a deep-fried turkey. The challenge to deep-frying a turkey is the bird's large size. With the average weight of a turkey being about 28 pounds, this is not a project for your kitchen stove. So, many cooks head outdoors to grill or fry their birds. If you decide to deep-fry your turkey this year, two words come to mind: be careful! You should not try this project in a garage, under an eave or even on your roof-covered deck. Set up away from the house, kids, and pets. Deep frying turkey is a definite fire hazard. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 1000 fires[...]
Developing a Grateful Attitude at Holiday Time
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with it marks the beginning of another major holiday season. Turkey Day melds into Black Friday sales, holiday rush, parties, and a hoopla of wonderful activities. But the holiday season is also rife with stress and anxiety, which can lead to depression and other nasty side effects. What can you do to ward off these unpleasant events? Develop an attitude of gratitude. That's right. According to Linda Osterlund Ph.D., LMFT, president of the Colorado Counseling Association and associate dean and associate professor at Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, things like shorter days, colder weather, and the semi-annual time change can play against you at this time of the year, and its important to be ready to address your issues. "We gather with family and friends, which is great," said Dr. Osterlund, "but sometimes interacting with family members creates unachievable expectations. Things like 'you should' or 'you ought' establish a level of stress that's unhealthy." Dr. Osterlund recommends that one of the best ways to combat this is to take[...]
Saving the Sights & Smells of Autumn
With the cold weather upon us, you may think that its time to be inside for the next few months. But now is a great season to take a walk out with the kids, the dog, or just on your own. Enjoy the colors and scents of autumn, and then bring them home with you. Bring them home? Yes. A walk, even in your back yard at this time of year can bring you a treasure trove of natural beauty that you can use to make your own potpourri. This ancient craft originated with the Pharaohs. The French coined the word, potpourri or "rotted pot" for the scent of rotting rose petals used in moist potpourri, and the Victorians gave the practice significance with jars and bowls in just about every corner of good houses during that era. So what exactly is potpourri? It is a collection of herbs, spices, and visually appealing dried leaves and plants that help to gently scent a room and add a decorative flare to your home. You can go[...]
It’s a Fall Wrap Up
With the first frosts behind us, and the holiday season fast approaching, November offers one last set of golden days in which to clean up the back yard and make ready for the winter months ahead. Recently, we spoke to experts in the Outdoor Living experience to help target some great clean up and winter preparation projects you may want to tackle while the weather is still reasonably warm. Adam Guilford, client services representative from DeckTec had these pieces of advice for taking good care of your deck: After putting your furniture away, this is a good time to sweep and wash your deck. Use warm water and soap to remove discolorations from pots and furniture scrapes. Do not, however, power-wash your deck, as it will strip both your finish and leave splinters in your wood. Roll up any carpet or rugs, and put them away for the winter. "Outdoor carpeting is especially hard on your deck," said Adam. "It traps moisture and causes wood to rot." If you have a stain-covered deck, now is[...]
Birds Out The Back Door
The sign on the store shelf read: "Warning! Watching television gives emotional distress—Watch birds instead." What a great idea for people of all ages. And you can watch birds right out your back door. The hobby is easy, low-cost, and ever-changing. And simply by sitting on your deck for a while, you can enjoy Outdoor Living at its finest. "You don't have to know birds, to enjoy watching them," said Scott Menough, co-owner of Lakewood's Wild Birds Unlimited, himself an enthusiast for over twenty-five years. Here in Colorado, birding is especially rewarding as we sit in the midst of the Central migratory flyway—an upper air highway of sorts for birds who move from Canada down to Central America and back again in their need for optimal living conditions. We have 495 species of birds native to our area, which makes Colorado eighth in the nation for hosting the most variety of bird species, according to Scott. So, whether you're a casual viewer of nature or a determined bird watcher like the character, Brad Harris, in[...]
Recent Works
