March is quickly coming to a close, the first quarter of the year is almost finished. Winter is loosening its grip on Colorado, the bulbs are starting to push up out of the flower beds, soon to burst into their colorful but short-lived season of blooms. The trees that have been bare and cold are starting to get hints of green, a prelude to their summer leafy fullness. And on our morning walks, we can start to hear the birds calling to one another looking for mates for the season and staking out their territory. Yes, spring is in the air, and soon it will be summer. Summer, that time of the year when most of Colorado seems to want to spend as little time as possible inside. But who could blame us? With the wonderful weather that we enjoy and all of the opportunities, we have to play, entertain and just live without the constraints of a ceiling and four walls.
All winter long we have gathered around the dining room table, at a club, or in a mountain lodge. But during the warm months, we can play and entertain outside, on the deck or terrace, in the back yard, or in a park. Denver and the Front Range have huge systems of city parks and open space parks. Chatfield and Cherry Creek are great locations to enjoy water activities as well as numerous smaller lakes and reservoirs on the plains and in the mountains that lend themselves to gatherings of family and friends. Summer entertaining will take many forms, from super casual, spontaneous gatherings after work, to more formal celebrations that have been planned for months.
Great summer dinners can just happen, when a group of friends or co-workers get together after work to socialize, sipping one of the many Colorado micro-brewed beers, a glass of a chilled crisp white wine, or fresh-squeezed lemonade infused with macerated fresh berries. On the way to the party a quick stop at one of the many delis or specialty markets to pick up a variety of meats to be grilled, a couple of salads and sides to compliment the entrée, and some fresh fruit and you have a party. After the sun sets, light a few candles, and the conversations will continue long into the balmy night.
Friends come together to catch up on the latest news and neighborhood happenings. A little more planning will take the form of groups being delegated to provide the various components. By dividing the tasks, one group in charge of the beverages, another for the hot foods and another for the cold foods and still others for activities, a gathering of a large group of people can come together without a large burden landing on the shoulders of an individual or small group of organizers.
Outdoor gatherings can also be more formal events that are planned and set up well in advance. These can include weekend brunch served on the terrace, holiday dinners in the back yard, or weddings in a mountain park setting. An elegant event could start with guests enjoying a cold refreshing cocktail and munching on small flavorful canapés, then moving on to a table set with floral centerpieces, linens, china, silver, and crystal. The guests then select their seats to be served multiple courses of exquisitely prepared dishes, gathered into a menu that plays on contrasts of cold and hot, smooth and rustic, all while using the freshest bounty of the season. These are events that won’t be soon forgotten.
Summer is the time for outdoor entertaining, be it a large picnic of friends and co-workers, or a more intimate family gathering, whether the event is planned or impromptu, getting out of the home, condo, and office to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us is one of the many advantages of living in Colorado. Play hard, but take the time to relax and take in the beauty that Colorado has to offer.
Enjoy life, eat well and above all, be thankful for what you have.
