In my mind, I'm going to Colorado...

I just got home from an amazing girls trip to Denver! This trip came to be by many people working together, and HUGE thanks go to Jackie Barthel, Colin Baxter, my amazing husband, and Jac for being so perfect to travel with. 

 Downtown denver has a river running through it, it has been altered to be "safe" with wading pools, slides for rafts, and mini rapids. It was packed every day as we drove by.

 Our teeny tiny mazda buzzed around >500miles in 3.5 days! We rented a duplex in the burbs we found off of airbnb.com. Good deals there!

 Linger was our favorite restaurant, we visited it twice on our trip. They had strict vegan options, and fish and meat as well. Our server took a little while to take our order, and he apologized in the best way- comp wine!

 Right outside Linger is an ice cream stand that seems more of an experience! The line was 50 people deep from 730-11 on Saturday night. They had tables set up, an old film playing on a screen outside, it felt very european. We were stuffed from our tapas style dinner and dessert, so we didn't get to try it. Gave us some business ideas though!

 Our dessert was passion fruit, green tea and ginger sorbet which was so refreshing and made me miss Hawaii and the fresh passionfruit there.

 EWWWW! I loathe rodents! Jac had no problems sharing her peel with one. EWW!

 We had a hard time deciding which hike to do. CO has endless hikes, trails, parks, etc. We made the drive (~2 hours) to Estes Park and then to Rocky Mountain park. We hiked up Deer Mountain with a 1000 foot gain. It was a 6 mile round trip hike, with breathtaking views along the way and at the top.

 The next day we went for a 6mile walk/run combo through Cherry Creek Reservoir, which was just minutes from our duplex. We ended the workout with a swim in the reservoir and a yummy lunch from whole foods. Guac, hummus, chips and tea. Good meal! Ending a midday warm workout with a swim should be mandatory. It was so refreshing for us both. (The workout was midday because we slept in. We slept in. I slept in!!! UNTIL 830!!! We woke up when we WANTED TO! This felt luxurious! We even went to coffee and DRANK some of it there, sipping and chatting like we did it all the time! [we don't])

 It was like old times, when we were roomies, circa 2003/4/5 when we became sistas! Sharing a room, traveling, doing hair! Ha! We had a blast!!!

 On our way to see James Taylor!! This was the center of the trip and the reason we went to Denver. Everything else was a BONUS! We are kinda excited, but VERY nervous. The night before it rained for about an hour around the same time as the concert.

 Driving to Red Rocks was gorgeous.

 This is a photo of the venue from the side.

 SO EXCITED to see our JT! We have seen him 6/7 times, mostly together. We are groupees, have travelled from concert to concert to see him. I have a shrine in my house with my treasured signatures on a shirt, cd, and ticket, three different times. I had my hopes set for a photo tonight!

 It was sooooo windy up on the mountain. In the distance you can see downtown Denver.

 So just to get to the stage area you need to climb ~10 flights of stairs. Then that leaves you at stage level. If you have seats in the back (or want to check out the view) you gotta climb up at least another 15 flights to get to the lookout.

 Ridiculous views!

 Our view behind us

 Thirteenth row view!

 Lighting up the red rocks!
The show was so good, so good to see him after 4 years. He weathered through the wind, there was no rain. We waited very impatiently at intermission and after the show, but he did not come out and do signatures. He may have been on higher security with the recent events in CO. We got a tip from the backstage guy as to where James would come out after his meet and greet with VIP people. We waited but it was hard to see through the darkened car windows at night. We held our t-shirts and would raise them in the air when a "probable James Car" would drive by. When the gate guard left we figured we should as well. Next time, James!!

 Back at Linger for some more yummies! Watermelon mozzerella salad.

 We even got new 'do's.

 Another glimpse of the city river center. The nearby town Golden had one too.

 Out front of our rental for the weekend.

 Estes Park views.

 Deer Mountain Hike!

 FREEEEE!

 Love!

 We stopped in Boulder after our long hike to have some lunch at a vegetarian restaurant called Leaf. It hit the spot and fueled us up for some shopping! Boulder was the place to shop. There was a huge art fair going on with artists from nearby states. There was a great Fair Trade store called Momentum with lots of goodies, of course we both spent our share of extra $ there.

If you want to go somewhere amazing, even for a long weekend (3 full days, 2 nights at a minimum!!, we stayed 4 days 3 nights) check out the Denver area. There are so many little burbs, towns, hikes, etc to explore you will wish you had more time. The flight was 2 hours if you get a direct one, so it is quite quick to get there. I had never seen so many community gardens, and the city planners really include nature and outdoor adventures into the mix. I was surprised and pleased with the diversity and some places had a Berkeley feel to them. I love to travel and go new places and I really feel that that CO is a place where I could live. I don't want to move but it just may be up on the list. 

Owen's Birthday!

We had a busy night last night. We are so blessed to have such a big family and extended family! Owen slept solid until 815 am. Of course he had his latest night up ever- until 930!

Here are a few shots. Can't believe he is 2 on Monday. Tomorrow is my going into labor day!

Yes Owen is eating! A cheese-carrot quesadilla. Did I invent this? I'd like to think so! Grate those carrots and grate the cheese, 1:1 ratio and YUM! He eats enough to negate a feed sometimes! wahoo!

Light fixture turned monster truck decoration

Gotta add a little country charm!

Monster truck white cake with cream cheese frosting, mmmm. Did a Pleach-plum-blube cobbler too, yum!

Dinner!

Mmmm homegrown salad (almost... The red pepper and jicama were purchased). I remember my dad would make marinated salad all summer when we were growing up. This was especially yummy!

End O June, Beginning of July!

The last jaunt or two away I have forgotten my camera... Thank goodness for cell phones! But there are more loops in attaching photos from phones when on the desktop which is where I am at now. Saving to another folder, then finding the photo, then attaching it seems to take too long but after describing the process that may have taken the same amount of time...

Owen had his first sleepover at "Auntie Wyntie and Uncle Date's" house while Chris and I went up to Reno and Sand Mountain for the night. We met up with friends Randi and Dan and had a blast in the sand. It all came back to me! It had been years since we had played in the sand. It was great weather and had the mountain to ourself. Randi tends to be quite a dare-devil and was worried about hurting herself. Good thing (yet annoying thing for her) her bike was lacking in the power department and decided to die every now and then. This probably saved her an injury or two. I'm not a fan of the town of Reno, but we had great rooms at the Peppermill and enjoyed our company. Plus, we were kid free, which has a crazy sense of freedom to it!

After that Chris got a yucky no feel good just sleepy and crabby cold for a while. Owen and I tried to keep our distance, as the thing kept evolving. Pinkeye to laryngitis to sore throat, you name it, YUCK!

For the 4th Owen and I went up to Tahoe with the Aubins. It was such beautiful weather, smelled so good of Jeffery pines, love that smell! Owen then started acting crabby and clingy... and he slept good the first night so I thought something was up. After a fever came on we actually took him in. Wanted some extra recommendations, fluid, etc due to his heart stuff. I was also hoping that he had an ear infection and wanted the MD to check inside his ears. That sounds bad to hope for an ear infection but hey- they aren't contagious and they are easily treatable. Well he thought Owen has a strain of hand/foot/mouth virus which is pretty icky. It just needs to run it's course and then pass. He has had 5 days of fever, a little rash, and mouth sores which I haven't seen but the MD did. Today the highest it has gone is 99.5 so hopefully we are in the clear. THANK GOODNESS FOR THE GTUBE! It is so nice to give him proper hydration and not worry about dehydration. He just started taking meaningful liquids day 4. yukkkkk.

Welp, off to clean a bit and put away lunch. Had a fun time making lunch today. Used grass fed beef from our beef guy Mark in Woodland, amaranth leaves, fresh harvested potatoes, parsley, and carrots. MMMMMMMM. Love picking from my grocery store. Almost went to a new local farmers market today, just to check it out. I'm addicted! Instead I went to the garden to check out Chris's work down there. Last night he weed-eated again. This is the least labor intensive and most amazing way to tame the between the row isles. It probably spreads seeds like no other, but man is it faster than pulling them up by hand! He can do the whole garden in an hour, wow!

Signing off and looking forward to a HEALTHY rest of the month!

Days go by so fast!

I swear I just blinked my eyes and a month went by!! The once a weekish blogging routine has worked out pretty well but wow, can't believe my last post was 5/18. I have been working a decent amount, training at other facilities to maximize my coverage. It has been nice, but all the days came on at once. After that we got a cold that has been lingering for dayyyyys... I finally feel better! After a week and half... It has helped that Owen has slept amazingly the last 2 nights. Before that he was starting his day at 5... ouch. A sweet friend Charlene suggested blackout curtains (um why didn't I think of this?!). I tacked up a dark sheet and boom! The first night Owen slept until 7 and this am until 630. I'll take it!! Ha, I used to complain about when he would wake at 6--never again will I complain!!

I did a 10K on Memorial Day with my friend Joy to raise money for the wounded warrior foundation. It was a beautiful morning, and my run felt much easier without pushing Owen. Can't remember the last time I ran a distance without him! Joy and I had never run together before, she trains with a girlfriend and I would train with Wynt. Wynt and I would run 6-8m once a week on wednesdays when the kids were in school. Sad to see that routine come to an end. Court joined us a few times, and we would get some java afterwards and a little lunch.

Cousins Bryce and Michael both graduated from EDHS this year. It was fun to watch them walk the stage! Owen cooperated, with the help of "Monkey Georgey" on our phone. We partied with both sides of the family, and Erik flew into town from Texas. We were spoiled with Dad and Erik staying that weekend- our house actually didn't burst at the seams! Poor Dad, I keep telling him "someday our guest room will have a bed in it for you" but for now it's an air bed... We went on a bike ride before Dad and Erik took off. I hadn't been on a bike in ~3 years, since early pregnancy with Owen. And I was a rider before! Wow I missed it a lot, and Dad really enjoyed the trail. We just went on ~10miles and it was after rain so it smelled so good. Love it, gotta borrow or craigslist a bike trailer for O to ride in. Adding it to the list!

Chris had his 29th Birthday this week. Enjoyed family and a few friends over for a BBQ. It was the first time I bought hot dogs... Guess there is a first time for everything. The yard is quite the hangout these days for us and Owen. Can't believe I have known this man since he was 15... Wowsers... That's a lot of birthdays we've celebrated together. In his "extra" time lately Chris has been filling up the raised beds with dirt, working in the garage, camping with some dudes for a (cold) night up at iron mountain, riding quads, and even did a P9OX Yoga with me at part of our tough mudder training. He got a little tired of the sun salutations...

Owen and I are quite the gardeners these days. We aim for an hour in the am and an hour in the pm most days. He is into "rade bugs" (lady bugs), and "wormies" who "like dirt". We have a blast, and can't believe how much time we spend down there and how many weeds there still are...

What we are harvesting right now: lettuce, cilantro, dill, parsley, beets, kale, ed onion, garlic, mustard greens, potatoes, and of course eggs!

What should be ready soon: tomatoes, leeks, carrots, zinnias, tomatillos, plums, and sour cherries.

Planted but not for another monthish~ summer squash, cucumbers, okra, amaranth, sunflowers, marigolds, beans, melons, ??? I have been dropping seeds in the ground every day almost for weeks! It's pretty ridiculous how many seeds I have planted. Some haven't come up, I think because we use drip and some of the seeds really like overhead soaking. I am not always able to provide that for a few reasons, one being the water pipe is far from some parts of the garden, and also Owen usually has my "watering Can".

We have a fun week ahead as well, Father's day, and our 7 year wedding anniversary. Chris could only get a few hours of his shift covered (THANK YOU ROBIN H!!!) I have been told she rarely picks up additional shifts but is making an exception for us!! SPOILED! I am going to make a feast of a breakfast and then we are going to hang at a local winery for some tasting and lunch before Chris has to go to work. Guess he won't be tasting but it is beautiful nonetheless! My dad and a few other dads will be there too.

Ok Owen and I are off to the garden to weed and seed some more! Just upped the watering to twice a day so want to check on things. Also planted some up in the beds up by the house last night. Pulled a large tomato plant out of my compost, I'm curious to see how it does.

 Sweet helper, all three beds are full now!

 Bryce and Savannah at his family grad party.

 Eclipse night! Moonshadows!

 Moons everywhere!

 Wynt and Cuuuz at Michael's family grad party!

 Michael tossing the football around on the beautiful lawn.

 Field time with the cousins and Auntie Wyntie.

 Who knew a dishwasher box could be so fun?

 Nana on the BBQ, Grandma on Owen duty... I could get used to this!

Oreo Ice cream cake! Magic shell on top, pretty yummy!

Hope you got what you wished for!

Here is the garden a few weeks ago, weeds and all!

Happy Summer and hope you are all well.

Homestead is hopping

This time of year is so awesome. Everything is growing, blooming, changing everyday. There is always something to do, we are never hurting in that department!

 The best luck I've ever had with beets! Baker Creek seeds are 15% off this week, I'm heading to their website soon. 90% of what we plant is heirloom and from their company. These beets will melt in your mouth!

 The raised beds are looking good minus a bit of crow competition for the beans. Gramps's hat on a stick is the closest I could get to a scarecrow right now. It seems to be working. There are some eggplant and artichoke in this bed that were half off and pretty sorry looking. After some compost rehab they are looking less haggard.

 Not sure what kind of squash or melon this is, it sprouted out from some compost. It is very happy and has lots of flowers on it.

 And more beans!

 First zinnia! Had fun making up a bouquet from randoms around the property.

Can't wait to see the rest of the zinnias coming up.

Ewww last night I was getting some hay for the big animals and I heard something above my head... I just KNEW what it was... I'm also wearing Owen on my back. My eyes followed my ears and low and behold YUCK a huge rat running across the barn... EWWWWW!!! Fearing the rodent, I very quickly ran/hopped/sprinted away from that area, and Owen is laughing hysterically from the bouncing and my crazy noises.. He wouldn't stop giggling at me for the next 10minutes. I am quite the nature person, I have no problems with bugs, spiders, lizards, snakes, worms, basically ANY critter BUT rodents... Man I'm scared now. I knew that they were around but I like not running into them face to face.

Which reminds me of another run in yesterday... Jac, Owen and I were out on the beautiful bike trail in folsom. We were doing an interval training since we are doing Tough Mudder in September. On our way back we see a small skunk on the trail. This is at 4 in the afternoon, and I had never seen a skunk in broad daylight before. There is the lake on out right, and the skunk to our left. We needed to get past the skunk in order to get home. We kept creeping closer and closer but it was taking it's sweet time. We were about 10 feet away from it and we decided to go for it... It was walking in the opposite direction anyhow... So we sprinted and of course were laughing our heads off- especially when it sprayed! It thankfully missed us- must be all our training, ha! It was quite exciting to almost be sprayed, but it was a little too close for comfort!!