Denver

This past weekend, Mark & I enjoyed another little get-away. September has been the month to go for us! He had a Hospice Convention in Denver and I was lucky enough to get to tag along. Here is a very longish post about our 3 day immersion on a pretty fun little city!

We checked into the Hyatt Regency right next to the Convention Center, where Mark's conference was being held. Nice place. We had a little mix-up with his luggage, but things were soon sorted out. For some great comedy, be sure to visit Denver whilst they host a National Beer Festival. Pretty entertaining on the streets at night.

Denver get Kudos for wonderful art to be found everywhere you look!

They have done a beautiful job with their fair city.

Just for Reed - it's another wonderful souvenir for his collection from his Fav Auntie!!

Spent a gorgeous fall day exploring a little bit. I headed for Pearl Street (South Denver) to hunt down a couple of shops I had read about on a blog. What a great little area. I loved The Green Monkey Baby, Jewelers Gallery (all local artists), 5 Green Boxes (My favorite), Bell Studio & Gallery (They even had a beautiful hooked rug in the gallery!), Paper Talk and Polkadot. It was just one of those perfect days to savor. And lunch was the cherry on top!! Gaia's bistro. There is sooo much good food in this world and I love to sample it ALL! I had a scrumptious Roasted Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella/Pesto Toasted Sandwich with the most divine Carrot Coconut Ginger Soup. It is my mission to re-create that soup! I may even make a phone call and ask for the recipe. I don't usually choose or enjoy dining by myself, but this time it really was an easy thing to do :)

We are Foodies....and it is the joke at our house that I am always taking photos of yummy food. I don't know why I like to do that. I just do. It makes me happy. I guess it could be kind of like a photography diet - take more photos, eat less food. Only it doesn't always work quite like that.

Great suggestion from Janell! "VESTA" What a nice place. We had reservations after the game on Friday night. (Don't share a footlong hot dog before coming here to dine - there will never be enough room for all the morsels you will want!) This is probably some of the best food we have EVER had. It's a dipping grill so you choose your entree and it comes with 3 suggested dipping sauces. You may swap them out for any of the dozens offered. I had the Smoked Chicken and Mark had Scallops. The service was top-notch and the atmosphere was perfect.

What a lucky find! Thanks, Janell!

The photos aren't too hot, but a nice reminder for us. They served crusty bread with a head of roasted garlic. mmmmm. Please try it out if you are ever in the area. We say it's worth the splurge. We shared a salad with the best roasted onion dressing. Sadly there was no room for dessert that night. Darn hotdog!

The Denver Art Museum is a work of art in itself. wOw. Talk about every possible angle. Check out this link to see some very cool photos of this gorgeous building. A true work of art... & filled with so many treasures - it makes your head spin.

The collections they had in this place were really remarkable. We were overwhelmed trying to take it all in. The 6th floor with all the European Art was closed for remodeling. Thank heavens! I can't imagine try to absorb all of that as well!

We only had about 3 hours to spend here. Guess we'll just have to make another trip back. The best part was we happened to be there on a "FREE" day!

*Mad Greens* for a delicious, light lunch. Why can't EVERY city have one of these??

I was thrilled to find pieces from civilizations that I studied last year in my World History class. The pieces right below are from the Tang Dynasty (619-900 BC) and the wooden horse from the Han Dynasty (206-220 AD)

I just love this guy. It's all in the way you hold your toes.

He is worth a double click!

People have been around for a very long time. What a treat to see the talent and interesting ways they have interpreted each other over the centuries. We loved the happy expressions on so many of the creations. Life must have been very hard for so many, but they still found ways to experience joy.

Ok, Liam - Look at these foxes!! They were all over the place. This exhibit was fascinating! Can you spot Papa? Can you spot a red fox? (Double click for a bigger view)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Is there anything more American or more fun than watching a game in a beautiful stadium

with a lively crowd, fresh roasted peanuts, a foot-long hot dogs, friends and the ball players!!?

We were treated to a game at the Coors Stadium - such a beautiful place. We were about 20 rows up behind 3rd base. Great seats! We were thinking about our cute nephews who would have loved this game...as well as our favorite neighbor, Iva Lou. What a blast!!

• Yorvit Torrealba hit a walk-off sacrifice fly scoring Troy Tulowitzki in the bottom of the ninth. It was the first game-ending sacrifice fly by a Colorado player since 2007.

Thank you Denver for a great weekend visit! We'd love to go again.

Park City Get Away

The girls joined us the last couple of days in Park City.  The plan was to let them ski a few days, but the snow was so crumby we decided to save our pesos.  We had a great time shopping, eating, poking around in the shops & galleries and hanging out in our room.  Much better than sitting in class!! (Right, girls?) Tracy had recommended this quaint little "hole in the wall" place to eat called Karleen's Uptown Fare.  It is located up at the very end of Main Street on the right hand side, under a hotel.  (A cute lady out walking her dog, Toto had to point it out to us.)  It was divine!  We loved it so much earlier in the week that we wanted to bring the girls back!  Great home cooking - they roast a turkey for sandwiches nearly daily and have amazing soups.  All the desserts are lined up in front of the register and you get to go pick out whatever you'd like after you finish lunch - of course for a price, but it was lovely.  The owner told us a funny story about "Sundance Film Festival".  In years past the have had to deal with the snobby stars who are so bossy and picky about how they want their sandwich and what they will or won't eat on it. So this year they actually hired a bouncer and only let the locals in!!  We LOVED that story. It made all those poor little rich people sooo angry - especially when they were getting some amazing coverage from the media.  We will definately be back!

The door height will give you a clue as to how tiny this place is.  The floor doesn't have an even spot anywhere!  Tiny little tables are tucked everywhere.  It's kind of like being in a little hobbit house.

I forgot the owners name, but here she is.

Stacey's Beet & Blue Cheese Salad was yummy!  

(Note the simplicity of the paper plates.)

A few items warrant real dishes such as the soup and the 

AMAZING Chocolate Cake! (Never had better.Ever.)

Emily found a hot seat...and Camber found a wet one.  

We sure had a sweet little get-away.

What a month!

We were blessed with a houseful of family this month.  We have taken a kazillion photos and eaten more than we should have, played tons of games,  loved every inch of Liam and laughed a lot!  Sadly, things have really quieted down as we have said our good-byes.  Hopefully we have made sufficient memories to tide us over until we all meet again.  We have posted our share of "posts" this month and hope you will enjoy skimming through some of the fun days we shared together.  Hope you will stick around long enough to enjoy some of our favorite music on the playlist.  One night that we didn't have our camera, was dinner at Wingers.  The cook accidentally put FIRE sauce on our large order of wings and chicken strips - what a mouthful we all got!  Pour Mark had a horrible reaction to the sauce and his tongue swelled up like a blowfish!! They kindly remade our order and we went home with plenty-o-wings that night.  Good Times.  Hot Bellies.

First week of September

This will give you a little giggle! 

Wow...funny how you don't "feel" any older! 

26 years ago.

This is one of those funny cellphone take it yourself photos!  

Not an option 26 years ago when we were married!  

We had a lovely anniversary dinner at Le Nonne. 

(Incredible food...worth the drive to Logan!)  

We can't believe how fast time is going by.  

We are sure enjoying the ride, bumps as all.  

Wuv, tawoo wuv.  How sweet it is!!

Liam and his family...

Tinkering isn't getting me anywhere in the blogging world.  This photo is suppose to be at the bottom of this section with the nice little link to their website...so kindly scroll down and you will find it.  What a yummy place though I know a few girls who would 

LOVE to visit this bakery! 

(and if you are looking hard at the people here - they are strangers, we know no one.)

Liam,

I love how your little hands turn the paper pages of a book,

I love the pitter patter of your cute little feet as scurry from one place to the next.

I love to watch you think and discover.  I love your strong determination.

I love how you are such a perfect little package the perfect blend of your mommy and daddy.

I love how you get that sparkle in your eye when you spot a dog or a kitty.

I love your dimpled little hands when they hold your favorite horsey.

I love that cute little voice of yours and how it only goes soft and high when you

meow for the kitty or imitate mommy.

I love how you already idolize your daddy and imitate him with sunglasses on his scooter.

I love the wonder you have when you watch the bugs crawl around.

I love the belly laugh only you have!

I love watching you learn and grow.

I love you, Liam!!

Love & Hugs,

Grandma Leisa

Visiting the botanical gardens at MSU.  Look at those cute curls!  

This little guy looks so much like his daddy did at his age.

What a great little family!

He is a lot of fun to squeeze!  Such a happy little bounder!

314 Wilson Street.  Home Sweet Home!

At Lake Olvid.  Liam loves the water.  I love Liam!

  

She relished her visit with Brady, Danielle and Liam.  

It was wonderful to see where they live and have that wonderful 

one-on-one time all grand(parents) crave with their grand(children).  

They live in a sweet little community.  It is beautiful country back there. 

 They are thriving and it was a thrill to see that!

Beautiful farmlands. Many cornfields.

One of my favorite parts of Dewitt was our visit to

 Sweetie Pie's Bakery.  

Was that ever cute!  We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of warm quiche, blueberry-pumpkin muffins,  fresh blueberries and juice! Yum!!  It was great to meet the energetic owner. 

Check out the website. www.sweetie-licious.com

 She will be featured on the food network Sept 21st.  

Darling lady and an amazing baker.