Category: Vacation

A Family Weekend in Ohio

Lauren6 Comments

This weekend was bittersweet, rejuvenating, exhausting, full of both laughter and tears, incredibly sad and wonderfully happy.  It was a whirlwind and even though it was brief, I’m still trying to wrap my head around all that happened.  I said goodbye to my grandfather but hello to family members I hadn’t seen in much too long as well as ones I’d never even met before.  It was overwhelming and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.

We landed in Columbus mid-afternoon on Thursday, had just enough time to shower and change, then headed directly to the church (where the viewing was being held) and right into the open arms of my aunts and uncle.  They didn’t even have to say how glad they were to have us there, their eyes said it all.  But of course, they did say how glad they were and I felt the exact same.

For the next few days, we caught up with family, smiled over old family photos, hugged lots and lots, listened to childhood stories, drank all the good beer (my aunts and uncle are really into craft beer and when I’m with them I’m like “yep, these are my people!”) and just felt so surrounded by love.  I think I learned more about my family in those few days than I’d known for the previous 26 years of my life!

Sunday afternoon, right before we left for the airport, my aunt asked me “so what do you take away from all of this?”  My immediate answer was “how strong the bond of family is!”  It is incredible and amazing to me that I live states away from my relatives, but the connection and familiarity we have with one another when we get together is INSTANT.  I love that so much.

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My grandpa as a little one.

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My grandpa and ME as a little one.

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P.S. Ohio is totally green and full of cute houses and even has hip brunch restaurants that serve killer chilaquiles and BOOZY CEREAL.  Joey and I came across a little farmers’ market on our way to breakfast, then strolled through the neighborhood and now we’re moving to Ohio!  But not really 🙂

P.P.S. I was lucky enough to see both sides of my family in one week and as a result, my heart is feeling so so full right now ♥

Weekend Trip: New Orleans

Lauren2 Comments

Back in January, Joey and I resolved to make 2016 the year of the weekend vacation.  Our first stop: NEW ORLEANS! It’s my favorite non-Denver city, my mom was already going to be there, Joey and I hadn’t been there together since October of 2013 and it was going to be crawfish AND snoball season.  In other words, it was a no-brainer!

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When you’re in the South, go red or go home // We took the new train to the airport and even though it was snowing and I was in tights, it was still really fun and really easy // Dove headfirst into a plate of fried shrimp after a delayed departure (um the pilots were MIA…) and a fun 40-minutes of sitting on the tarmac, waiting for it to stop storming enough to get off the plane.  Oy!

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Emily picked us up for a sugar rush in the form of District Donuts and Vietnamese Iced Coffee // We seriously debated rain booting it at Jazz Fest, but “settled” for crawfish instead // I only impaled myself on a shell once…

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It finally stopped raining on Monday so I declared it an epic eating day — had to make up for lost time! // Breakfast at Willa Jean — had a “Milk Money Latte” that tasted like a marshmallow // Made our way to the French Quarter to pose in front of the St. Louis Cathedral // Sniffed a hibiscus and felt lucky to live in a world with flowers. 

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Music in the Quarter on a Monday — gosh, I love this city // Molé Cortado from teeny tiny Spitfire Coffee // The Cornstalk Fence Hotel // A much anticipated stop at Erin Rose/Killer PoBoys for mid-day drinks (Joey got his first Sazerac!  I stuck to the frozen Irish Coffee.) and lunch // Gonna dream of that bánh mì-style shrimp po boy for the rest of my life!

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Shopped the Riverwalk, walked the river, headed to Magazine street and shopped there too // Bought a “Beignet, done that” shirt that I want to wear every day forever // Waited 40 minutes for a table at Shaya just to eat hummus // Had a religious hummus and pita experience // RUINED for hummus from anywhere else now.

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Many hours later, dinner at Cochon // Tried 4 other restaurants before finally finding one with less than an hour and a half wait — New Orleans takes its dining scene seriously on ANY night of the week! // Ham hock, baked mac and cheese, rabbit & dumplings (I couldn’t do it but Joey could), fresh rolls and the best saison // WORTH THE WAIT.

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Morning in the Bywater // Breakfast with a pretty kitty // Colorful houses to swoon over // Wandering the St. Roch Market // Big Easy Bucha // Hugging everyone goodbye and wondering how this trip went by so fast 😦  Till next time, Nola!

Where We Ate:

Phil’s Marina Café

District: Donuts.Sliders.Brew

Rivershack Tavern: “Home of the tacky ashtray”

Willa Jean

Erin Rose / Killer PoBoys

Spitfire Coffee

Shaya

Cochon

Satsuma Café (the Dauphine location)

St. Roch Market

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Sadly, my grandpa passed away on Saturday, so we are home in Denver for a day then flying to Ohio for the funeral.  I wish the occasion was a happier one, but I’m so looking forward to a few days with (the other side of) my family!