Tag: beer is the best

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 Things

Lauren4 Comments

This weekend was, in a word, perfect.  I mean, I wouldn’t have minded a little less wind, but in the scheme of things, a little wind isn’t so bad.  We started things off on Friday with a fun (and cheap!) dinner in the Highlands, aka my favorite neighborhood in Denver.  I surprised Joey by taking him to a new-to-us restaurant, Park Burger.

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We had the patio to ourselves for a quick pre-Rockies game dinner of beer, burgers and some perfectly crispy sweet potato fries.

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I think he liked it!

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It was a beautiful night at Coors Field, but we were facing a really good pitcher and neither of us had high hopes for a win.  We ended up ditching out early.  I swear it was Joey’s idea not mine for once.

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Saturday morning, we participated in the American Heart Association Heart Walk with a team Hannah organized.  Our team raised over $1000 and walked a 5K.  I was really proud of all of us.

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It was a little chilly (without the sun) but for the most part, the walk down 15th street was really enjoyable.  I love a good excuse to hang out in downtown Denver.  The cool brick buildings, guessing how much some of the lofts probably cost and making a mental note of any breweries was really fun.

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We were also given these pedometers.  By the end of the walk, everyone else had raked up numbers in the 9000-range and I was back in the 7000’s.  I don’t know how that happened but I was also closest to the 5K distance so I assume this pedometer was designed around someone with my stride 😛

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We happened upon the Denver Chalk Art Festival during the walk so afterwards, Hannah, Josh, Joey and I walked back over to check out the exhibits.  It was much cooler than it’s been in past years.  I’m sure the artists, who sit out on Larimer street for two full days, appreciated the clouds.  None of the pieces were too far along yet, but you could tell which ones were going to turn out really cool.

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Eventually we wandered over to 16th Street for some pizza.  Hannah has been talking up Mellow Mushroom for months so I was really excited to try it for myself.  Although the 16th Street location doesn’t have a giant psychedelic mushroom in the middle of the floor, the vibe was still very “mellow,” with a bunch of wacky mushroom drawings on the walls and bright blue lights everywhere.

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Also, $5 beer flights?  Yes please!  I got the wheat flight and Hannah got the seasonal sampler.  It only took us the entire length of lunch to decide which of Hannah’s beers was which, since they weren’t written in the menu like mine were.

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I ordered the small Kasmic Karma and it was delicious!  Like best pizza I’ve ever had.  It was ooey gooey and the crust was the perfect thickness.  Plus everything is better with a pesto swirl.  I can also vouch that Hannah and Joey’s pies were just as tasty.

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The highlight of Saturday night was an Indie double feature — Safety Not Guaranteed and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind — and froyo!  It’d been forever since we’d had froyo and this totally hit the spot.  I convinced Joey to put boba on his and they were so strange.  I felt like I was trying to eat one of those bath balls.  In other news, I loved both of the movies.  I can’t believe I’d never seen Eternal Sunshine but what a interesting, creative and thought-provoking movie.

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Today has been a delightful mix of work — lovely early morning run, grocery shopping, dishes — and relaxation — Rockies game, watching the Next Food Network Star premier and cooking a delicious dinner.  I think we sat in our seats for about two pitches before I felt like I was going to melt and forced Joey to go stand in the shade with me.  We won so I don’t think he minded.

I’m so not ready for this weekend to end.

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What did you do this weekend?

What is your idea of a perfect weekend?

What’s your favorite kind of pizza?