Weekend Things

Sorry about the later than usual “Weekend Things” post (I know you were all dying in suspense…), but I figured I’d rather get my Olympic wrap up out first.  And because there’s “a lot of verbage” (as Joey kindly put it) in this post as is, I’ll just jump right in!

I guess Friday fun really started at 11:30 when we attended a “trial dining” lunch at a brand new Modmarket location.  I ordered this behemoth of a Cobb salad (seriously it was huge) then ate the whole.dang.thing. and proceeded to be hungry 2 hours later 🙂  Oh and I’m all for free lunch, especially from Mod, but I didn’t know asking for “light” dressing, meant no dressing.  Let’s hope they work that kink out before their grand opening.

IMG_0922

On Friday night we met up with Bobby and Becca at a tiny little brewery that brews “English-style ale,” which I’m pretty sure just translates to “super bitter beer.”  Okay, maybe that’s a quick judgment but I’ve never had a beer quite as bitter as the IPA I chose.  Also, fact: my qualification for a friend is if you’d also like to be home and in bed before 11 PM on a Friday night.  Bobby and Becca pass this test.

IMG_0929

Saturday started with this!

IMG_0933

You guys!  Chicken fried poached eggs!  Over cornbread and buffalo hash with the best hollandaise I’ve ever tasted… and I don’t even like hollandaise!  I’ve been dying to go to this tiny little breakfast place called Sassafras that serves up fancified Southern favorites.  They actually had a whole section for grits and believe me when I say I had thee hardest time choosing what to order.  This dish was killer but I actually think I liked Joey’s “Deep South Benedict” better.  Goat cheese jalapeño grits, I die!

IMG_0939

The rest of Saturday was spent at my nephew’s 5th Birthday Party.  Seriously, FIVE?  When did that happen?  Anyways, he avoided Joey and I the entire time and we then we found out it was because he broke his Christmas present from us and didn’t want to tell us, ha ha!  We also made a spontaneous decision to go to the movies while on our way to Home Depot because the movie theater (and almost anything else)>Home Depot.  I thought all the yelling at the beginning of August: Osage County was a little forced but then I ended up really liking the movie, although it looks like I’m in the minority there.

photo

Sunday was a day of Joey working hard to get drywall stuff finished in our living room (yes, our couch is still in the kitchen…) and me doing stuff like working out, boiling eggs, watching Food Network, writing about the Olympics and generally being no help to anyone but myself.  However, later in the afternoon, my mom and I went to a calligraphy class!  I learned a few things:

  • There is SO MUCH MORE to calligraphy than I thought!
  • You can buy a Cartier fountain pen
  • I don’t have a hidden talent for calligraphy
  • I don’t know how to spell my own name

No joke, at the very end of the class, the teacher gave us all some fancy paper to write our names out on and I spelled my own name wrong.  I realized it right as she was saying something along the lines of “Now you can keep your paper as a memento and I hope you keep it for a very long time.”  Yeah, probably not…  I now go by Laurene.  It’s the French version… or something.  Anyways, I wasn’t as sold on my own calligraphy skills as much as I was on the lady who taught the class.  She was incredible!

Wishing you all a Happy Tuesday and the ability to spell your own first name!

Labor Day Weekend Things

Hi!  Is it just me or did this weekend feel SO LONG?  Not complaining, just saying.  I, for one, am all for a weekend that feels like it just keeps dragging on, because I cannot believe it’s already September.  I just want this year to slow down already.  Anyone else?

In true Labor Day fashion, this weekend was all about savoring the last bit of summer, which for me translates into beer, baseball, family and relaxing.  All of which started on Friday, with a Rockies game.

IMG_4641

Here’s everyone on their feet for Todd Helton who was attempting his 2500th hit.  I’m still harboring negative feelings towards Todd after this summer’s DUI charge (not cool!) but when the whole crowd is standing up and cheering, it’s hard to not join in.  For the record, he didn’t end up getting that hit.

IMG_4624

More Rockies on Saturday night.  We met out friends Bobby and Becca at the “Brew Fest and Food Truck Round Up” beforehand and I was severely disappointed.  We went to this event last year and there were at least 7 local food trucks.  This year they had TWO and neither were serving very “local” stuff.  My food took forever to come out and it was a huge mess.  And I drank a beer that literally tasted like cold stale coffee.  Unacceptable!  In other news, these little kids looked so tiny out on the field.  Too cute.

IMG_4633

For the record, Helton still didn’t get his 2500th hit at this game and also for the record, Joey thought he “looked good” in this picture, so don’t feel bad for him that I’ve posted it on the internet.  He asked for it, guys!  I’m sitting here trying to remember what I did all day before we went to the game and I’ve got nothing.

IMG_4639

Sunday started with this!  And look, I’m even following through on my no caffeine rule.  Joey, my sister, both our mothers and I all hit up Ikea for some house inspiration and my mom was nice enough to pick us all up some Starbucks for the road.  My favorite part was when my mom accidentally threw away her reusable cup and had to go back and pick it out of the trash.  Oh, Mom.

IMG_4637

No joke, we spent 5 hours at Ikea and spent $1.38 between the 5 of us.  We told my mom beforehand that we were just going there to get some ideas and she still kept trying to offer to buy us stuff.  You gotta love her determination though.  Don’t worry Mom, we’ll be going back once we’re actually moved into the house and then we’ll take you up on all those offers 🙂

IMG_4638

We also took a lunch break for some Swedish meatballs.  I had to be different from everyone else and get a salmon wrap that I seriously regretted after eating it.  I’m a sushi lover, but that cured salmon rubbed me the wrong way for some reason.  May this be a warning to myself to just go with the tried and true Swedish (horse) meatballs next time.

IMG_4644

I made it up to myself later with a delicious kale and mushroom quesadilla, alongside beer (naturally), the Rocky Mountain Showdown and Big Brother.  If you’re thinking that’s too much TV and too much going on in general, you are correct.  We were only half watching the CU vs. CSU game though.  Our Buffs pulled out the win this year!  I don’t even care about football but a good old college rivalry is always fun.  Especially when your alma mater wins.

IMG_4648

Today, we labored.  5 miles done before 8:30 AM.  Then ran a billion errands.  To the mall, to the grocery store, to Home Depot (do you even know how many shades of gray there are??) and to Beauty Brands.

IMG_4651

Hempz lotion on sale!  Half off.  I couldn’t resist and bought three.  In between all that, there has been lots of Six Feet Under and playing on this Ikea 3D room planner thing.  IT IS ADDICTING.  We also managed to sell the two glass tables we’ve had for the past few years.  New tables are in our future.

IMG_4664

IMG_4663

Sunday Monday (whoa!) ended at my parents’ with a fabulous dinner and Huni Bunny for dessert.  Actually, we had strawberry rhubarb pie and gelato.  No offense to ice cream, but how much easier is gelato to scoop?!

I was in bed reading by 9 PM and lights out by 10, so I’m feeling well rested and ready to get through this short week.

**********************************

How did you celebrate Labor Day?

Are you ready for summer to end?

Have you ever been to Ikea?