Tag: sister time

Labor Day Weekend Things

LaurenLeave a comment

Labor Day Weekend 2016 ♥♥♥♥♥♥

What can I even say?  This weekend felt so long and perfect and relaxed.  I’m always so pumped up and excited about Memorial Day Weekend and the beginning of summer that I tend to overlook Labor Day Weekend and the last real weekend of summer, but I took a minute this weekend to look back at Labor Day Weekends past and WHOA!  Just as good, folks.

I’ll remember this one for Rockies games, a hike with my sister, the perfect balance of home-cooked deliciousness and fun meals out, outdoor movie night, s’mores, time at Cheesman, LOTS of reading in the sunshine, peach cobbler, a 5-mile run and what felt like endless time with my favorite human.  I don’t know what magic occurred to make the past three days feel like three weeks, but I’m certainly not complaining.

If your weekend starts with pretzel bites, pimento cheese sauce and a Rockies win, then nothing can go wrong.  We had dinner at Steuben’s and even though I ate the world’s blandest hummus (and can’t stop talking about it), I still loved everything about Friday night.

Shot a text to my sister Friday morning and she hooked us up with the most beautiful hike in Eldorado Springs on Saturday morning!  Crazy People were climbing those rocks and they looked so tiny and it was kind of insane to watch.  We got back to the car as soon as the rain clouds rolled in, so it was pretty much perfect timing.

OMG that last picture… SORRY!  Back at home, we read and napped (or was that just me?), then grilled our favorite green chili chicken burgers with some squash from the garden and I’m still not over how cool that is.  Afterwards, outdoor movie and s’mores!  Totally made those graham crackers myself then did it up with some quinoa dark chocolate and vanilla Dandies.  THE BEST.   

Quick Aside: How amazing is Willy Wonka?  The effects are old yet Joey and I still found ourselves ENTHRALLED by that imaginative candy world. If that’s not the definition of timeless, I don’t know what is.  P.S. We wanted to eat everything in that candy room so bad and Gene Wilder was a PURE DELIGHT.

Desperately trying to keep up a “Sunday Breakfast” routine this fall.  Kicked things off with an incredible meal at Sassafras.  Rode our bikes to the Rockies game, then cooked another long time favorite, Beet Wellingtons!  Any meal that involves a phyllo-assembly line is good in my book 🙂

Ran 5 miles on Monday and it felt so good.  Followed by pancakes and a trip to Cheesman.  You know when you’re just looking up at the sky and life seems to good to be true?  Yeah, I totally had that moment.

IMG_9348

Stopped by Whole Foods post-park picnic and may or may not have bought ourselves an anniversary bouquet (TWO YEARS TODAY!!!).  Felt super romantic 🙂  Also watched Swim Fan (when’s the last time you saw that??), cooked these Spicy Szechuan Noodles that my mom and sister have been talking up for YEARS and MADE PEACH COBBLER!!!!!  Sorry, I kinda look forward to that dessert all year long.  And it was kind of incredible. 

Meanwhile, it’s a SUPER short work week since Joey and I are A+ at planning vacations for the weekend after a holiday weekend.  Not mad about it 🙂

What I’m Loving Lately: It’s summer, so everything?

Lauren2 Comments

Well I think that title says it all.  Because what DON’T I love in summer?  Going on early morning runs, drinking all the iced coffee, eating dinner in the backyard, reading on my porch swing.  Life is just all around better when accompanied by sunny skies, warm weather and that carefree summer spirit.  But because “everything” probably doesn’t make for an interesting post, I’ll give you the specifics of what I’m loving lately.

IMG_2819

A/B by Kaleo

Wait, are you still not listening to Kaleo, even after all the times I’ve talked them up??  Guys, get on board NOW.  They just released their first album and even though I knew/owned 90% of the songs already, I’m still listening to it on repeat because it’s serious gold.  “Way Down We Go” is all over right now, but just you wait till “All the Pretty Girls” hits the radio.  I think mass hysteria will ensue.  For me, it’s all about “Save Yourself” though ♥

IMG_2742

Evening Freedom

I won’t subject you to yet another ode to morning running, but I will say moving my workout to the morning means completely freeing up my post-work schedule.  If the Rockies are out of town and I don’t have any other weeknight commitments, I get home and am like “wait what do I do now?!”  But a better question would be, “what can’t I do,” because the sky’s the limit when you have five hours of daylight to do WHATEVER your heart desires.  Lately, my heart has been desiring reading on my porch swing and leisurely cooking dinner.

IMG_2915

Iced Coffee

K, that’s not really anything new but I’d been using this recipe that called for 12 oz. of ground coffee and 20 cups of water before seeing this Bon Appétit recipe that called for 12 oz. of ground coffee and seven cups of water.  I figured the stronger, the better so I tried this new method and WHOA!  It packs a punch, flavor AND caffeine-wise.  I’m in love!

IMG_2908

Gose

It’s pronounced “go-zuh” and it’s my new summer beer.  It’s a wheat beer so it’s got that light refreshing thing going on but it’s brewed with lactic acid and salt so it’s got a sour beer taste with a savory back note and it’s just all around complex and delicious.  If I see one, I feel compelled to order/buy it RIGHT NOW.  Just so so good, so you should do the same.

IMG_2867

Totally ditched out of a seminar last week and walked to Cheesman instead.

Walking

Everywhere and anywhere!  You know how when you’re on vacation, it’s no big deal to walk ALL OVER THE PLACE?  But then you get home and go straight back to driving literally four blocks up the street to get coffee?  Maybe it’s that “I’m in no rush” summer mentality or just general enjoyment of being outside when it’s warm, but I have been wanting to walk everywhere we can.  To the Rockies game, to get a manicure, to grab an ice cream cone.  IT IS THE BEST.

Watermelon Nails

Summer Mani Inspiration

Totally getting this one for my birthday, but how amazing would it be to have watermelon/polka dot nails??

IMG_2975

Pink Lipstick

I was so into that dark red during the winter but summer has come and this pretty pink color has been on my lips day in and day out.  Up next, actual red.  Do you think I can pull it off??

IMG_2947

Sister Dates

Dates with Joey are great and all, but ain’t no one get you — on a “remember when we used to go to Dairy Queen EVERY DAY after school??,” stream of movie quotes, mutual complainants about mom and dad level — like your sister.  Last Thursday, we had a pedicure-followed-by-dinner date and my heart was so full afterwards.  When most social interactions can leave me feeling a little drained, bonding with my sister always leaves me feeling energized and inspired.  Also, we ate at Vital Root and it was total vegetarian bliss.

IMG_2970

 Tulo

Always and forever ♥♥♥

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

What are you loving lately?