A return to Christmas

I just recently got this picture sent to me....it was from Christmastime just last December. The great story is that we were taking this picture to make a Christmas ornament for Vanessa and Brian (long story, but basically they needed an ornament with a story behind it). Well, as we were setting up for this picture to take, as Vanessa was running from the timed camera to the couch.......CRACK! The couch broke with all our weight on it.

Now THAT'S a story!

Another great thing about CO.....

.....is it's sunrises!

And what's better in a sunrise than some amazing wave clouds atop the Flatirons!

Skiing with a long lost friend

The day was beautiful for some weekday skiing.....

Bluebird skies.....

A few clouds that played in the sky looking like they were painted....

And a friend to ski with that I had not seen in over 2 years! Becca, a great friend from my college days in Arizona, had finally meshed an off day in our schedules to go skiing. We already have another date set for this coming Friday - its so great to hear her laugh again!

A bike through town

I love how you can go biking in the middle of February in Colorado!!! That's just what we did last weekend when the temperatures soared to near 60 degrees.

On our bike ride through the town of Boulder, we came across an amazing neighborhood, with just enough crazy to be fun. We stumbled upon all these great birdhouses made out of the most random things.

Valentine's Day 2011

For those of you who really know Ben and I, we have a beautifully arranged deal at the home....he cooks, I clean. Its magic, especially since he is an amazing cook, and I'm a little OCD when it comes to cleaning :)

So for this years Valentine's Day, I thought I would surprise him with a fancy meal when he came home from work. It turned out great, even though I was a little stressed and over worked by the time he came home!

Appetizer: Savory stuffed figs

Appetizer/side dish: Artichoke and crab dip

Main course: Honey glazed salmon with basil

Dessert: Black Russian Chocolate Fudge Cake

Thinking I was the Most-Awesomest-Vday-Gift-Giver this year, Ben surprises me with this:

Holy excitement Batman! I've always wanted to do this, and cannot wait for our ride! Just have to wait for a nice weekend day, when I'm not working. Will post pictures when we do though!

What is Heaven?

A couple months ago, us and a couple of friends of ours were all discussing what our Heaven Foods would be.....what two things would we have in Heaven to eat for eternity. What are yours?

Dingman's was the "White Cake" from the D-Bar restaurant in Denver. And bless her heart, she vowed to bring it up to us to try, even though they only made the cake in the summer time. She called them up and got to speak to the head chef, Keegan Gerhard (on the Food Network and Discovery). He was so shocked and I'm sure ammused that his cake was someone's Heaven Food, he quickly agreed to make it special and have it ready for us!

The result!

The inside is filled with white chocolate, vanilla bean flecks and raspberries!

And she's in HEAVAN!!! Thanks Ding for the cake!

Did someone say they wanted CHILI???

Ben and I had an amazing recipe for Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili from a friend. We had a bunch of dinners we were going to in the next several days, so we thought we'd make a big batch.......I'm sorry a GINORMOUS batch of it!
It was so big that we had to go get Ben's 5-gallon beer making kettle to put all the ingredients in!

Ben working hard at stirring

Here's a sneak peak of the pot-o-love!

And for those of you wanting to try this recipe, here it is:

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili:
4 cloves garlic - minced
1 large onion - diced
4 sweet potatoes - cubed
4 small carrots - sliced
1 red bell pepper - chopped
2 cans of black beans (15 oz)
2 cans diced tomatoes (15 oz)
1 cup vegetable broth
4 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

add meat if desired (chicken is great)

Cook all in a big pot and grub!!!!

Lisa's Trifecta Weekend

I had a goal one weekend to complete 3 wintertime sports....something we did all the time in Alaska. Did I do it? Click the picture to find out!

Trifecta Weekend

Winter Hike up in Estes Park with V & Z

On a nice day this winter, we headed up to Estes Park for a fun hike with Vanessa and Zander.

Amazing thing in this picture, is Vanessa is 3 people here - herself, carrying Zander, and carrying Baby Boy #2

Zander trying to get his feet right on the snow and ice

A great view of Longs Peak

Loved the back of Zanders hat :)

Ben and Zander getting in some movie watching time together

Love how they look at the movie, then to each other, then back.... :)

Dingman's Birthday

Back when I went to college for my first two years at CSU, I had this awesome roommie, Melissa. I also had this awesome drum corps friend Sara (known as Dingman) who I felt it was my responsibility to make these two awesome girls meet. And whammo - they became best friends!!! :)
Fortunately, when I moved back here to CO, I have been in touch with them because they are a BLAST! One example was for Dingman's birthday - we went to my favorite Cuba Cuba restaurant, then off to Salsa lessons!
Dingman and Melissa

Ben and I

Didn't like the teacher so well at the Salsa lesson, but we all had a ton of fun!

Thanks for the invite Ding!

Aspen Ski Trip

We headed to Aspen for a weekend full of birthday fun, skiing, hot tubbing and hanging with friends. Our friend Landon wanted to celebrate his birthday in Aspen by renting a condo next to the slopes......so we decided that we should probably go, even though it was ROUGH choice, but as friends it was the least we could do for him ;) Haha, we had a blast with 8 of us tearing up a little place they call......Asssssssspen! ("Where the beer flows like wine")

Click on the photo below to see the pictures!

Aspen, CO Ski Trip

Lunar Eclipse

Did anyone stay up late enough to catch the total lunar eclipse last month?

I DID! It was awesome! Unfortunately, I didn't have a tripod :( But this is the best I could do!