Summer Lovin'... Had Me A Blast

Wow wee… the summer is officially in the rear-view mirror. I felt like this summer was a bit different than years prior, slightly less accomplished, a little more low-key and also a bit scattered. I guess that is what you get when you spend a good majority of it selling your home and boxing up your life into storage.

I cannot say the summer was a miss though, it was the exact opposite actually. I spent a lot of quality time with friends and family which ultimately is the most important thing in the world to me. There were some great memories made and I even accomplished some of the items I put on my summer to-do list. 

So as we head into fall and the cooler weather settles in, don't forget to look back on the warm days of summer...

staycations -  not only did I enjoy a night away in boulder with ryan, I also got to spend a weekend with beth in steamboat

we sold our 1st house – such a monumental moment in our life

local events - attended the denver burger battle, blues and brews, a taste of colorado, and big eat...  wow, so much food and delicious drinks were consumed!

had another wonderful weekend at wellington lake for our annual camping trip 

hosted a baby shower for my closest friend lindy before the arrival of her gorgeous son, wade 

attended a farm dinner while visiting beth in steamboat

logged countless hours at the pool with my family – just check out my instagram for the proof

I hope you too, had a wonderful summer full of monumental moments that you will look back on often. 

Steamboat // #Dreamboat

My weekend in steamboat was seriously one of the high-points of my summer. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with not only the biggest and best hug from my bestie beth but also by my favorite champagne! Beth and I had friday night to ourselves and we made the most of it by hopping around town for steamboat's first friday art walk and then cocktails + dinner at aurum... oh and also a full dose of laughs, conversation, stories and smiles.

Beth's boyfriend hunter worked late on friday but was up and ready to join us on saturday. We went to one of my favorite breakfast spots (from previous visits to steamboat) freshies to fuel-up before we hit the trail-head for a hike. Just as I remembered, freshies did not disappoint and I even got to enjoy some fresh chanterelle mushrooms in my scramble that were forged right in steamboat. Excuse me for a moment while I geek-out on this.

We headed out to sarvis creek, an off-the-beaten-path area between steamboat and stagecoach which was covered in hiking trails. Our 5 mile hike was a bit muddy starting out due to the intense rain fall in steamboat over the past few weeks but dried up after the sunshine made its way in. The trees are just starting to change colors too which got me excited for fall. Hints of orange, yellow and red were hiding all along our hike and just made me smile.

Saturday night we attended a farm-to-table dinner hosted by butcherknife brewery and harwigs, a local restaurant in the area. The 6-course dinner featured ingredients that were 100% raised or grown in steamboat and each course was perfectly paired with a brew from butcherknife. Beth, hunter and I had an amazing time and the evening was awesome, down to the smallest of detail. We even got to take the stunning flower centerpieces home with us which was an event in and of itself. After dinner we wrapped up the evening with drinks at some of beth + hunter's favorite places, the laundry and barley. Seriously, the night left me with a full belly, a smile on my face and an extremely full heart.

I didn't want sunday to come as I knew this meant my departure from not only a beautiful town that I got to see from a completely different perspective than any visit before, but it meant I would be leaving my best friend. I sat at the counter in the kitchen as beth put together an awesome breakfast and just soaked in every last minute, conversation, laugh and smile with her before I had to leave.

Friends like beth make you feel alive and whole, like when you are together, everything just makes sense; I think that is the hardest part about us not living in the same city. However, the recharge to my system after a few days together, was exactly what I needed and that is what I focused on during my drive back to denver.

Steamboat, you were good, real good and I will hold this trip near to my heart for a very long time.

Hello // 2013

Happy New Year everyone!  As 2012 set slowly into the evening hours and the horizon of 2013 snuck upon us, I celebrated with family and friends.  We reminisced on the successes of the year, our hopes for the following and the moments we even wanted to forget.  I feel like 2012 had so many highs and proud moments so it is hard to walk away without a bit of sadness.  

2012, thank you for...

bringing me my 1st wedding anniversary to the most amazing husband
the chance to kayak the Bow River in beautiful Banff

all the wine nights, pool parties, summer picnics and get togethers with my girlfriends

every puppy kiss and moment with my baby Rocco

the absolute most unique and delicious experience at my summer farm dinner

my 1st blog anniversary

and 2013, I resolute to...

build up my savings account for more financial stability

learn the features and capabilities of my new fancy camera

stick to some form of physical fitness

2012 // Wrap Up

Today I am celebrating my Inaugural Blog Anniversary and I honestly cannot believe!  In the past 365 days I have put so much time, effort, thought and myself into creating a space to share with others and document my life as I go. 

I hope my blog is a place that you, my readers enjoy visiting, that I have created compelling content to keep bringing you back and most importantly, authentically shared myself through it all.  Below are some of my favorite posts from the last year.  I also want to say thank you to my readers… this blog has been something I am truly proud of and I am grateful I have had so much support from day one. 

My 30x30 remix series

Our farmer’s dinner back in October  

Rocco’s 1^st birthday

Our backyard renovation

My adorable niece’s love of my hamburgers

R & J artwork from our wedding  

I cannot get enough of this video  

One of my favorite restaurant reviews

Mental unloads 

Thankfulness… here, here, here and here

Farm Dinner at Shannon Red Barn Farm

(top: the sign welcoming us  /  bottom:  enjoying the beautiful fall weather)

I had one of the most unique and wonderful evenings a week ago now when my husband and I drove up to Boulder for a Fall Farm Dinner at Shannon Red Barn Farm.  The evening was perfect from beginning to end; amazing ambiance, endless platters of delicious food, great company, laughs, drinks, conversation for hours, and sights and smells that will stay with me forever.

(the menu)

Upon arrival we were greeted by a tall windmill, antique wagons, strung lights and a large red brick farm that dates back to the early 1900's.  Passed hors d'oeuvres  were served outside as the sun was lowering towards the foothills and guests could watch chef Hosea Rosenberg (the winner of Bravo's 'Top Chef: Season 5') and his team working on our dinner to come.  My favorite hors d'oeuvres were green grapes rolled in a thin layer of goat cheese, finely crushed pistachios and topped with a drop of truffle oil.  Another favorite was the silky roasted butternut squash soup that was blended with fresh sage and topped with diced apples and smoky walnuts.  Both of these paired nicely with the Cava Brut we were sipping on, out in the field of the farm.

(Clockwise from top:  sun setting on Shannon Red Barn Farm  /  butternut squash soup  /  Ryan and I  /  cauliflower with fresh herbs and briny capers  /  my place-setting)

Ryan and I joined forty-three other dinners in the renovated milk farm for a family-style dinner.  A wooden staircase took us up to a shabby-chic decorated barn, adorned with Americana items like chalkboard signs, flags, wooden artwork and white wicker chairs that were each unique in their own way.  Long tables topped with pumpkins, branches, candles and the night's menu lined Live bluegrass music filled the barn from the very talented, Ransom Notes which lent another layer to the magical environment.  

(Clockwise from top:  Welcome sign inside the barn  /  lamb shank and polenta  /  chocolate mousse layered between philo and topped with berries  /  kale salad with fall fruit and shaved queso de mano cheese)

Dinner was a multi-course affair paired with wine that included highlights such as roasted brussels sprouts and purple fingerlings potatoes that were mixed with succulent Blackbelly Farms pork belly and tangy pomegranate seeds.  I also could not get enough of the red wine braised Colorado lamb shanks that were crazy-tender, deeply in rich flavor and served with the best grits I have ever eaten... period.  The grits were blended with slightly salty parmigiano-reggiano cheese and topped with stewed tomatoes and peppery arugula which when eaten together, created balance in flavor and texture.  

(Clockwise from top right:  an antique wagon in the farm  /  chef Hosea describing our first course  /  the table we sat at for dinner)

Our farm dinner was honestly one of the most unique meals and experiences I have ever had.  It was something I went into not knowing too much about yet, I have always wanted to do.  It is something I hope I have the pleasure of doing again, as I will hold this night so fondly in my heart for years to come.  

Cozy Carmel Cardigan

(The Limited cardigan  /  Target tee  /  Kohls' black leggings  /  Steve Madden boots (no longer available) but similar available here) 

Tonight my husband and I are attending the Farm Dinner that I have been looking forward to for weeks.  With the weather nearing 70 degrees this afternoon, I decided to wear a thin cozy cardigan that  I can easily add a scarf or jacket to as the evening dips into the 50s after sundown.  Paired with my go-to black leggings, brown boots and belt, I am all set for a night of delicious fall harvested food with the best date I could ever have.

Fall Farm Dinner - Update

Sad news regarding our Sunday Fall Farm Dinner... the event is being rescheduled for next month.  I was a little bummed that we would not be heading to Boulder today but I understand that things change.  However, Chef Hosea Rosenberg and team better pull out all the stops and step it up come October!

Anniversary One

Yesterday was our 1st Year Wedding Anniversary!  We celebrated at my very favorite restaurant in Denver, Beatrice and Woodsley.  

(Clockwise from top left:  dining space  /  Ryan and I  /  delicious Marcato Cab Franc  /  cheese and poblano enchiladas with sunny side egg)

It is no surprise that Ryan brought us here... we have had some of the best meals and nights together; sitting at the bar, slowly eating small plates of rustic-American food in the most tranquil and comforting dining room.  It is one of the most special places in our relationship that we have been going to since the doors opened in 2008.

(Clockwise from top left:  Ryan's Cucupeña: muddled jalapeno and cucumber, vodka, triple sec and simple syrup  /  the beautiful 'outdoorsy' bar  /  Me with my printed invitation  /  stroganoff with flank steak, crispy noodle cake and bacon-mushroom vinaigrette)

It is customary to give a paper item for your first year of marriage and I found the perfect gift on Etsy but I am waiting on its arrival via UPS so in the interim, I made Ryan a card with some of the highlights the last 365 days have brought us.  Ryan of course showed me up by fulfilling a Bucket List item I have had for a while... attending a Farm Dinner.  I mentioned it just last week but my husband already had it planned prior to my post (he is good like that).  

(part of the invitation that Ryan gave me)

I cannot wait to tell you all about our dinner at Shannon Red Barn Farm that is next Sunday.  I promise to take lots of pictures to share with you too.  I honestly cannot begin to describe what a unique and 'so Jaime' gift this is and how excited I am.  

The past year (and 10 before that) have been more than I could have ever imagined.  I married an honest, strong, respectful, fun and easygoing man that I get to share everyday with.  It was the best decision I have ever made... Happy Anniversary!