Aspen in October

A much needed road trip in October. Just Jeff, Sam and myself, in Aspen Colorado, just hanging out and relaxing.
We stopped the infamous road trip snacks, don't judge, we don't normally eat like that. Then we stopped in Glenwood Springs for a bite to eat and a couple of beverages and a short walk for Sam.
Finally, we got settled in at our hotel for the weekend. We parked our car and didn't drive the rest of the weekend. We were able to walk everywhere to eat, shop, and even found a dog friendly brewery.

Stopped in Glenwood Springs for a quick walk and a beer at Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co.

We stayed at The Hotel Aspen and enjoyed beers at Aspen Brewing Company

Random pumpkins that Sam and I found on our walk to downtown Aspen.

Oh my...she just cooked again!

I have stated before that I am not know for my cooking skills but I just impressed myself with dinner and I just have to share. I am really trying to eat out less and cook more but was intimidated with cooking Asian styled food. Today, I thought it was time to conquer my fear!

The result:

Peppers and Pork

Super Easy Recipe for 2

Ingredients

3/4 pound of pork strips (loin sliced in stir fry strips)

1/2 white onion (or 1 small one)

1/2 of green pepper 

1/2 of yellow pepper

4 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

1 tablespoon of white sugar

1 teaspoon of sriracha hot sauce

1 clove garlic

Black pepper to taste

Oil for cooking 

Brown Rice (prepared per box directions)

Prep

Mix soy, corn starch, sugar, ginger, garlic, sriracha then add the pork.

Marinate the pork.

Chop the peppers and onions in about 1 inch cubes and set aside.

Heat wok or skillet

Cook the pork, searing it on the outside but be careful to not overcook. 

Take out of skillet or wok and set a side.

Cook the onions and peppers  for about 5 minutes until they begin to turn translucent but still firm

Add the pork back to the mixture and mix.

Cook together for a minute or two.

Serve over prepared brown rice and enjoy!

12 Years Married!

12 years ago today I married a silly boy who turned out to be an amazing man!

Cheers!

Experimenting with breakfast....

So if you know me, you know I love most things pumpkin flavored from lattes to beers, but today I tried something new with sometching old.

I made French toast with International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer.

Super simple and super yummy!

 

Ingredients

Day old French bread

2 eggs

2/3 cup of International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer

Pinch of Spices 

(like cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg)

Butter for cooking

Mix together creamer, eggs, and spices in a flat baking dish. Slice bread in about 1 inch slices.

Place the bread in single layer and soak for about 10 minutes, flip the bread and soak another  10 minutes.

I used a large cast iron skillet but a griddle would work too. 

Butter the skillet well.

Cook on both sides until it is a toasty brown color. 

Plate the toasted yumminess, dust with powdered sugar, and drizzle with maple syrup!

Oh my, PUMPKIN BEER!

Fall is here!

Colors changing...

Fall is my favorite time of year! I love the cool days, the random warm days, and the slower pace of life at home. A couple of my favorite things about fall are things that I could enjoy year around so I really appreciate now.

Pumpkin inspired goodness! 

Human Bean's Pumpkin Spice Lattes (actually can get year around)

International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer (love this! I have even made french toast with it!)

My Favorite....

Pumpkin Inspired Beers!!!

So, my husband introduced me to pumpkin beer a couple of years ago and I instantly became a fan.

Last year, I decided I wanted to try the various versions that breweries had developed. (My friends must have realized this because one day I came home and found a gift on my front porch...thank you Beer Fairy!)

This year, I decided to continue to try as many pumpkin brews that I could find from traditional to ciders to the specialty bombers. Eventually, I figured that I need to develop a favorite one for the years to come, and decided I needed to make notes...so I am sharing my personal opinion to what I have tried. I have planned to break down the reviews in categories of 6 packs, bombers under $12, and bombers over $12. 

If you have a favorite that I did not cover, leave me a comment.

My ultimate favorite is (stocking up on this one!)

Shipyard Brewery - Pumpkinhead

Let's get started...this was my inspiration when I opened my fridge and saw a random selection of seasonal yumminess!! 

6 Pack Category $7.99 to $10.99

Brewery

Blue Moon

Wynnkoop - my least favorite

Uinta

Shipyard -Pumpkinhead *favorite*

Shipyard-Smashed Pumpkin

Shocktop - good intro beer, not too spicey or heavy

Tommyknocker 

New Belgium-pumpkick 

Specialty Bombers $10 or more

Brewery

Rogue-Pumpkin Patch

Avery

Shipyard

Samuel Adams-Fat Jack-easy drinking beer, spices are evident but not too strong.

Souther Tier - Pumking *favorite bomber-This beer has a well balanced pumpkin pie flavor, almost a creamy finish 

If you like ciders, Ace has a nice, mellow spice to it.

More beers...

New one I just found this weekend-

Cambridge Brewing Company-

Overall a well balanced pumpkin beer. Cloudy, amber color. Made with sweet pumpkins which is a prominent flavor in this beer. Not to spicy but definitely pumpkin!

Where did fall go?

A week after peak colors...this is the same tree today.

And now it is snowing outside...

Fall is my favorite time of the year but it goes by so quickly...

Happy Fall

Best time of the year, pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, boots, cozy evenings, slower paced days and beautiful colors outside...

Retro Gum

Products come and go on a daily basis. There was one gum that I use to love as a kid and remembered everything about from the commercials to the sweet sugary gooey inside but couldn't remember the brand name. I had tried to explain this gum to people in the past but nobody knew what I was talking about...

It came in a square tube with square pieces of gum and when you bit into it, flavored, sweet, gooey center created a burst of freshness while chewing. The other day, I was at The Cupboard, in there small candy section...there was the gum!

I know it is just gum but it is like having a song stuck in your head...I finally remembered the name! 

I found a link to a commercial that I remembered for the gum and just had to attach it...

http://youtu.be/QXnfWiRhmWo

Flood September 2013

The past week has been emotional and stressful for so many. I feel so lucky to be warm and dry in Fort Collins, Colorado. The worst we had to go through in Northern Fort Collins was that the bridges that went of the Poudre River were closed most of Friday, which meant I was stuck in a mile radius area. This caused a lot of separation in Fort Collins and a few pre-evacauations of a couple of neighborhoods, but all are okay for the most part. Throughout the past several days, we watched it rain for hours on end but thankful we are safe and have the ability to help others around us.


Although we are dry and okay, this is not the same for so many Coloradans so near to me.There were many towns effected from the recent rains and flooding and there are so many pictures that I could share but thought attaching links to slideshows and statistics that would offer more information.
http://www.nbc11news.com/home/headlines/Hickenlooper-says-death-toll-expected-to-rise-223903391.html
Click link below for photos around the Front Range area.
Photos courtesy of Denver Post

The devastation of Estes Park hits the closest to me since Jeff and I lived there for over a decade. We have many memories and friends there that will be forever be changed. Jeff and I met in Estes Park 16 years ago. We moved away but couldn't stay away. We called Estes Park home from 1999 to 2008 before moving to Fort Collins in 2008 to now. Our jobs were at very popular locations which to my knowledge will be okay but are in the cleanup phase, trying to open/prepare for locals.
I am attaching a link to information about Estes Park and the community.
https://www.facebook.com/epfloodrecovery

Highway 34 that takes you from Loveland to Estes Park has take a huge hit during this flood. It is so hard to think about how many times I drove that road. I lived in Estes Park but went to school in Fort Collins and Greeley for four years and I got to know that road so well. A few years later, I moved to Fort Collins but kept working at Ed's Cantina, so I drove that road for a couple of more years. I remember sitting through construction delays, tourists, and just the average commuter. Once, I was even pulled over for road rage because I was so eager to get home. Now there will be a new normal as patience will be needed to travel to Estes Park in whatever way is available.
Click below to view a slideshow of the damage.
http://kdvr.com/2013/09/15/slideshow-hwy-34-destroyed-through-big-thompson-canyon/

If you want to know how to help, follow this link:
http://www.helpcoloradonow.com/

Tour de Fat 2013 (August 31, 2013)

That time of year in Fort Collins when costumes and bikes collide. We mixed it up a little this year and took our bikes and goodies over to City Park to watch the parade instead of ride (walk our bikes) in the parade. It was a morning packed with friends and a lot of "high-fives" given out to the riders as they went by.

Baldwin family (and Bode) are ready!

 Guess who found the doughnuts?? Doesn't Tyden look busted...

The parade is getting started!!

 The boys giving out high fives and shooting water guns at the parade participants.

 Kat and Amy jumped in the parade for a few minutes...

In action, well actually we were at a complete stop where the parade becomes more of a stand still.

 The Morris Girls

 Bode on the bubbles.

 Tyden loved the tiara!

 Biker Babe-Kaya

 Super cute Jack!

 Laneys and Jayroes 

(yes the ladies planned on matching with homemade tutus & tiaras but the boys came matching by complete accident!)

Tour de Fat comes to an end...