The Foundry

We found a new restaurant here in KC, The Foundry. It has a retro coastal dive bar feel to it. We were excited to try it because we tend to patronize the same places over and over and over again. Our current rotation includes Thai Place for awesome Pad Thai, Oklahoma Joe's for BBQ, and The Flea Market for burgers.

We started with the Skillet Tots (we had been out shopping almost all day and we were hungry!) Erica had the Hawaii 5-0 which was a chicken burger with pineapple salsa, BBQ sauce, ginger, honey, and melted cheese. Chris had the Bleu Moon Burger which had gorgonzola and bacon. YUM. You can check out the menu here.

The Bachelorette

I have been very lucky to have such great friends and my Kansas City girls are no different. Last Saturday, Libby, Christina, and Katie arranged a bachelorette party for me. The night started with drinks and appetizers followed by pole dancing lessons, dinner at Nara, and finally a stop in the Power & Light district for drinks and dancing at Shark Bar.

The pole dancing really made the night, we had a blast. We were quite the bunch - Abbey is pregnant, Christina has a stress fracture in her foot, and Franzy just had corneal transplant surgery...

http://www.macmonkies.com/Etc/MerryChristmas_1024.jpg

It's DTV time

Erica officially made the conversion to DTV this week (she likes to call it HDTV). Personally, I don't think you can get HDTV on a POS TV :) Many of you may not be aware of this, but Erica has managed to survive to this point without cable TV. Anyway, before the addition of the converter box Erica got a whopping 10 channels, all of them fuzzy. Now she gets 23 crystal clear channels. Amazing! Of course the vast majority of the new channels are in Spanish and/or religious. Lo amo and/or amen!

One more present under the tree...

Today we got a surprise delivery from UPS. I emailed Erica at work, but she was not expecting anything. Now we are the proud owners of a John Deere combine!

Thanks Santa!

By request, here is the tree:

Oh Baby!

We made these onesies for our friends Abbey & Wade. Abbey is having a baby shower today. We stole the idea from AGPERP who did the same thing for their nephew a few years ago. We also got them a couple of kids music CDs (Actually, Erica really likes the Jack Johnson/Curious George CD for herself).

UPS: Boo! Hiss!

We received dishes and silverware from Amy & Julie as a wedding gift. One of the sets of dishes arrived broken :( Chris knew something was amiss when he saw the battered box on the front porch and took pictures before, during, and after opening it. We are going to file a claim with UPS and see what happens.

Broken in the box.

In Pieces.

Brrrr!

This past weekend we had record cold temperatures in CO. I think it got down to -15 on Sunday night. That might not seem that cold to you northerners, but it was the coldest temperature the Denver area had experienced in 100 years. Needless to say, when I woke up Monday morning, I had no running water in my master bath or my downstairs toilet. The stupid pipes froze.

I took most of Monday off to work in the basement and garage to get everything flowing again. Luckily, there was no flooding or broken plumbing - just freezing. All the plumbing to my fixtures is flexible plastic instead of copper, so that probably helped. The downstairs toilet was easy. All I had to do was get a hair dryer (thanks Erica!) on the tubing in the basement. I added some insulation as well. The upstairs plumbing was more fun. I had to get the pictures out from when my house was being framed to figure out exactly where the plumbing was and where I might want to work. I had a pretty good idea where the problem might be and the pictures confirmed it. I removed the first piece of drywall in the garage and luckily that was all I needed to do to get to the problem. The builders had done a pretty lousy job insulating the cavity that the pipes run in and about 18 inches of both the hot and cold supply were frozen solid. A little more time with the hair dryer and another trip to Lowe's for more adequate insulation and all was well again.

Hopefully the extra insulation helps and hopefully it never gets that cold again!

Hole in the wall and the plastic tubing running upstairs



The frozen section - right where it comes in from the basement

Only 8 days 'til Christmas!?

We can't believe it is only 8 days 'til Christmas! Erica was in such disbelief when she heard it on the news today, she decided to put this countdown on the blog to keep us on track.

Wisconsin Shower

It was a 10am brunch shower which was really early since mom and I stayed up late visiting the night before. But, we had a great time and thanks to everyone, Chris and I received some yummy recipes and monies to help us get started as newlyweds.

Thanks again! I wish I could have stayed and visited longer than just a day.

Julie spent the entire day at the house :)

Look at all of the food!

This doesn't even include the 2 egg dishes and the pecan croissant french toast. Mom did an amazing job.

The Grandmas

Erica is finished with another semester! Only 1 more to go!

Birthday Shirt

You'll be happy to know that a birthday shirt is not the same as a birthday suit. There will be no naked pictures on this blog! I'd like to thank Cori and Bob for this shirt that they gave me for my birthday. Very funny!

Rugby Stuff

While we were driving to the Redstone Meadery for our tour we noticed an unassuming sign that indicated a rugby clearance sale. The only other info on the sign was an arrow. We had some extra time before our tour so we followed the arrow. We found another sign and again followed the arrow. This lead nowhere because the sign had been turned by the wind. A little backtracking and we discovered a small industrial building full of rugby treasures!

Shirts, shorts, and socks, oh my!

All this fun USA Rugby clothing was only $25. They had a lot of other stuff. I wish Erica had been there because I wasn't sure exactly what to get and we didn't have much time as we had to get to the mead.

Redstone Meadery

Saturday after we recovered from the cold wait in line for the KBCO Studio C CD we headed out to the Redstone Meadery for a tour. Roger, Kelly, and Emily enjoyed it, so we figured we would check it out and see what it was all about. My grandma Elizabeth joined us. The tour was very interesting and the mead was as good as I remember.

I picked up some more mead for the reserves...

My dad and I talked to the David (Chairman of the Mead) and got some mead making tips. David gave my dad 12 empty bottles so that he could use it in his brewing endeavors. All David asked in return is that my dad bring back a bottle of his mead so he can give it a taste. Alright dad, start making the mead!

KBCO Studio C

Saturday morning was the release of the 20th anniversary edition of the KBCO Studio C CD. KBCO is a radio station in Boulder, CO. Each year (for the past 20 years, obviously) they have released a CD of music recorded live at the radio station. The proceeds benefit the Boulder County AIDS Project. We got in line at about 5:40 AM (the doors open at 8 AM). We were about 250th in line. It has become quite the tradition to arrive early and wait in line.

Here is the line...

The fam...

I don't know how long it took, but the CD is now sold out. It sell out every year. Maybe next year Erica can join in the fun :)

Study Break

Chris is having fun at his work Christmas party which I could not attend again this year because it is always right smack dab in the middle of finals. I am at school trying to keep my eye on the prize and finish up this semester. Here is the lowdown:

Monday: Health Care Reimbursement and Fiscal Policy Final. AKA type for two hours straight to answer crazy questions about health care payment methodologies.

Tuesday: Health and Social Behavior Paper is due. It is actually about a book titled Hospital by Julie Salamon. The book is quite good, a look into the culture and politics of hospitals. It makes health services administration look like something only a crazy person would sign up for. I guess it is a little too late to turn back now with only a semester left to go ;)

I also have a presentation on that darn 15 page (single spaced) policy analysis that was due before Thanksgiving.

And, I just submitted a Health Care Strategic Marketing paper. After Tuesday, I only have a group project to finish up for strategic marketing. It is due on December 15th.

Okay, back to work.

Where everybody knows your name.

Today we decided to check out Hi Hat Coffee. It is in a tiny and very charming brick building just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the house. Chris has been wanting to try it out for some time now, mostly because he likes the little building so much.

There were a few customers coming and going, and the barista's knew all of their names (except ours, of course). If we were going to be regulars at any coffee shop, this would be the place. It is a cute place and most importantly, the coffee is GOOD.

Hi Hat Coffee Hi Hat Coffee

Flipping the Switch

Last night we met our friends Alan and Angela to watch the annual lighting of the Plaza lights. Then we stayed on the Plaza for drinks. Thanksgiving is the busiest night of the year for the dining and drinking establishments on the Plaza.

The Plaza Lights

Look at all of the people and all of the lights

Angela, my grad school pal, and her boyfriend Alan.

Angela and I.

Cranberry-Orange Chutney

Cooks.com - Recipe - Cranberry-Orange Chutney
1 c. fresh orange sections
1/4 c. orange juice
4 c. cranberries, fresh
2 1/4 c. sugar
1 c. chopped unpeeled apple
1/2 c. raisins
1/4 c. chopped walnuts
1 tbsp. vinegar
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until berries begin to pop. Chill until serving time.

Keep stored in refrigerator. Yield: 5 1/2 cups.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

Picture from: http://www.teenstylelounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/turkey.png

First of all, we want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

We are having our own Thanksgiving together in Kansas City, just the two of us. We had grand ideas of making a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but then reality set in - it is a lot of work and a lot of food for two people. Instead, we have a modernized plan for our old favorites.

We bought a nice turkey breast, take and bake Ciabatta bread, and ingredients for home made cranberry orange chutney for Thanksgiving sandwiches. We are going to pair them with sweet potato fries and fresh asparagus. For dessert, we are making chocolate pudding pie and berry shortcake.

We will let you know how things turn out...

Sunday Funday: Thanksgiving Edition

We have a little tradition here in Kansas City. Most Sunday evenings, our "chosen family" meets at the Engles for Sunday dinner and drinks. Tonight we are having a Thanksgiving version. Keith is making a turkey. Franzy is making a roast, sauteed asparagus, and sweet potato souffle. Libby doesn't cook so she will be bringing alcohol. Abbey and Wade have appetizers, Katie is bringing cheesy corn and corn bread, and we are bringing dessert.

This morning we went to the Mexican Price Chopper for ingredients for Chocolate Pudding Pie and an Autumn Harvest Cheesecake. While we were there we got side tracked by the Mexican sweet breads and the just baked, and still warm tortillas from the tortilleria:

Chris is assessing his options.

Chris has been eating tortillas non stop today. It is true, fresh is best.

Date Day

Erica has been working on a 15 page (single spaced) health care policy analysis which is due on Tuesday. To take a break, we had an afternoon date to Chef Burger in the Power and Light District. Chris had the KC BBQ Blue Burger. Erica had the BLFGT (bacon, lettuce, and fried green tomatoes) burger. We accompanied our burgers with sweet potato fries and garlic parsley fries. They also serve milkshakes and spiked milk shakes.

Then we drove to our new favorite cheap-o theater for $4 matinee movie tickets for Quantum of Solace. We had Casino Royale on this morning per the advice of AGPERP. We liked it. Chris thought they should have died in the parachute scene.

Impulse Purchase

Tonight I was at Target and I walked by some Archer Farms tortilla chips. I did a double take. They were s'more flavored. Of course, I had to try them. They kinda taste like s'mores. It's a little weird and a little interesting, and I kinda like them.

Why didn't we think of this sooner?

Last night we logged onto msn messenger, turned on our web cams and put a puzzle together...together. I stayed up much too late, but it was worth it to see and hear and spend time with Chris.

This is a screen shot of us and the puzzle we were working on. Chris's new computer with built in web cam has some sort of light that illuminates his face much better than the overhead light in my living room.

Everybody's doing it.

Chris's jacket got posted, Emily just posted her new winter jacket, Courtney did too. So here is mine.

It was super cheap, simple, and it came in a Tall. Now my sleeves are the right length and it doesn't pull across the shoulders. I think it looks much better in person too.

Engagement Announcement Link

In case you can't get enough of the engagement announcement, you can now read it online at the Boulder Daily Camera website:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/nov/16/kloehn-mcmenamin-engagement/

This is the engagement announcement that came out in the Boulder Daily Camera today (click on it to make it larger). Thanks to Pam and Jim for scanning the announcement. It should also be posted on the Boulder Daily Camera website soon.

Wined and Dined

I was in Louisville, KY this past Friday and Saturday interviewing with Humana's Graduate Accelerated Leadership Program (aka Infusion Program). They flew in about 50 interviewees from around the country for the interview event

I interviewed for two positions. The first was a National Network Infusion Program Executive position. The second was in Product Development, specifically Senior Products which focuses on Medicare and Medicaid benefit design.

We went to the Muhammad Ali Center on Friday evening for a dinner/social and a stroll through the Muhammad Ali museum.

Saturday we were at Humana's Corporate headquarters for interviews, Q&A sessions, and a van tour around the city.


The Humana building at night ala my camera phone. You can't tell very well, but the sides of the building are waterfalls. The entire building is made of pink marble, granite, and steel.

4th Street Live. An entertainment district, almost identical to the new Power and Light District in KC.

Belated Birthday Present

Here it is! We have been looking for a winter jacket for Chris for a long time and finally found this one today. So handsome.

Chris raked and bagged 8.5 bags of leaves while Erica worked on a paper for school.

Now we are both at the dining room table doing work. Chris is making 3-D models of sheet metal parts and then making drawings of those parts. Erica is composing a paper on the problems, causes and solutions to the challenges facing the profession of medicine today.

Pic from the weekend

Here is a picture from last weekend. We met our friends Keith and Christina at McCoys for karaoke. I sang the song that Emily and I always sing - Brand New Key by Melanie. It all started in Aunt Krystal's living room when we were little girls.

What's missing?

We'll give you a hint: there are 3 things and we've already blogged about two of them. The winner gets their own congratulatory blog post that will be archived in the digital annals of history forever and ever.

Early Birthday Dinner

We had home made pizza. The left side is Erica's, the right side is Chris's.

Chris picked warm brownies and cookies-n-cream ice cream with caramel sauce and Halloween sprinkles (on clearance for $.50) for his birthday dessert.

Here is the birthday boy blowing out his candle.

Local Wildlife

It's too bad I didn't find out about this until after Erica and her family left Colorado because it turns out that these elk have been hanging out a couple blocks south of where I work since the weekend. I stopped by after work today to get some pictures.

This is the herd. I think there were about 20 total

This guy is the head honcho


Here he is a little closer. At one point he was chasing another bull and he got within 15 feet of us.


This is the guy that he was chasing. This smaller bull ended up crossing the road and hanging out in someone's yard.

Tickle, tickle...

This past weekend, among all the other new and fun experiences, Emily said 'hi' to some of the local Colorado wildlife.

Colorado Shower

Today Chris's sister Cori and our friend Sarah hosted a wonderful bridal shower for me. It was great to see everybody and enjoy yummy food and drink. Thanks to Cori, Sarah, Pam, and all of the family and friends who made it a special afternoon. With their help, I think we have a great start to our Fort Collins home.

The boys conveniently crashed the party as dessert was being served :)

The McMenamins & Hansens. Well, I am not a Mc quite yet.

Be sure to check out RAK-KAK's blog for more pictures.