Steamboat Springs - The View

We just wrapped up a four day weekend with 3 other couples in Steamboat. This is the view from the house we rented. We spent the mornings sipping coffee and early evenings out on this back patio and seating area.

Be a Smart Ash

We just applied for a tree.  1 out of every 6 trees in Denver is an Ash.  The City of Denver is running an initiative to add non-Ash trees to right of ways before all of the Ash trees are killed off by Emerald Ash Borers.  

All of the following must be met:

• 30 feet from outside edge of intersecting curbs for sight triangle
• 35 feet from large shade trees
• 25 feet from ornamental trees
• 20 feet from street lights
• 20 feet from stop signs
• 10 feet from alleys, driveways, and fire hydrants
• 7 feet behind attached sidewalks
• 5 feet from water meters/pits
• Centered within tree lawns/planters

We have a driveway on each side of our property, a light pole on one side of the right of way, and a water meter on the other.  We took measurements and there is one spot that a tree could be planted among all of these measurements.

If we are selected, a free tree would be planted for us.  The houses immediately around us don't have trees, so we hope that makes us a good candidate.

http://beasmartash.org

Studio Pics

These were taken by Marie, the studio owner, during the class yesterday.

 

 

 

Open Minded Saturday

We got out for a 30 mile bike ride first thing this morning.  We biked to Golden and back.  There are some decent hills along the way and no problems for E's knee.  Yay.

Then Erica headed to Evb Studio for a 3 hour class, making Open Minded Bowls.  Erica's masterpieces are on the right.  She has enough clay to make another bowl at home and drop it at the studio for firing.

  

After clay time, Erica ran to get a haircut while Chris researched Happy Hour options (we hadn't eaten lunch).  We walked over to Small Wonder Food and Wine on 32nd for drinks and an early dinner.  We played Pokemon Go on the way there and back.  

No Grease

Our new favorite way to make bacon.  Medium heat.  Flip 'em after 6-7 minutes.  Less mess.

 

Cream of Tomato

We planted a regular tomato plant this year.  It is growing out of control like last years yellow pear tomato.  Or is this normal?

I made Ina Garten's Cream of Tomato Soup tonight.  Chris says "It's Delicious!"  He had seconds.

 

 

Concert Goers

We were at Red Rocks Saturday Night for The Avett Brothers.

 

Farmers Market

There's a farmers market just down the street on Sunday's.  We took a walk and a gander today.

 

It's hot, so Z traveled in her carrier so she wouldn't burn her little paws.  And she doesn't growl at other dogs when she is up high, which is nice.

 

ZZ

Haven't had any Zoey posts lately...still pretty cute.

 

This is Only a Test

After taking 3 weeks off the bike, Erica took a test ride this morning - nice and easy.  18 miles and no knee pain!  

Dinner & a Show

Date night.  Small plates at The Squeaky Bean and then a Cirque show - Toruk: The First Flight  (It is inspired by Avatar, one of Erica's fave movies).

Beef tartare, crispy cauliflower, ricotta gnocchi, striped sea bass sashimi.

 

 

Toruk

 

 

McCoffee & Wine Lounge

We've changed up our wine room.  We used to have a small table & chairs that we never ever sat on.  Literally, not more than 3 or so times in 5 years.  It was also much warmer here in the winter with the heated floors (the heated floors are now officially broken, & can't be repaired unless we want to rip up our floor, but that's another story), so we decided to make it into a space we would actually use.

We moved our coffee and espresso machines to the wine room desk, freeing up counter space in the kitchen.  Then, we picked up some comfy chairs and a tv.  Finally, we added shelves between the cabinets.

We've already spent a lot more time in here in the past few months.  It'll be nice when we have guests over too - everybody hangs in the kitchen, and now they can sit in the wine room with a drink and still be part of the action.  And, you can see the tv from the kitchen too.

Who wants to come over for a fancy coffee?