Daybook (pay it forward edition)

(from the simple woman's daybook)

So the weather...fantastic today.  Enjoyed walking to and from Starbucks and to class from the train station.  Of course there is supposed to be a dramatic change for the weekend.

I was thinking...about asking to borrow an extension ladder from work when a co-worker reminded me that he would come and paint my window frame.  Sweet!

I am thankful for...an endless array of restaurants to try this summer.  Enjoyed the Tin Star on Sunday (see previous post).  Yes donuts and bbq are a good combination.

I did not know...that tomorrow (April 29) is Pay It Forward Day.  As if you need an excuse to do nice things for others...it's kind of like "Make a Difference Monday."

I went...to the gym.  Go me!

I am going...to a Kentucky Derby party where this an option to wear big hats.  And drink mint juleps.

I am currently reading...Unlikely Destinations (the lonely planet story) by Tony and Maureen Wheeler.  I just finished the fun read With a Twist by Deidre Martin.

I am hoping...the Furry Vengeance is an awesome movie.  Pre-screening tickets through Defenders of Wildlife.

Noticing that...my sister knows all things I like and can list it on a moment's notice.

From the kitchen...made a mess making a delicious baked potato soup on Monday. 

One of my favorite things...marzipan. 

Picture...Huntington Beach 2009

Westword as a Restaurant Guide

In the past few weeks, I have remembered to pick up a copy of Westword.  In addition to the scintillating column "Ask a Mexican" and all the 'medicine' promotions, there are restaurant reviews and ads.   As the weather gets nicer (in general, except for now while it's snowing) more restaurants open their patios.  Who doesn't love a good patio?

Last week, based solely on an advertisement claiming the best ice cream in Denver, we visited the Pajama Baking Company on Pearl Street.  I had macadamia nut brittle ice cream - delicious.  

This week I saw an ad for the Tin Star Cafe in Evergreen that specializes in Colorado BBQ and hand crafted donuts and apple fritters.  Of course BBQ and donuts are a great combination. Needless to say, after church we drove up the hill.  Pulled pork sandwich, chips and a fritter bits.  Another excellent choice. 

But are all random pairings good pairings?  In the parking lot of the H-Mart, my favorite Asian grocery store, there is a restaurant called Pho Yo!  I'm not sure if Vietnamese pho and frozen yogurt are a perfect match.  Maybe I'll be brave enough to try it sometime.

Last summer I dedicated to trying new things.  This year I may specifically aim for trying new (preferably non-chain) restaurants.  Bon Appetit!

Where's My Corkscrew?

(from the simple woman's daybook)

I am thinking...that a massage would be awesome.    

I am thankful for...a job that is a lot of fun, including opportunities to bartend and visit with our guests. 

I am remembering...how good it feels to sleep in. 

I am going...to make another pitcher of Sangria this weekend. 

I am currently reading...Street Game by Christine Feehan.  Very happy to get an Arapahoe County library card, the branch closest to my house is awesome. 

I am hoping...to figure out more vacation plans for this year.  A good problem to have.   I think "a little piece of the Netherlands floating in the Carribean" seems like a good idea.

On my mind...the family of one of my co-workers who passed away earlier this month. 

Noticing that...one volcano on a small island in the North Atlantic can wreak havoc. 

Pondering these words... "They say that I can move the mountains and send them crashing into the sea

They say that I can walk on water, If I would follow and believe with faith like a child."

From the kitchen...the bowl of cuties is full, does that count?

Around the house...I am not home long enough to see my house.   

One of my favorite things...a Dark Cherry Mocha at Starbucks. 

Pictures.....London (April 2008)

  

New Song

I recently updated a few songs on my ipod from music that my sister added to my library.  One song, that I've never heard, came on while I was on the train this morning.  I listened to it three times in a row.  Enjoy the video or read the lyrics.  I hope that our world can get to this point.

"One Day" by Matisyahu

Sometimes I lay under the moon

And I thank God I'm breathin'

Then I pray don't take me soon

'Cause I am here for a reason

Sometimes in my tears I drown

But I never let it get me down

So when negativity surrounds

I know someday it'll all turn around because

All my life I been waitin' for

I been prayin' for, for the people to say

That we don't want to fight no more

They'll be no more wars

And our children will play, one day

It's not about win or lose 'cause we all lose

When they feed on the souls of the innocent blood

Drenched pavement keep on movin'

Though the waters stay ragin'

And in this life you may lose your way

It might drive you crazy

But don't let it phase you, no way

Sometimes in my tears I drown

But I never let it get me down

So when negativity surrounds

I know someday it'll all turn around because

All my life I been waitin' for

I been prayin' for, for the people to say

That we don't want to fight no more

They'll be no more wars

And our children will play, one day

One day this all will change

Treat people the same

Stop with the violence down with the hate

One day we'll all be free and proud

To be under the same sun

Singing songs of freedom like, one day

All my life I've been waiting for

I've been praying for

For the people to say

That we don't wanna fight no more

They'll be no more wars

And our children will play, one day

 

200th Post

(from the simple woman's daybook)

Amazing - this is my 200th post.   Travel certainly expedites the amount of writing I do.  Good thing I continue to plan more adventures. 


Outside my window...beautiful but windy day.

I am thinking...that chocolate chip cookies on Frontier flights is a great thing.  Best of both worlds. 

I am thankful for...a great weekend with friends, the mountains, and skiing.

I am wearing...Peruvian Party Pants baby!

I am remembering...how great it is to have a ski valet, hot tub and steam room within easy reach.  Love Beaver Creek.

I am going...to ponder where my next vacation after Guatemala will be.  May take advantage of the non-stop to Green Bay to visit the fam this summer.  Also need to think about tropical islands in the fall...

I am currently reading...Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost (just finished it today, can't wait to read his books on the south pacific)

On my mind...that life is precious and you need to be thankful daily.  Praying for my co-worker's family. 

Noticing that...there is time to bike after work.

Pondering these words..."today was the best day ever" (5th graders shadowing at work today)

From the kitchen...beef paenang curry.

One of my favorite things...trying new restaurants.

From my picture journal...my first black diamond run at Beaver Creek on Sunday!

Relaxing Weekend

We took advantage of a special end of season rate to enjoy time up in the mountains at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek.  BC is a 'master-planned' ski resort with the slogan 'not exactly roughing it.'  This suited us just fine.   I had time to ski both Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.   Plus the hot tub, pool, steam room and s'mores by the fire pit (love the homemade creme de menthe marshmallows).   We met friends for dinner at the Blue Moose.  Can you say buffalo chicken pizza?

Today on our way home, we stopped twice, for two different tasty treats.  First we had lunch at the Log Cabin Cafe in Frisco.  You can have breakfast all day and there were so many things to chose from...my final three were biscuits and gravy, huevos rancheros or the breakfast burger.

Breakfast Burger

Our next stop was the Georgetown Valley Candy Company.  I did not know what the name of the store was, just knew that a co-worker had brought in delicious chocolate with savory seasonings (chile, etc) from a store in Georgetown.   I don't know if he's the owner, but there was a hilarious older gentleman working the counter ("another ripped off customer") and signs encouraging you to try the handmade waffle cones rather than the mass produced sugar cones (the phrase wasn't mass produced but something more witty that I can't recall at this time).   We got chocolate caramel corn and almond/cashew caramel corn.  Delicious!

Lost on Planet China (daybook edition)

(from the simple woman's daybook)

Outside my window...snow this morning and a beautiful afternoon.  And I have a new window to look out too.   How awesome it would be to have a window in my office at work.  Though it would probably overlook the loading dock.

I am thinking...that I can't be impressed by a cell phone company that is 'now in 50 states.'  Really?

I am thankful for...my sister getting to Denver safely. 

I am wearing...Spanish class clothes. 

I am remembering...how fantastic the Straight No Chaser concert was last night.  The Boulder Theater is a great venue.  I need to explore Boulder more thoroughly.

I am going...to Beaver Creek this weekend.  Love 'not exactly roughing it.'

I am currently reading...Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost.
"The culinary possibilities in China are endless.  Why not yak? Or cat?  Or swan?  Or bullfrog? Or live squid?  Why limit ourselves to pigs, lambs and chickens.  And why dine on cow but not their big, shaggy cousin, the yak?....In China, we eat everything with fou legs except the table, and anything with two legs except a person.  Splendid, I saw, now pass the chopsticks."

I am hoping...that I have time to get a hair cut next week.

On my mind...the countdown to Gulamula!

Noticing that...it's more spring than winter now in Denver.

Pondering these words... from a cross I bought in Germany.
"Wo ich gehe, wo ich stehe, bist du guter Gott bei mir.  Wenn ich dich auch niemals sehe, weiss ich sicher; Du bist hier!"

From the kitchen...nothing since Easter.  Had delicious drunken noodles at Chy Thai in Boulder yesterday.

Around the house...last week there was 1 person and 1 dog.  This week there are 2 people, 1 dog and 2 cats. 

One of my favorite things...sitting outside with a glass of wine. 

From my picture journal...Red Rocks (4.3.10)