The Start of Summer

It's unofficially here!   Although summer doesn't technically start until June 21, as far as America is concerned, it started with Memorial Day weekend.   Even better that our boss gave us the option to go home early on Friday.   I took advantage and was on the patio with a drink in hand before 5pm.   Last summer my goal was to try at least 50 new things in 50 days.   This summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, my goal is to log at least 101 fun things...hopefully some of them will be new as well. 

Mini daybook for this past week

Outside my window...summer is here!  It has been beautiful all weekend.
I can't believe...in less than two weeks we'll be in Guatemala (or as Brian writes: Gulamula)

I am thinking...about nothing, it's my weekend.

I am thankful for...all current soldiers, veterans and those who gave their lives so that we can live a life of freedom.

I am going...to take Heather to the airport so she can leave for Puerto Rico tomorrow.   Last time I was in the PR was in the spring of 2003.

Current reads...finished The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks and Never Less Than a Lady by Mary Jo Putney.  Currently laughing through What Time is the Midnight Buffet?

Shoutout to...Noodles and Company.  A friend put in her business card and won a free tasting.  Rather than spending tons on advertising, Noodles likes word of mouth promotion.   So they had 7 of us at the restaurant and let us try a variety of apps, salads, noodles and dessert.  Great PR. 

Another tasty restaurant...visited Palace Chinese this week. Had dim sum.  Yum.

Summer Fun List 2010

#1 Made homemade ice cream and sorbet.  The sorbet recipe is from Cooking Light: easy and delicious.
#2 First pool party of the year at a friend's house.  Also first time playing 500 this year.
#3 Another visit to the Cherry Creek Farmer's Market.  Tried a cinnamon pretzel, lemonade and bought some granola.  Maybe by the end of summer I will have bought something from each vendor there.
#4 Went to Casa Vallarta for lunch.   It's really close to my house and I'd never been there.  The plates are huge and it was a beautiful day to sit on the patio.
#5  First time to the Downtown Denver Arts Festival.  I have no budget for art, but there were some beautiful photos and glass that I would buy if I had thousands of dollars just to decorate my house.  However, we did have enough money to go out for ice cream at Bonnie Brae (another first).  The Triple Death Chocolate was delicious. 

A Good Day

So not quite in the vein of Ice Cube ("I didn't have to use my AK...today was a good day"), but today was a pretty great day.   One of those days where you only do things that you like and NOTHING that you don't like. 

After sleeping in and a bike ride (both good), I got to explore more of the Capitol Hill neighborhood with some friends.  We had lunch at Snarf's and my first sandwich there, the artichoke, feta and provalone was delicious, along with a clementine Izze.  We then walked through Cheeseman Park.   Our final destination in mind was Liks for ice cream.   My ice cream selection today was a waffle cone with key lime pie and pineapple coconut.  With tasty treats, a long walk, and an exhausted dog, it was time to go home to get ready for the youth banquet at Wellshire.  The food, company and the Vespers band made for a good evening.

I hope that I can keep my good day zen going...at least through Monday. 

Breakfast x 2

(from the simple woman's daybook)

Outside my window...I think spring may be here to stay.

I can't believe...10 years ago this month I graduated from the University of Illinois!

I am thinking...about politics in the workplace.

I am listening to..."Turnin Me On" by Keri Hilson.

I am thankful for...tons of activites in Denver that promote fun and healthy lifestyle.

I am going...to be leaving Guatemala a month from tomorrow. 

I am currently reading...The Secret of Everything by Barbara O'Neal. 

I am hoping...to sleep in this weekend!

On my mind...the poltical situation in Thailand.  Visiting a place makes the news more real. 

In the news...the Denver Post had a cover story about the first senior class at Bruce Randolph school. Proud that my property supports their efforts through the DPS school partners program. 

Noticing that...I had breakfast twice today and I'm happy about it. 
Pondering these words..."so won't you move me like you used to" TobyMac

From the kitchen...breakfast for dinner.

One of my favorite things...reading in the sun.  Sangria is an added bonus. 

From my picture journal...Sumidero Canyon, Mexico (August 2009)

Donde esta Salamá?

Our Habitat trip next month is to Salamá, Guatemala.   So, being the prepared traveler I am, I checked out a guidebook from the library in an attempt to learn more.   Salamá makes it in one paragraph on page 233.  Funny, I know that I'll have more than a paragraph's worth of stories to tell afterwards. 

What I learned from Frommers today:
Salamá is in Baja Verapaz. 
Verapaz means true peace.
Salamá is the provincal capital.
There is a beautiful colonial era church with a 18k gold decorated altar.
There is a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva.
The area is known for arts and crafts.

I will have to have to find some other sources of information.  This will not suffice.

Snow in May

(from the simple womans daybook)


Outside my window...snow.

I am thinking...about a lot of things that I didn't know about yesterday.

I am listening to..."Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz and Ludacris.

I am thankful for...golf outings that raise over 10k for MS.  And for my friend donating her portion of the proceeds to my ride. 

I am going...to be in Guatemala a month from today!

I am currently reading...Stealing Adda by Tamara Leigh.

I am hoping...that everything goes well tomorrow.

On my mind...I am going to be orientating over 30 people this week!   And sad that my favorite Peruvian's last day at my work is tomorrow. 

Noticing that...the cherry creek farmers market had tons of vendors for early in the season.  And the samples...

Pondering these words..."did you go to the chocolate museum in Cologne?"  What?  I missed it?  Must go back!

From the kitchen...made chocolate chip crumb cake and blueberry buckle on my free afternoon yesterday.  My sister makes a mean Chex Mix!

One of my favorite things...thinking about warm places.  Like Curacao.  In November.

From my picture journal...summer flower in the Andes (February 2010)

More Than Truth

I continue to find songs in various places that really stick in my mind.  Even better when they have a good message.   My most recent discovery, "More Like Falling in Love" by Jason Gray.

More Like Falling in Love

Give me rules, I will break them

Show me lines, I will cross them

I need more than a truth to believe

I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes

To sweep me off my feet, it’s gotta be

More like falling in love than something to believe in

More like losing my heart than giving my allegiance

Caught up, called out, come take a look at me now

It’s like I’m falling, oh

It’s like I’m falling in love

Give me words, I’ll misuse them

Obligations, I’ll misplace them

‘Cause all religion ever made of me

Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet

It never set me free, it’s gotta be

Deeper and deeper

It was love that made me a believer

In more than a name, a faith, a creed

Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me, it’s gotta be

Festive Hats

(from the simple woman's daybook)

Outside my window...other than the 5 minutes of snow on Saturday it's been nice.  Yesterday was beautiful and I enjoyed a long bike ride after escaping from work.

I am hearing..."Hey Soul Sister" on the radio. 

I am thankful for...being the person who checks references rather than having to provide them (even if I was less than gracious when the stack was handed to me).

I am going...to see the musical "In the Heights" tomorrow.   I know nothing about it, which is unusual for me when it comes to going to shows. 

I am going (part 2)...to Guatemala.  It's only a little over a month until the mission trip.   We are going through the Habitat for Humanity Global Village program. 

One of my favorite things...being outside with friends.  Mint juleps don't hurt either.

Around the house...nice breeze through the windows.

I am thinking...that the Cherry Creek farmer's market should open soon.  The breakfast burritos and baked goods are amazing.

I am still reading...Unlikely Destinations.  Also read a book called Nearlyweds on the train earlier this week.

I am appreciating...being appreciated.

I am learning...more and more Spanish.  We are currently studying the subjunctive.  I'm not one for self study.  If I didn't go to class I would not study on my own just to improve my mind. 

Pictures...Kentucky Derby Party (5.1.10)