boulder

after denver, we spent a day in boulder.

we found fun places to eat,

went hiking,

and ventured down the infamous pearl street.

out of all the places i've been in colorado,

i can see myself living in boulder the most.

everything was so clean.
plus you were closer to the mountains than in denver.

denver

when ronnie and i made our way

over the river and through the plains

we stopped in denver for two days.

i had never really spent any significant time there

and it was fun to explore the city.

five things i loved:
1) their green initiative for bike riding.  they have little bike terminals all over the city, so once ronnie and i parked at the hotel, we literally never got back in it until we were ready to leave.  it was a great way to get around.

2) 16th street mall.  it is a shopping - restaurant dream.  the street is lined with both and the "road" is made for walking and not cars.  we spent a whole day discovering it all.

3) the city park.  we rode our bikes to it and around the lake.  it gives you a great view of downtown.

4) laramie square

5) our rooftop pool

(our hotel)

(rooftop pool)

(the capital - 13th step is exactly one mile high)

(on our bikes)

(world trade center - denver)

(still on our bikes)

(at the city lake)

(city park)

(unsinkable molly brown museum) 

(art museum)

(big bear)

(16th street mall)

(beer time)

(laramie square)

(after-dinner drinks)

red rocks

i want to share red rocks first

since it was my favorite part of colorado.

ronnie and i rode out there in the morning.

i just wanted to see it before it was packed with people that night. 

i guess since i'd been waiting forever

i wanted my own moment.

it was awesome and we got some cool pictures

but being there at night with the rocks glowing in the lights

while the band is playing, the stage is lit and you can see the stars;

that's REALLY the moment.

mark foster (of foster the people) said:

i've been looking forward to this before we ever scheduled our tour.

red rocks is what every artist looks forward to.

it looks like God took both hands and thrust them up through the earth.

i couldn't agree more.

the two side rocks of the ampitheater are called ship rock and creation rock.

it's definitely a special place.

ronnie and i had an amazing time at the concert.

kimbra, mayer hawthorne and foster the people 

were the perfect pairing with the rocks.

it's something i won't forget.

surprise, surprise, surprise... happy birthday!

mr. ronaldo turned 33 over the weekend

and drug my ass camping in 107 degree weather.

i kept trying to explain that i don't complain (as much)

if we would go camping in the fall.

no one listens.

so although there wasn't singing, balloons and presents

there was a cake.

i figured it was the least i could do,

and while my bday cake would consist of

chocolate, peanut butter and marshmallow fluff

ronnie wants fruit.

so i found this recipe off pinterest,

blueberry pie bars:

crust

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 sticks butter, chilled

fruit filling

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup flour
• pinch salt
• zest of lemon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups blueberries
• 2 cups blueberry pie filling 

to make the crust and topping, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

combine the flour, sugar, and salt.  mix.  cut the butter into 1/2-inch cubes and add to the flour mixture.  mix until the butter is evenly distributed but the mixture is still crumbly.
reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to use as the topping.  press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake 12-15 minutes.  cool for at least 10 minutes.

to make the filling, whisk the eggs in a large bowl, then add the sugar, sour cream, flour, salt, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. pour the berry mixture over the crust.  sprinkle the remaining crust mixture evenly over the filling, and bake for 55 minutes.

happy birthday to my mister!

ps- did anyone get the cinderella reference in the title?  oh gus gus.