Celebration and Indulgence

The title pretty much says it all. I went to see Em for a quick weekend because we had a lot to celebrate: I just finished my Masters (thank you, God) and she just got accepted into a renowned MA program at UC Davis (Lord, help her).

So, of course, Napa Valley was involved. She arranged a tour of 3 wineries for us, scheduled around lunch, and basically I still haven't fully recovered.

I've only been to Napa Valley once before, and I love how each winery handles tastings differently. The Cakebread Winery gave us a (really fun) educational talk about the geography of California and how that affects the grapes grown in each area. They also let us walk around their beautiful garden.

Take a look at this artichoke in bloom. Isn't it crazy beautiful?

We started our day with a sparkling wine tasting at Mumm Winery, which was my favorite. Not that the tasting process was better than other places, per se, but because I really love the bubbly. And the view. :)

We finished the day at Paraduxx Winery, which had beautiful grounds to lounge around in. Also, here's a worthy side note: they served us a cheese called "buzzed" that was rolled in espresso grounds and a bit of black pepper. I know it sounds weird, but it was so good! Our hostess said they got it from Whole Foods.

And speaking of tasty, we stopped by Bouchon bakery before heading home and stocked up on goodies for the weekend. O. M. G. I think I gained 5 pounds and I don't think I care.

Not ready for summer school to start. Not ready to teach again. Need to go back to drinking wine.

Hey Y'all

Somebody special has a birthday this weekend.

I don't want to say who or anything. But there has been cake.

When we flew in, G was - of course - glued to the window.

Me: See anything interesting?
G: Just humidity and ranch dressing.

I had a couple of mimosas in the airport yesterday.

This is, as far as I know, the last trip I'll take while having to do homework. The thesis will be a distant memory in about 5 weeks. Help me, Jesus.

But, it's pretty here. Already spring. We still have a couple of winter months left in Denver.

OK, back to partying. This is the big 8-0!

What a Difference a Decade Makes

Some things never change.

Some things change a lot.

When GRLZ Weekend Meets BOYZ Weekend

We've left the family behind and are now with friends! This is our Christmas gift to ourselves that keeps on giving! You know you're with friends when they pretend they're still listening while you remind them - maybe for the 4th or 5th time - about your first class experience.

You've read about our GRLZ and BOYZ Weekends before, but the last time the four of us were together at the same time was, I dunno, years and years ago.

I would love to regale you with all the stories of our exciting adventures, but the truth is that we spend an inordinate amount of time in our pj's, coffee (or wine) in hand, staring at the tree.

Meet Virgil the sloth. He's our spirit animal this weekend, and, if I'm being honest, most of the rest of my life.

The guys may or may not be playing XBox all the time. I don't really know where they went. I looked up from the latest episode of The Crown and noticed they're not here, so... 

Here's to spending the rest of 2017 in style. More soon, my friends. These pj's are so comfy...

More Fall Fun

I think if I had to name a favorite month, hands down it would be October. We all know how I love the fall decor and the crisp transition from summer to fall (which is a quick one in Denver, let me tell you). And despite the basic girl memes that make their way around the internet this time of year, poking fun at the pumpkin spice latte, I persist. I will not be discouraged. I just love this season.

And it just so happens that October is often the craziest month of my year. School is in full swing and there's barely a moment to breathe between grading, teaching, planning lessons, reading, reading some more, working, researching for side hustle #1, reading some more, writing for side hustle #2, and writing my own papers.

Then we get visitors. Honestly, I don't really know where the month of September went and here we are smack in the middle of October. I want to take a minute to reflect upon and enjoy all the fun fall-ness of late. It has been spectacular.

I think my GRLZ WKND recap finished with the Botanic Gardens last weekend. The monarch butterflies were migrating south and the gardens were full of them! Plus, it was a gorgeous day to be outside.

Let's not forget the candy staple around our house this time of year. I have no shame in admitting to you that I've made three batches so far.

 

I recently moved all the cacti inside the house for winter. G swears he sees little black bugs and I swear he makes this up. There are no bugs. Our house is only getting cleaner and cleaner, what with the Roomba and all. When A-peep was here, we spent a lot of time in this cozy room, reading and catching up. She advised me to occasionally rotate the succulents. I am wisely following her advice. So far so good! They seem to be acclimating to the indoors with no problem!

You guys. The brunches. I have no words. A-peep looked so cute in her jean jacket that I copied her for two full days. I have no shame.

We also went to the Denver Art Museum. I'd never been before and I'd heard such great things and A-peep knows her art and can help me know what to look for and what is significant. The architecture of the building is awesome! We spent some quality time in there before moving on to the necessary boutique shopping (Hello! Fall!) and the requisite afternoon nap and relaxation period.

At said shopping I may or may not have picked up a few more goodies for decoration. Aren't they cute? You can't really see it in this picture, but the owl's legs are painted in stockings, and he looks very grumpy and imperious, which reminds us of Loo Loo Bell. It's so cute.

We aren't the only ones enjoying the fall decor, by the way.

This past weekend, G's cousin visited and we tried to get out and about as much as we could. More on that later because this introvert is basically dying. Too much reading. Too much homework. Needy students with their needy needs.

But! Get this! I meet with my advisor this week to start to talk about my final graduate thesis and portfolio. Like, final, ever. I can't believe I'm in the planning stages of my last paper. Hallelujah and praise God and His Heavenly Host forever.

Hope you're enjoying this season, too!

When the Nerd is Away, the GRLZ Will Play

So, G is visiting his parents this weekend. A few weeks ago when he was making the travel plans, I was like, hmmm. And I texted A-peep immediately. And she began to make some travel plans of her own.

Welcome to GRLZ WKND 5.0

Of course this means that in the 24 hours she's been here, we've had approximately 10 fantastic meals. Starting with cocktails and dinner last night, and the best brunch ever this morning. Bacon Social House FTW. 

This is a key fall weekend in Denver; it is supposed to snow on Monday and the leaves that are changing so beautifully right now will be gone within a few more days. So we took full advantage by going to the Botanic Gardens and taking it all in while it lasts.

We toured the tropical greenhouse to relive our Hawaii days. Let's just say it was a quick tour. :) Hot and humid wasn't exactly what we were going for.

Check out how gorgeous the weather was! We celebrated by coming home in the afternoon and napping. Actually, I napped. But that's true friendship, when you can say, I just need to conk out for a couple of hours, cool? We're going on week 8 of the semester already and bunny mama just needs to relax a bit before yet another tasty meal, etc. But I digress. As I said, check out how gorgeous the weather was:

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I mean, could you die or what? Tomorrow is another full day. GRLZ rule and nerds drool.

The Introverts Have Died a Little

So, as fun as this summer is, the introvert in me (which, let's be honest, is a big part of me) is dying a little.

Em has been here for a couple of weeks, and G's brother and his gf have been staying with us for the last few days. When I'm not in the office, I have taken to doing my work in small 10-minute segments between activities and thus don't feel like I'm on top of anything, ever, and thus feel like I'm about to lose all of my jobs.

Plus, last night we had a few friends over. It was so fun. It was so...social. So social, says the introvert.

Between organizing meals and activities and texts and work and emails and deadlines and Africa prep and more meals and activities, I, well, I die a little.

Social death is the theme. Internal death is the theme.

But we're seeing a lot of people! Life is messy and chaotic and fun and flavorful and...really full in a way that it hasn't been in I don't know how long. In the wake of losing Lucy, this has been good for us.

So I guess internal life is a theme, too.

G took his bro and gf to Pike's Peak yesterday. A storm rolled in while they were on the peak, and they had to shelter down until it passed.

If you're wondering how Roo is adjusting, take a look. She's clearly at home and is ruling the roost (<<< the ROOst, get it?). Unlike Loo Loo Bean, Roo hops all over the house and much prefers the dining room to the hearth. She spends most of her time laying on the cool wood floor or exploring under the table. It's all very fun and exciting.

There was a delightful sushi dinner the other night with peeps. Nat King Cole recommended the white rolls below and dang. I'm sold. They are called Crispy Bincho and are filled with crab meat, asparagus, avocado, and I can't remember what else. They are to die for. I never need to visit Japan again; I can just go to Sushi Den.

Roo Roo fits in very well to our newly-extroverted lifestyle. She's all up in everyone's business. All the time.

Well, time for the next 10 minutes of work and then we're going to RMNP for some American safari. Tomorrow is a long work day for me, so I'll get to, you know, relax a little. :)