swim, sun and summer fun

 We learned how to swim

We learned how to ride a bike

We learned that we like to picnic

We got to stay up late, and wake up late,,,

Summer was so nice. I cannot believe that it is almost over.

School starts next week!

Back to the routine

We will be soon be meeting our new teachers and making our potential life long friends

Time to dust off the alarm clocks and prepare the backpacks

Put away the flip flops and bathing suits

Summer was lovely and though it is not quite over even when school starts, it will feel over

the focus will soon be on fall,,,which happens to be my favorite time of the year

goodbye summer

Hiking at Red Rocks

Can't you just feel the heat? The sun bounces off these amazing natural sculptures and toasts your skin as you marvel in the beauty surrounding you everywhere. This is a hike in Colorado that is fun and family friendly for all the gang. 

Red Rocks is a beautiful spot, just 15 or 20 minutes from the city center of Denver. Tim surprised me one afternoon for a family outing with the kids. We all loved what we saw, the rich and dark remarkable red rocks that burst out of the ground and the incredible views of the city.  The walk itself was not too hard for the little guys, so not to many complaints about the level of difficulty. Though one of us was a bit warn out towards the end of the hike.

Would love to go back for a concert. I heard that many musical artists find it to be one their favorite venues to play at. 

Another lovely day in the Rockies. 

Family BBQ: Beer Bratwurst & Football

Brats simmering in beer, boys is the backyard playing football, Dad is lighting up the BBQ, the girls setting the table and washing the arugula, all doing their part to preparing for a fun family dinner together. Everyones laughing and having a good time time together. Football season is coming and what goes better with football than Bratwurst.

I was first exposed to this beer soaked deliciousness at a friends pub in Los Angeles. My husband and I were dating at the time, and were invited to watch football in which the Green Bay Packers were playing someone else, here I go, admitting it, I cannot remember. In Wisconsin, football and Bratwurst go together very much as a tradition, something I learned that day. They love their packers and they love their Brats. I did not watch football all that much, but this was going to be a date out with my boyfriend with beer and brats, sounded like a good time. I was not at all disappointed. 

How do you make these yourself?  First, get your bbq hot and ready. The pork brat sausages need to cook in simmering hot, not boiling, cheap beer for at least 10 minutes. Leave them soaking in the hot simmering liquid, and bring them to over to the grille. After they had a nice sizzle over the hot coals, serve them up with warm crusty and crunchy rolls. A must is to have hot spicy mustard on hand, and cold tangy sauerkraut to pile up on top. The combo of the hot and spicy, cold and sour, sweet brats with the crusty rolls is really delicious. Served up with potato salad, arugula salad too, and ice cold beer in frosty mugs. Yummy. Ready for the game!

Farmers Market with the Girls

AHH! The sights and sounds and flavors of a good Farmers Market. 

The Girls and I grabbed our shopping bags and baskets and headed over to Cherry Creek, rated one of the best markets of the Colorado fresh markets. 

We entered and right away there were beautiful pastries looking like they do in France and yumm! Warm and sweet, creamy and crunchy all at the same time. We then passed by a chef making hot and spicy Paella in a huge and quirky pot. I would have gotten some at the time, however it was quite warm outside, so we would stop by later. It smelled delicious though. garlic, smokey paprika, shrimp and other hot spices, it was crazy good. We proceeded to walk and take in the whole of the market. We saw all kinds of interesting items for sale. Handmade clothes and aprons, pillows all from local start ups and lotions and potions and the like. 

The Market is a wonderful way to get to know what is available in your community and a great way to meet people. Being new to Denver, we now feel that much more familiar with the community. We even saw a great share of very interesting four legged friends. There was a lovely "mopped" dog that we followed for a bit just to see it close up. 

We were thirsty and hungry after our long walk and wanted just a little something to share. So we went over to The Biscuit Bus. We ordered "the Elmer" biscuit sandwich and some sweet tea and cheesy grits and we each had a taste.  Oh MY! It was so good. The BBQ pulled pork was sticky and sweet and spicy and with the cole slaw, that cooled it off, and the giant slice of pickle, it was a combination perfection. The cheesy grits were salty and creamy and the sweet tea was cold on loads of ice. 

 I loved reminiscing our days that we had lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Some of the best BBQ you will ever have will come from the South.  And this was very good. 

Another lovely outing and another fun day.

Tastes on Thursdays: Bruschetta with Burrata, honey and citrus infused olive oil

I love Burrata. It is a rich Mozzarella with cream. Burrata means "buttery" in italian and it is so delicious and live divinely up to its name. I found this recipe that features Burrata with a lemon zest infused honey drizzle on top of grilled garlic rubbed bruschetta. Absolutely YUMM!

Tues. Trends: POP Phone

 Found this POP phone today. I love this! Who would want ear-buds when you can have old fashioned handset instead! I love the idea of a "princess pink" telephone for my iPhone! Or for when I Skype on my Macbook. If you love vintage or have a interest in connecting to the past you really might want to get one of these.  I want one!

Trends on Tuesday: booties for fall

I searched around and found these gorgeous black Jimmy Choos that will go with everything for fall


but,,,,,,they are $950.


I then found something sort-of similar in style, at Target and for $910.10 less, you could express the trend and save up for the choos!


They are not the at all the same quality, not even the same beautiful contour or fabric or construction, no comparison, but,,,,

baby gifts

It is so hard sometimes to be clever when you are trying to find that perfect baby gift. I found a few cute things in all different price ranges at Uncommon goods.  Just a few ideas in case you need to pick up a little something for that little someone. The baby swaddling book really looks intriguing. I had no idea with my first little girl how to wrap her in a proper swaddle, and I know that she would have loved that. I did finally master the art, and it really did make a difference for my little ones when they were tiny and so very fragile and needy of a good snug hug. FYI, every Mommy and Daddy would love that book as well.