high five for friday!

Happy Friday! Is it Thanksgiving yet? These past two months have been SO busy! Lucky for us it’s Friday, it’s the weekend and despite that it’s currently snowing it’s going to be 60 and sunny tomorrow! Linking up again today. Have a great weekend!

1. This made me laugh so hard. When I was driving home from work I asked Siri if the Sox won game 3. She responded quite accurately. They did in fact narrowly defeat the Tigers. Kind of like last night too…

2. First October snow this year! Well, not really, I was traveling for the last one so this is the first snow I’ve seen. It’s so pretty when the leaves are colored and they’re dusted with snow.

3. We checked out the casinos for the first time here in CO. We had a blast and came home in the black!

4. My company hosted their first ever Volunteer Day. I spent nearly 8 hours (was supposed to leave after 4 but I love volunteering!) at the local Ronald McDonald House. We cleaned and organized the entire house, top to bottom. We cooked lunch and dinner for all the residents and then we got to sit down and chat with them too. This was one of the chili’s we  made – the veggie one. It was a huge hit on a cool October night. It’s amazing how you really don’t know what goes on behind the scenes in people’s lives.

I never really knew the mission of the Ronald McDonald Houses until volunteering there last year. People of all financial statuses and situations stay there. The one thing I always think about was an interaction I had with a woman who I met last year. She was visibly not struggling financially, and she was transparent about that. So I asked her what it is that brings her back here every time her daughter is hospitalized and she said the sense of community; the people like us that interact with them; the fact that they never have to think about their next meal or a place to stay. That they can focus 100% of their energy on their daughter, who needs it most. I love that the Houses are open to everyone, whether you have the money to stay elsewhere or not. That one woman I spoke with for so long did share with me that she and her husband donate regularly to the house because of all they’ve done for her family. It’s just really great. I love it there and since it’s only 5 blocks from our house I’m hoping to make it a regular activity of volunteering our time there. That was a very long blurb about vegetarian chili.

5. This was our ride back from the casino earlier this week. Sometimes I feel like I’m on a roller coaster when we’re coming down the mountains. Other times I feel like I’m going to vomit. So, I guess that’s still similar to the roller coaster. Anyway, there’s always the greatest views and I feel like every time we see something different. This time we saw a few deer just grazing on the side of the road!

Have a GREAT weekend guys!

high five for friday!

Hey guys – what’s new and good? I can honestly say that this weekend is going to be full of sleep, exercise, sleep, projects, sleep and relaxation. I’m looking forward to a weekend home and doing some things I’ve been putting off. It’s been a wild four weeks of nearly 80 hour work weeks for me, loads of travel and not a whole lot of sleep. I hit the road again next week and as psyched as I am to be back in Boston for a second time, I’m totally pooped!

What are your weekend plans? Travel? Fun? Apple picking?! Linking up again today. Enjoy!

1. Ya know, in case you haven’t already seen the two blog posts, four Instagram photos, FB updates, etc. this guy had a big birthday this week! We celebrated with a delicious dinner downtown. And of all the posts of this photo not one person mentioned the THREE glasses of wine in front of me. It was the sampler, but they just gave me three, nearly full, glasses. They won my business, I’ll be back there.

2. Early morning flight out of Boston. We had the greatest time. I can’t wait to go back next weekend when there will be less chaos and more time for me to spend with the fam.

3. Normal, right? We don’t have Trader Joe’s here in CO so naturally I went and bought nearly 10 pounds of assorted nuts and snacks and then brought them back with me. They’re all for Al since I can’t eat them, but man was  I stocked when I got through security and they didn’t question my need for 10 pounds of nuts.

4. We just made it to 2013! We got cable last night. And in true, I’m excited to have more than three channels fashion, with a mouth stuffed with brown rice pasta last night I attempted to say “we’re about to have HGTV.” Only it sounds like a drunk mumble. I think Al still knew what I said. #hgtvforlife.

5. Back at it. Went for an early morning run this morning. It felt so good, so therapeutic. It was cloudy and grey and misty and it felt so perfect. I’m trying hard to find make the time for more running. Although, #4 above likely won’t help my case…

Have a GREAT weekend guys!

high five for friday!

These past few weeks have been crazy for me. I’m smack in the middle of my busiest time at work, traveling, long hours and just tired. All that aside I’m psyched to be back east this weekend. A work trip with fun added in. What’s good for your weekend? Happy Friday!

1. Can’t believe it was 5 years ago today that this stud proposed to me. There we are, young, fresh-faced and no dark under eye circles ;). We hiked to the top of a mountain and then he popped the questions. Love that fella.

2. I know I post it all the time but every day I am enamored by the beauty of Colorado. Looks like a watercolor painting… don’t be fooled, t’s just an iPhone photo. But man, is it gorgeous. So peaceful.

3. My first ever Brichbox arrived and I think I’m obsessed.

4. I don’t miss that Beantown rush hour traffic at all.

5. I do miss this gorgeous skyline and Charles River with early morning rowers.

Have a great weekend folks!

high five for friday!

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted a H54F! We’ve been busy with traveling and friends and town and we’re gearing up to head out-of-town again this weekend. Highlights of our week was having friends in town. And then that one recipe I made that was awesome. Have a great long weekend!

1. College roomie in Denver!

2. Friend from home in Denver on the same weekend!

3. Free money museum…always a good time.

4. Coors Brewery!

5. Amazing recipe served over white fish. Simply combine the following and EAT!

• 1.5 peaches peeled and diced
• 1/2 of an avocado diced
• 1.5 roma tomatoes diced
• 1/2 teaspoon of lime juice
• sprinkle of basil (either dried or fresh)

high five for friday!

We both had a busy week with long work days, but are excited for the weekend to get out and have some fun! Linking up again today, what was good with your week? Have a great weekend!

1. I loved this. These people planted their entire garden in tires. Each tire housed a different plant!

2. Last minute, free, first row tickets to Kenny Chesney and Eric Church. Amazing!

3. Busted out a ton of cooking. Cooked and froze meals for the entire week including 4 pounds of delicious, organic strawberries that I froze for smoothies!

4. Another box full of clothes arrived from my sister. Only this one was so heavy that I needed a 2 wheeler to get it to my car. And like last time there were hilarious notes written on each flap. #bestsisterever

5. After Monday was a cool 90 degrees in our apartment I broke down and bought a swamp cooler. Yes, a swamp cooler. It makes me laugh every time I say it. It’s this contraption that only works in dry climates so I had never heard of one before. Happy to report that it’s allowing me to not need another shower the second I get out of the first one. The sweat levels have decreased significantly.

p.s. Working on loads of great projects and will have them all posted over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

high five for friday!

I’m looking forward to a weekend full of blog projects! I have a lot up my sleeve and can’t wait to get a ton of them done. Linking up again today, hope you guys have a great weekend. And if you’re out east, stay cool!

I just realized I forgot to number the photos so you’ll just have to guess how they match up. It won’t be hard I promise.

1. Friends from home visiting Denver for our other friends’ bachelor party. Super fun to have them!

2. Items Al needed for the bachelor trip this weekend. For some reason the specifics of the fishing hat keeled me over in laughter.

3. Great live band on Thursday night. The music at this one bar is amazing no matter when you go.

4. The gals hanging out!

5. The most exciting birthday gift ever. Showed up at work with no card, nothing. I had no clue who had sent them but quickly learned it was my awesome sister (obviously).

high five for friday!

This was my first full week of work in about four weeks! Between the holiday, wedding and vacation I thought it would be tough. But luckily the week flew by and here we are at Friday! My body is screaming at me from a crazy weekend of hiking and a few incredibly intense cross fit workouts this week. We’re hanging out, keeping it low-key this weekend. We might meet the group for cross fit on Sunday but playing it by ear.

We embarked on our first ever backpacking trip last weekend and it was such a blast. We did about 16 miles total and it was STEEP. Both ascending and descending was crazy. Sharing photos from our trip today. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

1. Love the iPhone panoramic option. Look closely, you’ll see three guys and two dogs!

2. One mile in. Looking happy at this point despite the fact that the upper chest strap on my pack already broke!

3. Water, snack, sunscreen break.

4. Reached the top. Quick stop for lunch and then heading down.

5. Camp. Equipped with a hammock. #livingthelife

high five for friday!

What a week! A nice short week with beautiful weather. We had a fun 4th and are looking forward to the weekend. Happy Friday and have a blast this weekend!

1. We had a huge BBQ at one of the local parks and showed our USA pride by hanging this huge flag. It was so big!

2. Enjoyed the fireworks right outside our house on Wednesday night.

3. Potentially my new favorite summer drink? Watermelon, vanilla ice cream & watermelon vodka. It was delicious.

4. Another beautiful hike we took. The beauty never gets old.

5. We went to our first Rockies game with friends this week. The view behind the stadium was amazing. They got their butts kicked 8-0, but it was still a blast!

high five for friday

Phew. There was a moment in time when I didn’t think I would make it through this week after traveling for 13 hours on Sunday and barely sleeping at all for the last three days. #sleepproblemssuck. I don’t think we’ve done laundry for two weeks because we’ve traveled for the past three. I’m wearing workout clothes to work and we both wore our last pair of underwear today. TMI? Just keepin’ it real folks, keepin’ it real.

BUT, we made it and it’s Friday and I can’t wait for a weekend at home of hiking, relaxing, blogging and of course, laundry.

Enjoy your weekend!

1. I LOVE my drive to work. Now, I wish it was a little shorter, but the beauty is unbelievable. Look at how big that sky is. Look at how open and flat!

2. I took part in a shot ski. I don’t do shots. And you see with the shot ski, well, as you can see, I was the shortest so when we tipped it only half made it in my mouth and the other half went right down my shirt. Add it to the list of short people problems.

3. I’m cheating on Pinkberry with gelato. And by cheating I mean I’ve divorced Pinkberry and have re-married gelato. So. darn. delicious.

4. What a photo bomb. Had a blast at the wedding last weekend.

5. Delicious weekly BBQ’s at my work with all local, organic produce and grass-fed meat. It’s the most delicious lunch of my week and I just love chalkboard menus.

high five for friday!

Been a quiet week here on the blog because we were out-of-town in Disney! A few snapshots below. Hope you had a great week and have a fun weekend planned. Linking up again today. Lots more to come next week!

1. Classic Disney picture in front of the castle

2. Gearing up for Disney with my 7-year-old niece

3 Mickey shaped ice cream made it taste so much better

4. Very serene and delicious seafood dinner on a boat

5. Palm trees and a beautiful sky