Holiday Weekend

Last days of summer? Last time to wear white? I don’t know about those things, but I do know that I spent every minute (well almost) enjoying my time off in the beautiful and so very Ferris Bueller’s Day Off weather! Serisously, 70* and not a single cloud in the sky.

To me, there is nothing more American than a baseball game. I feel more patriotic singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game than the National Anthem! Joseph joined the gang for pregame hotdogs at It’s Brothers and postgame pizza at Mellow Mushroom! Best food day ever! Just look at how happy I am about my cotton candy! Although my Reds lost, we stayed till the bitter end, cheering on our hometown! Don’t trash the Nati, Rockies!

I actually took time to slow down during this holiday weekend. I spent one day watching Young Victoria and thinking of Emily and Ellie (our cute slumber party back in Cincinnati). That night I went out to a casual sushi dinner at Hapa with the girls! We stayed for a good 4 hours! Much needed! When Joseph wasn’t around, I popped in my favorite movies and added crystals to my Irish dance dress ~ merci, Emily! E-6000 is brilliant. Kelly was kind enough to invite me over for snacks and shopping Sunday afternoon and that about wraps up my weekend!

Thank you to all my friends who went out with me and had the best of times! Shout out Alexandra, Kelly, Jenny, Heather, Natalie, Erin, Ashley, Joseph, Seth, and Brian!

In the pictures: Alexandra, Kelly, and I, our new Cincinnati friends and I holding up “105″ as in MPH of the pitch, Joseph and Stacey pregame, Stacey and cotton candy, Jenny and me at Hapa, Heather and Natalie at Hapa.

Drunk on Bonboneri

Looking back on my Cincinnati visit last month, I realize again and again how blessed I am to have such wonderful family and friends! Although I haven’t posted pictures yet, or edited them, or even taken two seconds of my time to upload them to my computer (yikes!) I want to share one of my favorite moments I had while visiting home.

Meet my childhood (and current) neighbors, Maria, Julie, & Laura! We had the most fabulous time at the Bonboneri and here are the photos to prove how happy we were! After the sugar high we all experienced, Julie and Laura tried their legs out on my mother’s bicycle! A cute way to end and extremely cute day at the bakery/cafe!

If you aren’t familiar with Cincinnati’s jewel, Bonboneri, let me teach you.

1. close your eyes
2. smell butter, sugar, sweetness, absolute comfort
3. picture pink ribbons, bright pastry case lights, cookie jars, and decorative cakes
4. hold a hot cup of opera cream coffee in your hands while you devour a freshly baked Parisian-style macaroons
5. enjoy pure laughter and joy with your close friends, neighbors, and mom!

Mes Amis

I can do this. My first week of my new job – done. This week I realized my friends and family are always there, no matter what state I’m in, physically or mentally. I’m so lucky I have my friends a phone call away. I like to think that no matter our differences in life, we are all here for each other when we need it the most. Whether it’s on our good days or bad, we’ve got support, kind words, and a helping hand to get us through life’s bag of tricks. So if you are out there, in the pits or the joys of life, you know that I’m here for you! Merci!!!

Image Don McCullin, brilliant English photographer (maybe I should make a separate post about him!)

Friday Night Lights – Rockies vs Cubs

I love a Friday night baseball game! Can you believe we are wearing sweaters and rain jackets in late July? I love Colorado!

Above: Joseph, Jon, and Jeff. Below: A pretzel for Kari (with Funacho from Cincinnati), me eating the wonderful pretzel and cheese, Seth’s big dog. It’s all about the food, baby!

Birthday Weekend

This weekend we celebrated 2 birthdays – Irish Dance style! Happy birthday Rob, who turned a White Trash 40, and Chaia, who turned a great number of 8! Yesterday, after getting off a long shift of work at J.Crew, as I was sitting under the trees in the Geltser’s back yard enjoying the cool summer night breeze, I realized that I’m pretty lucky to have friends and “family” in Denver after 4 years of living here. I say “family” because my Irish dance school has taken on this family of it’s own, which makes it something so special. Just like any family, it has it’s ups and downs, but no matter what, we are all there for each other in times of joy and challenge. It was such a fun weekend and I’m sad to see it go by so quickly! Below are photos of Rob’s “What Trash Bash” and above, Chaia’s 8th birthday party, where everyone had a turn on the dance floor! You can see more photos on MY FLICKR SITE.

Weekend Update – Too Darn Hot

I feel that summer has officially made itself known by scorching our cosmopolitan concrete jungle. With temperatures exceeding 100*, Denverites just want to kick back and enjoy the splendours of living close to the cool mountains. I’ve been too busy to enjoy the luxury of Aspen or Breck, so I’ve been playing it cool in the city.

Here we are outside the Rio – a Crew tradition! As Alexandra (far left) would say, “Any night we start at the Rio is a good night.”

And many margaritas later at Pat’s – a hot hot hot dance floor! Pictured: Alexandra and Natalie

Baseball Night

Thanks, Kelly, for joining me in a girls night out at Coors Field! The rain was kept at bay while we indulged in gourmet dogs and local brews at It’s Brother’s in Lodo, and cheered on the Rockies in our J.Crew purple & grey ensembles. It turned out to be a beautiful cool night, with the threat of thunderstorms constantly moving around us. The Rockies didn’t look too good last night, but little did we know, they would turn it around and take the W for the game. Look for yourself! I told Kelly, it is rare I feel really patriotic about being American, but when it’s the 7th inning stretch and everyone around you is singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game, I can’t help but feel generations of my family before me singing the same song, enjoying the same traditions… even though when I sign that song I still think of the Reds, my hometown team that I’ll always cheer for!!!

Thanks, Courtnay, Rob, and Hannah for the tickets! I love a good baseball game! Next time, I hope we can all go together! Miss you and see you at dance this week!

4th of July Photos

World Cup – Germany vs. Argentina

If you know me, you know that I’ve been watching as many World Cup matches with friends in our local pubs, taverns, and bars! Check out the England vs. Germany, US vs. Ghana post HERE. You also know my family is from Cincinnati, in which the local population is divided 1/2 German, 1/2 Irish. I’m German/English/Irish by heritage, so in today’s match, I cheered on DEUTSCHLAND!!! “Fur immer DEUTSCHLAND!!!” Sorry England!!!

Germany dominated today’s match against Argentina! What a fun game to watch!!! Joseph and I met up with Alexandra, Seth, Shannon, and Brian at Fado’s in Lodo. The atmosphere was perfect for the World Cup game and we loved our fellow Germany fans! Check out the videos of them here! Although, I felt badly for Alexandra and Seth, who wore their blues today in support of Argentina. There’s always next World Cup!

It looks like next Sunday will be exciting! Depending on who is in the final match, we’ll decide which bar to set our sites on! Where are you watching the game? Who would you like to see in the final two spots???

World Cup!

Photos from the US game (Saturday) and the England game (Sunday). Friends who stuck it out – Anne (from England, poor thing), and daughter Michelle, Emily, Alexandra, and Seth. Joseph would have been there if not for work. This Saturday I’ll be with friends again, this time Shannon, Alexandra, Seth, and Joseph (anyone else want to join?) for the Argentina vs Germany game!!!

What did you do this weekend? Did you watch the World Cup?

What team colors do you wear? What teams are you/were you cheering for now?

Happenings – Around Town #2

Happenings – Around Town #1

Is there such a thing as too much fun? I don’t know, but I’m beginning to think there is. For the last few weeks, life has been brilliant, fun, and non-stop. I don’t know if summer energy spreading around or the infectious World Cup spirit, but my friends have kept me busy every night! Denver feels young and vibrant. It’s one of the reasons we moved to this city and I am going to take advantage of it while I can!

How have you turned your summer into a “stay-cation?”

Old-Style Apothecary – MiN

Speaking of Father’s Day, my father, who I call Da, has an extensive collection of barber and old apothecary items. This is specifically handed down from my father’s grandfather, Willis, who was a barber, to my father, then to me. Well, sort of. I don’t want to be a barber nor so I practice cutting my husband’s beard, but I do have an affinity for apothecary treasures and shinny smooth pearl handles, board hair brushes, and porcelain jars. I attribute my fascination with grooming products to my father, who always let me discover the little treasures in our curiosity cabinet. I’m fond of this photo above, as it reminds me of the little pharmacies in Barcelona, Spain.

I love this article in the NY Times T Magazine about Old-Style Apothecary, MiN, and others in the Big Apple.

“The world doesn’t need more products, just better ones,” says Chad Murawczyk, who opened MiN New York, an old-style apothecary, on one of SoHo’s few remaining gritty stretches six months ago.

Happy Father’s Day!

I love you, Da! There are too many wonderful things about you to simply write them down here. I don’t know where to begin. I love how you’ve always given everyone and everything around you the utmost respect. You’ve been a wonderful teacher! I love our rides around town and our little ways of celebrating life! Every day is a good day when I’m with you! You’re the best father anyone could ask for and I’m so lucky to call you dad! Happy Father’s Day! XOXO!

Kitchen Goddess

My dear friend, Jaren, always has the most wonderful and entertaining summer (any season, really) get-togethers at her charming house. Whilst searching the web for Father’s Day ideas, I came across this lovely little collage from Antrhopologie (there are good Father’s Day gifts at Anthro too)! But it reminded me of Jaren, the kitchen goddess, her amazing cocktails, food, and kitchen aromas. She is a girl of many talents, math genius, artist, gardener, baker, pianist, sewing extraordinaire, wife, and now the proud owners of two little Bostons! So a big thank you to Jaren, for always being the perfect hostess and always inviting us to your lovely home! Long live summer!