4th of July Wrap Up

A four day weekend for the 4th...

Thursday night Jess and I grilled pork tenderloin and had corn on the cob and sweet potato fries... with Goldfish S'mores for dessert! (Little tiny chocolates and marshmallows in the goldfish... you've got to try them).  Friday I spent the day at the lake with my mama... some much needed mom-daughter time as my departure date gets closer & closer.  Those Colorado skies turned suddenly stormy, the wind began ruining our fantastic anchor work, and we were floating out into the big waves of the main lake.. when suddenly blue sky appeared again and we spent a perfect afternoon working on our tans.  Friday night... Twilight with Mitch (no joke).  At least the series is starting to poke fun at itself a little..
Saturday we braved the potential hazard of being run over by a drunk, flag-shorted, koozie-handed 4th of July boater and headed to the lake again (Seriously, all of the animals come out on the 4th).

Ace Gillett's

We've been altering our Rio/Steakout/Lucky Joe's routine a little recently to include Ace Gillett's Lounge, the new bar below the old Armstrong Hotel.  This bar is exactly what Fort Collins needed-- a little more on the swanky side, or at least enough to draw a slightly more sophisticated crowd but not too swanky to the point that one would feel like jeans are not appropriate.  Dark, downstairs, deep round booths and a jazz band with a stand up bass, sax, piano and drums... it's like a modern day speak-easy.  Classic cocktails, wine, prosecco, and hands down the best ginger martini I've ever had.  Mojitos with the freshest mint, and a pretty shot with a fresh raspberry at the bottom were a nice touch.  Of course, being in the company of beautiful sweet friends is the icing on the cake baby!

Ohh Dizzee Rascal..

rapping with Florence + The Machine (on top of harps? ok, pretty cool)

And weird Jenny Wilson... this video is like a creepy summer daydream (the sound sort of reminds me of psapp, pinback)

That tasted so delicious.

My brother is generally not a big fan of the things I cook (i.e., last nights Blackberry Chipotle Smoked Scallops over couscous-- too small/too healthy).  BUT tonight, huge approval.  Eyebrows raised.  Nodding in between bites.  Some sort of poetic and descriptive words.  The winners?

Classic sangria (Rene Barbier Med. red wine-- large bottle, 2/3 c. brandy, 1/3 c. sugar, sliced orange, lemon, and lime-- so simple, and the perfect balance of tangy/sweet)

Jalepeno Crabcakes from Cook This, Not That (my favorite book-- I've made probably half the recipes, and intend to make the rest)

Bruschetta Two Ways-- sliced asiago baguette, baked till brown, topped with 1. Basil, tomato, minced garlic and 2. Smoked salmon, spinach, and goat cheese.  Tossed back in the oven to crisp/melt.

Quote of the night? "Thanks for taking me to Italy".  Haha love it!

Maps.

Cool post on Apartment Therapy, one of my favorite ohhh-look-at-that sites along with Design*Sponge and Style Me Pretty.  Love the House Tours on AT (my favorites are here and here) but today's post on maps as art caught my eye.  Printing your own from the USGS site is a cool idea too...

Amara Massage.

Thanks to a gift from sweet Kaitlyn at Namaste I had a massage at Amara last week.  I'm a little bit of a massage junkie, so it takes something really special to impress me... and this was hands-down the best message I've had this year (maybe ever!).

Downstairs below Mugs, it's cozy, comfortable, nicely lit and features a cool vintage bike on top of a vintage-looking credenza-- I was sold.  The therapist I saw, Alicia, did strong, no-nonsense deep tissue and was soothing to be around, in a mom or yoga teacher sort of way.  The music was good, table was heated, and the owner said a friendly hi-- I'll be back soon!

Sushi Hai.

Dinner last night was at Sushi Hai in the Highlands (Denver).  What a cool neighborhood-- northwest on Speer instead of southeast into downton.  Lots of shops, restaurants, and bungalow-style houses on streets that seem narrow for Denver.  We sat in our own French-doored room at a kneeling table (the kind that has the well beneath for your legs).  Fancy.  Creative cocktails, some with unfiltered sake (that was an experience!).  Casi fell in love with the bar tables that had a section in the middle with stones and candles, all around the decor was cool. 
Bailey told some great Vegas stories, we toasted Annie to her new job in Jackson, and celebrated Megan's birthday.  The night ended with the first of my pre-NZ goodbyes-- Casi is leaving to join Nick in Alaska to fish salmon for the summer.  Cas and I have said lots of goodbyes before, back and forth from Boulder and Eugene, me to Italy, and her to Mexico, Africa, and India, but I don't think we've said goodbye for a year before (gasp)!