My Backyard is Pretty Great

If you head north on hwy 287 and make a left to a little place called Red Feathers, in a little less than an hour you can be surrounded by gorgeous rolling mountains, cool mountain air, and a huge outdoor playground. We have been coming here since we stumbled upon this area in college with friends and have brought several family members and friends up here to camp.

This weekend we were joined by Nick's dad, his sister + her boyfriend. We hiked, fished, and hung out lazily in the sunshine. It was the first weekend in all of our times up there that we had two days with no clouds in the sky almost all day. The coolest thing that in the late afternoon of our first day we sat and watched huge thunderstorms roll past us only to find out when we got home the following day that they had brought golf ball sized hail into town. We sat and enjoyed a weather lightning show from the time we started dinner well into the late evening settled around the campfire.

 


 I drove up early Friday to claim us a spot and headed out for a solo hike with Oli after setting up camp. It was so peaceful and quiet (when I wasn't playing my tunes ;)) to spend some time alone, take in the views and the sounds of the tress. It was exactly what I needed to level myself after some trying weeks.

The one thing I love most about Nick is how he's taught me to see the beauty in the simple things and that happiness with life comes from within. Nothing reminds me more of that than a weekend with family, my dog, and perfectly clear night skies. I couldn't remember the last time I sat and stargazed. 

 

 

My week is filled with daily things, chores, a couple shots of reality, and lots of loads of laundry. And packing for this weekend's trip :) When your backyard is the Rocky Mountains, life can be simply wonderful. 

So Much Love, so Much Baby

What a crazy amazing weekend! One of those that flies by so quickly you don't stop to realize how great it is  until you plop down on your couch at the end of the day feeling content, satisfied, and loved. Especially loved. 

Nick and I spent the weekend apart at different family events and talked each other's ears off for most of the evening about how much fun our weekends were. Summertime is being good to us and I am lovin every minute.

On Friday my dear Mamacita came to Fort Collins for an overnight visit and a night at Taste of Fort Collins! I was so excited to finally dust off my bike seat for the summer, especially since I was so proud of myself for fixing the flat tire on both mine and Nick's bikes...buuut I was left to ride the ride of shame back to my apartment 5 minutes after my mom and I ventured out on the bikes as the tire I had changed previously, was once again flat. whaaa whaaaa :/ I was right to doubt my handy man skills. But thankfully my mom can talk her hysterical sensitive daughter down from any mini melt down (it had been a veeery long day) and 10 minutes later I was in my mom's car and back to pick her up, throw the bike in the car and we were once again - on our way to the Taste! :P The rest of the night was awesome - complete with a sensational waffle from the Waffle Lab food truck (smoked Norwegian salmon over creme cheese on a waffle - aaaahmazing!) and a grass concert listening to Churchill. And I had my mommy all to myself? Yeah that's a pretty great Friday night.

 Today we celebrated the baby shower of my sister and her husband. Baby Luca, my first nephew (!) is due to arrive towards the end of the month. He's kiiind of a big baby and my sister an itty bitty thing, so the due date is going to be pretty much up to him. Making an entrance already, just like his mom :) 

It was the first time I was part of planning an event like this and what a ride! Planning, executing and making sure mommy-to-be is happy takes some awesome ladies (such as ourselves..a few pictures down) and we rocked it. The day was filled with so much love and excitement - dear Luca we cannot wait to meet you! 

Happy Monday!

What's Not to Love?

A few weeks ago Nick and I got some company from my beloved father in law. We have the best time when he comes to visit and one of our favorite things to do is go out to eat. Usually our choices are either wings or pizza and on this particular night, it wasn't only pizza we chose, it was the best kind of pizza around: Uncle's Pizzeria.  

If you ever visit Fort Collins without trying this pizza, you are a fool. 

My favorite: white tomato. ♥ yum.

After we stuffed ourselves and walked out of the restaurant we realized there was no way we would be able to head straight back to the car. The evening was too beautiful, the weather perfect, and Fort Collins just oh so wonderful for a little after dinner stroll :) If you didn't know it about me, I'm a sucker for walks. 

I mean, what's not to love?

Since evening one was a freaking blast and we don't get to show off Fort Collins much, we headed back to Old Town for evening two and began the night with some delicious shrimp and some dangerous happy hour margs. 

With our bellies once again full we leisurely strolled through down with Old Town as our final destination. We had decided that should we get the urge to stop in another bar on the way..so be it. But no evening stroll is complete in Fort Collins without poking your head in the Cupboard (an amazing housewares store). Nick's absolutely favorite place in Fort Collins. I'm still in the love/hate relationship because all I do whenever I go in there is drool over the mint colored Kitchen Aid on display and all 12 brothers and sisters in their beautiful punchy bright colors. I waaaant one :[  

We absolutely couldn't refuse a rest stop on the outdoor patio at Lucky's where we sat outside, crunched peanuts and drank beer. 

(did I mention this was the greatest summer night in Fort Collins to date)

 

We were happily surprised to find that the Bohemian Nights, free music event was going on and so we parked it in Old Town for awhile enjoyed the band. 

 Eventually this little couple worked their way a few steps in front of me and I couldn't help but snap a photo of the husband holding his wife. They were dancing to the music and so affectionate with each other. Nick and I agreed we will definitely be that rockin' little couple in 60some years. Absolutely warmed my simple romantic heart. 

 

Cheers and thank you for being the great city you are, Fort Collins.

Hope you all had a good Monday. Mine was quite eventful and didn't do much good for my already crumpled faith in humanity. However, I out did myself cooking one of my specialties this evening - grilled cheese sandwiches + tomato soup - and forced myself out on a walk with Nick in this very cooling 70 degree weather, despite my annoying sinus issues. Thank you rain and get the fuck ooooutta here, allergies! 

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xo . jess

What comes after June?

The month that makes you forget what day of the week it is, because the days are long, hot, and juicy with summer. I am having a hard time making myself believe that August is only days away. Especially after having said hello to this evening, with a delicious pot of Jambalaya rice cooked with Italian sausage fresh from Sunflower market, a perfect after-dinner walk in the 70 degree weather (thank you rain gods!) watching the sun go down, gushing about how much we just freaking love this city and absolutely everything about it. This has been one of the greatest summers I have had in a long time. And it was spent doing nothing much else but enjoying Fort Collins with bike rides, patio lunches, concerts, camping, fishing, and the occasional afternoon by the pool. I guess I shouldn't jump the gun just yet - August is just as much of a summer month as July, but it brings back to school and better yet - back to school festivals in this beautiful city. Such as New West Fest and Tour de Fat which I am soo looking forward to. Nevertheless, all of a sudden it will be September and as much as I will be sad to see this summer go, it is always followed by my favorite season :) So I can never stay sad for long. 


And since it is almost a month to the day since my last post, I am more mad with myself for the fact that while I neglected my blog for a good 4 weeks I was quite the busy bee with things to share that I was just to lazy or unmotivated to post. While July was busy flying by I was cooking new things, experimenting with delicious summer salads (oh yes - the kitchen is quickly becoming my new favorite place), wearing my still growing hippie locks in either a braid or el natural (not doing anything with your hair can be quite the penny saver - who knew!?), reading (!!) rocking out at the Foster the People concert (greatest night of the summer!!) and keeping it consistent with the camping. But I could shut up about it and just show you. Here's my July round up people. Next time I take half the summer off from blogging I'll leave an "out of the office" love note. Happy Hump day! 


xo . jess