Strawberry Rocks - I did a pin!

You read that right, folks. I actually did a pin that I found on pinterest! How many of us go on Pinterest and pin all kinds of fun and fascinating things, ultimately creating a HUGE to-do list for ourselves that's delusionally optimistic at best? Pinning is addicting but actually implementing some of the tips and to-do's in real life may be even more addicting! Dare I say... I even challenged myself to doing one pin per day? Haha, it was more of a fleeting thought. Let's not kid ourselves.

I started a garden this year! It was a late start due to the landscaping project we had in the works for May-June. All in all I believe we planted about a month late. Our neighbors have gardens and have given us some samples of their zucchini, chard, chives, basil, cayenne peppers, and tomatoes. Can I just say... I'm jealous! Still, we have things growing slowly and one thing that's growing for sure is a pest problem! Currently we have some kind of black mite that is eating our lettuce and several squirrels that steal and bite on everything else. Naturally I called upon the plethora of knowledge found on Pinterest and here is the result:

Rocks painted to look like strawberries! And what do you know? It works! Mostly... 

Squirrel bites! Those sneaky little pests couldn't help but chomp down! As far as the process, I busted out some acrylic paints and found a few strawberry-shaped-rocks. It took a few coats and some drying time but overall, it worked! I will say that these pretty and juicy looking painted rocks attracted the squirrels instead of deterring them. Therefore, I move them around each morning and do not place them right in the strawberry plant, where it would naturally grow, but more dispersed around them. I found that if placed right by the plant, they give the rocks a nibble and then move right onto the blooms and buds.

I also ordered a garden owl on Amazon to scare squirrels and birds away. Look at his face, it makes me laugh! He gets a new perch every morning to keep the pests on their toes ;)

I don't see any birds around but I do know the squirrels are merely amused by the garden owl. Today I sprayed a solution of biodegradable dish soap and water to get rid of mites on the lettuces. Then I sprinkled cayenne pepper around the plants that the squirrels seem to enjoy most: zucchini (flowers only, as we have yet to get any fruits going before they are stollen), tomatoes, and strawberries (or strawberry rocks) because I have heard they won't go sniffing around near it. We shall see! I don't really know what I'm doing but I'm having fun! Here's hoping some sun, water, and love brings a harvest.

Summery Saturday dinner - Surf and Turf!

We spent the day at the Stapelton pool on Saturday and it totally put us in the mood for grilling out! Since I have been trying to eat more locally and seasonally, we drove by In Season Local Market - only to find out they were closed! (and three minutes early, mind you - nothing worse than showing up at 4:57 when they were supposed to close at 5:00) Sunflower Market is our go-to so we kept on, for our collection of summery goodness! I was inspired by some mozerella, beefsteak tomoato, and fresh basil already at home in my fridge and our hand basket looked like this:

Garlic and herb stuffed tri-color cheese tortolini

Deli fresh basil pesto

LOBSTER TAILS! (on sale for $4.99lb!)

A few bundles of asparagus

NY Strip - one to share

Mini Soy Delicious Neapolitan ice cream sandwiches

And in less than an hour, I had dinner on the table - which was a Mediterranean inspired surf and turf that my husband DEVOURED! He's a lucky man, I keep him well fed and know what plucks his heart strings - good food and lots of lovin {Wink}

My plate

Geoffrey's plate

Caprese salad - tastes like summer!!

Fresh mozzerella, beefsteak tomato, tiny bit of white onion, fresh chopped basil, drizzle of grapeseed oil, and balsamic reduction!

Stay tuned for the surf and turf recipe - which I'll post on my recipe blog - The Tin Lunchbox!

Friday - Fun Times!

- machete logo -

Not that we need an excuse to go out, but Friday is the perfect time to blow off responsible things, like the gym, and head out in Denver to see what's new. There's ALWAYS something new to check out. This Friday we ventured from our usual Highlands and LoHi happy hour and dinner spots and headed to Cherry Creek. We parked in front of Sushi Tazu, a favorite of ours when we lived closer in Capital Hill, and went in for a bite. We had the yellowtail sashimi, the Volcano Roll, the Rainbow Roll, and some Garlic-Veggie Gyoza. For a happy hour special they served us 2-for-1 hot sake. The yellowtail was the best, so fresh and amazing! As we left I took note of the entirely full restaurant and the laid back family style vibe - it was a nice departure from the typical crowd at most sushi restaurants in Denver. Try it out, I think you'll like it! {they even have fancy toilets that had all kinds of buttons for drying and washing and such - I'm not into that in a public bathroom but hey, some people might be} Sushi Tazu

Instead of going to a movie {since we couldn't decide on one and we're waiting on the Hangover 2 to come out next week} we took a stroll down the block where Geof saw some "Tequilla Umbrellas" which is never a bad thing, right? Turned out to be a great find! As we approached Machete Tequila & Taco Bar, some Slightly Stupid was playing at a fun volume and the chatter inside poured out of the full restaurant. Wally, the owner, quickly approached and asked us if we were alright with a small wait, as this was the 5th day they were open and it was a full house! We had jackets on so decided to belly up to the outdoor bar that looked into the restaurant - much like Lola's. Wally was stoked on this so he said he'd give us a shot for being cool. Who could say no to that? It's Colorado, so a slightly chilly and overcast day on a patio is really pretty standard for us! He served up three shots in thick glass shotglasses with blue rims on top, the exact style {of wine goblets} we brought back from our honeymooon in Mexico.  I like this place already!

- eats -

- drinks -

Geof ordered a Ginger Margarita and I the Skinny Margarita

I'm all about supporting new places with good people, good ideas, good food and drinks, and a great vibe and I encourage you to as well! At Machete the menu is simple street taco style and creative combinations of tequila based drinks - I see this being a great spot to post up on a sunny Sunday, for hours of pura vida!

If you don't know about the skinnygirl margarita - get with it already! It's a to-die-for recipe by Bethany Frankel, for a 100'ish calorie "skinny" margarita and a new FAV of mine! You can purchase in the bottle at liquor stores or make your own, which is what I always do. Want the recipe? You know you do! Any time I go out to a place that is known for margaritas, I try their version of a "skinny" marg. Most places have some version of it because it is made of tequilla and lime juice primarily, bolstered with agave or triple sec and a salt rim on the rocks. Perfection!

Blog merging

I've decided to merge my "regular" blog and my food blog to create the best of both and make it less work for me. Yes, blogging can be hard! :) I may still keep The Tin Lunch Box around to post recipes to - so don't cross it off of your list of blogs to check out from time to time!

Junk - Aspen, CO

See my food blog here...

All good things

This week has been interesting. Finally FINALLY finished up our kitchen project! It took us about a month, though we were in Florida one weekend and I had the flu for many days. On Monday, we made a beautiful romantic Valentine's dinner together in our new pretty kitchen:

Tuesday was eh... We worked then tried to grab a spot in the sun for a cocktail afterwards, but the winter sun was still too low behind the buildings, making long chilly shadows across the town. These days make me long for summer! Laying in the grass in the sun, taking our yoga mats to Sloans Lake, riding my new bike...

Wednesday, yesterday was a surprise! It was OH SO lovely outside, a breezy and warm 68! I went to lunch with my notebook, and jotted some thoughts while I sat in the sun. The highlight of my day was walking back to the office. And now, I have a story for you...

Standing at the crowded intersection, the white "walk-man" illuminated, the sea of people before me started to cross the street. Only, after a few feet they began parting, to shuffle around a (seemingly homeless) man in his wheel chair, struggling to push himself across the road inch by painful inch. I too passed, then stopped and realized the sadness of the situation... Too many people. Too many busy people. Too many busy unconcerned people, passing someone not like them who clearly needed help. Turning against the tide of faces rushing past, I walked up stream to the one legged man who had only been able to squeak his chair a few inches into the street and asked if he'd like a push? Yes. {Yes, of course he does} Past the idling cars at the red light and past the other blue collars like me, selfishly enjoying their sunny lunch break - I pushed the chair with the whithered man with ease across the street to a quiet spot on the sidewalk. I patted him on the shoulder and simply said "have a nice day".  A few blocks later, smiling to myself, I was hoping {praying} that whoever took note {if anyone} would pay it forward. Secretly, I hoped to start a chain of good deeds - that everyone on the street would say to themselves "How nice, I could have done that..." and would then look for a chance to help another that afternoon. And if they didn't... well... that's ok. I did and I won't forget the surprised and grateful look on the one legged homeless man's face, when I whisked him away :) The end.

That was yesterday's highlight and today, my highlight was finding this lovely song that makes me melt in an oh-so-romantic-full-of-butterflies way...

Napa - Day 1

We flew into San Francisco an hour later than we expected due to heavy fog in the bay area. Geoffrey went to work and I walked to downtown Napa from his job site. Along the way I admired the quaint little neighborhood and the things so characteristic about this region: everyone's yards had lemon and lime trees, olive trees, and roses galore! The roses get to be as big as a dinner plate sometimes! Absolutely beautiful!


I spent the afternoon meandering the streets and shops. I visited a toy shop and the Oxbow Marketplace. The Hog Island Oyster company was in one corner of the market so I sat outside and ordered some oysters and a glass of Fume Blanc. I swear to you, I feel like Napa California is heaven on earth. From the food to the lifestyle to the people to the views. This IS MY KIND OF PLACE!!! Then I found my way to the riverfront and the Napa General Store where Geoffrey met me after he finished with his job. We were starving so we went for some tapas and wine at ZuZu right down the street and to kill time until dinner service started. One glass of wine... two glasses of wine... bread and salted cod and spicy garlic shrimp and olives... we stayed for a long time and soaked up all the goodness, overlooking the Napa river.


It was quite a nice day. A PERFECT day in my world :)

Sunday

The past two days have been very much fall. We rose this morning to do yoga at Sloans Lake. The sun was peaking out but gave way to the low lying clouds that drizzled us with rain. The breeze was cold but gentle and we attempted to create heat through our practice. I can only speak for myself - my toes were cold but my heart big and warm. I think we all felt warm inside. Our yoga teacher actually thanked US for coming to class... on her wedding day!

Today Todd Raabe and Angela McLinden are getting married! 10/10/10. It's overcast and damp out but I'm sure they will have a magical day - sharing their wedding vows at Chautauqua park in Boulder with their 4 teenage boys :)

As for Geoffrey and I, we stopped by Toast (a small liquor & wine store on 23rd St. near Sloan's Lake) for some red wine for the afternoon. Then to get ingredients for a chicken and rice baked casserole. Home with some blankets, a little football, a hot casserole in the oven - the fireplace is on for the first time this season and I welcome it with open arms. The season to be thankful! :) I am thankful for my sleepy cuddly puppy, a warm home when its cold outside, food for our souls, our yoga practice that keeps us in touch, and beautiful sweet friends to share this life with.

~N~