Andy's Review: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.!

Hello All! Andy Here - Long time reader, first time poster (at least to this blog). As Breanna indicated, I'm going to give you a run down on the show we went to this past Saturday (3/8/14).

The show was at the Bluebird Theater on Colfax in Denver (oh how I remember the lackluster Dodos show we went to when we were here scouting out area before moving and we had these grandiose ideas of living right next to this venue). While the venue is nice, they tend to have small to medium sized acts and charge prices for large acts, which is a turn off for me. Luckily, I won tickets on their facebook page over the holidays for 2 tickets to any 8 shows in 2014! Yay, lucky me (and sometimes Breanna)! This was one of the shows I chose to get tickets to, knowing that it was likely going to be a highlight of the music schedule this year.

To start out, if you like synth heavy 80's pop, you would love the opener, Chad Valley. It was one slightly heavy man (which was a bit of a surprise based on the images elicited from the musical stylings he portrayed on stage) and a woman, both of the hipster variety. While it was entertaining at first, it became very dull and repetitive after a short while. It was just the two of them on stage on either side of synth keyboards alternating singing in this attempted soulful crooner style. Like I said, if you like that type of music, you would like this band. Since we were so excited for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., it was more agonizing to sit through.

Chad Valley

Once the opener was finished, you could tell the venue was at capacity. We were towards the front, and I realized very quickly that if I left to get a beer, there was no turning back. So I stayed there as long as I could, which was not difficult once the headliner showed up. To set the stage, the most prominent part of the set up was a large globe like apparatus in the middle. They also have 4 large letters, 2 J's and 2 R's, that illuminate the crowd when lit. Later in the show, we realized they had brought 2 bubble machines placed on either side of the crowd. It was glorious! Needless to say, it was easy to become transfixed with what was happening in front of you.

The band did a great job of not just sticking to their most recent material, which was nice for us. We have been huge fans of their music for quite some time and had the wonderful opportunity to see them at the Hi-Dive on Broadway in Denver about 2 years prior. That show blew us away, and this show, while still amazing, wasn't quite the spectacle we had hoped for but still sounded amazing. Even though they did not have any of the guests that appeared on their free Mix Tape (Produce Vol. 1), they still incorporated at least one song from it. One of our friends also pointed out that they covered a Rod Stewart song between songs, which I was not aware of since I am not as well versed in his musical catalog.

Overall, definitely a memorable show, though I think Breanna and I were both hoping for them to break out the blacklights and put on their neon suits to cover some Whitney Houston again. Even without that, they were highly entertaining and engaging, which was pretty evident when we left the venue and found the 2 main members of the band behind the merch stand getting bombarded by ravenous fans. As much as I would have liked to get something there from them, I realized I am too old to be like that, so we left. If you happen to see them come through your neck of the woods, definitely try to see them as you will not be disappointed!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr - Run

Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - Almost Lost Detroit (Gil-Scott Heron cover)

~Andy

A Sunny Denver Weekend

Friday night was pretty low-key. I had tentative plans with a friend but was feeling a bit lethargic with the gloomy weather and the end of a work week, so I decided to have a night in with Andy. One of my best gal pals from high school, Michelle, called Friday night so we chatted for a bit and then Andy and I decided to make it a whiskey and frozen pizza night. We settled down in front of the TV and agreed upon (you guessed it!) "Hunger Games" for the THIRD time this year! 

A whiskey old fashioned is not a simple drink to make.

Me & my beverage.

Saturday was an early(ish) morning since I fell asleep around 10:30 Friday night. I do love my quiet Saturday mornings! Andy made me breakfast while I caught-up on email with some of my dear friends (hi Becky! Alli! Randy!). We really did nothing during the day since we had tickets to one of our favorite bands Saturday night - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (!!!!). We met our friends, Heather and Noah, for drinks before the show. And the show, well it was awesome! Andy is going to write more about it later this week, so I won't steal his thunder.

I told Andy to show that he was cooking me breakfast, and he refused to move from this position saying "I'm cooking it with magic."

I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted potato chips for a Saturday afternoon snack, but knew that apples with almond butter and granola was a better option. I ate potato chips about two hours later.

Andy and my beers at the tavern across the street from the venue Saturday night.

I bought Andy a journal called "In my Humble Opinion" where you complain about humans and we wrote in it at the tavern prior to the show.

That globe in the middle had videos timed to the music projected on it for some songs. It was so fun to see the scenes they prepared for their music!

Sunday started out as a quiet day. I finished my book as Andy played his video game. I headed across town for an early afternoon yoga class and JUST MISSED it! They close and lock the doors right as class starts, and I met closed doors. I called my friend, Josh, who lives in the neighborhood, to grab a wanted a patio beer (it was in the 70's here). After a couple beers with Josh I headed home and Andy and I decided to spend time together outside playing Farkle on our front stoop. Our new neighbor walked over to say hi - I guess the beers, games, and dog outside attract company! - and we ended up spending the afternoon/early evening with her, her elementary age son, and their dog chatting, drinking beers (not the kid), and playing giant Jenga - so fun!

I painted my nails. I couldn't stop staring at them as I was reading Sunday morning.

My buddy, Josh, at Local 46 Sunday afternoon.

We did not end up making falafel, but - hey! we had a great weekend :o)

-Breanna

Friday Photos [3.7.14]

Here are some photos from Andy & my week:

I loved this statue outside a theater in downtown Loveland. 

Brushing Ella's teeth Monday night. She does not enjoy the teeth brushing.

Ella running like a mad woman at the dog park! She just ran and ran and ran, barking of course, when we got there Tuesday afternoon.

 

Ella got her haircut! Before and after. They put this cute-a-roo shamrock bandana on her afterwards.

 

College fair at a high school Tuesday night. They had school pennants hanging up all around the gym where the fair was held. 

Wednesday night Google hangout with my friends Jen & Zach! This screenshot explains how Jen feels about Zach's love life. 

My little work buddies Friday morning.

Andy and my favorite plant enjoying a bit of sunlight on our snowy Friday. Neither of us know what kind it is. Do you recognize it?

Chatting on the phone Friday night with my gal Michelle. I love calls from home!

What are you up to this weekend? Andy and I both went to the grocery store this week after not going for weeks (eek!). Tomorrow we're trying out a new homemade falafel recipe. It will be so nice to have meals in the house after a couple weeks of being a bit low on leftovers. Yesterday, for example, my lunch was Ruffles potato chips and a Klondike bar. 

I hope you have a great weekend planned!

-Breanna

Recipe: Andy's Mama's Chex Mix

 The final product fresh from the oven. Delicious!

I used to not be much of a Chex Mix fan. I loved my Grandma Pat's homemade Chex Mix every Christmas Eve, but other than that, I could take it or leave it. Andy, not so much. He loves Chex Mix, and esepcially his mom Mary's Chex Mix. She makes batches upon batches every Christmas to give to family and friends (the buckets were lining the kitchen shelves this year!). I look forward to my Chex Mix and coffee breakfasts back in Sheboygan over the holidays :o)

Andy and I started making a modified gluten-free stove top version of Mary's recipe. We try to have it on hand when we have guests in town - my family especially loves the snack! Here's the recipe Andy and I use. If you want to add the gluten back in, you can play with the recipe by adding different cereals. 

Chex Mix

What you'll need:

• 8 cups Chex cereal (we use rice and corn)
• 2.5 cups pretzels (I like the Glutino brand the best)
• 2.5 cups mixed nuts
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1T Worcestershire sauce 
• 1t seasoned salt
• 3/4t garlic powder
• 1/4t onion powder

What you'll do: 

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees
2. Mix together the Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts in a baking pan
3. Warm the butter in a saucepan on the stove on medium heat until it's liquid
4. Mix the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a bowl
5. Pour the melted butter in the bowl with the seasoning mixture from step 4 and mix it all together
6. Pour the mixture from step 5 over the Chex cereal, pretzels, and nuts in the baking pan while stirring it regularly until it's fully coated
7. Cook the Chex Mix in the oven for 1 hour, stirring it every 15 minutes to make sure it doesn't burn

 Measuring out the ingredients.
 

 All the dry ingredients in the baking pan.

 Pouring the sauce and mixing the Chex Mix.

 Andy was teasing Ella pretending to drop the whole pan - she would have loved that!

I love this recipe because it's the perfect amount of saltiness for my afternoon cravings, and with all the mixed nuts, it's a somewhat nutritious snack compared to other options (I'm looking at you, potato chips!). Plus, it's super customizable based on your preferences. The only problem we have is making it last more than a week!

-Breanna

Movies, Reading, Movies, Reading

Friday night Andy planned a night of popcorn (and fries!!) and "Lord of the Rings" for me. It's one of his favorite movies and has been asking, asking, asking for me to watch it for years. I've said I want to read the books first, but since it's been years and I haven't picked up the books other than to dust under them, I agreed that today could be our day. Unfortunately, after an exhausting day at work presenting for five hours in northern Colorado, and time back in the office that lasted well past 5:00, I was a bit sleepy and crashed soon after the fries and popcorn were gone! For those of your LOTR fans, Andy said I didn't even stay awake to the part where they make it to the inn. I guess that's pretty early into the first movie? Oopsies.

Our treats.

Teasing Ella with the popcorn. She loves it when we throw popcorn for her to try and catch!

The nice thing about falling asleep early is that you wake early the next morning and can get a start on the day. Andy and I woke and enjoyed a quiet Saturday morning in the living room with me reading and him playing his video game. So peaceful :o) I made a mid-morning frittata for us to enjoy during a game of cribbage. My peaceful morning became not so much so when right around breakfast time I was hit with an allergy attack! Argh! My attacks knock me out physically and mentally :o( I thought leaving the house would help, but I was stuck with it all day. We went up to Boulder for a few hours to meet our friends, Jenny & Mike, for the Celestial Seasonings tour. Their factory tour is great! And I love their tasting room where you can try any of their teas that you want. Fun and delicious.

 

Pesto (I make a huge batch and then freeze it in ice cube trays), tomato, garlic, and onion frittata in the works.

I won.

Sunday was another early morning spent with reading and video games. Late morning we went to the local film center to see the movie "Inside Llewyn Davis", the newest Coen Brothers' movie about a folk singer in Greenwich in the 60's. Have you heard of it? Andy and I have just loved the soundtrack since it came out last year, and were both so excited that the movie finally made it to the film center! Finally! 

After the movie Andy and I had more, you guessed it, reading and video games! Later in the evening Andy headed over to a new brewery near our house to try out their beers while I stayed home to relax and catch-up on the phone with my folks - I hadn't talked with them in so long!

Check out the concessions stand: vegan cookie, hummus, PBR. Interesting...

I thought I looked all artsy at the film center with my glasses and scarf.

Here's a link to the movie soundtrack. It includes Marcus Mumford, Chris Thile, Punch Brothers, Justin Timberlake (yea, you read that right), Bob Dylan, and others. It's produced by T Bone Burrnett as well as Marcus Mumford. What do you think of it?

I hope you had a great weekend! Are you all ready for Monday??

-Breanna