Celebrations!

For dinner Friday, Andy and I took our friends Shelly and Kevin out to a restaurant in our neighborhood as a thank you for all the times they've graciously watched Ella, especially the times where we forget to ask them until a few days before we're leaving! It was also a great time to celebrate Shelly's recent graduation from her MBA program and Kevin finishing his third year of Pharmacy school. We enjoyed many good drinks and food, including a dessert wine and ice cream flight that was almost too much deliciousness! They came back to our place for a bit after dinner so Ella could get her Kevin and Shelly time in (she gets so excited when she sees them, and vice versa!).

 

I love Shelly's look of being simultaneously amazed and overwhelmed at dessert!

Happiest dog in the world.

Saturday was truly a lazy day full of watching "The Office" in bed. I had a packed evening planned with my good pal from high school and college, Jenny's, bachelorette party in Boulder! We had a group of six gals and had a classy night on the town celebrating the bride-to-be. Dinner, drinks, games, and NO penises! I said it was classy, folks! We did make her wear a sash and an arm full of bangle bracelets so everyone would know it was her special day.

 

The ladies of Jenny's bachelorette party!

One of Jenny's favorite things: Card games.

One of Jenny's other favorite things: PacMan.

Sunday, SNOWY Sunday! We woke to a snowy Denver on Sunday, which was actually quite nice and peaceful. But unfortunately the snow meant my good friend and college roommate, Emily, and her husband Paul got snowed in up in Wyoming where they were celebrating Emmy's sister's graduation. Emmy and Paul were coming down to Denver to spend Sunday night with us before flying out Monday night. Argh. I took the unexpected time to make some crafts and cook a nice dinner with Andy. We did not go to see a movie, as I mentioned in the previous post, but did rent "The Wolf of Wall Street" from RedBox. And, of course!, call my mama to talk with her on her Mother's Day! (She had a nice day, which included an unlimited number of back massages from Meg - a usually unheard of treat!)

My crafts for my friends Emmy and Paul. A much belated wedding gift.

 

We call this "CEO Ella" because she looks poised to run a very important meeting.

Monster on the run! 

Talking with my mom (and dad).

My bourbon old fashioned was smiling at me.

I hope you had an excellent weekend! And, more importantly, remembered to wish your mom a Happy Mother's Day :o)

-Breanna

The Grand Budapest Hotel

It's a snowy (yes, snowy) Sunday in Denver. Andy and I are talking about seeing a movie since we rarely have indoor weather in Denver. But Thursday night Andy and I met our friends Heather and Noah at a indie-type local theater to see the movie "The Grand Budapest Hotel", Wes Anderson's newest movie. Have you see it? It was sooo funny!! Here's the trailer to the flick:



Do you like Wes Anderson movies (he's done "Rushmore", "The Royal Tenenbaums", "Fantastic Mr. Fox" among others)? If you've enjoyed any of his other movies, I recommend seeing this one! Maybe Andy and I will head back to the theater today for a second showing of this one.

-Breanna

Friday Photos [5.9.14]

Here are some photos from Andy & my week:

Sunday Jenga game. This was a bit before Ella became scared of the tower and spent the rest of the night watching us through the window in the comfort of her home.

Wednesday evening reading while Andy cooked dinner for us.

This is where we find Ella at the slightest rumbling of thunder. See above Jenga photo for more info on world's most terrified dog.

Fort Collins High School, established 1903. We have a bit of history! I helped interview students and provide them feedback on how to improve their interviewing skills during mock interviews Thursday.

Andy and (a trembling) Ella observing the light Denver rain Thursday afternoon. It wasn't even rain; it was just a sprinkle.

 

One work from home perk is having time Friday to make a frittata, play cribbage with Andy, and we were both logged in to work before 9:00 (in pjs, of course).

 

Bachelorette gift shopping for Jenny up in Fort Collins Friday morning. All purchased at the fair trade store for her Saturday celebration.

 Andy got new specs! What do you think?

Not included in my weekly recap was the Monday night dinner and drinks (and drinks, and drinks, and drinks, and so on for...a while) Andy and I had with my good friend and former roommate, Ryan Schryver, in town from Alaska. We threw back beers, bourbons, and Moscow Mules until well past bedtime, so I don't know how I managed to not find time to take a photo! Regardless, it's always a treat to spend time with him. And then remember it hazily for the next few days through head and stomachaches, and vows to never touch alcohol again.

I hope you had a wonderful week and are looking forward to the weekend!

-Breanna

Secrets On Our Lips

Andy and I love Astronautalis, a hip-hop artist from Minneapolis. You may remember that we went to his show in Denver back in late March and, as always, were blown away by his performance.

Since then I dove into his most recent album more. Ok, that's an understatement. I listened to it in my car non-stop for about a month after the show, and I travel in my car a lot for work. One song, 'Secret On Our Lips', stood out to me as my favorite and much of my non-stop enjoyment was this song over-and-over-and-over. I have always been partial to the slower songs on albums (refer to my K-Ci & JoJo years) and songs with passion in the lyrics and the performer's voice. This song struck me on both those points and even after, most likely, triple digit listens, I still enjoy it each time.

Recently Astronautalis posted a new version of the song where it's stripped down a bit and performed with some horn and woodwind musicians from Eau Claire. I love what's happening in the Midwest with music! Take a listen to both versions below.

First the album version:



Then the live horn and woodwind version:


Arco Sessions: Astronautalis "Secrets On Our Lips" from Peter Elliott Eaton on Vimeo.


So, what do you think? Which version do you prefer?

-Breanna

A Bit Healthy and A Bit...Not...

I wasn't feeling so hot this weekend. Allergies/head cold/warn-down/etc. I decided on Friday that I probably needed to take better care of myself (drinking more water, eating more fruits and veggies, sleeping more, etc.) and dedicated the weekend to some R&R, yoga, and good home-cooking.

So that worked out really well!...For about 18 hours...

Friday night I couldn't possibly imagine doing much of anything and turned down happy hour plans. Andy and I cooked one of our favorite healthy dishes, stuffed peppers recipe care of Ryan & Shanda. I went to a peaceful evening yoga class that was mainly laying on the ground and stretching, really, moving as little as possible. I felt a bit guilty that the others in class were also looking for a peaceful end of the work week yoga class, and instead were treated to my unladylike sneezes and party of used Kleenex tissues surrounding me. Meh. I was in bed by 8:15 with my book, and asleep by 9:00. Unlike college, I was not asleep at 9:00 in order to nap for a bit before hitting the bars; I was asleep for the night!

Saturday morning I met my friend, Christine, for brunch to hear about her recent trip to Grand Cayman. She mentioned multiple times throughout breakfast that one of my favorite bars was having a Derby party at noon, and after a couple glasses of OJ, I couldn't say no! We biked over to the Bar Car for a few drinks and some good people watching (those hats!) before heading to a more low-key bar for a few more beers. As you would suspect the night to go, Andy joined for a few beverages and then the two of headed home to enjoy each others company with giant Jenga in the backyard.

The OJ made me do it!

Christine and my Derby outfits. We stood out a bit.

Biking with sunglasses fail.

Sunday I was beat. I woke up much later than I usually do and was exhausted. I hadn't taken very good care of myself on Saturday after agreeing to and starting to do so on Friday. I had to cancel on a few tentative plans, including our neighbor's house-warming party. Thankfully, Andy & Ella represented our house well at the shindig, and after catching-up on some work, I planted myself on the couch reading all afternoon, and chatting on the phone with my mom in the evening.

Maybe I didn't make it to the party, but my guacamole did. Sorry, mom, but none of it came home!

Live & learn, right? Or...just live & say you're going to learn? I'll figure this all out in my 30's ;o)

-Breanna

Friday Photos [5.2.14]

Here are some photos from Andy & my week:

Enjoying a bottle of wine with some new friends at the resort in Vail.

Hello, Eagle, CO. You're looking rather pretty today.

Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, CO. Delicious beer! We needed a flight to try more.

Sweet little coffee shop in Vail Village. Perfect for Tuesday morning breakfast.

Ella was acting out at us being gone for five days by unmaking our bed. Haha. At least she doesn't take a dump in the house when she's angry.

 
I am feeling pretty under the weather right now: stuffy head, sneezing, running nose, and just all over worn out. I think it's a combination of allergies not taking the best care of myself with work travel recently. So please excuse the lack of photos as well as posts this week. I actually had a busy week with dinner at a sushi restaurant with Andy on Tuesday, catching-up with my folks on the phone Tuesday as well, and dinner in Boulder with Jenny my friend from high school and college Wednesday. That's on top of some local work travel. I just didn't take photos, it appears.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Breanna

Our Annoying Dog

Our dog, Ella, is a dream pet, especially for first-time dog owners. She's super mellow around the house laying in her bed all day, can be at home alone more than 12 hours without a problem, and stays sleeping as long as we do (even until 11:00am on the weekends!).

But as soon as she gets her leash on, she goes BONKERS!! Our friends, Shelly and Kevin aka Ella's BFFs, have been watching her for us since Thursday while we're in the mountains. They've commented to us that it's like two different dogs with Ella: Ella in the house and Ella on a walk. And it's totally true! 

We have a hard time getting people who've never walked Ella to believe this phenomenon, so we took this video of her a week ago. You'll need to have your sound up to get the full experience.

So, who wants to walk Ella for us while we're on vacation this summer??

-Breanna