On the road

Whew! It's been a whirlwind five days traveling to Denver.

For our last day, we headed to Devil's Gulch to hike up and see Gem Lake, but the heavens open right when we decided to eat a picnic before we headed up. We all ran to the van and looked at Andy to explain why the heck we were hiking up a mountain when it's raining! 

Our new plan: finding bowling alley while the rain let off. Nothing says fun like kids throwing blowing balls. I'm not kidding! 

After that adventure of running and ducking from 6lb bowling balls we traded our bowling shoes for tennis shoes and tried once again to head up the trail.

By this point we were all tired and it was almost dinner time. It was hard to focus on the beautiful nature surrounding us when you're going up almost a straight vertical and the trail side animals {mostly chipmunks but we did see a rabbit} look like dinner. Half way up we called it quits, headed down the slide, and got pizza in picturesque Estes. {I want to live there.} I didn't get any pics because I didn't want to accidentally fall on my phone and break it! But I loved to tell the tale! Till next time Gem Lake!

Anniversary and babymoon: St. Louis and Hermann, Mo.

This year, for a combination 4th wedding anniversary/babymoon, we went spent a day in our beloved Hermann, Missouri and then we ventured east to St. Louis.

Hermann provided us the opportunity to visit the places we truly loved last time we were there: The Secret Vine bed and breakfast, Montague's BBQ, Time for Pie pie and coffee shop, Back Home Again store (amazing pumpkin butter), and The Chocolate Box chocolatier.

Before we knew it, it was time to pack our bags and head east on 94 highway. (Note: If you're looking for a getaway to the Missouri wine country, pack Dramamine. The drive is really beautiful but so windy that I wondered many times if we were going to have to pull over for me to leave an offering of sorts.)

I left where we were staying in St. Louis to the husband, so when we arrived at Lafayette Square and were surrounded by row house after beautiful row house, I said to him, "I wish we could go inside one." Which is when he revealed that we were in fact. Oh be still my heart. Napoleon's Retreat bed and breakfast is hands down the best bed and breakfast I've ever stayed in. We had the garden suite that was off the back of the house overlooking a small garden and courtyard. The theme of the room was sage green—the walls, the bedding, the accent pieces. The best part was this modern, crisp white bathroom with a whirlpool tub. It was such a slice of heaven! And we got to stay there for two days!






The innkeepers, Michael and Jeff, made a delicious breakfast each morning that was served in the dining room. The first day was quiche, fruit salad, and this raspberry cinnamon crunch thing. I couldn't clean my plate I was so stuffed. Then today, we were served a cinnamon poached pear, blueberry pancakes, an orange slice, and bacon. Mmm. I think I came home a few pounds heavier—or at least I hope; gotta pack on pounds for my little boy.




Each night we ate at one of the restaurants in the square. It gave us a chance to walk around the neighborhood and see more of the painted ladies. The first night we ate at SqWires. They play live music every night, and it's a pretty crowded and bustling place housed in an old warehouse. I chose the fish tacos and Jonathan had the fish boil. Neither of us were impressed enough to truly recommend what we ate, and unfortunately, our waiter left a lot to be desired in the service. The next night we ate at Ricardo's Italian Cafe, which we preferred over SqWires. The place was smaller and quieter. I had the half portion of Cavatelli Broccoli, and it hit the spot. I actually ate way too much and ended up getting indigestion. Jonathan had the shrimp scampi, which wasn't soaked in butter but instead seemed to be baked with parmasean cheese.





We didn't have a lot of time to spend sight seeing, so we stuck to only a couple things we really wanted to see: the St. Louis Botanical Gardens and the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica. We spent more than 2.5 hours at the gardens and probably could have stayed longer if it weren't for the fact that we were both tired and I'm pregnant. I can't only take so much walking! The highlights of the gardens were feeding the coy fish who you could practically pet they were so eager to be fed and Climatron, a dome structure built in the 1960s and mimics rain-forest-like conditions. I had a good laugh at the name. It's so retro future. The flower, plants, and trees were unbelievable. The only thought I did have was that the unit keeping the dome at the right temperature to sustain the right environment is so loud that it has to cost big bucks to run that thing and it probably consumes an outrageous amount of energy. The gardens do get bonus eco points from me for composting their onsite restaurant remains and growing a vegetable garden. It does cost $8 per an adult to get inside the gardens, but considering the amount of time we spent inside, it was well worth the expense. Plus, it was a gorgeous day to be outside.




We only took a quick look around the basilica since we had missed museum hours, but even going on your own is a treat. I felt like I was in Europe without leaving the States. The mosaics are mind-blowing and opulent. Some of them were even done by Tiffany and Co. I left there thinking how religion used to use (and still does to some degree) its money to create believers, suppress people, and push its own political agenda. I definitely felt like I walked back in time.

It was nice to get away for a long weekend. I thought I would be said to think of this trip as my last for awhile until Chewy is older, but I was eager and even happier once we got home. But maybe that has something to do with the fact that I'll I thought about all weekend was work and it put a damper on my long-awaited vacation, but that's another conversation that's primarily going to stay in my head.

Hermann top 10

This past week was spent in Hermann, Mo., with Jonathan to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. If you aren't familiar with Hermann, it's the heart of Missouri wine country. We stayed at a little B&B, sleeping in til 9 everyday...just in time for an amazing breakfast. We ate our way through this little town that now has a special place in my heart. Without further adieu, here's my Hermann Top :

10. The wine. I put this at 10 just because it's a given. We visited a winery just about everyday. My favorite winery was Hermanhoff. It's in downtown Hermann. Followed closely is Stone Hill. Their cellars were amazing. Our guide joked that if a tornado happened by, we'd be safe...and happily filled with wine. I also got the chance to see Independent Stave Company wine barrels up close. A little bit a familial pride swelled my heart each time I'd see ISC's stamp.
9. German School Museum and Clock Tower. The clock tower was the source of amusement because it was an hour and five minutes off. Five minutes because none of the clock winders in town are skilled enough to make it more precise, and an hour because we're still in daylight savings time, but the clock isn't. Very handy clock. The school itself (the clock was added later) was a sturdy and surprisingly strong structure. Gotta hand it to those Germans; they're resourceful. In the museum our a great many items that have been donated, included a Adolf Hitler propaganda book, which is really, really rare. The hair art was a little bizarre, but Jonathan enjoyed the WWI era swords.
8. Blanche's. I have a pickle ornament. All my very own. I was also tempted to buy a melted wine bottle. Part art, part recycling genius, but I figured it was just one more knick knack I didn't need or have room for. Jonathan scored a double wine bottle carrier complete with a cutting board and knife. Our picnics will be complete now.
7. Back Home Again. Cute store across the street from where we were staying. Apple butter. Pumpkin butter. That's all I have to say about that.
6. The Vintage Restaurant. This was Stone Hill winery's restaurant that was in it's old barn. The old stables were even made into oversized booths. Vintage features a range of German food, but because it was only lunch, I wanted to eat light. Plus, I had my eye on the mushroom burger with provolone. The only person I know who makes this, does it perfectly. Amanda, you have competition in Hermann. Jonathan had a purely German experience. He chose the schnitzel with a German potato salad and pancake with apple sauce.
5. Montague's BBQ. Just across the street from where we were staying. I had their baked potato soup with a dijon drenched spinach salad for lunch. I didn't know what I liked more. We also tried the BBQ for dinner before leaving, but being thisclose to Kansas City BBQ, it left a lot to be desired. The potato salad was a kicker though. It was like eating mustard, garlic-flavored mashed potato. It was surprisingly good.
4. Europa. This restaurant is where we celebrated our actual wedding anniversary. We had to make reservations. And we arrived at the house-converted-to-restaurant, we had I feeling we'd be only ones dining that night. I jabbered my head off to Jonathan to make up for the quietness. Forget what you read or what you see on TV, having the place to yourself isn't really romantic. You feel like you are center stage. I did enjoy my filet mignon (medium rare, just for you Amanda), potatoes, and the best steamed broccoli ever. Followed by flourless chocolate cake.
3. Downtown Deli and Custard Shoppe. We didn't sample the custard, but the I tried the recommended chicken salad on croissant, but it's what it came with that made it one of a kind: homemade potato chips. Crunchy, salty, and Lay's doesn't have anything on them.
2. The Pie. Just a hop, skip, and jump past the German School Museum right beside our B&B was a little slice of Heaven: Time for Pie. This tiny little nook served all kinds of coffee drinks and, of course, pie. They're opened daily, but we only made it twice. I had the an amazing slice of blackberry pie, and later a slice of apple pie. The also offered brats and soup (which was amazing as well.)
1. The Chocolate Box. Chocolate. Homemade chocolate. It's good, and tasty, and in Hermann, Mo. My favorite was the fist-size peanut butter cup full of real peanut buttery goodness.

Time flies when you're having fun

The apartment is empty of our great guests. The only evidence that remains that Andy, Chance, and AJ were ever here is the water bottle they forgot. I miss AJ's little voice and giggle, and my listening to my sister's oh-so-exciting conversations in person.

The trip was fun, crazy, and at sometimes a little challenging. It rained everyday we were in Missouri. We drove, and drove, and drove, and drove. Poor AJ probably can't stand the site of his car seat anymore—or Black Beauty for that matter. We ate lots of food (including some evil fast food!), but I did manage to get in homemade chicken pot pie, asian lettuce wraps, and roast, Crock Pot mac 'n' cheese, and mashed potatoes. I've been declared a fabulous cook! I'd say the trip was a success just from that compliment alone.

Got to see M.O.M., who got to see AJ for the first time. It was such a sight to behold watching her take him in and snuggling him up. We also fed the rainbow trout at Bennett Springs State Park hatchery. It was too cute watching AJ throw in fish food pebble at a time. We would have been there all day if Chance and I hadn't throw in a few handfuls ourselves. The upside to the rain was everything was lush and green. My most favorite parts of the trip was holding AJ's hand (it's so tiny, it's almost hard to hold) and watching him give me a sleepy grin.

Apparently the trip is on for next year as well, only this time camping out at Bennett Springs. Bugs, mud, spiders#&151;I think I might have to be busy next year. But for that cute grin of AJ's, I'd get bit by spider. It's worth it.

A booger goes down easy

Not from recent personal experience (I'm sure as a kid I ate a booger or two), but listening to my sister tell me that for the first time my dear, sweet, apple of my eye of a nephew just picked and ate his booger is both hysterical and quite disgusting. I'm trying not let it mar that apple-of-my-eye depiction of him. I guess you can say he's turning into a little boy, and seeing him on Skype makes me see just how old and grown up he is. And how much of a booger picker he is, which I think just makes him even cuter and funnier.

Another booger in my life right now is work, but it's one hell of a booger. We're still one man down. Actually, we're doing really well, but I'm just an old workaholic that can't seem to say "no." Jonathan says that I'm not allowed to bring my MacDaddy on vacation. We'll see about that. How else will I tell you of my adventure in the great backwoods of Missouri?

Ready for a vacation

In about two and half weeks, I'll be departing for the dirt roads of southern Missouri. That may not sound as pleasant as it sounds to me right now. Just the word vacation is foreign to me because I'm working so much. Urban Times production is in full swing, and as the sole editor, I'm very tired of reading. And work work, well, that's hellaciously busy as usual. They have me interviewing, transcribing, and writing until my body just wants to lie down for awhile. Missouri. It beckons me.

My sister is bringing the apple of my eye of a nephew and we're going to have some fun...and sleep! Oh, yes, sleep. But the first stop will be to visit my aunt (a.k.a my other mother), because she has yet to see the cuter than bunny nephew of mine. Then maybe a somber stop over to Mom's grave. And then, just to sleep, visit, maybe dive into some recipes I've been wanting to try, get some fresh air and sun (I haven't seen the sun in months because I'm always holed up with my MacDaddy), and eat the grand-daddy of all subs: Cornerstone. Yum yum as my nephew would say. I know it's just a sandwich, but it's also artistry.

I'm thinking this is going to be a good vacation, but somebody better keep my laptop away from me.