After remembering how delicious vanilla farro was yesterday, it had to be made again today.

Check out those vanilla beans!! Topped with 1/2 banana, raw almonds, and a sample pack of the Love Grown Foods raisin almond granola.

For Christmas, I received some spectacular, thoughtful gifts from Chris. We kept the spending to a minimum, but that didn’t compromise quality.

I’ve been wanting a teapot for awhile now. Chris found this at an amazing local kitchen store called, The Cupboard. I try to not even walk in that store, it’s that tempting.

This teapot is perfect for 2 cups of tea. It’s a Bee House Teapot, made in Japan. I love the bright, modern design. It’s totally ME! As are these hand made + painted tea cups from Japan. I’m in love with them. We only have 2 right now, as they are a bit pricey. There are 8 in the collection, so maybe slowly I’ll start to collect them all. :)

He also bought me some amazingly delicious ginger peach black tea. One thing I don’t like about tea, is when the flavor is mild. I’m used to coffee, so I really like robust flavor!

Chris has this week off from work and it’s been so nice to have some time to relax together! Today, we met up with some friends in the afternoon to hit up some local breweries. There are about 14 local breweries here!!

I only made it to one of them, but had some delicious tasters! These were from Ft. Collins Brewery. I tried 4, but only finished 3, with my favorite being the Chocolate Stout.

Fun times! It’s finally going to be getting cold tomorrow + the next day and we might actually see some snow. However, today, it was sunny and 58!

It was so BRIGHT that sunscreen was needed. This weather is pretty unseasonable, but there is also a huge misconception of Colorado weather. Mountain weather + city weather are two completely different things. As far as the main cities + suberbs go here, there isn’t typically a ton of snow. Sure, there are a few storms every winter, but it doesn’t pile up like back home in Ohio! My favorite part of Colorado winters are how sunny it is. Typically throughout the winter, you rarely see clouds.

And if it snows one day, the next it could be 60 degrees!

This would be “philosophical Peter,” or maybe “too many beers Peter.” You be the judge.

Michelle + I posed for a few photos. :)

Peter went to Ohio State with us, so we’ve known him for quite some time. We actually met Michelle at our wedding [as Peter’s date] and since moving to CO have become really good friends. :)

I think I forgot to mention the newest addition to our family…

The Honda Scoot! We’ve been a 1 car family since early June and it’s been going really well. However, we live about 20min away from where Chris works, so gas adds up quick! Especially on days where I need the car. That’s a lot of back + forth driving to drop him off + pick up. We got a great Craigslist deal on this 2006 scooter with less than 500 miles!

It will pay for itself, in gas savings, in less than 1.5 years!

And look at the other benefits…a studly, helmet wearing, husband….bahahahaaa

Safety first!

Are you ready for a cheesy “about me” survey?? I borrowed this idea from Jessica, who borrowed it from Caitlin. Hello 1996 + the world of AOL chain emails.

1. Four TV shows that I watch:

True Blood
Dexter
Modern Family
Parenthood

2. Four things that I’m passionate about:

family + friends
photography
cooking
plant food

3. Four words/phrases I use a lot:

That is SO random.
Wait, I need to take a photo first!
It’s so easy!!
Are you kidding me?

4. Four things I’ve learned from the past:

the future is not predictable
being scared can be a good thing
don’t sell yourself short – there were a LOT of things I started doing this year that I never ever thought I would do!
there is only so much 1 person can do!! – still trying to let this one sink in!

5. Four places I would like to go:

Thermal Baths – Switzerland
The High Line – NYC [it was part of my Architecture thesis project and I never got to experience it, in it’s reconstructed state]
Nepal
New Zealand

6. Four things I did yesterday: