weekend scenes
/Shall we start with Thursday?
Why not!
Reason #374, why I love Ft. Collins, CO.
Bike-In Cinema. Seriously. New Belgium Brewery put together a 6 week long, end of summer bike to the drive-in movie series, that they started in 2004. How awesome is that? Loads of people ride their bikes and park themselves in the grass at the brewery. One movie is showed each Thursday night. It only costs $2 and all proceeds from admission + beer go to a local charity.
Camping?
Nope. Just prepared with blankets + fold up camp chairs!
Fuzzy, but I still had to share.
This past week, they played Lars and the Real Girl. Definitely an odd movie, but definitely enjoyed it! Different = good!
The gang!
Can’t wait til next Thursday! The weather was just perfect. Talk about a relaxing night.
I actually tried to make this whole weekend all about relaxing. Something I need to do more often.
Friday after work, we headed to Horsetooth Reservoir for some bouldering with Peter + Eric.
The huge mats that the boys are carrying, are called crash pads. You place them under the spot you’re climbing, for safety. Typically, boulder climbs are only about 10-15’ high. We are super careful and spot each other and always use the pads.
Reason #375 I love Ft. Collins.
This, is practically in my backyard.
Love Grown Foods!!! WHAT am I doing with all of these boxes??
Well, I’m actually doing a little work for my lovely friends at LGF! I’m helping them “spread the LOVE” up in Ft. Collins at some upcoming events. The boxes were filled with their small sample bags, which I passed out at the Tour de Fat parade.
All loaded up, in the biggest TIMBUK2 bag I have ever seen!
To say that the granola samples were a hit, is an understatement. I can’t even describe how excited people were. I was out of the house by 10am passing out granola to drunk people on bikes. They needed some nourishment!!
I wish I could have gotten some better photos, but the parade was absolute madness. It stretched for a few miles and was wall-to-wall, with about 15,000 people.
Everyone on bikes!
Of all shapes and sizes.
And the most outrageous costumes you’ve ever seen!
One of my favorites was the bike-boat. People are so dang creative. Yes, they were pedaling a bike in there!
I handed out loads of LOVE to Colorado State students.
I walked up + down the street handing out granola to kids + parents too! Nearly 400 mini bags were passed throughout the crowd. Such a blast!
Flintstones…meet the Flintstones…
Then, the parade ended and the actual event started. Streets were closed down, stages were set up, insane costumes were worn.
Oops photo!
What did I dress up as? I’m seriously horrible at dressing up. I can never come up with a good idea and always wait until the last minute.
5 second DIY costume?
Apron + wooden spoon!
Watch out, or you will get CHOPPED!
Sparkly Santa showed up for the party!
I’m actually in love with this apron. It was gift from my good friend Melissa for my birthday. She got it from Anthropologie, and I wish it were actually a dress!
1 beer at Tour de Fat
1 beer at Equinox
Then back to the homestead.
Bubble bath. Dinner. TV.
Saturday morning I got to meet a lovely blog reader! Morgan and her boyfriend were in town from San Fran. We had a blast chatting + walking downtown, sipping coffee, from my favorite place The Bean Cycle.
I took them to the local food co-op and she loaded up on some awesome foodie finds.
They were super sweet and extremely generous. It’s so fun to meet readers!
Morgan sent me home with some of her kitchen favorites.
Korean purple sweet potato noodles, called Jap Chae. I can’t wait to try cooking with these!
She also brought me a jar full of popped quinoa. She said she found it in the bulk bins at a local store. I’ve never ever seen *popped* quinoa. Only puffed. There is a huge difference. This was like popped amaranth, but bigger + crunchy!! I am obsessed!!
I tried popped quinoa once and it was a major fail. The only one I can get to work so far, is amaranth.
I’m addicted to this stuff for sure. This is how I’ve used it:
- on oatmeal
- as cereal
- crunch on salad
- 3 ingredient corn cake topping
- by the handful
I’m not sure how there is any left. Must figure out how to pop it!
Morgan also brought me a bunch of Alaea Sea Salt, which is native to Hawaii, where she grew up. It’s an unprocessed salt, that is red in color from being combined with red volcanic clay. Love it!
Other exciting weekend events? Kelsey + I went to see Bridesmaids. HILarious. Second time seeing it. A definite must see! And, movies are always better when your friend brings you 2 types of freshly popped popcorn. Oh yes!
Besides those few things, I’ve pretty much been parked on the couch.
And it’s been fab-u-lous.
Tonight, the huz + I watched a movie while eating one of my favorite meals ever. 101 Cookbooks Orange Pan Glazed Tempeh. It reminds me of Chinese takeout!
It seems like a lot went on this weekend, but spread out since Thursday, it was the perfect amount of excitement, relaxation + laziness. I’m feeling refreshed and ready for the week ahead!
Time for popcorn!
Ashley
