Thanksgiving Crafts

This year like most years, I have to work over Thanksgiving weekend. Thankfully, I have reconnected with several friends and met some great new friends here in Denver. I am also thankful some of them are from Georgia and understand how to cook a southern Turkey day meal. We all went over to Geoff's new place and had quite the spread. Two turkeys, every casserole you can think of, lots of wine, and lots of desserts. The only thing I contributed food wise was banana pudding. Unfortunately, it came out a little runny but it still tasted pretty good.

I wanted to do a little more so I decided to make a few crafts for the day. First, I made a "what are you thankful for " board. I took a antique looking from from Hobby Lobby. Then I strung hemp like string back and forth and bought tiny clothes pins to attach the thank you notes. It was a big hit. I attached painted wood letters that said "Thanks" to give it that Thanksgiving feel but the board could be used for anything like photos or keepsakes (ie concert tickets)

I also made a mantle display. I saw both of these crafts on pinterest.com so I can't claim the credit but it was super fun making them the night before with Courtney and Courtney.

For the mantle display, I took 5 mason gars (to give it that southern feel), tied twine around them and stuffed them with scrunched paper. Courtney and Courtney cute out scrapbook paper in circles and layered it. Then they painted on the letters "GIVE thanks." The paper was then glued to wood sticks and 2 sticks were placed in the mason gars. It came out pretty cute.

I am thankful for great friends here in Denver. This transition has been really easy with the help of great people. This Thanksgiving was the best I have had in a while. Great food, great people, lots of laughs, and 5 hours in the hot tub = best turkey day!

Otis Redding Goolsby

I moved to Denver the first of June and I immediately knew I wanted to get a dog. Everyone in this city has a dog. I actually tried several times to adopt a dog from several animal shelters here but it just never worked out. On July 4th, I spent the day with Faith and the crew and she told me about Lifeline puppy rescue in Brighton, CO. On July 5th, Lifelinewas actually having a special adoption day so I headed north to check out what they had to offer. I really wanted a lab mix dog. T

he first dog I looked at was this lab mix that was really shy, had her tail between her legs, and wouldn't even come to me. I returned this puppy and went down to the last pin. There were 3 dogs in this pin. Two of them looked liked Chow Chows and were just playing with each other. The third had a wrinkly face and was super friendly. He came right up to me and wanted to say hello. I asked to see him and after five minutes I knew I wanted him. He was so cute, so friendly, and loved my attention. He also had not made a sound and wasn't barking or whining at all. After completing the paper work, I brought him home. He was 2 1/2 months when I got him. It was hard deciding on a name. I wanted something cute or clever and something that meant something to me. My best friend Jessica's dog's name is Freddy Mercury and our favorite artists together is Otis Redding. The night I got him, I also went and saw the movie "Top Gun" at Red Rocks. One of the songs in the movie was an Otis Redding song. Then it hit me, " I should name him Otis Redding!" So that is how he got his name.

I have had Otis now for almost 5months and I absolutely love him. I have never felt this much love for a nonhuman before now. He is the coolest puppy one could hope for. He learned to use the doggy door within the first week.I have taught him to sit, lay down, shake, roll over, and recently stay. He never barks and seems to only chew up his toys and bras that I leave on the floor. He is super friendly and doesn't know a stranger. He also loves other dogs and could play all day long. He isn't as hyper as other puppies (well at least he is pretty chill here at home when other dogs aren't here).

Otis turned 7months over Thanksgiving and is about 50 pounds. Hopefully he won't get to much bigger!! Here are a few photos for your enjoyment.

Uptown Sampler!! Yum

A few months ago, some friends and I attended the Uptown Sampler tour. Seventeenth avenue in Uptown is considered restaurant row and I live right there! Several restaurants participated in the sampler tour and they even had a shuttle to take you to each place. Most places gave you a pretty good sample of several items they make. It was super fun and I wanted to review each place that we went.

Above the Rim - wine and liquor store. They have a great selection and were selling 2 for 1 bottles the night of he sampler. Friendly staff
Avenue Grill- Only had beef which was self serve. They didn't do a good job with their presentation and not interested in participating.
Castle Marne - This is actually a Bed and Breakfast that participated in the tour to get their name out there to everyone. The "castle" was built during the silver rush out here in Colorado and was sold several times until this family bought it and made it in what it is today. It was very cute inside but a little cluttered with antiques and wall hangings. They allowed us to tour some of the rooms and were serving wine.

Caveau Wine Bar - We did not go during the tour but we have been before for drinks and dinner. They only have wine and a small selection of beer. The food is good but a little pricey for a weekday dinner. The atmosphere was is chill and dark with modern touches. It is a nice place for a quiet happy hour.

D Bar Desserts - This restaurant is owned by the Food Network star/judge, Keegan Gerhard. "By day, D bar is a casual pastry shop/cafe - a great place to grab a bite from the pastry case or a menu, hang out or order a cake or pastries for a special occasion. At night it becomes more of a dessert and wine bar." This restaurant is my absolute favorite. The regular menu presents a twist on the old favorites like mac and cheese and sliders. The dessert menu is somewhat the same with traditional options but with a gourmet twist. During the tour they gave out dessert tasters that were phenomenal and Keegan was actually there handing out samples. They really went all out for the sampler. We were very impressed.
Grindhouse
Hamburger Mary's - By day, Mary's is a cool hamburger joint and by night there might just be a drag show that night. We started here first and they had several small hamburgers for you to try. They were very delicious.
The Horseshoe and Jonesy's EatBar - This is a divey, retro bar/eatery. We stopped by for the samples last and they had some awesome pizza and mac and cheese. Otherwise I have been there on a Friday night and it was super busy. I have also walked by during the day with Otis and the owner came out and greeted us and gave Otis a treat. I think she waits for cute dogs to walk by and give them treats. It was cute.
Las Margaritas - we didn't go and I still haven't been.
Limon - They had a nice spread of original Cuban food. It was really good. It was very nicely decorated inside and I think all of use wanted to go back.
Next Door Lounge - This was our type of bar. Divey enough but not too bad. There was a beer pong table set up and one GIANT TV. They also had a nice selection of homemade flavor vodka. The handed out some fried pickles and and sliders. We definitely need to make this our bar next door.
Pasquini's - They did it up! They had a guy outside serving their great pizza and selling wine and fat tire beer. They also had live music provided by Rob Drabkin. I found him amazing and bought one of his CD's. He reminds me of a mix of David Gray and Jason Maraz but with dreads. Check him out at www.robdrabkin.com
Strings - This is a fancier place that would be great to take your parents or on a date. They did a great job as well and had someone serving a pasta dish and a french toast based dessert. They also gave us coupons for a free mimosa!! whoo hoo.
Soul Haus - didn't go here
Steuben's - If you have visited me in Denver, you know that I have talked about this place and probably took you here. This is a type of modern diner with a great selection of your old favorites. They were once featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on Food network. I would recommend just about everything on the menu but from 2-6 everyday they have $1 sliders of various kinds including pulled pork, crab cake, burger, brisket, and veggie burgers. I also like to get the deviled eggs. Check them out here.
Tavern Uptown- This is a really fun sports bar. We didn't actually attend during the tour because I had been before but it is a cool hangout. They have a nice outdoor area with lots of tv's. It is a pretty young hangout as well. (not to self)
Wild Catch - didn't go here either but want to go.