College football time!

College football has returned. 

I mostly know this because of a certain person

with whom I reside...and share a last name.

Z lives & breathes college football;

he plays college football trivia games

(anybody need to know the size ranking

 of any college football stadium?), 

constantly reminds me to 'make my picks', 

listens for hours to college football talk radio,

and then, on GAME DAY, we have at least

3 games playing on various TVs & laptops.

So...yeah.

Luckily for Z, I enjoy some college football, too, 

especially when it comes to my Tigers.

But since Clemson is pretty far away, 

we decided to take advantage of living in a college town

& experience the local fan scene.

The evening before the first home game

was the Pearl Street Stampede, 

featuring an antique CU fire truck

carrying the 2001 championship team, 

and a parade with the current team

and marching band

that led the way to a pep rally.

On Saturday we rode our bikes to campus

to check out the game day atmosphere.

I have to say that my favorite part of CU football

is Ralphie, the live buffalo mascot!

CU didn't win, it was hot, and we got sunburned,

but I have to admit...

it was really, really fun.

I think I've missed college football, too.

(Just don't tell Z I said that.)

Oh yes, another hike!

Since moving to CO, 

I have realized that I really love hiking.

So far we haven't done any major hikes, 

but I have been looking up more

trails & convincing Z to explore with me.

On Saturday we did Lost Lake Trail, 

4 miles gaining around 800 ft. so we ended up

right about 10,000 ft elevation.

It was a gorgeous sunny day, 

but thankfully not too hot.

Look! We found the Lost Lake!

I heart nature.

Settling in...

Moving to a new place, 

Z starting a new job, 

more job hunting for me...

all of these things can be overwhelming & stressful, 

so it's a good thing we moved to a place

that's so darn pretty.

Here's a rainbow seen from our deck last week.

And a good friend from high school

that lives just an hour from here!

And scenes from a Saturday afternoon hike...

This is my favorite. The deer was getting really

annoyed with the birds landing on it.

Click on over to Flickr to see these photos bigger

& check out lots of others!

Oh what a beautiful morning..

For our 2nd Saturday here in CO, 

Z & I decided to explore a bit.

We woke up early & made our way to 

a trail head to catch the sun hitting

the mountains as it rose.

Z, of course, was there to run, 

but I brought my hiking boots &

camera and ventured along a different path.

What I found was mountains, plains, 

floating hot air balloons, deer, flora,

rainbows, cyclists, runners, 

and a train coming 'round the mountain.

Spectacular.

After our morning exercise, we were both ready to eat.

We indulged a bit by having a large breakfast

at The Buff.

Then we realized that the Saturday morning

farmer's market was going on just down the road, 

so we meandered through the tents

drooling over all the produce.

We picked up some tomatoes, mushrooms & cantaloupe, 

but I couldn't resist snapping

this stunning display of jewel-toned beets!

Oh what a beautiful day.

We are here!

Quick update:

We made it to CO

& are settling into the new place.

I don't have photos from the trip

because

1. Z drove the whole 1st day, 

which means that we didn't stop much.

 2. Z ate something bad & got really sick,

meaning I drove the whole 2nd day.

Thus, no pics.

So instead, here's some photos of Z watering

the lawn in Cali for the last time, 

and some new friends we made along the path 

near our new place.

Colorado nature

Just a few shots from my recent trip to Colorado.

There were rabbits & other wildlife everywhere!

We took a short trip up into the mountains

for lunch one day.

We ended up in the adorable town of Nederland,

where we ate delectable dishes

at The Savory Cafe.

I got to shoot a few pics of the area before we

headed back to Boulder.

We are moving early next week, 

so I'm busy with packing, 

but look for more pics soon from Colorado!

Road Trippin'

Last week my mama flew to CA to take a road trip with me.

Our mission was to find a place for Z & I to live in CO, 

where Z has gotten a new job.

But instead of taking the quickest route, 

we decided to take advantage of the opportunity

to visit places we'd never been.

Just like Thelma & Louise

(minus the guns, murder, theft, Wild Turkey, 

and the whole driving over a cliff thing)

we set out for an adventure!

We found out that the name Grand Canyon

is a bit of an understatement, 

and know that we will have to return some day

when we have more than 2 1/2 hours.

Then we made our way through

the Painted Desert, Monument Valley, 

and past Arches NP before

heading over the Colorado mountains.

Love this shot Mama took of the arch

out the car window!

It was such an awesome trip

seeing part of this country I had never seen, 

laughing and talking with my mama,

and getting to know our new home.

Click on the Flickr link on the sidebar...
there are tons more photos from the trip!

Running in the heat

Last night Z ran in another race, 

even though it was still at least 100 degrees.

It was part of a summer series of races

where your time in the first race

determines your start time in the following races.

I ran the first one, but wasn't crazy hardcore

enough to run when it was so hot, 

so I just brought along my camera.

Anyway, since Z was a top finisher in the first race, 

he was one of the last racers to start last night, 

meaning that he had to spend the whole 5k

passing slower folks who started before him.

Here he is wondering if this is such a good idea, after all.

And....he's off!

Here's a long line of runners/walkers

making their way to the finish.

As if the heat isn't enough punishment, 

the course ends on an uphill.

(And no, I have no idea why that guy

is dressed as a ninja.)

And finally, with the sunset comes a little relief.

Challah recipe!

Ok, dear friends, 

here is my challah recipe, 

as given to me by my father.

(Thanks, Dad!)

Ingredients (Makes 2 loaves)

Group A:  2 Tbsp yeast

                4 tsp sea salt

                  3/4 cup honey

                          1 3/4 cup hot water

                Group B: 2 cups all-purpose flour

           Group C: 1 1/4 cup canola oil

                                3 eggs (lightly whisked)

                    Group D: 5-6 cups all-purpose flour

     Group E: 1 egg (for wash)

Instructions: 

(I prefer to to this by hand/fork/wooden spoon.)

Mix together Group A & let sit for about 5 minutes.

Mix in Group B until incorporated, then stir in Group C.

Start adding flour from Group D to mixture 1 cup at a time until 

it forms a sticky dough.

Start kneading the dough in the bowl (you can turn it out

onto a floured surface if that is easier for you), adding flour as needed

until dough becomes an elastic ball.

Cover & let dough rise in a large bowl until doubled.

Punch down.

Divide dough into 6 equal portions & roll into smooth strands/snakes

about 12 inches long. (Just like playing with Play-Doh!)

Take 3 strands & place them parallel to each other

& vertically to you |||

*Important*

Start your braid in the middle of the strand.

I know it sounds weird, but it will make the braid

more even & your loaves will turn out much better!

Starting in the middle, braid one side of loaf & then the other.

Tuck ends under the loaf.

Repeat with second set of 3 dough strands.

Place braided dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, 

cover and let rise until doubled again.

Whisk 3 eggs from Group E & brush onto the doubled loaves, 

covering as much as possible of the tops & sides.

Position oven rack in the middle of the oven & bake for approximately 

50 minutes at 350 degrees. 

This will vary according to your oven, so be sure to 

check on the bread while baking.

I typically rotate the pan for more even baking. 

When done, the top should be golden brown (not too dark). 

This bread is definitely time intensive, 

but so delicious that it is absolutely worth it!

(If you want to cut down on time, 

quick-rise yeast works just fine for this.)

I hope you enjoy and let me know if you have any questions!