Copper Mountain x2

It was back to Copper Mountain this weekend. Tearah and Gardito tried snowboarding - both signed up for a lesson. Unfortunately Tearah fractured her wrist near the end of the day. The orthopedic surgeon that happened to be on our shuttle back to the parking lot took a look at the x-rays and assured her it was minor and would be fine in a couple of weeks. But she does have to wear a bright green cast. We stopped at Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs on the way back - good mussels.

Denver Restaurant Week - Vita

Denver Restaurant week was extended a week. I tried Vita up on the north side of town next to another restaurant I really like, Lola. The highlight of the dinner was the dessert, Banana infused bread pudding with almond ice cream. I'll have to go back in the summer when I can sit outside and enjoy the view.

Swimming

I'm taking a swimming class 2x/wk at the Lone Tree Recreation Center. This picture actually is the pool - you can't see the swim lanes to the far right. The instructor writes out different workouts and gives us drills. It's been so long since I've done organized swimming. I really enjoy it.

Copper Mtn

My favorite month to go snowboarding is February (before spring breakers, and weather is normally warmer). I had almost let the whole month slip by - so at least I caught the last day. The conditions were excellent - sunny, powder/packed powder - I couldn't have picked a better day.

Parallel 17

I tried Parallel Seventeen Restaurant (modern Vietnamese food). It's a very tiny restaurant on 17th avenue. The calamari had won a best bites from 5280 magazine, and it is very good. I was disappointed with what I ordered for the main course - it was tasty but $24 for 3 scallops is ridiculous.

Duo Restaurant

Megan and I tried a restaurant listed in 5280 magazine, Duo Restaurant in the highlands area of Denver. The exotic mushrooms appetizer was very good. I also liked the ambiance.

Nuggets

I attended the Nuggets vs. Bobcats game. I got to see Eileen's favorite Charlotte player, Morrison. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, they trailed behind the entire game.

Colorado Mammoth

I attended a Colorado Mammoth game at the Pepsi Center. I was surprised how many fans support lacrosse. I think it is because you can get better seats cheaper then a basketball or hockey game. Watching hockey is much more exciting.

Marco's Coal-Fired Pizzeria

I tried one of 5280's best new restaurants, Marco's Coal-Fired Pizzeria. It was good, but I don't know if it beats Osteria Marco in Larimer Square.

Charlotte Bobcats

During the Christmas holiday, Suzanne and I drove up to Charlotte to attend a Bobcats game with Shawn and Eileen. They have access to awesome seats right behind the Bobcats team. Here Suzanne and I got a picture with the mascot, Rufus.

Venice

A great way to pass the time when it's negative 10 outside - build a 1580 piece 3D puzzle! I had seen this on Amazon months ago and thought I might try it. Then when I tried to buy it, I saw that the company Wrebbit had been bought out by Hasbro 2 yrs ago, and they were discontinuing all of their 3D puzzles. You can't find them in stores anymore, so I got this one on eBay. You actually build it in two parts and then push the two together.

Cross-Country Skiing and Wii

Joan, Ellen, Eileen, Shawn and I went up to Frisco to cross-country ski. We had a guest join us near the beginning of the trip. It was a dog named Barley. He followed us the entire time and as we went along the trail from those we passed we heard his owner was looking for him. He was a very friendly dog that made our trip fun although perhaps could use a little training so he doesn't wander away from his owner.

Ellen was festive with her reindeer ears. After the skiing we went to the Frisco favorite, the Butterhorn Bakery. This time I had the grilled cheese and pasta salad which were excellent.

We spent the afternoon at Ellen's place trying out her Nintendo Wii. We tried guitar hero and then various sports. Here Eileen and Joan are playing tennis. It was entertaining and the boxing could be a good arm workout.

Eileen and Shawn Visit

Eileen and Shawn visited this weekend. We went to Red Rocks and then toured the Coors Brewery. The Coors tour is self-guided so we were able to go right in when we arrived. Eileen's making this face in the picture below because she didn't like the smell of the hops.

We planned to go to Eileen's favorite, Cru, for a pre-dinner drink but it was closed for a private party so we went across Larimer street to a champaign bar Corridor 44. The cheese plate was good and Ellen's champaign flight was good too. Megan, Stephen and Joan then joined us for dinner at Baur's Restaurant.

Thanksgiving

I spent Thanksgiving at my co-worker Tearah's place with her husband and two of her friends from grad school. I also put up my Christmas decorations - which means decorating the fireplace.

Lala's

Restaurants are always changing in Denver. In 2005, I went to a place called Sparrow for dinner. It was excellent, but I guess not good enough to last. A new restaurant called Lala's has taken its place. I tried it last night and wasn't impressed. The pizza is decently priced so who knows...it might do well as a local neighborhood restaurant.

Madame Butterfly

Megan and I attended the opera and saw Madame Butterfly. It is a tragic opera by Puccini. We had dinner prior to the opera at Osteria Marco in Larimer Square. I had eaten there before. We split a butterscotch bread pudding for dessert that was excellent.

Cooking Class

Mom will be happy that I finally made it to a cooking class. Mythili and I took the Thanksgiving Sides class at Kitchen Table. We made green bean casserole, maple sweet potatoes, wild rice dressing, potato-fennel gratin and orange cranberry sauce. It was evident from this class that my next one should definitely be a knife skills class.

Beatrice and Woodsley

I had drinks at a new restaurant in Denver, Beatrice and Woodsley. It has a very interesting decor. It has Aspen trees from floor to ceiling, lanterns, and chainsaws holding up the bar shelves. I only had the cheese plate, but I'd like to go back and try the other small plates. It is also interesting to go to a restaurant where figuring out where the bathroom door is and how to turn on the water is a challenge.

Brie and Bryan's Wedding

I attended Brie and Bryan's wedding this weekend at Something Special in Newnan, GA. The weather couldn't have been better for an outdoor wedding. Also, the most creative groom's cake I've seen.

Lots of Luncheons

I suppose one of the perks of being a fellow is when our CEO gets invited to events and execs are busy with Joint Commission accrediting the hospital - you get to fill the table. I attended 2 luncheons this week ironically held at the same location downtown and MCed by the same news anchor. The first was the ColoradoBiz Magazine top companies award luncheon. The hospital won the healthcare category.

The next luncheon was for the newly formed Colorado Legacy Foundation founded by the Colorado Department of Education. The event was the Commissioner's Cup luncheon to recognize success of 39 schools. A former Colorado governor who is extremely passionate about education and the current governor spoke at the event.