Happy Easter

We had a quiet Easter this year. After mass in Black Forest we drove up to Denver and met Tyler and Lauren for a brunch (linner) at the Fresh Fish Co.  The company was great, the food was fair.  We missed seeing Val, Eric, Mere, and Tim.

Breck

I've just returned from a couple of days in Breckinridge.  A friend of mine has a timeshare that is slopeside and invited our book club up to ski and relax.  Ski in/ski out is great!  We ate out, skied, hot tubbed, and went into town via the gondola.  We all had a nice time and the weather was great too!

Scary.................

This past week a man in the neighborhood across the street was shot as he opened his front door.  I learned about it when checking the internet before going to bed.  It happened about 8:30 pm.  We have friends who live in that neighborhood.  I checked again  when I got up early the next day.  He was the Exec. Dir. of the Dept. of Corrections for the state of Colorado.  So sad............and wondering what would have happened if his wife had opened the door.  I think the killer murdered a pizza guy in Golden the previous weekend and used his jacket to act like a pizza guy when he killed the man in Monument.  I would think somebody with the victim's job would have camera's outside his home or live in a gated community (not that that would help).  Everyone in the community and state is worked up and concerned for his family at this time..................................

Trying to find a good restaurant.........................

     We've had a rash of bad restaurant experiences lately.  Maybe it's because we are getting older but I think we may be becoming pickier too.  Another thought that might contribute is the fact that one of our favorite shows is Top Chef and we tend to critique food now like the judges.  A couple of weeks ago we went to Carlos Miguels. We had been there a time or two before and I was not impressed even though some friends seem to like it.  I think that if you order a cocktail you should be able to tell that you've had a little alcohol after finishing the drink.  Not so........  After a disappointing meal I felt the need to go to the web site and voice my opinion.  We've had no response from the restaurant.
     Last evening we decided to try a new  New Mexican place in Palmer Lake..............even though friends had not given a good report.  Again, not good.  Weak margarita's, bland food, and a chile relleno stuffed with potatoes instead of cheese.  We told the waitress that the salsa was bland and she said she has had that feedback before!  When asking her about the potato stuffing in the pablano chile she said she had never heard of that before either.  We filled out the comment card and Arn went online to urbanspoon and wrote a review but we probably won't hear from them either.
      Today Mom and I went to have a reuben at a deli.....................wow, guess we have to go to Denver for a deli.  The 'deli' we tried was like a low end Panera Bread with ok food but not like a New York Deli.  I wrote a review on urbanspoon again but probably won't get feedback.
         A year or so ago we went to a fine dining place in Manitou Springs and had a fair meal.  Again gave them feedback and never heard from them.
        I guess we live in an area of  'plain' eaters who are happy eating at chains.  Even when the results for 'Best of' comes out.................Red Lobster always wins for the seafood place!
      

Bogs!

Arn and I were recently able to get some new boots through a good friend of ours who is a traveling shoe salesman and we got a great deal too. Bogs are my new favorite boots.  They are very warm and comfortable.  Arn got plain black ones with the same type of pull on feature. I really like the cute floral colors. I really don't mind shoveling snow but these make it even more enjoyable.  They will also work with my snowshoes.  Expecting another snowstorm tonight and tomorrow.

Grandma goes on a snow walk...............

 We had a good snow last week (11 inches).  I went cross country skiing in the neighborhood one day for about an hr. and 45 min. and then Arn and I went over to the golf course for about 1 1/2 hr.  After getting the driveway all shoveled I took Mom on a short snow walk to fill the bird feeders.  She really enjoyed getting out in the snow.

Ski Trip with Dougans - CB

Clyde enjoying the snow walk up Trapper's Crossing on our day off.

We had a great long weekend with the Dougans in Crested Butte.  The first two days were sunny and bluebird days.  We took a day off and took a snow hike with Clyde.  On the last day we had 11 inches of fresh powder.  All in all a fun time.  Wishing Val, Eric, Lauren, and Tyler could have joined us.