Adventures & Addictions

First...  Some photographic memories....

Random night out to Comedy Works...

Where we met Brian Posehn after the show.  :0)

More from Beer Fest!

Steve (Nancy's dad) & Nancy

Nancy in line for beer tasting.  "Next line!  Next line!"

Laura's showing off some of her beer swag.

After many beers, Nancy felt the need to commune with the telephone poll.

Sunday

Well, supposedly, Nancy and I had agreed to swap Day 11 for Day 8 and put off the Addiction Free Day until a weekend.  But, I for one did not adhear.  I was doing okay on no caffine until I walked out my front door and found this:

That's right.  My entire appartment complex was vandelized with paint, glitter and feathers.  It looks like Mardi Gras threw up on my front porch.  That's when I decided "screw it" and bought myself a coffee.  I also then stressed my desire to move to my mom and Nancy.  This was just the icing on the cake.  DO NOT MOVE INTO One Dartmouth Place Apartments!

The rest of the day was spent with Nancy and I random driving all over the mountains.  We went to Genesee Park, Idaho Springs, Winter Park, Granby, Grand Lake, Estes Park, Boulder, and everything in between - All because we didn't want to hit traffic headed East on I-70.  We took a 5-hour longcut over the continental divide.  We're awesome like that.  Check out what the drive accross Trail Ridge Road (aka Hwy 34) was like!  Apparently, it is the highest continuously paved highway in the US; the summit was at 12,183 feet above sea level!

Spork It All!

Found this and thought it was hilarious.

In other news, I chatted with a nice lady I've seen in the building but never spoken to.  We were in the elevator and talking about how much we hate it when people either don't hold the elevator at all, or when they try to hold an already quite full elevator for you...  It's like a no win.  Technically, chatting with a stranger was Day 11, but Nancy and I agreed to swap Day 8 and 11 around.  I need coffee on week days.

Dinner went okay last night.  Dessert was a bit of a dud, but the artichoke came out amazing!  So, here's my recipe:

What ingredients and supplies you will need:
1 artichoke
1 lemon
1 garlic bulb
3 bay leaves
thyme
yellow mustard
mayonnaise
ranch dressing
salt
pepper
1 large pot
2 bowls
tongs
garlic press
spoon
fork
plate
kitchen sheers

Artichoke:
In a large pot, add enough water to mostly cover the artichoke, 4 whole garlic cloves, 3 bay leaves, and half a lemon - Set to a boil.
Rinse your artichoke and take a knife to cut off the top inch of the head and the bottom half inch of the stem.
Next, use sheers to cut all the points off the exterior leaves.
Now add your prepared artichoke to your pot and let it boil for about 45 minutes turning it over occasionally with tongs, or until you can easy stick a fork in the tougher leaves.

Dip:
Mix all of the following together in a small bowl and chill.
1/3 cup mayonnaise (or Vegannaise)
1/2 tablespoon ranch dressing
1/2 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon olive oil
juice from 1/2 a lemon
4 fresh crushed garlic cloves
1 solid pinch of thyme (dried is just fine)
salt & pepper to taste

When the artichoke is done, place on a plate with the sauce on the side and remember an empty bowl for the discarded leaves.  Trust me, this is both simple and awesomely tasty!


~ Laura