Celebrating Greta’s 35th Birthday: A Backyard Extravaganza with Dancing Paws!

Posted on June 10, 2023 by blbarker2

Greta, a lover of joy and the outdoors, recently celebrated her 35th birthday in style with a backyard party. Surrounded by the company of her closest friends, family and their furry companions, Greta’s special day was marked by laughter, music and a touch of DIY magic. Her husband, Nick, went above and beyond by constructing and dazzling dance floor that set the stage for an unforgettable evening.

Greta and Nick putting the final touches on dance floor.

Greta’s backyard transformed into a lively and festive gathering spot, adorned with new outdoor lights, teak torches and the unmistakable scent of delicious food wafting through the air. The guest list included: Tara, Boone, Jamie, Matt, Virginia, Charles, Christine, Mike, Erin, Nick, Aaron, + one, Riley, Drennan, Jenn, Taylor, Leah, Bruce, Greta and Nick.

Aaron, + one, Mike, Nick, Erin and Drennan

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the gathering, the party came alive with music that filled the air. Nick’s handcrafted dance floor took center stage, and ode to Greta’s love for dancing.

Throughout the evening, the guests indulged in a sumptuous feast of delectable treats and tantalizing beverages. Menu items included mouthwatering chicken parmesan and beef sliders, brats, and a watermelon burrata salad – no taste buds went unsatisfied.

Amidst the dancing and laughter, the presence of seven dogs added an extra element of whimsy and companionship. They ran here and there, playing and chasing each other, bringing smiles and warmth to the celebration.

Isla watching and waiting for her furry friends to arrive to the party.

As the evening drew to a close, Greta found herself surrounded by the love and laughter of those who mean the most to her. The dance floor, built with love by her husband Nick, stood as a symbol of their enduring partnership and dedication to creating magical moments together/ Greta’s 35th birthday celebration was an embodiment of her spirit, showcasing her zest for life, her love for others, and the beauty of shared experiences.

Here’s to Greta, a remarkable soul who continues to inspire and spread joy. May her backyard birthday party serve as a reminder to embrace the simple pleasures, dance like nobody’s watching and cherish the company of loved ones – both human and furry – every step of the way. Happy birthday, Greta!

And now the dance floor belongs to Isla – thanks dad!

Hiking the Beaver Brook Trail in Golden Colorado

Posted on June 8, 2023 by blbarker2

Nestled in the scenic foothills of the Rockies, Golden, Colorado boasts an abundance of natural wonders and thrilling hiking trails. The Beaver Brook Trail stands out as a true hiking paradise. The trail spans approximately 7.6 miles, inviting hikers to immerse themselves ia a tapestry of rugged beauty.

Greta, Isla and I started on this trail about 9AM on Friday morning. It was my second and last hike for this trip and I was really looking forward to it. The morning was beautiful with blue skies and temperatures in the upper 60’s.

While the Beaver brook trail is undeniably scenic, it’s important to note that it is considered a moderately difficult hike due to its steep sections and rocky terrain. Greta and I could tell by the mud on the trail that the area had a heavy rain recently and the rocks on were very slippery.

Two miles into our hike we met Eve and Donna on the trail – two elderly, experienced hikers. Eve had just slipped of the edge of steep rocky embankment and was flat on her back 15 feet below. The embankment was too steep to get to Eve from the top, but because we on a switchback trail Greta was able to reach Eve from the lower part of the trail. After making sure Eve was okay to sit up Greta got her up and down to the trail. Her arm was bleeding, she hit her head on some rocks during her fall and she got dizzy while trying to stand. Donna was able to bandage her arm and after drinking some water Eve was able to stand without getting dizzy.

After Eve felt good enough to continue hiking Greta and carried Eve’s pack pack and we hiked with them back to parking lot to make sure they were alright. About a half mile into our 2 mile hike to the parking lot a thunderstorm came up out of nowhere. The rain came down hard, turned into hail and the temperature dropped from 68 degrees to 48 in a matter of minutes.

Greta and I found out first hand that proper foot wear, ample water, snacks, hiking poles, first aid kits and rain gear are recommended to ensure your safety and enhance your hiking experience. I’m looking forward to coming back someday to finish the Beaver Brook Trail.

Denver Restaurants

Posted on June 7, 2023 by blbarker2

Denver, Colorado is a vibrant city with a thriving culinary scene that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences and could hardly wait to get tasting. I wanted to start my trip by experiencing the light train from the airport to the historic Union Station in downtown Denver. The trip cost $10.50 and it was pleasant experience that showed me a different side of Denver. I met Greta at Union Station and was ready for a late lunch and my dive into the Denver culinary scene.

Stoic and Genuine – Denver’s iconic multi-coastal seafood, oyster house and granita bar. Serves up a mouthwatering modern take on sustainable seafood that is sometimes innovative and sometimes classic, but always fresh. Located in the historic Union Station.

Finley’s Irish Pub and Eatery – A Washington Park pub featuring craft beer and an elevated homemade pub menu. We ate here the night that I arrived in Denver, May 28, 2023 – it was the one year anniversary of Pam’s death. Nick manages the pub and was working that night. The pub was fairly busy, Greta and I sat at the bar and laughed and cried over stories of Pam – and Nick was never too far away to give out a hug when we needed one.

The Cookery at Myrtle Hill – is located on South Gaylord Street, near Washington Park, alone with many other small businesses. We decided to have lunch there, but didn’t realize until we started to park that there was a ‘Kickoff to Summer’ festival going on and the restaurant was packed with a waiting list. There was however, three empty stools at the bar which were, first come, first serve so we got in and out fairly quickly.

Joy Hill Denver – Wood fired, naturally leavened pizza featuring local ingredients and house made mozzarella. Tara one of Greta’s good friends joined us for dinner, which was good, because it enabled us to order and sample more from the fabulous menu. The fun night didn’t stop there because Christine another of Greta’s many friends wanted to to meet up for drinks afterward so we all went to the rooftop bar – The Irish

Beet and Feta Salad and Burrata & Roasted Carrots

Uno Mas Taqueria – is a restaurant located at 730 East 6th Avenue Denver. They serve elevated street tacos, appetizers, tortas, small batch artisanal tequilas and classic Mexican desserts. Greta and I went here for her birthday lunch.

Duo – is one of Denver’s original local and farm to table restaurants A warm favorite place to dine with amazing fresh food. Greta, Nick and I dined here on Thursday evening June 1. We ordered several small plates and one main dish all of which we shared. Greta and I just had to try some of the desserts, but we held it to 2.

Bacon wrapped Asparagus – french onion feta, porched farm egg, green chermoula

Buttermilk Fried Rabbit – red rice, smoked dijon, house pickle

Potager – means kitchen garden. They follow no style or school of cooking. Their unifying theme is that of being immensely satisfying, locally sourced and seasonally driven. They were spot on when Greta and I went on Friday night, my last night in Denver. We didn’t get a chance to eat lunch so went early with no reservations. They were able to seat us right away and we had a fabulous meal.

arugula salad – toasted seed, mint, scallion, lemon cream

G & N Kitchen – Tucked away in the Washington Park neighborhood sits the Greta and Nick kitchen. The kitchen is small but that doesn’t stop their culinary creativity. A dinner party for 6 adults and 3 children, with chicken kababs, orzo salad and strawberry ice cream cookies, no problem. A dinner birthday party for 22 with chicken parmesan sliders, beef sliders, brats and a watermelon burrata salad, no problem.

Donna, Emma, Greta, Nick, Chis, Ophelia, Christy and Louise.

Exploring the Elephant Butte Trail

Posted on June 6, 2023 by blbarker2

Nestled in the picturesque town of Evergreen, Colorado, the Alderfer Three sister Park is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts seeking breathtaking natural beauty and exhilarating hiking opportunities.

The Elephant Butte Trail, named after a distinctive rock formation resembling an elephant’s head, offers a perfect blend of captivating views and a moderately challenging hike. With a distance of about 5.2 miles (round trip from parking area) and an evaluation gain of about 1,200 feet to an altitude of about 8,600 ft. This trail offered Greta and I the perfect opportunity to immerse ourselves in this beautiful park with out overwhelming this old guy.

As you begin your journey along the Elephant Butte Trail, you will find yourself surrounded by a rich tapestry of diverse landscapes. The trail winds through towering pine forests, lush meadows adorned with wildflowers and rocky outcrops that provide panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

As you ascend to higher elevations, the trail rewards you with breathtaking vistas. From the vantage point of the top of Elephant Butte you can catch glimpses of snow-covered peaks, rolling hills, and the shimmering waters of Evergreen Lake.

Before embarking on your hike, it’s essential to come prepared, Dress in layers to adapt to changing weather conditions, wear sturdy hiking boots, (lots of rocks) and don’t forget plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized throughout your trek. Greta made sure I stayed hydrated, reminding me every 15 minutes to take a sip from my camelback water container.

The Elephant Butte Trail in the Alderfer Three Sisters Park was the perfect choice for my first hike in Colorado. It’s scenic beauty, diverse landscape and manageable distance made it possible for me to reconnect with nature – I highly recommend this trail.

Left-Over Chicken Breast

Posted on May 26, 2023 by blbarker2

Leftover chicken breasts can be a versatile ingredient for creating a delicious meal. You can use it in sandwiches, salads or even wraps. But, reheating can be tricky. If the chicken was cooked properly to begin with reheating can dry it out and make it tough and rubbery.

I wanted a good healthy meal but had to use the ingredients on-hand. I decided to gently heat the chicken in a morphed piccata sauce and serve it over some blanched zucchini noodles.

4 garlic cloves -minced
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons of butter (unsalted)
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pepper – to taste
2-1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice
3 Tablespoons of caper with juice
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Sauté the garlic in a medium sized pan in the olive oil for 2 or 3 minutes. When the garlic starts to turn brown add the butter. When the butter has melted slowly whisk in the the flour. Cook the butter, flour mixture on low heat heat for 2 or 3 minutes. Then slowly whisk in the heavy cream and chicken stock. Let it come to a slow boil for a couple of minutes. Then add the lemon juice, capers and finally the parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes or so. Turn the heat off and add the sliced up chicken breast.
Zucchini Noodles – I put the noodles in a bowl with a tablespoon of chicken stock and microwaved on high for 45 seconds.