Greta’s Challenge

Posted on June 14, 2023 by blbarker2

Rolling over in bed on Sunday morning was difficult, my body was stiff and sore. I could tell by the morning light filtering in the window that it was later than usual for me to get up. But, I just couldn’t get my body moving and my eyes to focus. I think, the altitude, time difference and my week in Denver with Greta and Nick had finally caught up to me. My, week long, trip to Denver was fantastic, it was packed full of adventures, good restaurants and visiting with friends and family, but I was happy to be home and in my own bed. I was looking forward to calm, restful, week to catchup on just about everything.

It was a little after lunch when I got the text from Greta challenging me to a fitness competition. Over the past several years we have had 4 fitness competition and our score was 2 victories for Greta and 2 for me – this was going to be the tie breaker.

Our watches keeps track of the points and the rules are.
+ you get 1 point for every percentage point of your goals.
+ maximum points per day 600.
+ length 7 days

MY GOALS – in the 3 areas were;
Move – 1,200 Calories per day
Exercise – 50 minutes per day
Stand – 12 hours per day

On Wednesday, of the competition, I had an appointment to get my car serviced and I knew, I couldn’t afford to lose the several hours it was going to take to get the service done. So, I brought my backpack with the camel water bladder so I could walk the parking lot – I ended up with 5.4 miles and was able to get my 600 points on Wednesday, even though it took 4 hours for the service.

Greta and I ended in a tie – same 4,200 points each – but I was proud of my weekly numbers and not sure I could duplicate again. My fitness numbers starting Monday morning and ending Sunday night;

12,380	Calories Total
1,768	Average Calories per day
128,325	Total Steps
60.48	Miles Walked
125.2	Miles Biked
67	Flights Climbed
25.4	Hours exercised

At any age, it’s important to keep moving and this competition was a great motivator and just what I needed to recover from my trip to Denver – thanks, Greta!

Greta’s Greek Bread #44 and # 45

Posted on June 12, 2023 by blbarker2

Greta suggested I make a Greek style bread with Feta cheese and olives. I hesitant to make it at first but then the idea of substituting the olives with sun-dried tomatoes appealed to me. So I decided to experiment, here is my recipe.

300 grams of Bob’s Artisan Flour – any AP unbleached flour will work
100 grams of whole wheat flour.
1 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 cup of feta cheese crumbled
1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes – chopped
** 3/4 teaspoon of yeast – if you let it rise over night – 12 to 18 hours.
** 1 package of instant yeast if you only have 3 or 4 hours to let it rise.
1-1/4 cups of water – room temperature.

Directions
– Mix the flours, sugar, salt and yeast in a large mixing bowl.
– Crumble the feta, chop the sun-dried tomatoes and pat dry with paper towel.
– Add the feta and sun-dried tomatoes to the dry ingredients and stir until well coated.
– Slowly stir in the water. Cover and let rise – depending on the yeast you used.
Baking – Preheat oven and Dutch oven to 450 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes at 450, with the lid of the Dutch oven, then reduce temperature to 399 degree and bake 10 more minutes. Then, remove the lid and bake for another 12 to 15 minutes to allow the bread to get crusty.

Greta’s Greek Bread with sun-dried tomatoes.

I think this bread turned out very good. Next time however, I substitute Kalamata olives for the sun-dried tomatoes and add a tablespoon of dried oregano.

Walnut & Raisin Bread – Loaf #45

At 11AM on Saturday morning I decided I needed a bread for breakfast for Sunday brunch. I knew I was going to go on a long bike ride Sunday morning so I needed to bake it Saturday night. So, I used a package of instant yeast and let it rise for about 5-1/2 hours. This bread tasted better after being toasted, was not sweet and very dense – weighted 853 grams(1.88 lbs.) after it was baked.

Ingredients
– 250 grams of Bob’s Artisan Flour – any All-Purpose flour would work.
– 65 grams of ground oats – I ground my own in a old coffee grounder.
– 85 grams of whole wheat flour.
– 1 teaspoon salt.
– 1 teaspoon walnut oil
– 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.
– 1 tablespoon sugar – next time I’ll use brown sugar.
– 1 tablespoon ground flax seed – I think, I will leave out next time.
– 1 cup organic raisins
– 1 cup walnuts – chopped.
– 1 package of instant yeast.
– 1-1/4 cups of room temperature water.

Directions
– Mix the flours, sugar, salt and yeast in a large mixing bowl.
– Add the raisins and walnuts to the dry ingredients and stir until well coated.
– Slowly stir in the water. Cover and let rise – depending on the yeast you used.
Baking – Preheat oven and Dutch oven to 450 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes at 450, with the lid of the Dutch oven, then reduce temperature to 399 degree and bake 10 more minutes. Then, remove the lid and bake for another 12 to 15 minutes to allow the bread to get crusty.

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.