Ultimate Denver Date Night: Sullivan’s Steakhouse and Cirque du Soleil

Despite an awesome summer, Jamie and I haven’t been on a date night since May so when we were offered tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna, we were all-in. Jamie’s sister Lisa generously invited the kiddos for a sleepover, giving us the freedom to do whatever the heck we wanted for however long. So, what did we do?

We ate. And ate. And ate.  We tried out Sullivan’s Steakhouse for the first time in downtown Denver and it won’t be our last. In addition to awesome filet mignon (and a roasted red pepper truffle butter I’m still dreaming about)….

….we inhaled Sullivan’s seasonal chilled seafood sampler for two with cracked lobster claws, huuuge cocktail shrimp, oysters in a half shell, jumbo lunch crabmeat and an avocado habanero salsa.

Oh, and I won’t mention the coconut cream pie with white chocolate shavings or the warm cast iron wild berry crumble we had for dessert. Let’s just say it was a good thing I did boot camp at Red Rocks that morning.

Then, it was off to Cirque du Soleil. I believe this is my fourth Cirque production and if you’ve never been, I’d highly recommend it (this, coming from non-artsy folks).

Amaluna was whimsical, thrilling, artistic and oh-so beautifully set on a  mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. The stunts and choreography were enthralling and it was the perfect place to reconnect as a couple.

As were the bathrooms. The unisex stalls were set outside so as I was doing my business, Jamie reached under and grabbed my leg, nearly giving me a heart attack.

I learned the reason why men and women’s bathrooms are usually separate.

Another thing we loved about Cirque was how interactive it was. At one point, one of the performers walked up to Jamie (who was sitting on an aisle seat), cuddled up to him and purred, “Daddy.”

And with a look like that, who could blame him.

Colorado’s Best-kept Secret: Chautauqua in Boulder

I have extensively traveled throughout Colorado since moving here 10 years ago—from soaring the state’s 14,000-foot peaks to its gleaming lakes. Through it all, one of my favorite destinations is just 20 minutes from my house: Chautauqua.

Located at the base of the Flatiron mountains in Boulder, this National Historic Landmark has charming rental cottages that are surrounded on three sides with open space. Its 48 miles of hiking trails and thousands of acres of natural lands beg to be explored.

I had been living in Colorado less than a year when I hiked Chautauqua’s Enchanted-Mesa Trail with my daughter and I was, well, enchanted. After my hike, I explored the grounds and was smitten by the newly

CLICK TO READ ON AT TRAVEL MAMAS

One Romantic Evening–Celebrating 10 Years

Ten years. Our first major milestone since getting married and it seemed worthy of celebration.  At first, we decided upon a trip and I’ve long been obsessed with Nepal. But since we don’t have $10,000+ to drop (though this REI trip is still at the TOP of my bucket list), we decided we’d go to Mexico when my childhood BBF Allison announced she was getting married next month. But then we subscribed to every fare alert out there and realized we just couldn’t afford it right now (sob) and so here we are in Denver.

I had grand plans leading up to our anniversary that included a 10-day countdown with notes and presents. I did something similar our first Christmas together but then everyone got sick (including myself late last week) so survival became the new celebration standard.

Oh, how the great have fallen.

But it was still memorable. Jamie’s sister Lisa generously took the kids so we had a full night and Jamie plotted to take us to the Briarwood Inn restaurant, where he originally popped the question. The second time, that is. Though I said “yes” the first time, a girl dreams of her engagement and getting proposed via email just ain’t it.

I’d been battling a cold for a couple of days and an hour before we were supposed to leave, I–fresh from a shower and still in my bathrobe–took one look at our warzone-of-a-house (three weeks of illness will do that) and started cleaning. And cleaning. I figured Jamie could just take the kids over to Lisa’s at 4:45 p.m. and I could leisurely get ready–after all, our reservation wasn’t until 6:15 p.m. Ten minute before he was supposed to leave, Jamie came upstairs and freaked out. “Why are you not ready? We have to leave! You are coming with me to drop off the kids so get dressed and put on your make-up, NOW!”

I knew something was up so begrudgingly went to get ready. A few minutes later, I heard him call, “We have to go!” I raced downstairs, flew out the door and there was my white chariot!
My sweet husband had recreated our engagement night to the fullest, even renting a limo that he had scored for $60 via Living Social.

The kids were out. Of. Their. Gourd. I was so excited he had the foresight in his planning to have the limo take them to their sleepover at Aunt Lisa’s, grab her and even loop around the block. He left no stone unturned and had brought Sparkling Apple-Pomegranate Martinelli’s and put together a CD of our favorite songs including our wedding song, Sting’s “When We Danced.” “No wonder Daddy was so bossy trying to make you get ready!” Hadley mused as she stretched herself out in her seat, settling into a life she thinks she was born to live. Bode was darling. “This is 1X better than the WiiU!” he exclaimed.

We’re still working on multiplication but I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he meant at least 2X better.

“If I sold cookie dough, I would have ridden in this!” he continued. I didn’t pursue this one, either. It’s a sore subject in our house that I refuse to sucker our friends into buying the school’s sub-par cookie dough and instead write them a check. A check not big enough for the grand prize of riding in a limo.

As the kids bounced around from seat-to-seat, Jamie and I cuddled up, reflecting upon this beautifully imperfect life we’ve been fortunate to build and how much it has changed in 10 years. After dropping off the kids, Jamie had mapped out a long detour that stretched along the foothills that were on pink fire that evening. I marveled that these landscapes had been so foreign to me during that first limo ride and now I knew every trail and climb. Quite simply, they are home.

Upon arriving at the Briarwood Inn, I noticed Jamie’s car in the lot–a kindly gentleman from our ward had helped him drop it off earlier (sneaky, sneaky). The Briarwood Inn is old-school elegance and one of Colorado’s finest dining traditions nestled against Clear Creek in Golden. We ate, lo did we eat. Beef Wellington. Extensive appetizer and dessert trays. We talked about our future hopes and dreams, past happenings, opened each other’s cards (I had mustered up a Top 10 List for him) and the whole evening was pretty darn memorable.

Late the next morning, we picked up the kids, Jamie’s brother Chris and Lisa and went to brunch at Tag Burger Bar, a newish, hip burger joint. Oozing with originality and gourmand fixings. I opted for the One Night in Bangkok burger with green papaya slaw, crushed peanuts, mint and lime Sriracha aioli while Jamie loved the Blind in Texas with chile-rubbed crispy onions, aged cheddar, chipotle BBQ. And then we ordered the five different kinds of French fries: Old School Russets, Sweet Potato (yum), Finger Lickin’ with Cheez Whiz and pico de gallo and then our two favorites: Duck Fat Fries with Tag sauce and their Truffle Aioli and Parmesan Fries.

When we arrived home, we went into a romance- and duck-fat-induced coma and called it good. Definitely good enough to hold us for another 10 years….

Toms Urban 24: Larimer Square’s Newest, Hippest 24-hour Restaurant

I was recently invited to a preview breakfast of the cool, hip restaurant Toms Urban 24 in Larimer Square, Denver’s coolest urban shopping and dining district. I forwarded the invitation to my husband Jamie. His response: “YESYESYESYSYEYSEYSEYSEYSEYSEYES.”

But then I realized the time conflicted with dropping off my daughter for school so the event coordinator instead invited us for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Hadley gets out of school at 1:30 p.m. on Fridays.

That girl is wreaking havoc on my foodie fixes.

We made it work and I’m so glad we went because we got a sampling of what is assuredly to become one of Denver’s hippest restaurants, which offers modern comfort food with an urban twist. What really sets it apart from other great eateries is that Tom’s Urban 24 is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night. It even has Tom’s Side Door from 6-11 a.m. daily which offers delicious grab ‘n go items.

Move over Denny’s–you’ve got some stiff, gourmand competition.

Founder Tom Ryan was one of Gourmet.com’s Top 25 America Food Entrepreneurs and Tom himself was on-hand touting his expansive menu. He loves to “feed people what they love in cool and creative ways” and this affordable menu delivers with everything from LoDo burritos (the red chile sauce is a must-try) to late-night truffle parmesan popcorn with rosemary, to farm-fresh salads, to gluten-free and vegetarian options. Tom’s even offers homemade doughnuts for breakfast with the usual flavors like chocolate in addition to unique twists like Captain Crunch or maple bacon. Add ice cream and you have dessert à la mode for dinner.

OH.MY.GOSH.

Jamie and I started with the Tom’s Urban PHỎ (gluten-free) scratch-made light and flavorful broth with rice noodles, cilantro, green onions and an array of other fresh garnishes you can create yourself. It was my first PHỎ experience and upon adding a squirt of lime, I ascertained it would not be my last.
I asked Tom what he recommended and his choice was the Mushroom Truffle Arugla pizza with seasoned, roasted crimini mushrooms, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, topped with arugula, truffle oil and Parmesan cheese. That was good enough for me and was my favorite thing on the menu.

Jamie’s choice was the Urban Slopper, a chargrilled certified Angus beef butter burger served Pueblo-style – smothered with green chile sauce, grated cheddar and pepper jack cheese, queso fresco, cilantro, pico de gallo on a brioche bun. Jamie disputed my claims that my dish was the favorite (though his came a close second).

Whenever I go to a new restaurant, I always survey the landscape to see if it’s kid-friendly. Though Tom’s Urban 24 isn’t specifically geared toward kids (they do not have a kid menu), they have plenty of child-friendly, affordable items including the mix ‘n match tacos, baked mac ‘n cheese, sandwiches and burritos. I’m dying to take my kids back for breakfast to try the pumpkin spice pancakes and one of their signature items: homemade pop tarts.

The apple pop tart will make you swear you’ve biting into Mama’s apple pie but the fig and goat cheese is intriguing.

Translation: I’ll be back.

Tom’s Urban 24 is located at 1460 Larimer Street and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The starting price for an entree breakfast is $6.50, lunch ranges from $8-12 and dinner is between $10-24.

The Broadmoor: The Setting for the Perfect Family Getaway (Part I)

Our Broadmoor toddlers

Shamefully, it has been almost a month since my family visited The Broadmoor and I’m just now getting around to documenting it. Jamie has been obsessing about returning to Colorado’s longest-running consecutive winner of both the AAA’s Five-Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star awards.

And who can blame him? Our two previous trips were absolutely epic. We first took the kids when they were only 1 and 3 in December and again a few years ago when we stayed in their opulent cottages with my parents.

All December long, The Broadmoor has a sundry of Christmas activities that start the day after Thanksgiving and last through Christmas. From Santa’s elves who share holiday stories to Breakfast with Santa to fireside tales with Mrs. Claus to The Broadmoor’s Christmas House with hundreds of gifts to ice sculptures to family bingo. The holiday family workshop has fun for children of all ages including writing a letter to Santa, holiday crafts and movies.

Pretty much, it is Christmas spirit overload.

During our latest visit, I was invited to cover the White Lights Ceremony–the resort’s holiday kick-off–for The Broadmoor Magazine. We invited Jamie’s parents along for the ride and it was one of my favorite getaways ever.

Since I’m busy writing the article, I’ll dedicate my blog to telling our story…in pictures. I’m convinced every Coloradoan should stay at The Broadmoor at least once in their lifetime. Enjoy!

====

Our Rooms

We stayed in two adjoining suites with beautifully-appointed amenities.

Our first time ordering room service

Bode adjusted a little bit too well. This is him watching TV from his canopied enclave.

His reentry into the real world was tough.

The Resort

Though I was initially disappointed we didn’t have any snow, who can complain with views like this?

Hanging out with the swans

This was one of my favorite photos of our entire trip. One morning, I woke up early to go for a trek and captured that perfect moment of white lights giving way to morning glory.

The Pool

Since first opening in 1918, this luxurious hotel has boasted such offerings as the beloved Bee Bunch Children’s Programs (seasonal), distinctive restaurants, indoor/outdoor pools, a playground, an award-winning spa, six tennis courts, 26 specialty retail shops,  54 holes of championship golf and numerous specialty tours, activities and programs for guests of all ages.

And what does my family choose to hit upon arrival?

Untouched photo from the pool of the golf course

If it is this beautiful in late-November, it is mind-blowing during the summer.

 The Cast of Characters

Since abandoning us a few years ago for Utah (we’re not bitter) any time with Jamie’s parents is treasured.

AAA Four-Diamond restaurant Charles Court

Illegally(?) cruising with Grandpa

My favorite guys

The Food

All of the food at The Broadmoor was delicious but nothing compares to their elaborate Sunday Brunch in the elegant Lake Terrace dining room. Featuring over 100  items, elaborate ice sculptures and live piano music, we thought we’d died and gone to heaven.

Round 1

Quite appropriate, too because if I were to have a Last Supper, it would be The Broadmoor’s Brunch.

Stay tuned tomorrow as we delve into the White Lights Ceremony’s holiday events. Read it here!

To-die-for Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Recipe

Two recipes two days in a row? (Sugar & Spice Cookie Recipe here). I’m in Christmas-baking mode and friends have been asking me to post my favorites.

As strange as it may sound, the tragic mass shooting at a school in Newton, Conn. has made my little family head to the kitchen. Cooking together is one of my favorite bonding activities with my kids and they absolutely love rolling out the dough, cutting it into different shapes and decorating with sprinkles.

I’m not a big fan of wrestling with frosting. Most sugar cookies are bland without it but not these babies. The cream cheese makes it absolutely delicious and I am always asked to divulge my secret.

To-die-for Cream Cheese Cutout Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
3 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg yolk
2 1/4 cups flour (a bit more for high-altitude)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond and vanilla extracts and egg yolk. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour until well blended. Chill the dough for 8 hours or overnight.  (Note: I didn’t have time to do this so just added more flour so it wasn’t too sticky).

On a lightly-floured surface, roll one-third of the dough to 1/8-inch thickness, refrigerating remaining dough until ready to use. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 7-10 minutes, until edges begin to brown. Cool on wire racks before frosting (or I like to just put sprinkles on prior to baking).

Best-ever Sugar and Spice Cookies (and everything nice)

These used to be a road-trip staple during my single years and were quickly devoured by everyone! They are a twist on gingerbread cookies but with a wonderful “spicy” flavor.

I traditionally love making them into small star-shaped cookies and cooking them ’til the edges are lightly browned. My husband recently divulged he doesn’t like them “overcooked” like that. To each his own but he is wrong, wrong, wrong. :-)

My star cookie cutter went missing so I made them gingerbread-shaped. Gingerbread men without any ginger?

Just call me a rebel. But when you bite into these babies, you won’t care.

Sugar and Spice Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves

Beat sugar and eggs until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir dry ingredients and add everything together. Gather the dough into a ball; wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 3 days. Roll the dough out rather thinly. I like to use a small star cookie cutter so the edges are marvelously crispy. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes.

These freeze well and I love to make a lot of batches to bring out later.

Sinfully delicious pumpkin waffle recipe

Last year, I stumbled upon a pretty darn awesome pumpkin waffle recipe and made it for the missionaries. They loved it and my family loves it. So much, in fact, that my kiddos beg to make the “missionary waffles” whenever a new set of them comes around. I’m always more than happy to oblige.

Because I’m a giver like that.

This really is a great December dish with all the holiday spices I love. Enjoy!

Sinfully delicious pumpkin waffle recipe

Ingredients

1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp allspice
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and warm

Directions

1. Lightly oil the waffle iron with vegetable oil and preheat.

2. Combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl. Whisk together the remaining dry ingredients.

3. Add pumpkin and milk to the eggs. Whisk to blend and set aside.

4. Pour melted butter into thepumpkin mixture. As you pour, whisk to combine.

5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix them together until just combined. A bit of lumpiness is fine.

6. Once the waffle iron is heated, you’re ready to pour the batter!

 

Scrumptious Snickerdoodle Bread with Cinnamon Chips Recipe

I first stumbled upon a recipe for Snickerdoodle Bread on Pinterest several months ago. As a lover of all-things snickerdoodle and cinnamon, I was dying to try this recipe.

The problem was I couldn’t find the requisite Hershey’s cinnamon chips. Anywhere.

Now, here’s a lesson for all you Walmart haters: don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Though I can’t say I’m a regular Walmart shopper, I swung by the other day looking for (what else) cheap Christmas gifts and there on the holiday baking end cap were cinnamon chips. A lot of them!

On Sunday, we prematurely set-up our holiday decorations and to celebrate the season, I made this bread. We’ve declared it our new kick-off-to-the-holiday tradition. Even my husband (who is not a fan of snickerdoodles) is a fan.

Snickerdoodle Bread

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour (high-altitude add 1/4 cup)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2.5 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup butter softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream (next time I’m going to substitute a bit of cream cheese)
1 pkg. Hershey’s cinnamon chips

Topping:
3 Tbsp sugar
3 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs
Add the vanilla and sour cream and mix well.
Mix flour and with the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add to wet ingredients and mix until all combined.
Add cinnamon chips and stir into batter.
Spoon batter into mini loaf pans or cupcake tins until about 2/3 full.
Mix 3 T. sugar and 3 t. cinnamon in a bowl and sprinkle over the batter in each loaf pan.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes. Let cool before removing from pan.P.S. And yes, I do have a cinnamon-chip hoarding problem.

Apple Dunking and Halloween Bashing!

Saturday was our ward’s annual Halloween party. The youth were in charge, which means as a youth leader I was a part of the planning and implementation.
Pretty much, I have the best calling ever working with these beautiful young women.

Jamie and I wore our annual costumes. I was the pumpkin widow dressed in black (see my shirt) and Jamie was (what else?) a pumpkin.
It’s like art imitating real life. Every. Single. Day.

We just finished reading the 100th Anniversary edition of Wizard of Oz that I bought as a souvenir in Coronado Island. Much to my delight, Hadley shunned the pop culture costumes of many of her peers and opted to be Dorothy.

Bode, on the other hand? He spotted a Mario costume at the thrift store and the begging began. “Bode, you were Mario two years ago. Don’t you want to be _______” and I listed off a number of costumes. Obviously, I lost.

Blurry action shot eating doughnuts on a string

We had a spookiest appetizer/dessert contest so I whipped up a graveyard 7-Layer Dip. I got a ton of compliments on it but it was a result of improvisation. We didn’t have any refried beans so I used Madras Lentils (my fave wintertime lunch) and layered sour cream, cheese, green onions, salsa and guacamole. For the graveyard, I cut and baked some red chile tortillas into tombstones, a cat and a ghost.
I thought I did a pretty good job until I saw my friend Wendy’s entry.
Overachiever.

The young men were in charge of a haunted grove in the forest behind the church.

Teenagers with a real chainsaw = terrifying.

The young women stayed inside and oversaw all the carnival games.

Best. Bean bag toss. Ever.

And then there was the most unsanitary game of them all: bobbing for apples. In sixth grade, I had a Halloween party that will go down in infamy as The Best Party Ever and I still wear my Queen Apple Bobber Badge proudly. When the young women taunted me to do it, I rose to the challenge.

Or rather, bent way, way over for it. Haddie and Bode joined me and I dove in preparing to leave them in my salivated-apple-bobbing wake. When all of a sudden, I was being submerged way way way under. I flew up sputtering, only to realize my own husband dunked me.

It’s a good thing we drove separately; otherwise dude would have walked home.

Haddie ended up being the winningest apple bobber of the night. As it turns out, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Literally.