Good Friday

The work day ended with a goodbye to a much-beloved co-worker who is moving up in the world, and as a result of this is leaving for Dearborn. 

There might've been a few tears.

Then Mike and I filled up Serentiy and were finally off for our Palisade getaway!!!

We stopped in Parachute, CO at Mama's Restaurant, which was an incredibly pleasant surprise!  Located in what used to be the bank in what is still a very tiny town, Mama's serve just what you'd think: good ol' home-cooked favs.  Their buttermilk ranch was to die-for, and the chicken fried chicken was super tasty!  It's clog-your-arteries good.

The freezer is in the safe...classic.

Finally, we made it to Divine Thyme B&B, our home away from home in our favorite little Colorado spot.  We made it to the Peach Street Distillers for one tasty beverage before having to sleep; we were exhausted and so happy to be there!

A little something to look forward to

This will make your day

I am not your office wife.

Burgerific

Really.

Day in the Sun

Met Bobby and Corrie at Rock Bottom for a fantastic porch lunch and a lovely stroll around The Orchard!

Saint Mary's Glacier

Our very first mountain hikes, with packs!  Pups were incredible.

 Keebler was ready.  Kona...not so much...

 Had to make a pit stop at REI.

 "I'll bite your legs."

 Pups love the Denver Flagship.

 WEEEEEEE'RE HIKIIIIIING!

 Look at that face.

 De Keebs.

 Worth the uphill hike.

 FCS: Fine Canine Specimens.

We tied the dogs up on the ramp outside Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs.  I was super nervous (even though there were two entrances people could've taken if they wanted to avoid them - and some did - jerks).  Keebler spent the first 15 minutes barking at everyone (embarassing) who came close, and Kona tried to lean on them to death.  A trio of cooks discovered them and spent five minutes just loving on them.  Even Keebs bonded with one of them!  The cooks kept coming out to love on the dogs throughout the meal.  Finally, both laid down and didn't make a peep, or even get up, until we came to get them to go home. So proud.

That moment you realize that life is, indeed, good.

"Let's paint the cabinets."

I told my sister my plan to do just that to my bathrooms, and her immediate and appropriate response was  "What color?"

When we were kids, our parents had this exact conversation laying in bed one night, which resulted in what is probably their worst home renovation project ever.  At least that's how it's discussed at the dinner table.

Anyway!  Inside jokes aside, I went to Home Depot where I picked up the necessary painting accoutrement and made a last minute decision based on the Paint Lady's recommendation to go with Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations rather than paint.

Best. Decision. EVER.

Seriously.

I will preface this with a disclaimer: it took me a lot longer than I originally thought (which was that I would be done after a 3-day weekend; I now laugh at myself for this).  Mainly due to drying times and only being able to do one side of the doors at a time...oops.

Still, a project I approached with patience, sticking to the directions (do NOT deviate), and acceptance that it would, indeed, take me until a week later after taping everything off to actually be completely finished to ensure everything had the proper drying time.  Plus handles.

Kinda hard to photograph, but if you'll refer to the before pictures, you can get the picture.  Aged Oak got it's butt kicked by Espresso Cabinet Transformations.  BAM.

I am also very proud of the fact that I took it all apart (cabinet doors are tricky, that TP roll holder was a biotch) by myself.  And put it back together by myself.  Except for handles.  Meke installed those after I mastered the Kurt Wetterling Template Technique (KWTT).

 This is before on the Master bathroom (recognize that shower curtain? thrifty...), and now:

 My dad made the recommendation of adding handles; such the fav.

Overall, I literally could not be happier with how the bathrooms turned out.  Oh!  And as an added bonus, spiffed up the toilet closet!

Just removed the doors and painted the white laminate shelf, backed it with a shower curtain, added baskets and voila!  Instant change.

In case you're wondering, here's an approximate breakdown on cost:

New light fixtures - $80 and $35
Cabinet Transformation kit (I used the one for furniture due to the relatively small square footage, and have just enough leftover to paint the wood frames I'll be adding): $35
Paint supplies not on hand (go with the Frog Tape, worth it): $30
6 handles: $11
Material for shelves: $4 shower curtain at Target
Baskets: $1 each at Dollar Tree
New rugs and towels were what I probably spent the most on (minus lighting!), except for the Guest bath, which were on sale for $3 at Target and unplanned.

Not bad for all new bathrooms, I tend to think!

Coach Mike

Nary a dry eye in the place as Mike says goodbye to the team he's had for two years.  Bitter.  Sweet.

Sunshine with a side of Cheese

Looked forward to this all day.

High Tea with Heidi

Heidi and I are beginning a new monthly tradition: meeting for High Tea around Denver!  We began in Louisville, at The Huckleberry.

 I so want one of these...

 Service was lovely, and the food was incredibly good!  Definitely a recommendation.

Next stop: The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse!