Fireworks & Friends

Love some Valley Girl time in Denver!  We met up with Ash, Kar, Abe and some other great new friends last night for the Rockies Game.  Guess what the score was...  Go ahead... What do you think? 

It was 1-9!  I mean, come on Rockies- this was our last visit to watch you this season, you had over 47,000 fans in the stands and you only got ONE RUN?!?!

Good thing the FIREWORKS made up for it!  Still smilin!

After the game we headed over to Brothers (yes, same as IA City!) This one has a great Firepit on the patio that we hogged for a few hours.  Jason and Ash split The Ultimate BLT sandwich.  Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Cheese & a Fried Egg.  Jason recreated one for me for lunch today- very yummy!

To close out the night we ran into this sign on the way home and had to send it to Erica.... can't wait for the little Wieners to arrive someday! :) Even if it is a couple of years from now...  

Today has been a day of cleaning, errands, and baking!


Highlights of Cleaning... our new comforter and pillow shams! (AND coffee Breaks! :)
Thanks to Pottery Barn clearance... Love it!

Highlights of Errands... the Ranch!

On my way to the library today I ran into these guys.  This is why I love Highlands Ranch.  It really is a RANCH!  These guys were hanging out in the pasture next to our library.

 

Highlights from Baking... Backpacker Bars!  

Part of my baking today was in prep for our hike near Evergreen tomorrow.  Recipe compliments of Betty Crocker.com   They are almost homemade granola/protein bars... with some added sugar and chocolate :)  Jason convinced me to add just a little Whey protein in them, so we'll pretend they are healthier than they probably really are.

Backpacker Bar

1 1/2 cups Golden Grahams® cereal

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

3/4 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped peanuts

1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats

• Heat oven to 350ºF. Crush cereal. Mix sugars, butter, vanilla and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cereal, 3/4 cup oats, the baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir in 3/4 cup of the peanuts and 2/3 cup of the chocolate chips.  
• Spread in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup peanuts, remaining 1/3 cup chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons oats.

  

• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For 24 bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.

 I think they will be the perfect snack at the summit of Chief Mountain tomorrow!