Biking Fort Collins

It only took living in Denver for four years for me to branch out and visit Fort Collins.  The college town located a little over an hour from Denver reminded me of Michigan State Universities campus—not just because they also are green. We visited not for football but for the beer. We planned on actually renting bikes from a shop but when the planned bike shop was closed we decided to us Zagster. The name isn’t familiar but it is very similar to all the other city bike rentals where there are bike stands and you can rent from one and check it back into another. The cost was $7 for the membership and $2 an hour. This really worked out perfectly because Odell Brewing Company was our last stop and they have a stand in their parking lot.

We started the day with bloody Mary’s because the night before ended up being much crazier and later than planned—all I’m going to say is dancing on my friends apartment bar and shot taking.

We then went to Funkwerks where I had the Cascade which is a single hopped Saison brewed with Cascade hops. Next stop was Horse & Dragon, and then like I said we ended at Odell.

My friend Allison and I had driven up with Allegra but she was staying the night so we took a grey hound bus back. It was an experience and an interesting end to our fun short day trip.

Fall into the Kitchen

The title of this post is meant to be punny, not literal; though those who know me would say I am clumsy. This post is about welcoming fall cooking to the kitchen, since we just welcomed the fall season last week, and with that I bring and you a fall breakfast and appetizer.

This past Friday I served this gruyere mushroom and caramelized onion bites as an appetizer. I decided on this app because I am always looking for something new that isn’t mainly cheese. Don’t get me wrong I love cheese, its my other half, my best friend, everything to me, but sometimes its not the most creative because it is a typical go to for appetizers. What I loved about this recipe is that the filling could be made ahead so its an easy prep while mingling with people type of app. Also it of course has cheese in it, so its a win win situation. The mushrooms are hearty and the puff pasty is buttery and flaky—its like serving fall on a pillow.

On Sunday I enjoyed these dirty chai muffins with coffee and Netflix (Once Upon a Time is back). These taste like fall mixed with Christmas. I liked these muffins because they weren’t pumpkin spice, so once again something different.

The time is here people—start cooking like it!