Sunshine Dreamin'

It's been a really long week, and vacation could not come at a better time.  The tickets are booked, the bags are packed {almost} and Mom and I are heading down to Palm Springs for a girls weekend in the sunshine.  Unlike the Father Daughter trip a few weeks back, this one doesn't have an itinerary, with the focus being on relaxing, soaking up the sun, eating great food, and spending some quality time together.  Oh, and there may be a cocktail or two to be had.  If you need me, I'll be by the pool :)

Happy Weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Father Daughter Trip {Friends & Family}

After we left Fort Collins,we headed south to meet up with the Klosterman family.  It's been way too long since I've seen these kids, and it blows my mind how much they've grown {check out the pics of Griffin - he's almost as tall as me!}.  We headed to The Post Brewing for some beers and bbq, but the best part of dinner was that Mur joined us too!  It's been ages since I've seen this girl and even though we didn't have a ton of time to catch up, it was so so good to be around her and listen to what's been going on in her life.  Even though we haven't seen each other in forever, we get right back into the groove like we used to.  She promised to come out to visit in the next year, and I'm definitely holding her to it :)  After dinner, I got to share the blow up bed with Ms. Abby, and while it wasn't the most restful night of sleep I've ever had, it was fun giggling and gossiping with her and hearing about what she wants for Christmas {Starbucks gift cards, of course}.  It was such a great way to end our trip to Colorado, and it makes me so excited to go out there again soon.  Luckily there will be a new stadium to visit next year, which will be perfect timing :)

 we were his first babysitters, and now look at him!

 me and my mini-me

Thanks again, Dad, for making this such a great trip!  I had a blast!! Love ya :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Father Daughter Trip {Big City Burrito}

Let's be honest - the real reason to go to Fort Collins is to go to Big City Burrito.  I don't remember why I ever thought that was a good place to try food, but it was probably my most frequented establishment in college, and I know I wasn't the only one.  This tiny little hole in the wall burrito joint right across from campus always had a line out the door when I was in school, and when I would tell fellow alums whom I didn't even know that I was going back to Fort Collins, they always said "you're going to Big City, right??"  It's an institution and a staple and a must-stop whenever I'm in town.  Since we had finished a big breakfast that morning and had big dinner plans, dad and I decided to split a burrito {though in all honesty, I could've downed several - they're that good} so we could at least say we experienced Big City.  There's no need to look at a menu - I know that I want a potato burrito on jalapeno cheddar tortilla with pico de gallo and ranch dressing {do they even sell anything else??} and I'm pretty sure I never veered from that order in 4 years of college.  Once we had our burrito, we drove across the street to the Oval where we had a mini-picnic, enjoying the best burrito in the world on the prettiest stretch of grass I know.  It was for sure one of the highlights of my trip, and I will definitely be heading back there anytime I'm in Fort Collins.  There really is nothing quite like Big City.

 in case you need it

a wall of hot sauce

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Frontdoor Flowers

I had made it all day yesterday at work without crying, but when I got back to my house in the evening, these gorgeous flowers were waiting for me at my front door with the sweetest note from Susannah about John and I completely lost it.  Sometimes all you need is knowing someone is thinking about you and knows you're hurting.  And pretty flowers always brighten a sad day.  Thanks Susy - that was exactly what I needed :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Goodbye John

The world lost a beautiful and gentle soul yesterday with the passing of my dear friend John.  Even though we knew this day was coming for the past 2+ years, I always thought it would be much later on, that we would have so much more time.  John was so giving - taking friends and family on trips around the world on his "Goodbye Cruel World" tour, and I was lucky enough to accompany him to Napa and The French Laundry, by far one of my most favorite and special vacations.  He was selfless and humble - when people would talk to him about how unfair his cancer was {and it really really was}, he would be quick to point out that everybody has their stuff they have to deal with that is unfair, and this just happened to be his.  He was sweet - he once texted me to tell me that the coffee shop by REI had a drink named after me, the "beautiful Stephanie":)  And he was so incredibly smart - he was the go-to person at work for basically everything and I never hesitated to ask him for advice about work, life, love.....everything.  I have so many memories with John - him being so excited to play matchmaker for me; after-work happy hours that went well into the night; picking him up from a doctor's appointment and taking him out for beers {and feeling like the worst nurse in the world}; dancing in the lobby in Sonoma; him kindly telling me my hot pink underwear was not so invisible through my dress at the end of the day; the word "lovely"; learning what an amazing artist he is; a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity that went into the wee hours of the morning on a work night; him eagerly and excitedly driving me home one night, which was way out of his way, but it was a beautiful night and he wanted to show off his mini-convertible; spending his past 3 birthdays with him, because we were his people, and we loved him.  John, it really is a cruel cruel world, and I know it hasn't truly hit me yet that you're really gone.  You have left your mark on everyone who's had the privilege of knowing you, and I am truly honored to have been your friend.

Rest in peace, my friend.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

to read more of john's journey navigating the shitty effects and consequences of stage iv colon cancer, check out his amazingly written and refreshing blog, "John's 'WTF? I've got cancer?' Blog"

Father Daughter Trip {Breweries}

Sunday was beer drinking day in Fort Collins - at least, that's what our itinerary called for :)  Colorado is known for their insane amount of microbreweries and we couldn't stop there without trying a few of my all-time faves.  After a leisurely sleep in, we headed over to Fort Collins Brewery which was totally different than the one I went to in college.  We had a good {but long} breakfast at FCB before heading down the street to Odell Brewing to start tasting some beer.  We got two different flights, the Classic and the Locals, and proceeded to share all 10 samples including some of my faves like Easy Street Wheat and 90 Shilling.  The setting was perfect - we sat outside in adirondack chairs on their huge covered patio {to shade us from the 90 degree heat} and listened to some great country music and sipped beer.  After Odell, we headed a little bit farther down the road to the one and only New Belgium Brewery, home to Fat Tire and my fave, Sunshine Wheat.  There, we made friends with several of the employee-owners who helped me try some of the most out there beers I've had {think a beer that starts out tasting like lemon then ends like grape juice}.  It was so fun being back at this place that I used to frequent back in college and see how much it's grown into a tourist destination.  The beer there is always good and there's always something new to try that you could go constantly and never get bored.  Everyone we met at the breweries were great, making it an even better experience than anticipated.  I can't wait to go back and try some more!

 fun fact - it's abbey {on the left}, not fat tire, that put new belgium on the map

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Father Daughter Trip {Old Town}

After the game on Saturday, Dad & I had reservations for dinner at Sonny Lubick Steakhouse in Fort Collins.  This restaurant was not around when I lived there, but Sonny Lubick was a huge part of my college experience {I still remember the day he waved at me outside our local soup joint} that we felt it necessary we try out his old town eatery.  We were extremely full from our bbq earlier in the day but pulled it together for some delicious fancy dinner.  We started with drinks at the bar {where we could watch college football on tv to our hearts content} then headed to our table in the dining room where we immediately decided on steaks and sides to truly experience the evening.  Though we were insanely stuffed after dinner, it was an awesome food experience that I would highly recommend anyone who is traveling through Fort Collins try out.  Afterwards, we decided to walk off our dinner through Old Town and ran into the Fort-Oberfest celebrations which seemed to include beer, food, and lots of fun live entertainment.  It made me yearn for my college days where everyone would hang out together in Old Town and hit up all the bars, and makes me grateful that something was going on that night that we got to briefly experience.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Father Daughter Trip {Farewell Hughes}

The reason that prompted our father daughter trip to Fort Collins is that the Rams are getting a new stadium next year.  I may be biased, but I think Hughes Stadium is the absolute best setting in college football.  No, it's not nearly the fanciest or the biggest, but it has the most beautiful views, amazing tailgating, and some awesome history {the Stones played there!}.  Hughes is situated a few miles from campus, at the base of the foothills of the Rockies in a huge open field.  Students, alumni, and just regular fans drive out to the stadium on gameday and have the biggest and best tailgate around - there really isn't anything like it.  Since it's not on campus, you don't have people running up right before gametime or tailgating in random parking lots around the city - everyone is out there together, sharing a beer, reminiscing about the team, and playing games while waiting for the game to start.  There's a big Aggie "A" up in the foothills behind the stadium reminding you of the CSU roots, and on a sunny and gorgeous day like the one we had last weekend, it's the best place to be.  Dad and I had purchased tickets to the Ag Day BBQ before the game and I was blown away by the hundreds, if not thousands of people in attendance at this pre-game bbq.  We ate our weight in local meat and side dishes while listening to live music and running into everyone in their bright orange gear {it was the "Orange-Out" game after all, and I'm glad we sprung for the orange shirts to help blend in}.  On our way back to the stadium for kick off, we ran into none other than Cam the Ram, and I was beyond excited to snap a few pics of this local celebrity :)  Inside the stadium, we celebrated the 1970's with decade trivia and music while we cheered on the Rams to an extremely convincing win over University of Northern Colorado {they killed them, prompting repeated versions of our awesome Fight Song and touchdown sprints in the end zone by Cam}.  Everyone we talked to agreed - while the new on-campus stadium will be good for recruiting and sponsors, we are all going to miss the atmosphere and history that goes along with Hughes.  There really is no place like it, and I'm so glad Dad and I got to go there for one last game to say our "farewell".

 our plates of meat

 ag days

 the one and only cam the ram!

 cam's fancy trailer

 the aggie "A" in the foothills

 the parking lot full of tailgating fans

 tear 'em asunder!

 hughes was one of the only stadiums when i was in college that sold beer......so i had to have a local coors light for old time's sake :)

 our selfie made the big screen!

see?  beautiful

Farewell, Hughes - you were spectacular :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie