A Cold Colorado Visit in December

Two weeks in Colorado is never enough time to see everyone I want to see as much as I would like to see them! Some friends, we only get a short coffee with, while others have time for day-long baking adventures, hikes, or other Colorado-type things.

This trip was rough because we were coming from Tampa where I had all my doctor’s appointments—and where I found out that the reason my foot wasn’t getting any better despite the rest I was giving it: a torn plantar fascia. We landed in Denver and drove straight to a podiatrist to see what my next steps should be.

That was how I ended up wearing a walking boot for the next three weeks. Let me tell you, being immobile is never fun but immobile in your happy adventure place when you have a bazillion plans with friends and you can’t drive with the boot on… there is only one thing to say: Ugh! What else can you do but adapt? No hikes, no walks around the city. Instead it was a lot of relaxing brunches, dinners, and good-old hanging out. It may not have been the trip I had planned, but I was so happy to get friend time.

First up was dinner and game night with one of our most favorite families: The Howard's! Usually we try to get outside for a hike with the kids, but with the boot, it turned into a fantastic meal and games.

I always feel so lucky to spend quality time with The Howard's. You wouldn't think a friendship could grow stronger being so far part, but each time we meet up, it feels like the conversations get deeper.

And as usual, it was cold and snowy shortly after we arrived. So a Monday hanging out with Amber and her family at their place was cozy and comfortable. I was so excited to read book after book after book to Rowan as she sat on my lap. Sometimes I get a bit sad that I'm so far away. I don't get to have more of these moments with Rowan. It's tough not getting to see one of my favorite people navigate the ins and outs of motherhood. I love that I get videos on WhatsApp from so many of my friends. It's really helped us stay connected. It's still hard to not be there to adventure together.

Even knowing I would likely have to deal with snow and cold weather, I was excited to be in Denver in December. It would mean a definite chance to see the ballet. Back when I lived here, Britni and I got season tickets to the Colorado Ballet. We both love ballet and it was so fun to get dressed up and have friend time. We thought, what's better than ballet? Ballet plus sushi! So we got the sushi club together for a night of food and dance. (Minus Kate since she had a last-minute fashion show meeting… oh the challenges of being friends with a beautiful famous model! 😂😁)

Next up on the trip: adventures with Sarah. Usually, we take to the high high hills of the front range for a hike or two. But this boot was not made for hiking! Instead, we ate junk food and watched stupid funny TV shows at my Airbnb. Laughter and junk food, what more could a gal ask for?

It is seriously hard not just to be far from all these super special friends, but to have an eight- or nine-hour time difference as well makes it that much harder.

Somehow, even with the time difference and leading a crazy busy life, Janna still managed to help us design our retreat in South Africa and find time for dinners and basketball with me. 😍🏀 Who knew when I asked her to be my friend one sunny afternoon while working at the coffee shop together it would be the start of being besties? I can still remember when we would go shopping in the kids’ section for cheap clothes (how did we fit in kids’ clothes?!). (Side note: If you are looking for help with some interior design, I highly recommend Janna. Not just because she is my bestie! She was able to take both what I wanted and what Jim wanted and make it all work together! Contact her here.)

Then… live and in-person baking with Lisa! Over the years, we've had fun baking and decorating cookies on video calls as I've traveled around the world, but in person is best (especially because it mean Lisa will make me lunch 😁).

Then, my super famous gorgeous supermodel friend Kate and I caught up over sushi and our most favorite thing to do together in the winter… cheer on our Denver Nuggets while coming up with funny names for the opposing team players. We've been going to games for so many years together. And it's even better when we hit up sushi for the pre-game.

I swear I do more than eat when in Colorado!

But when my good friend Janice said the word “Blackbelly” to me, there was no way to stop my mouth from drooling until we made our way there to indulge. It was cold out, but picnicking at the ponds was <chef's kiss>.

And… knowing my absolute LOVE for libraries, crazy collections, and Boulder, she brought me to the Boulder Public Library. Like many libraries, Boulder has space for art exhibitions. This one was “To Have and to Hoard.”

Joel Haertling, an eclectic character and avid collector who grew up in Boulder, worked at the Boulder Public Library for over 30 years. As a collector of ephemera, found art and personal objects, he brings people together through things. This exhibition will showcase a huge, yet comparatively tiny, cross-section of Joel’s collections and will also delve into his collection process.

And boy was it cool! Political buttons, board games, cassette tapes, phones… oh the found junk meticulously cataloged with where it was discovered in binder after binder.

Of course, Janice then hosted the happiest happy hour at her place with some of our girlfriends that are still working.

And that's a wrap! Always a good time seeing my people 😍❤️