Autumn in the Mountains

Since autumn fully commenced on September 23rd this year, we decided to make a special trip up to Rocky Mountain National Park this weekend to check out the changing leaves.

They were gorgeous! Splashes of yellow, gold, and orange on an otherwise dark green mountain was beautiful to behold.

We found a somewhat secluded trail that led to an open area with a small creek and a fantastic view of the mountains flecked with gold, and we had a small picnic there.

The last time we were in RMNP was the evening that Ryan proposed. It will always hold fond memories.

It was a very nice way to spend our afternoon, and I hope that going to the mountains to fully appreciate the changing season is something we are able to find time for in the years to come.

Cake Pops

I started getting Better Homes and Gardens randomly a few months ago (thanks, Dad!), and I LOVE the October 2011 issue. One recipe in it is called Ghoulish Delights. I made those today, but they turned out a little less cute since it technically is not Halloween season YET.

Basically, they are cake pops. And they are pretty awesome. First off, I feel the need to "apologize" for not posting more healthy recipes lately, but I just love baking!! Additionally, I have made many less "real" dinners as of late. Sorry.

I couldn't find a recipe that was exactly the same as the one in my magazine, so I'll just give you step-by-step with pictures!

STEP 1: Prepare any flavor 9 x 13 pan cake mix according to package directions. Cool completely, then remove cake from pan and crumble in a large bowl. Add a cup of frosting. Beat with a mixer on low speed to combine.

STEP 2: Roll into 1-inch balls. Melt an ounce of vanilla candy coating in the microwave on 50% power. Dip one end of a pop stick (which you can find at a craft store) in the candy coating, then carefully push into a cake ball. Repeat for each ball. Freeze one hour to set.

STEP 3: Melt about 2 lbs (I used a 1 1/2 lb block for the whole recipe and only had one ball not get coated) of vanilla candy coating in the microwave on 50% power, stirring occasionally until melted. (Took about 3 minutes total.) Dip pops in coating, gently shaking off any excess. (They set up FAST so if you want to add sprinkles or anything of the like, do it after each one.)

All done!! Not a ton of work, and a super cute and delicious result! Happy Baking!

It's happening!

Fall is coming! The air gets crisp, the leaves change colors, and I get happy.

In fall, I wake up and throw on Ryan's over-sized (for me) hoodie because I'm cold, not just because it's comfortable. I light candles entitled "Leaves" or "Autumn" and the scent of them actually makes sense. I wear jeans and shoes and I'm still a little chilly. I bake. Like crazy. (Why, hello, winter weight!) I can open the curtains without it roasting up the joint by mid-afternoon. I get to wear my cute jackets and long-sleeved shirts again. I get to decorate with pumpkins, leaves, and other richly colored items. I use the heat in my car (which is awesome because my A/C has been getting a little fussy lately).

I gladly embrace the changing season!!

Hurray!

As many of you may know, Ryan and I have been on the hunt for a place to live closer to where he works. We have looked mainly in Erie, which is 45 minutes south from where we live now. So not a massive move, but we are excited to branch out and expand our horizons.

Last March we looked at more than 20 houses, and chose one that we liked. Just liked, mind you. No serious lovin' going on. We decided to put an offer on it, but, long story short, the whole thing fell through in August.

The Saturday after we got back from Mexico we spent the day looking at about 5 homes. We fell in LOVE with the last one. It is located in a new development, and is a new house itself. Never been lived in. It's beautiful. After a short deliberation and good negotiations, we decided to go for it! We are losing nothing, short of a large backyard (which is nearly impossible in that area anyway), that we really had our hearts set on to have in our home. This is a house we could live in for forever, assuming that Ryan never works too far away from that area. And to top it all off, I'll get a gourmet kitchen AND the laundry is on the top floor. I will be one happy housewife!!

The interior is currently drywall, but the exterior is completed. Here she is!

I have no idea how to decorate this new home. It doesn't help that we don't currently have sufficient furniture to fill it, but what about colors? And nick-knacks? I love how our home looks now, but I want our new home to really shine. Any ideas or tips are gladly welcomed.

We are so excited to move into this house, which should be the first part of November. And you know what? I'm pretty excited to get to move into a place that does not have an "Apt" in the address.

MEXICO

These are excerpts from my Travel Journal. That's why it's in present tense sometimes. :) I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures, even if it takes you as long to read as it took me to finally post it!

Day 1: Arrived at the hotel around 5 PM. Has the ambiance of a cute Mexican village. Dinner at the hotel and then a moonlit walk on the beach. Ryan got 30 ant bites!! He was itching his legs and feet almost the entire week.

Day 2: One year anniversary! Had brunch on the beach and then spent a few hours swimming in the ocean and sunbathing.

Had lunch (still figuring out how to tip in pesos) and then walked to 5th Avenue, a super touristy walk of shops and restaurants. We spent 4 hours there! Store owners drive me crazy with their nagging, but Ryan thinks it's good customer service. Our feet were dying, so we took a taxi back to the hotel.

Went to Luna Maya for dinner. It was delicious! And probably 1/3 of the price we would have spent back home. Even had corn ice cream. Kiiiinda weird!

Walked back to the hotel and crashed. It was a great day to have for our one-year! We do, however, need a stronger SPF sunscreen. We saw an iguana by the pool and tiny gecko in our room! Also, speaking Spanish in Mexico might be ideal, but Ryan has gotten to speak a little German with other tourists.

Day 3: Got up around 9 and got ready for breakfast. Ate inside today because it was HOT. Yummy french toast and grilled banana! Booked a short day-trip with the concierge for a private boat ride and snorkel tour. Came back to our cabana and took naps in the hammocks hanging on our porch. Woke up just in time to get lunch and head to the snorkel tour at 2:30.

The boat ride showed us gorgeous water and a couple of Mayan ruins. Snorkeled for about 30 minutes; nice reef, lots of fish, starfish, and sea turtle (my favorite).

After the boat ride we got ready for the rest of the day. At 6:30 we went on a short walk to buy sunscreen. $14!!! For sunscreen!! I was shocked because of the price and because Ryan paid it. Oh well, the walk was an interesting and enlightening experience. I love America, Colorado, and Fort Collins.

Day 4: Woke up at 8 AM and got ready for breakfast. Met up with our snorkel guide at 9:15. Drove to Puerto Moreles for a 1 1/2 hour snorkeling tour. Our guide took over 500 pictures for everybody to have. Saw a stingray! My bum could have used some more sunscreen...

Had lunch with the group and enjoyed a Coca-Cola Light. Drove to a cenote (pronounced see-no-tay) for some exploring in an underground lake. Very cold water at first, but refreshing by the end. Our guide told us: "The water isn't cold, your bodies are just warm."

Got back to the hotel about 5:30. Ate dinner at about 7:45 at a restaurant across the street called Origenes. We tried shark and habanero. One tasted like tuna and the other like a hot burning fire.

Day 5: Fabulous day! We had breakfast at 7:45, rented snorkel gear and a truck (was supposed to be a car), and then headed for Tulum around 9 AM. We visited the Mayan ruins there for a couple of hours. Very interesting to see and realize that Book of Mormon people probably lived there a long time ago. Tons of iguanas and an amazing view of the ocean from the cliffs.

After looking at the ruins, we drove to get some lunch. Stopped at a little podunk place, but the food and service were great! We both had burritos, and I had a banana smoothie.

Drove to Akumal for a self-led snorkel tour. It was cool to go straight from the beach. We saw a sting ray and three sea turtles! One turtle was really close and we just sat and watched it eating for a few minutes. Snorkeled for about 1 1/2 hours and then drove home and relaxed the rest of the day.

Day 6: Took a taxi to the ferry pier. We found out that we were cheated out of a deal we had made, but we got our money back. Mexicans don't like to be called thieves. "He's no bandido!" Boarded the ferry at 9 AM.

Rode the ferry to Cozumel and rented a scooter for the day. Had to pay 2 pesos to pee. Rode all over the island. Awesome views of the ocean.

Walked around on an exposed coral reef. Ryan got a bee in his shirt, but it flew away. It started to sprinkle, rain, and then pour. We thought it was pretty funny. We took cover for a short amount of time and then continued on our way with our clothes soaked!

Had a yummy lunch at La Mission (well...Ryan's was yummy. Mine was weird: grilled shrimp in 2 huge onion rings, all wrapped in practically raw bacon).

Did a little shopping, and then got back on the ferry at 6 PM. Back in Playa, we walked home and then crashed. The sun is very tiring to be in all day!!

Day 7: Sooo nice to sleep in. Laid out on the beach and swam in the ocean for a couple of hours. The water was calm and very refreshing. Back to the room after one woman thought it was a nude beach. Relaxed in the hammocks for a little while.

Went to lunch at La Cueva del Chango (the cave of the monkey). Jungle atmosphere that was neat but humid. They blew a fan on us to help with that issue. We really enjoyed their food, especially their guac!

Went back to the room and watched Star Wards VI. Sounds silly, but it's our recoop day!

Had dinner at the hotel; they served an amazing taco buffet. Back to the room to relax and go to bed! Super low-key day, but it was exactly what we needed!

Day 8: Super cloudy and rainy. Thank goodness we are leaving today! Had breakfast, packed, and headed to the airport. See ya, Mexico!