i’ve been behind the power curve on posting, but here are some of the wonderful things that happened in january, besides the best new years eve, my end-of-culinary-school feast, and of course my move to colorado.  because i was straddling dallas and denver during this month, i’m not going to pretend that it wasn’t a stressful month, but it was also surreal and one of the most exciting januarys i’ve experienced yet!  :)

{starting out the month and year with jamie was fun!  this was in bishop arts in dallas.  see that dallas shirt that i got him for christmas?!}

{i met angela halfway between dallas and houston one sunday in early january for lunch.  it made my heart happy to catch up with her, and THEN she went and made my year by asking me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding.  and of course i said yes!  i couldn’t have been happier – this girl has been an amazing friend to me and i love her dearly.  also, i look like a giantess in that pic, haha.  love it anyway!} ;)

{the cutest “will you be my bridesmaid?” gifts ever!  can’t wait for the big day!!}

{some weekday mornings just call for nama’s apple slices and coffee for breakfast.}

{this cutie melts my heart.}

{i love this old pic of the four of us.  i captioned it [before my move]:  “this move is gettin’ real folks.  i’m going to miss these people so much.  i’m thankful that i’ve gotten to live close to them for as long as i have.  we’ve had some really fun times and i know we’ll have many more.”}

{only in texas will you see this:  snowy palm trees!}

{i know i’m biased but… am i the only one who thinks my boyfriend resembles chris pratt a little bit??? :P  aaaaand a selfie on my way to brunch…}

{brunch with lauren at the amazing mercat bistro.  i can’t believe i discovered this place just before i moved!}

{it’s the coziest place tucked between some tall buildings in uptown.}

{lauren introduced me to the peché mignon – rosé poured over a frozen fruit sphere.  i’m obsessed!}

{…and the best quiche!}

{…and then we hit up community brewery…}

{…and had a grand ol’ time.  i miss this girl!}

{took some pictures of this gallery wall so i wouldn’t forget it!}

{…and these shelves.}

{dinner with my family at wayward sons, which unfortunately closed since then.  so sad because i loved the food and drinks.}

{…and dessert.}

{i definitely miss this city.  this was on my running route.}

{i have no idea where that food came from… can’t remember, haha.  but i decided to post it anyway. ;)  and i passed by that truck on fire on the way to work.  scary, right?  thankfully there was no one inside and the fire truck was just arriving in my rear view mirror after i passed.}

{captioned:  “i can’t believe it’s my last week at fridays.  a special thank you to this company for all the opportunities, experiences, and FUN that i’ve had over these past couple of years with all my wonderful coworkers.  getting all ready to head to my next adventure in colorado and reunite with my partner-in-crime and fridays supporter, jamie.”} ;)

{udon and sushi from my favorite korean grocery store, h-mart!}

{i was thrilled to get to see julee, one of my very best friends, before leaving dallas.  she is an amazing person and i am so thankful for her.  i miss her so much, but whenever we see each other, it is always like no time has passed.  can’t wait til she visits me in den!}

{i heart sushi.}

{texas pho at henry’s majestic}

{and then it happened:  i moved!  this was somewhere between new mexico and denver.}

{hello denver!}

{sleeping on the ground in my new apartment with my mom.  and another shot of the flowers jamie gave me on move in day.}

{dinner at ophelia’s with jamie and mom on our first night in denver.  these were the scandinavian duck meatballs with balsamic onions, lingonberry jam, parsnip grits & hemp seeds.}

{roasted butternut squash salad with apples, arugula, french feta, pomegranate, bhel puri, mint & curried squash yogurt.}

{we shared some burgers and then had this for dessert:  the cream ale sandwich.  malted beer ice cream, chocolate shortbread cookie, pomegranate & pretzel.  super delish!}

{the next day mom and i got a hotel room.  one night on the ground is enough!}

{another meal with jamie and mom:  an assortment of housemate sausages at euclid hall.}

{brunch at jelly cafe with mom.}

{on the left, a brick wall at jelly, and on the right, a bathroom stall at ophelia’s.  i love the colors!}

{a little apple tart that i shared with my mama.  and man, pictures just don’t do those colorado sunsets justice!}

{on the right there is some spicy tuna poké [marinated sashimi grade ahi tuna cubes tossed in spicy mayo with tobikko, garnished with scallions and sesame seeds] from ohana island kitchen.  i’m a little poké-obsessed right now.}

{looked what surfaced during the move!!!!  so happy to be living in the same city as this girl again.}

{in my ‘hood.}

{the amazing tacos at los chingones.  i was feeling right at home!} :)

{views from the rooftop patio at jamie’s apartment.}

{denver central market.  i can walk here and i love it!}

{i took a flower bath in the flowers that jamie gave me [after they were past their prime] as i like to do.  BUT this time, the pollen on those lilies bled everywhere and my new bathtub was stained bright yellow!  oops.  luckily with a little cleaning, scrubbing, and a few weeks of taking more showers and baths, it came off.  whew!  that pollen is no joke!}

{a little sunday lunch date at slice works with jamie after church – that slice of pizza was bigger than my face!!}

{i can’t get over the mountain views.}

{more poké!  this time at mister tuna, across the street from my house.}

{a couple more, because the bar at mister tuna is pretty neat.}

{i thought that beer on the left was appropriate!  and on the right, jamie will probably kill me for posting this, but here he is making yeast overnight waffles [in a crockpot bowl, ha] with his tongue sticking out – the way he always does when he’s concentrating.  i snuck this pic because i think it’s hilarious and cute.} ;)

{can we talk about these waffles??  apparently his family always makes these at home and they are sooo good.  and there on the right, jamie playing with his food again!}

{coffee at steam on south pearl.}

{this body of an old airplane is sitting right there next to the patio at steam… kinda cool.}

{this was at an after party for meier skis.  “handmade skis from colorado trees.”  aren’t they beautiful?}

{lots going on in this city of mine.}

 more fun times to catch up on, coming soon!  xoxo