Saturday, November 29, 2008

Buckhorn Exchange: Take Two!

Once again, I made it to Denver's infamous Buckhorn Exchange, known for their wild game and rustic history. Their food and service are always exceptional. It's still, hands down, the best food and ambiance in Denver!

From L-to-R: Ryan, Angela, Jenny, Meagan, & Kristi.

Does Ryan remind anyone else of Tom Skweres?

Two well-known booze hounds!

My entree consisted of an 18 oz. dry-aged bison ribeye topped with whipped garlic butter.

I'm so proud of Ryan! He may have actually surpassed Dr. T's record by eating as many different animals as possible during one meal. Ryan consumed elk, bison, duck, rattle snake, alligator, salmon, quail, and Cornish game hen. Wow, that's impressive! Unfortunately Ryan, I have nothing to give you but my undying respect!

Taxidermy central!

Fried alligator tail.

What they don't realize is that a debilitating food coma eagerly awaits them.

Check out the freaky conjoined lambs! Yikes!

Jenny & Meagan split a 1.5 lb. steak. The waiter topped it off with mushrooms, onions, and garlic butter. Yum!

Our waiter created a first-class experience!

Thanksgiving: Denver Style!

Although I undoubtedly missed grandma's cooking this Thanksgiving, I still had a blast with a great group of friends in Denver. Albeit, most of us are from MN. Angela and Ryan are from St. Cloud, MN and Meagan is from Santa Cruz, CA. Jenny, who currently lives in Denver, is originally from LaCrosse, WI but has spent several years in the Twin Cities as well. We were all assigned a few dishes to cook and, I have to say, it was pretty damn good! Being from the low-lands, I wasn't aware there was such a thing as high altitude cooking, so my stuffing and Swedish meatballs took forever to cook. I guess you learn something new every day. Here's some photos of the day's festivities.














Sunday, November 16, 2008

Denver's 1st Snow Fall!

Somewhere around 4am on Friday morning, November 14th, I awoke to water sprinkling on my face through my bedroom window. Thinking nothing of a little rain, I promptly closed my window and fell back to sleep. To my surprise, when I opened my blinds at 7am, it was a full blown snow storm! Luckily, Denver's nasty weather doesn't last long. As I left work on Friday afternoon the snow was all but a memory, and today it's sunny and 70 degrees. Here's a few photos of my walk to work on Friday morning.



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Thursday, November 6, 2008

My Trip Home: Echotastic!

A few of my classmates from Argosy were able to rendezvous at the Muddy Pig in St. Paul for, sadly enough, our last hurrah! In just a few short weeks, Barry and Kassi start their new careers as cardiac sonographers in Fargo, as well as Beth in Green Bay. Congrats! Thanks for the beers, laughs, and teat grabbing! How will I survive without such kindred spirits? You certainly made my trip home echotastic!

Kirk, Barry, and Katie (Barry's wife).

April "Chester the Molester" Quast & Manya "No Means Yes" Denman.

The polls are in! Barry's been voted, "first to get fired for gross misconduct!"

Beth and her boyfriend Matt looking fairly cheesy. They'll fit in perfectly in Wisconsin. No pun intended!

One can only imagine how April and Manya keep their teeth so white. Ha!

Kirk and Barry - together at last! Another reason to vote NO to California's Prop 8.

My Trip Home: Dinner at Rudy's!

While at home for a quick visit, I ventured to Rudy's Red Eye Grill in White Bear Lake for a brouhaha with a few family members and, of course, a bloody steak. Coincidently, my ol' pal Melissa Rose works at Rudy's and made some delicious recommendations. Here's a few photos from the evening's festivities. If you get a few drinks in my family, they're a riot! Take a look...
Aunt Sandy, Uncle Dave, Mama Joy, Grandma Grace, Grandpa Ronnie, Grandma Rosie, and Kirk.

Mom sporting her new fabulous hairdo.


My adorable grandparent's who refused to squeeze together for a picture. That's what 60 years of marriage will do to you!


One of my oldest and dearest friends, Melissa Rose. Mel actually has 2 friends named Kristi Davis, but I often remind her that I'm "the original."


Rosie counting how many Brandy Alexanders she's consumed.

Sandy and Dave after drinking a few glasses of wine. You can always tell when Sandy's been drinking, as her cheeks light up like Rudolf's nose.


Joycie and Gracie looking as cute as ever!

My Trip Home: The Gerths!

While I was home, I was fortunate enough to drop by the Gerth residence at the perfect time - right before trick-or-treating! Brennan (2.5 years) was a ferocious dinosaur and Carter (6 weeks) was none other than a lil' pumpkin. This year Nick and Brandy decided to shed their costumes and celebrate as parents. Hopefully the kids shared their candy!






Happy Halloween 2008!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

My Trip Home: Halloween Party!

My first night back to the Twin Cities was as bloodcurdling as I could have ever hoped for. Christie Daluge was a hair-raising host in her haunted home in Crystal, MN. I'd like to share some pictures of the Halloween Party - that is, of course, if you can handle such hideous ghouls.

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn, and caldron bubble!


John's inferno!


Molly and the red dragon!


Christie, the host of the party, dressed as a Packer's fanatic. Mitch is a cop by day and, evidently, a scarecrow by night.


What else could Brian be but a chick magnet?!?!


A close-up of Peter Pumpkin Eater's face. I'm not sure if this photo does Matt's costume justice, as there were pumpkin innards and seeds plastered to his face.


There was an actual fan in Jared's arse keeping his costume inflated.


Molly and John (a.k.a. MoJo) dressed up as characters from "Police Academy."


Some guy I don't know dressed up as a punk rocker or, quite possibly, a goth clown!?!?


Damn cheese-head!


A cute couple dressed as Wiley Wabbit and the Joker.


Kirk went as "Kirk 2007." That's right, last Halloween Kirk took a tumble, making his face look like raw hamburger. We tried our best, with temporary tattoos, to duplicate the experience for you. Honestly, it looks almost identical to last year's drunken face plant.

Johnny showing off his stellar crotch!


An outstanding interpretation of "Peter-Peter Pumkin Eater!" Kristine and Matt won first prize for their innovative couple's costume.


The party came equipped with its very own sexy French maid, Amy. Granted, cleavage bearing French maids should undoubtedly be called, Evette!


Mitch and Erin eating some of "Evette's" delectable hors d'oeuvres!