Our friends who own the Lost Stirrup Lodge, are owned by two papillions. This is the smaller of the two. His name is Tout de suite, pronounced, ‘toot sweet’. He has a slightly larger black and white brother named Wink.
This little guy jumped up on the foot stool, then walked across Tech Hubby’s legs like a bridge, then settled down and made himself quite at home. Interestingly enough, Tech Hubby let him. Tech Hubby does not like animals and does not understand the psychology behind pets. Toot also likes to sniff your eyes. Don’t ask because I have no idea why.
When I tried to hold him and pet him, this is what he said, (use your best Inspector Clouseau voice) “Non my Cheri. I am not a cute fluffy toy to be played with, I am a fierce guard dog. I must protect zee mountain lodge from zee poodles. Zey are planning a coup. I just know it. I must remain on high alert and cannot be distracted by zee scratching of zee ears.”
I’d like you to meet one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, Bubba. Every year, Bubba has a powered para glider fly-in at his lodge in south west Colorado near the Royal Gorge. Take a peek at his site and the Colorado beauty we are all blessed with on a daily basis.
Here are some photos I took last year.
The art museum is partially responsible for redeeming Denver. Art and a strong pot of tea can help a gal get over almost any trauma if it’s not too severe.
Remember, clicking on an image will enlarge it for better viewing.
Remember yesterday I told you about the shop next door to HoC? Here it is…Savory!
What is it about hard wood floors that is so charming? The two things HoC and Savory have in common is that they are both located in older buildings, charming thing #1, and they both have hard wood floors, charming thing #2. Tile floors feel too cold, clinical and utilitarian. Maybe that is why I feel like I’m walking into a vet or hospital when I enter stores with tile floors. Wood floors seem to say ‘Welcome, you are now a part of history and intertwined with all the other people who have walked across me over the many years past.’ Tile floors seem to say, ‘hurry up and get out’.
I immediately felt welcomed and comfortable upon entering Savory. I was greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable woman by the name of, Shantelle. I quickly felt like a welcomed guest.
As you can see from the above pictures, they have quite a selection. You can buy a little or a large amount of each spice. I purchased a few 1/2 and 1 ounce packets to sample and see if I wanted larger amounts later. I have already used my Capital Hill Seasoning Blend to make omelets yesterday. I love the dried shallots in the blend. Last night, I sprinkled some of the Paris Cheese Sprinkle blend on fresh popped popcorn. What a delight! I also made off with a jar of vanilla sugar, a packet of black sesame seeds, the Tarragon Shallot Citrus Seasoning, Lemon Grass, and a Cambridgeshire Celery Seasoning. I already have recipe plans for the Tarragon seasoning but I can’t reveal them just yet. A word of advice on the vanilla sugar. It does contain real bits of vanilla bean. If you are going to use it in your tea or coffee, I recommend adding it to your beverage in a separate vessel and decanting it into your cup or different container from the first, while pouring the liquid through a fine mesh strainer, a tea strainer to be exact as my kitchen strainers have too large of holes to effectively keep the vanilla bits from getting into my cup. The bits aren’t an issue when they are small, but when they absorb the liquid from your drink and swell, it’s a bit unsettling (for me any way) to have them get stuck in your teeth. It is, however, well worth the tiny bit of extra effort to strain the bits. Think of it as a Zen exercise if it helps.
Savory also has a a myriad of salts, curries, extracts and sauces just to name a few of the wonderful things you will find on their website and on their store shelves
Savory can ship your order to you, you don’t have to drive to Denver or Littleton in order to fulfill your need for exotic spices and adventurous cooking. One quick phone call or computer click and soon, you will be your own Mistress of Spice.
Click on any picture to make it bigger.
www.houseofcommonstea.com
Jessica’s website is down right now but please do visit it soon and often and if you find yourself heading to Denver, please do visit her. Here is her address:
2401 15th St
Denver, CO
303-455-4832
Here is how you get there going North on I-25. Take exit 23. You will pass by the aquarium which will be on your right. Keep on the road and follow it around without turning. Cross over 15th street. House of Commons is on the left about 3-4 doors down, just past the bar and grill. I had had a terrible morning in down town Denver. Homeless men by the droves kept coming up to me and begging for change and breakfast (perhaps Gov. Ritter should do something about cleaning up the downtown area instead of passing bills that rob the majority of the populace of privacy in the bathroom.) Feeling completely unsafe(one man in particular seemed to be everywhere I was. It was too coincidental to be random.) and harassed, I left the downtown area to spend my money elsewhere.
After visiting the Denver Art Museum (no panhandlers there!) I went to find the House of Commons. I didn’t realize how far south I had gone (I’m not so good with directions) I thought I would drive a bit to the mall and eat there but then changed my mind again as I really wanted to spend money on small business owner. I know that not every person in the mall is part of a large chain store, but there is just something appealing and satisfying about spending money outside the mall where all the stores look the same and carry the same thing everyone else does and I didn’t want fast food which always seems to make me sick to my stomach.
I turned my car around and off to House of Commons I went. It took some doing and I got a bit lost because I exited too soon but a nice Denver police officer (sorry again to have disturbed you on your lunch break!) pointed me in the right direction. I found it! By the time I arrived, the streets were quite busy and I had to park a ways away. I ended up parking across form a green belt that ran the length of a river. there were nice sized trees offering shade and many park benches. I decided to come back to that spot to while away the rest of the afternoon until it was time to pick up Tech Hubby from his meeting.
Once inside the HoC, I ordered a pot of Lady Grey and a curry chicken salad sandwich. Both were quite delicious. I visited with Jessica, the owner, telling her about my previous visit (sad to say (wishing I could go more frequently) it was about three years ago, shortly after she opened). She was delighted I had come back- how could I not? -and recommended some local shops to me. I thanked her and left and promptly went next door to, well, you’ll have to see in tomorrow’s post. You won’t want to miss it. We definitely need one of these in my city. I’d open on up tomorrow if I had the money and I think it would do well.
p.s. I gave Jessica my introduction card. She asked me what I speak about and I told her about the things I do involving hospitality. She said she used to open her restaurant every Tuesday to moms with new born babies. It has waned over the years but she said while it was going, it was a great group.
‘See’ you tomorrow!
peony2, originally uploaded by dancingteacup.
Tech Hubby and I drove to Boulder today to visit his aunt who recently lost her husband. I love her house. It’s full of eclectic art and knick knacks she and her husband have collected over their years of marriage and travel. Even her throw rugs are ‘arty’. I especially enjoyed a piece of art made by the Maker’s Hands that was standing in her front yard, a white peony bush.
Isn’t it lovely? My pink peony bush has yet to bloom. I took several photos of hers to tide me over until the blossoms on mine finally make their appearance.
We had tea and home made bread with some wonderful, gooseberry flavored, Hero jam, a tasty salad and a tuna casserole. Dessert was angel food cake with whipped cream and berries. It was so nice to be ‘hospitalitied’ to instead of being the one who is offering their hospitality. It’s not that I mind being hospitable, it just makes for a nice change of pace. That’s all.
On our way out of town and headed back toward home, I stopped in at Healing tea and picked up a bag of Orchid Oolong tea, and Apricot Brandy tea the later of which my husband said, smelled like tobacco.
Tech Hubby is home, safe and sound. The people in Tasmania took great care of him. They even invited him to their home and served him a home cooked meal of lamb. This touched my heart so much. I’ve been praying blessings on them ever since. Also, he brought back a hand knitted tea cozy for me. I now have a hand made craft from Tasmania! The best though, is that I have him, safe and sound and home where he belongs.
Our wedding topper.
The reason why I’ve had the time of day for Tasmania up on my blog, is because Tech Hubby has been there for two weeks!!!! Two weeks without my man’s kisses, conversation, his skin to touch. I am so excited he is coming home, I’m shaking!
brightorangesunrisesg, originally uploaded by dancingteacup.
This photo was enhanced with a special effect called soft glow.
