Ariel Coverage

An Aerial View of Colorado

Apple Pie a la Fall

Sep 28

Posted by amata in Food for Thought | No Comments

For the last several weeks I had been wanting to make an apple pie.  What better pie to make in the fall than an apple one?  My thought exactly.  I called my mother and asked for her recipe.  My mother is an accountant, but probably should have been in the restaurant business.  She once had someone tell her to sell her meatloaf.  Her most crafted skill, though, is baking. 

I peeled eight organic green applies, sliced them and let them soak in an amazing mixture of sugar and special ingredients.  Here’s a spoiler, I used Pillsbury crust.  My mom’s cooking is a lot to live up to, and her crust is something I just haven’t tackled yet.  After the apples marinated so-to-say, I arranged them neatly in the bottom of the crust and then put the top layer of crust on.  Let it bake, and had the perfect pie!  You can’t help but feel like fall when there  is an apple pie in your house. 

Thanks Mom. 

 PIE 1PIE 2

Top of the world

Sep 28

Posted by amata in Uncategorized | No Comments

As much as I don’t want to believe it, it’s fall in Colorado.  While it’s absolutely stunning, I hate to think that summer is slipping away.  Nevertheless, my boyfriend and I decided to take a trip to the top of Pikes Peak and see the gorgeous fall colors. 

As we started up Pikes Peak Highway and paid the $12 per person (which I think is fairly steep, however I understand it goes to park maintenance) to enter the park, every part of nature looked like fall.  The trees, sky, slight breeze… all indicative of fall.  We stopped at Chrystal Reservoir to take in the beauty of the trees reflecting on the water, with the picturesque mountains in the background.  We then continued up the mountain to the very top.  I loved the signs along the highway that marked the sub-alpine, alpine and timberline zones.  The timberline seemed to be a perfect line between where trees would grow and where they would not.  I had never seen an alpine zone not covered in snow, and I have to say it almost looked like another planet… Mars perhaps. 

When we got the top, the view was stunning.  It’s definitely a strange feeling to have nothing on top of you; the only place to look is down.  We walked around for some time before going into the trading post (restaurant and gift shop).  I have seen Pikes Peak Donuts featured on FoodTV several times and was thrilled when we got the chance to try them.  They definitely had a spice to them and I like that they didn’t have any icing.  Sometimes sweets can be too sweet. 

After about an hour, we headed down to Manitou Springs.  Manitou might be my new favorite spot in Southern Colorado.  It’s like a combination of Nederland and Estes Park.  I loved the restaurants, shops and historic buildings.  We stopped at Swirl Wine Bar for a small wine tasting.  The bar has an amazing back alley seating area with cute patio furniture and an even more charming atmosphere.  I absolutely recommend this place for small group gatherings and even a quiet date.  For more information click here. 

After the tasting, we went to Coquette Creperie for dinner.  The menu has crepes themed for all food types: Greek, Indian, Spanish, even a Philadelphian crepe.  I had the Greek crepe.  Stuffed with kalamata (my favorite) olives, feta, roasted tomatos and other delicious Greek things, I thoroughly enjoyed this crepe.  My boyfriend had the  Philadelphian crepe.  It was stuffed with cheese, steak and other delicious American foods.  He very much enjoyed that as well.  For more information about the  Coquette Creperie click here.   

PP1PPDODO2PP3

Up, up and away!

Sep 28

Posted by amata in Get Out There, Observing Colorado | No Comments

With the launch of our new weekend morning show, I decided I should take it upon myself to check out the Colorado Balloon Classic in Colorado Springs.  In case you’re wondering, the classic started in 1997 and has grown to be the largest and longest running hot air show in Colorado.  What’s also great, is that the festival is always free. 

I had never been around hot air balloons, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  As much as I wanted to get up in the morning and go for the launch, I couldn’t make it.  So I decided to go at night for the balloon lighting.  

The balloons were absolutely gorgeous.  I’ve seen many hot air balloons from far away, but I was surprised at how big they actually are when you’re next to them.  The reflection of the balloons from Memorial Park on Prospect Lake was very cool to see.  Here are some of my favorite pictures. 

BALLOON FEST 1    BALLOON FEST3

For more information on the Colorado Balloon Classic click here.

Oh all the places we should go…

Aug 23

Posted by amata in Get Out There, Observing Colorado, Top Pick | No Comments

I’ve blogged about baseball before and going to my first Sky Sox game, but nothing compares to a Rockies game at Coors Field. 

Going to a game at the end of the summer is a great way to enjoy the warm season a little longer, but it’s also tough to admit that my favorite time of year is almost over.  Nothing says summer to me like giant hot dogs, Dippin’ Dots and baseball.  Two years ago, I was on Semester at Sea in Russia on the 4th of July.  Nothing could have been further from home.  While Russia was an amazing experience, the cultural differences are about as drastic as summer and winter. 

I have been to Coors Field countless times, but for some reason I started thinking how lucky we are live in a state with such amazing places.  The mountains are obvious, but what about the CU-Boulder campus and the downtown area of Fort Collins?  Tiny Town (despite it’s recent train derailment) and Bob and Tony’s Pizza in Estes Park?  It’s not just the scenery that makes Colorado great, but the institutions here as well. 

 ROCKIES

SO much food!

Aug 4

Posted by amata in Food for Thought, Reviews | No Comments

After we did a package on it and hearing about it for months, I decided it was time I visited Kings Chef in Colorado Springs.

The food was amazing!  I had the huevos rancheros smothered in green chili.  I will admit it was a little spicy for my taste, especially in the morning, but it was very good. 

My boyfriend had the famous “Thing.”  He usually eats substantial amounts of food, but even he couldn’t finish it. 

I definitely recommend Kings Chef.  If you would like to visit click here.

A hidden theatre in Denver

Jul 19

Posted by amata in Get Out There, Observing Colorado, Reviews, Top Pick | No Comments

Over the weekend, I went to my favorite French restaurant in Denver, Le Central (I’ve talked about it in other posts) and an amazing movie theatre I never knew existed. 

The Mayan Theatre was built in 1930.  It’s located right off Broadway in Central Denver.  The theatre features some of Denver’s best independent films and foreign language cinema as well as nationally publicized movies.  It was almost bulldozed in the 1980s, but a group called “Friends of the Mayan” saved the theatre.  It was completely renovated and reopened to the public. 

The building has three theatres inside and all of the traditional movie snacks and ammenities.  It also has a full-service bar on the second floor.  The architecture is extremely underappreciated and beautiful.  After spending just a few minutes there, you’ll wish every theatre was like the Mayan. 

The individual theatres are fairly small, but feature Mayan art and architecture.  Before the movies begin, music plays instead of previews.  The staff was also extremely friendly.

I highly recommend seeing a movie at the Mayan.  It’s great for dates or just a night out with friends.  If you would like to visit click here.

My very first Sky Sox game!

Jul 19

Posted by amata in Get Out There, Observing Colorado, Reviews | No Comments

I had to work on the 4th of July and my wonderful boyfriend skipped out on all the firework fun to be with me.  Needless to say, I felt very bad that he missed out on everything, so I decided to try to make it up to him. 

I surprised him with tickets to a Sky Sox fireworks game.  I mean, what’s more American than fireworks, hot dogs and baseball?  Despite getting rained on for three innings, we had a great time! 

I absolutely love hot dogs, no matter how terrible anyone says they are for you.  I had a bacon hot dog and amazing jalapeno nachos with that wonderful fake cheese.  I never eat junk food, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it. 

The Sox won 10-7 against the Reno Aces.  It was a great game!  Three homeruns, tons of between inning fun and yummy food. 

SKY SOX 1SKY SOX 2

“To infinity and beyond!”

Jul 5

Posted by amata in Get Out There, Travel | No Comments

I was recently lucky enough to spend a week at Disney World for my sororities international convention.

I got to go to Universal Studios and visit the brand new “Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney. 

“Wizarding World of Harry Potter” was absolutely amazing!  I had heard that the lines were so long, there was a very little chance I would actually get in.  However, the day I went it started raining in the afternoon, and everyone in the five hour line left!  It only took about 20 minutes to get in!  The line for the actual Harry Potter ride, however, took about three hours.  It was very hot, and there were hundreds of people, but it was absolutely worth it.  The ride makes you feel like you’re actually in the books.  It’s a fantastic experience and definitely worth the wait.  The Harry Potter section of Island Adventure at Universal Studios also has a smaller family roller coaster and larger coaster called “Dueling Dragons.”  I didn’t go on the larger coaster, but my friends loved it!  The coaster is actually two tracks in one, so you can ride each side… hence the dueling dragaons. 

Disney was amazing as always!  I have been there several times before, but everytime is more memorable than the last.  Staying in a Disney hotel, I was able to take advantage of Disney Magic Hours.  That means I got to be in the Magic Kingdom park until 3:00 a.m.!  I rode Splash Mountain several times in a row without waiting in line.  Totally worth staying up all night! 

I have to mention my convention.  My sorority holds convention biannually on even numbered years. I missed the last convention in 2008 because I was on Semester at Sea.  I met incredible women, learned a lot about my specialty, recruitment, and spent quality time with my sisters. 

Have you ever seen or heard of the movie “The Red Violin?”  Well the woman that owns and plays that incredible instrument is in my sorority.  Her name is Elizabeth Pitcairn and she played at our Foundation Luncheon.  It was such an amazing experience.  My sorority also gives outstanding women Carnation Awards since that is our sorority flower.  This year, three women recieved awards including Kristin Chenowith.  Kristin is a Gamma Phi Beta! 

Hope you enjoy the pictures below!  I tried to include a little bit of everything.  The picture of the recruitment award is what I’m most proud of.  I have held every recruitment position on the collegiate level, and am now serving as the recruitment advisor for my chapter at the University of Colorado. 

 CASTLEBUTTERBEERSPLASH MOUNTAINMICKEYRECRUITMENTALL

Creek Fest 2010!

Jun 7

Posted by amata in Get Out There, Observing Colorado, Top Pick | No Comments

The Boulder Creek Festival is one of my favorite yearly events!  The free festival features some of the best food, over 500 vendors, carnival rides, concerts and, my favorite, the Great Rubber Duck Race.

Visitors can buy a duck for $1, and then they race down Boulder Creek.  If your duck places or wins, event organizers will call to inform you of a prize. 

Walking down the Boulder Creek Path you are sandwiched between hundreds of Boulderites just out to have a great time.  You can’t go to the festival without running into people you know. 

The food is incredible!  From turkey legs to Greek food to tamales and Dippin’ Dots, there is something for everyone.   

If you want to go, the festival is every Memorial Day weekend in Boulder’s downtown area. 

DUCKY

All the way from Israel

May 17

Posted by amata in Food for Thought, Observing Colorado | 1 Comment

All this month, News First 5 is “going to the dogs!”  We are bringing you different pet stories everyday.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I love all animals, but I have to talk about the kitties.

About two years ago, one of my friends did a study abroad program in Isreal.  While she was there, a feral street cat followed her home one day.  Dani took him in, and ended up bringing him back to Colorado.  After some roommate problems and life circumstances, Dani needed someone to take care of him over the summer.  Being the cat lover that I am, I couldn’t resist.  I didn’t have a cat at the time, and I thought I could make any cat, feral or not, love me.    

We ended up naming him Thumper because when he would  latch onto your arms he  would move his back feet like a bunny.  Notice how I said “latch on.”  Thumper was probably born outside and we have no way of knowing what his life on streets was like before Dani.  

He would eat his food like he had hunted it.  He would pounce on you like he was attacking prey.  He clung to lace curtains, jumped across banisters, hung from doorways and would paw at food in the garbage disposal.  We certainly had loving moments together, but he was definitely an outdoor cat. 

While I had Thumper, I learned a lot about feral cats specifically in Israel.  Did you know that there is only one animal shelter in the entire country?  It’s run by a woman, who is not native to Isreal.  She says she couldn’t stand seeing so many cats on the street, so she opened the shelter.  You can even pay to have a cat sent to the United States.

It was a great experience having Thumper because I learned so much.  However,  I have to say that if you’re thinking of trying to tame a feral cat, it’s next to impossible. 

THUMPER BABYBIG THUMPER