" You can tell a good pub the way it fits around your shoulders"

The Golden Bee!

Where all the magic happens!

 Wow! This is one of the most fun, special bars/pubs I have ever been to. The bar is actually a restored English Pub of the 19th Century. It came to American in the early 1800's from London and was in business in the London Terrace section of New York City. It was dismantled to make way for an apartment complex and stored in a warehouse where it was discovered by W and J Sloane and company, a decorating firm commissioned by the Broadmoor in the late 1950's. It opened its doors to patrons of the Boradmoor in 1961.

The history is a very cool part of this place- but the atmosphere is what makes it so special. You have to get the "Bee" early if you want to partake in the fun. We as a family of 8- needed to get there super early so that we would have a seat. There is no standing room in this bar- if you don't have a seat- you wait in line until someone leaves. And trust me- you don't want to leave.

Us before the music!

John and his 1/2 Yard

 We arrived at 6:00 PM and slowly got drinks and dinner. The cuisine was English with pot pies and sandwiches. Not my favorite- but I found a cup of soup and salad to enjoy. I say slowly- because the fun didn't really begin until 8:30. That is when rag-time and sing-along piano is performed.

The piano

I really didn't know what to expect- and then it happened. A song list! Yay!

Love this song book- brought it home!

So, the pianist began and we all sang along together in the whole bar. We stayed there until 11:00 PM, requesting songs, belting out the ones we love, still singing the ones we didn't. I have never had more fun with so many people I didn't know. It was a total blast!

Linds and Kyle singing

John and I singing

 Forget the food, forget the beer- if the food was cold, and the beer was hot- this would still be one of my most favorite places and memories. Luckily- the beer was pretty cold. Problem was- I was having too much fun to take the temperature. Now, that is a sign of a great night!

"You can tell a good pub by the way it fits around your shoulders". That's how an Englishman explained the very special atmosphere that tells you instantly you've come to the right place...a blend of warmth and friendliness, of dark wood colors and sparkling glass, of foaming tankards and good talks. The Golden Bee at the Broadmoor was for sure this place.

A Weekend in the Springs

The family all together again!

This past weekend my entire family met in Colorado Springs. We traveled from Phoenix, Fort Worth, and Nashville for a special weekend to take a trip down memory lane, watch some TCU football, and celebrate my sister's birthday- on September 11th.

 Honestly, I don't know which day was more fun. Friday was a total blast. If you like to gamble, and are on a budget, Cripple Creek is the place for you. I LOVE this place. 

A picture of the Blackjack Table

Vegas- You got nothing on Cripple Creek.

It's nestled about an hour away from Colorado Springs and boy, oh boy- this was fun. The town was a little sleepy, but right when you got into one of the 10 casinos-the fun began! There were $3.00 Blackjack tables- did you see that $3.00. What a bargain! We had a blast there- but started to all lose some money. So, we headed over and "opened" the Craps table. This is my mom's favorite game and boy was this table HOT. We played as a family for over 2 hours (all 8 of us) and we all won $$$$$! It was a $1.00 Craps table- so not millions- but it was a ton of fun and hey, money is money.

That afternoon we headed to the Broadmoor. This was such a special treat and a special place. This hotel not only has gorgeous views, amazing restaurants, but is honestly- a lap of luxury. I could go back again and again. That evening we hit my most favorite place ever, The Golden Bee. More on that another time.

My parents at the Broadmoor

Saturday, we headed to the Air Force/TCU game where we enjoyed football, sun, mountains, and an amazing tribute to 9-11.

We wrapped the weekend up with church, a tour of where we lived and grew up for the spouses, and an awesome Birthday Brunch for my little sister's 26th Birthday.

What a fabulous weekend.  Happy Birthday Terri!

Football RULES- Why didn't anyone ever tell me?

I grew up hating football. I thought it was totally dumb and decided that sitting in the kitchen talking with my mom was totally more fun than watching it on t.v. I have 2 sisters- and they didn't get that memo. Every weekend, my sisters, dad, grandparents, aunts, you name a family member all gathered to watch games. I refused! (Silly, silly me).  I didn't understand what was so interesting about watching guys run around in helmets and shoulder pads- I preferred where I could see the guys- like baseball. I do like sports; grew up playing soccer and really do love baseball- but football- I wanted NOTHING to do with.

Fast forward to age 25. I meet and fell in love with a die-hard TCU fan. I will tell you- I almost broke the guys heart by not attending one game while we were dating. I didn't like the sport and thought that was something that he could do on his "own time".  I had no interest in learning about what quarterbacks, tight ends, and running backs did. I didn't know why they were so big and bulky and just ran into each other. Still, was not interested.

But, he proposed, and life changed. He wanted me to go to games- to learn his passion, and maybe, just maybe- pick up some passion of my own.  So, I did.

Tailgating!

 And the passion actually started with the party. DUH! I love a party, I love being outside, and I love beer. (Lots of GREAT beer blog content to come this season)  Wouldn't it be a natural for me to love football? Isn't that what Football is all about? :)

However, week by week, I grew to love the game. I am totally competitive by nature and got into the teams and the plays and started caring about the players.

Fiesta Bowl

I also got lucky that the football Gods knew it would just take a trip to Fiesta Bowl and Rose Bowl to send me over the edge to a true and passionate fan.

Rose Bowl

So, on the eve of football season- I think to myself- Football Rules. Why, oh why did it take me this long to figure out?!!?