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Welcome to Springs and Things, the podcast where two close friends spill the tea on all things Colorado Springs! From culture and community to hidden gems and neighborhood lore, we’ve got it covered. Join us as we sip our coffee (or maybe something stronger) and dive into the stories and secrets that make this city so unique. Whether you're a local or just passing through, our fun, light-hearted, and always entertaining take on the quirks, hot topics, and insider tips will keep you coming back for more. Discover what’s really happening in the Springs—beyond the mountains and parks!
So, Lauren, a few months ago, we were brainstorming fun topic ideas for the next mute few months. We're trying to get ahead of our content, blah blah blah blah blah. And we were like, let's do New Year's resolutions with a twist, and we forgot to add the twist. And we kinda folks forgot to really plan for this, so we are winging it today. And I'm actually really happy about that.
Speaker 1:I think this is gonna be such a genuine conversation, and it'll be really fun just to share what we wanna see in the spring, what what we wanna see for ourselves in 2025. This is a spring specific resolution episode. So, Lauren, this will be great. I'm excited. Let's do this.
Speaker 2:Let's do it. Welcome to Springs and Things, the podcast where 2 close friends spill the tea on all things Colorado Springs from culture and community to hidden gems and neighborhood lore. We've got you covered. I'm Lauren Ferrara.
Speaker 1:And I'm Carly Rees. We'll sip our coffee and dive into the stories and secrets that make this city so unique. Whether you're a local or just passing through, we hope our fun, lighthearted, and always entertaining take will keep you coming back for more. So, Lauren, should we talk about maybe some resolutions related to
Speaker 2:the city? Do you have any? I do. So I'm kind of a creature of habit when it comes to hiking mostly because I don't wanna get myself lost. But, so I I I tend to do the, like, my, you know, 3 or 4 favorite hikes, and just on repeat.
Speaker 2:And my goal this year, in 2025, is to do one new hike per month.
Speaker 1:Oh, I like it. So you know what's so funny? We have 2 episodes coming up within the next few weeks that relate to geocaching. I think I mentioned it literally in 2 episodes.
Speaker 2:You're really into it. We can talk about doing it together and we haven't yet.
Speaker 1:Yes. But it's a great way to discover new hikes. So if you're like, gosh, I feel like I've been doing the same ones over and over again, the app shows I've found hikes I didn't even know existed in the springs, and it just kinda gets you into different areas of town. So Nice. Third time's a charm.
Speaker 1:I'm including another Geocache mention. Yeah.
Speaker 2:I like that. Okay. One of my other ones is, like, one kinda one on one date with every member of my family each month. So with both kids, just me and them and then my husband. So that creates lots of opportunities to do things in the spring
Speaker 1:that haven't yet. Oh, that's a good one. Yeah. Do you have any others?
Speaker 2:I do. I also, this is for me, one self care activity per month. So and they're gonna be a little woo woo, forest bathing, a sound bath. I've never done a sound bath, so I'd really like to do one of those. Like, a massage with my girl Nicole coons, which is amazing.
Speaker 2:And then I'm obsessed and I've mentioned this in the past episode, but it's such a good thing to do every month that full moon yoga and soak at sun water spa. Or it could be just, you know, a pedicure just like something self carry for me each month.
Speaker 1:I love it. I think that is sorry?
Speaker 2:I said, what about you? Do you have any others related to the city?
Speaker 1:I so one of my personal goals for the year aside from the city is to just be more, I don't know how to say this, clean, not not from like a bathing standpoint. A shower girl here just Yeah. I need to shower. But from a, like, eating cleaner food Cleaning. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Cleaner products to clean my house, kind of detoxifying a little bit.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So as part of that, one of my big goals is to attend more local farmers markets. Nice. And it's funny. Every year, I get so excited to put the farmers market schedule on my calendar. When we were on the road and being the digital nomads, we lived on farmers markets.
Speaker 1:We would that would that would be kind of a way we would explore the city.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's a good way. I
Speaker 1:was like, I'll do it here. I put it on my calendar every year, and I failed to attend most years. I don't know what it is. Things come up during that time. So this year, I am attending more local farmers markets.
Speaker 2:It's funny. When I put things on, like, repeat on my calendar, I'm less likely to do them, I find. Because I'm like, oh, it's gonna repeat again next Sunday or, like, you know, the first of every month. So then I take it off because I'm like, oh, this isn't yeah. So Maybe
Speaker 1:we should have a psychologist on the show because I'm the exact same way and I can't figure out why. So maybe I'll just put it randomly and then be like, oh, I have to go that day. I don't know. We'll figure something out. Another thing I really want to do is stand up paddle boarding.
Speaker 1:I know they offer it at Quail Lake, at Prospect Lake, lakes all around town, and I just think that's so fun. Or yoga, stand up paddle boarding? No. I've done
Speaker 2:that. I do that up in the mountains a lot. So we go to, like, Dillon a lot, and I paddle board up there.
Speaker 1:Oh, I just think it's so fun, and I've never done it here, which is ridiculous. So that is on my let me do let me put a disclaimer out there. That's on my summer. Yeah. Good news.
Speaker 1:I will not be ice That would be so cool. Paddle boarding in the springs. And then another one I have, just like you is to try something new every week in the springs that I have never done.
Speaker 2:Every week? Oh, that's ambitious. I like it.
Speaker 1:Every week. And it could be with me or with me. I I typically go where I go. It could be by myself. It could be with my husband, friends, kids, whatever, but it just something that I have never tried before.
Speaker 2:Oh, okay. I like that. We'll we'll have to chitchat midyear and see how you're doing because
Speaker 1:But I also have this random one off things that I I'm like, this is the year that I have something that I can't believe I'm saying. I I am a native. I moved here when I was 18 months old. I have never been to the balloon glow.
Speaker 2:Have you not? Oh, it's fun.
Speaker 1:I know. So, you know, we do. We actually hike up Stratton, and you have views of the entire city. And so we bring breakfast up there and then watch all the balloons from afar take over the the sky. Mhmm.
Speaker 1:So we still do stuff for the balloon glow over this is the Labor Day lift off.
Speaker 2:Yeah. No. Are you, so you
Speaker 1:Those are different. Okay. So I'm talking about Labor Day lift off.
Speaker 2:Night one where they don't lift up. They just, you know, they just blow them up and they glow and it's the evening.
Speaker 1:So I haven't been to either. So I'll throw that in. The lift off either? No. Not I like I said, I've watched the lift off from afar.
Speaker 2:No. We do that every, well, what's cool is it's, like, circa my daughter's birthday, and she thinks it's, like or doesn't anymore because she's 9. But, like, for a long time, she thought it was all for her. Like, this was her birthday celebration, was these balloons lifting off. So we kept that going for quite a while.
Speaker 2:I love that. That's our our Labor Day tradition. I don't like going away during Labor Day weekend because I want to go to the lift off. Yes. We usually go over by the lake and, you know, bring up yeah.
Speaker 2:Bring breakfast and, there's so many great places around the city. You don't have to, you know, fight for parking and go really close to see it.
Speaker 1:Well, that's just it. We, like, we watch it from a hike that we do at Sunrise. So we have a tradition on it. Counts. Yeah.
Speaker 1:But we've just never been to Memorial Park to see them up close. So anyway, that's a big one. And then this is what
Speaker 2:I've never been to Cave of the Winds.
Speaker 1:Put it on your list.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So that'll be my tourist spot that I've never been to. So I'll do that one. I wanna actually they do like a Girl Scout camping experience there, and I accidentally became a girl scout troop leader this year. So I think I'm gonna take my little my little troop there.
Speaker 1:Oh, perfect. See, you're you're the fun leader. Good job. So then so speaking of fun, I need to so we are having this conversation next week, I believe. We're releasing an episode about play.
Speaker 2:Yes. That is not happening in 2025.
Speaker 1:I know. So the okay. So we have that. So I wanna get back to your word. But really quick, we talked about in in that episode kind of reframing our minds and, like, kind of playing a mind game as well.
Speaker 1:You're waiting in traffic or whatever. Mhmm. So I've decided that I'm going to accept that the construction in the springs is for the betterment of the city, and it is not an annoyance. And so anytime I'm stuck in construction traffic, I'm gonna play games. I'm gonna give stories to the construction workers who are doing such hard work making our city better.
Speaker 1:Because in the moment, I am not always thrilled with the construction, but it is for the better. So, Lauren, that is another resolution.
Speaker 2:But I I think it was brilliant that they have those signs that say brought to you by ballot measure 2 c. Because every time I see those, I'm like, heck, yeah. My tax dollars at work. I voted for that. This is what I wanted.
Speaker 2:So, yeah. I think that, like, their their, their messaging is brilliant. Because I do feel that way when I'm sitting. I'm like, oh, this is gonna make our city better.
Speaker 1:Love it. Yeah. That's amazing. Okay. So you said your word of the year is Play.
Speaker 1:Play. Yes. Can you
Speaker 2:elaborate on that? So I feel like there's always something you can be doing. Right? There's, you know, there I feel like there's always a way to fill your schedule. Instead of doing that, I'm gonna do something fun instead when I find that free time, or that white space in my calendar.
Speaker 2:This past year, my my word for the year was sense, and it was, like, appreciating the senses. So when I go for a hike, like, you know, feel I'm gonna get all forest baby here, but, like, you know, feeling the bark or, like, listening to the crunch below my feet. I just really like focusing on those senses.
Speaker 1:You think you were successful with your little music
Speaker 2:voice? Mostly was, especially in the first half of the year. The second half of the year, I think I, like, largely forgot about it.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Well, I mean I
Speaker 2:do like having a I've done that for
Speaker 1:a couple years, and I think it's it's helpful. I've never done that, but I think mine is so I'm very, I'm on the go quite a bit, but and I as as you are, but I like to fill my schedule. One of my friends the other day, so we did the doubleheader of we went to the match to see snowflakey princess, and then we turned her on and went to the fine arts center and saw the little mermaid that afternoon.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:That's kinda how I flow. Yeah. So
Speaker 2:I
Speaker 1:I know you. I need to. I need to focus on the details. So one of my personal resolutions so I I don't know what what the word of the I I think organization and I don't I don't know. I have to think of a word because it's not a good one.
Speaker 1:But my my personal goals aside from, like like, doing the less toxic brands and more organic blah blah blah is to be is to learn how to landscape properly. My my house needs some TLC. It was a rental for decades, and, we did a lot of home renovations. And so this year is the year of landscaping that I want to get good at.
Speaker 2:You're gonna DIY that? I'm impressed. I'm going to
Speaker 1:I'm going to DIY it. You heard it I mean, you didn't hear it here here here first. That was a weird sentence because I've been talking about it a lot. But, yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna try to DIY it with a lot of help. I luckily have some friends who are so wonderful at landscaping.
Speaker 1:It's like one of them is just second nature to her, and she'll be like, oh, yeah. You need to replant this thing. And I was talking to her at a favorite things party last night, and she she was like, she was using all these terms that were so innate to her, and I had to go home and Google everything because I had no idea what she I'm I'm such a beginner with this DIY landscaping. So if any listeners have any tips, please DM us. But on that other note, I just I'm I'm very organized from a schedule standpoint.
Speaker 1:Calendar is always blocked off. Like, I'm I'm I'm great at that kind of organization, but, like, home organization? Forget it. And you have a solution to that. Who did
Speaker 2:you use
Speaker 1:your you.
Speaker 2:So when I I moved into this house, 3 years ago and hired the simple sort to, like, unpack because I didn't wanna put things in the wrong places and then it just not flow right. So the simple sort came and organized my house. So I have, you know, a little bin for, like, mittens, adult mittens, adult hats, kid hats, kid gloves, and and the most brilliant thing I thought was, you know, the, like, missing socks that just, so we right above the washing machine, we have a, like, spare sock bin. So sometime when I'm watching TV, I just, like, dump out all the spare socks and find their their mates. But, yeah, it was it it is nice to have things like a little home for all these places, and then when it like, the home gets too crowded, like the water bottle home.
Speaker 2:So that's when, oh, it is full. You need no you don't need any more of these. So, yeah. I'm a big fan of professional organizers.
Speaker 1:I am going to hit them up and they are a local company. Correct?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Jen Campo with simple Simple Sort. We we she doesn't know this yet, but we're gonna have her on for a spring cleaning episode when, when springtime hits.
Speaker 1:Oh, surprise.
Speaker 2:Spring organization.
Speaker 1:I feel like we should record that episode next week, which would be the 1st week of the year so that I can use that information to begin this year and then we can hopefully use that for
Speaker 2:a second. And see how you're doing come springtime.
Speaker 1:Oh, I like it. That's actually a good idea. So I now have an accountability group. So thanks for that. Well, Lauren, do you have any other resolutions or any other views or anything on your list?
Speaker 2:Oh, and so my other one, another resolution, I guess, would be to walk 5 times a week. I go to Pilates, as you know, like, every single day. But I think I just need to get out and walk more. And this year, I started walking in the mornings with one of my neighbors, and it's delightful. It's such a great way to start the day.
Speaker 2:So we just do a quick 2 miles in the morning and then move on with our life.
Speaker 1:So I actually I have, like, 3 standing walks during the week with friends.
Speaker 2:Oh, nice.
Speaker 1:And it's awesome because you get your exercise and your social time.
Speaker 2:Yes. It, like, really yeah. That fills fills the cup.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And, actually, we, posted on our Instagram account yesterday, New Year's resolutions that people want to do in 2025. And, 2 of the responses included, 1, to get more hikes, which obviously and that's one of yours. But another one was actually from a friend of mine. Kelsey is trying to start a local, like, mom walking group for anybody that doesn't know who to walk with but wants to go on walks.
Speaker 1:So when that happens, I'll be sure to promote that and let people know because I think it's something a lot of people want to do. They just either don't know people that can do it with them or scheduling's weird. And so I think that's a big goal for a lot of people. So, I will make it our personal mission to fill people in Yeah. If they want these walking groups because it's such a great idea.
Speaker 1:Okay. So I actually have one more question before we get into our little Pilates talk. So you gotta get into our Pilates talk. What are you leaving in 2024 and not taking with you into 2025 as it relates to this lovely city or as it doesn't? You pick.
Speaker 2:Oh, okay. When am I leaving in 2024? I'm gonna you're gonna have to come back to me. You first.
Speaker 1:Okay. So I am leaving not shopping local. And when we were planning this episode, you were like, oh, yeah. I do have something to piggyback off. So just gonna send that reminder.
Speaker 1:I just the more we've done this show and met some of the coolest people in town and business owners and small business owners, I'm just like, it has just gotten so easy to do Target pickup, Amazon delivery. And while I'm not swearing those off completely, of course, they have their uses, I anything I can get from a local shop instead of a Target like, I went and got a mug at Target the other day, and I was like, this is ridiculous. Why am I getting this at Target? Or, like, plants at the grocery store or wherever where you could be going to the living room downtown. There's just so many cooler places.
Speaker 1:So I'm leaving just mindless Target Amazon orders behind and really focusing on supporting local businesses.
Speaker 2:So I know somebody who their New Year's resolution was to only buy things in person. So no Amazon. No, yeah, no Target pickup. You had to go and, yeah, buy it from an actual person. I was like, that's genius.
Speaker 2:And so the other day, I was on Amazon about to order something. I was like, Amazon is, like, being quirky. Like, it's not it's like trying to charge me shipping. And my husband was like, oh, yeah. I canceled Prime.
Speaker 2:I was like, you did what? Like, we've never not had Amazon Prime. But it's funny how, like, much less money you spend when you just get, like, buy it now. Buy it now. Buy it now.
Speaker 2:I'm like, oh, I'll have to buy that later. And then, of course, I've forgotten about it by the time Yes. That time comes.
Speaker 1:Have to be more intentional. Yeah. I love that your husband did that for you. Yeah.
Speaker 2:But I also love it at first, but I'm coming to love it.
Speaker 1:Well, perfect. Well, you love you love something else in town, Lauren. What do you love?
Speaker 2:You know how much I love Core Collective. It is the best reformer Pilates studio in town, and they are our sponsor. So, I just left a class right before this episode, and it kicked my booty. It was Carmen. We were doing all kinds of crazy things, but and there was a couple new new clients there who were loving it too.
Speaker 2:So it was just like a and we're all a little bit sassy and, you know, she would tell us to do stuff. And, it's just like a it feels like doing Pilates with your girlfriends.
Speaker 1:I love it. And what do they need to do by today?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So today is the last day of this awesome promotion that they're doing just for spring some things listeners. So you can get 3 reformer classes for $30. That is the best deal that they have. It's not advertised on their website.
Speaker 2:So you have to put in the code springs and things in the promo code spot to get that deal, and you have to do it today.
Speaker 1:December 31st Yes. 2024. And they will honor it Oh, yeah. Until mid January. Mhmm.
Speaker 1:But you have to buy it by the end of the year. Well, so, Lauren, these are the last picks of the week of 2024. What do you have on your list?
Speaker 2:So have you done bubbles, bubbles, bubbles, for it's the New Year's Eve family friendly event at the Millibow Art Theatre?
Speaker 1:So I haven't, but when we went to Snowflakey Princess, Jim mentioned it, and I was like, gosh. We can't go this year, but I would love to go.
Speaker 2:Yes. So it's $15 a ticket. You can also get these family 4 packs for $48, but you have to call the box office. But this event sells out every year. So that's today.
Speaker 2:There's 3 shows. There's 1 at 11, 1 at 2, 1 at 4 o'clock. So if you're looking for something fun to do with the kids, it's definitely bubbles, bubbles, bubbles at the Millibow. What about you, Kala?
Speaker 1:I'm going to piggyback off of that because I feel like so often for New Year's Eve, you hear about, oh, get all dressed to the nines and go to the swanky nightclub or hotel. And
Speaker 2:Days are blessed for me, my friend.
Speaker 1:No. Same. Even when those days were here, I was like, this is not what I wanna be doing. Same. Same.
Speaker 1:And so many people, like you were just saying, have families, and it's hard to figure out what to do. A lot of people often just end up staying in, maybe having friends over, but they are doing New Year's Eve under the lights on Colebourn Court, which is in Old Colorado City. It is right next to, like, Jive's, coffee shop in Bancroft, and it's the little street in between the park and Jive's. And they shut it down, and they have live music, free toast at midnight, s'mores, photo booth, and it's kid friendly from 6 to 9. You can bring your little ones and enjoy face painting, kids sparkling juice toast, and countdown at 9 o'clock for free so the kids can feel like they're, like, a part
Speaker 2:of this
Speaker 1:countdown magic.
Speaker 2:And and same, me too. I'm not staying up till midnight.
Speaker 1:No. No. And then for people that want to stay later, they have things going until midnight, and then they do that free champagne toast at midnight. But it's just New Year's Eve under the lights, and you can just show up. It is all free.
Speaker 1:They do suggest a $40 donation if you're feeling generous, but it's not required. And I just I actually went to Jive's for the first time last week with it is so cute. And the owner was there, and I went with a dear friend of mine's mom who I've known literally for 30 years. And we she's a a regular there, and he I feel like even if she wasn't, they just treated us like royalty. They they were so great to my daughter, just the warmest people.
Speaker 1:So I say even just for for that alone, go support this New Year's Eve. But I never heard of it. And, and it's I believe it's the 3rd annual, and it's just a wonderful way to even do some last minute plans with your kiddos. Oh, so fun. Starting at least.
Speaker 1:That. Yeah. Well, Lauren, before we wrap up, I just have to say this has been such a joy, such an adventure. These first eight episodes of this podcast, it's something that we've been thinking about for a while. And just to be doing it with you has been so great.
Speaker 1:The support has been so wonderful. And, so I just wanted to end this year with gratitude to you, to our listeners, to the show, and I'm excited where it goes in 2025.
Speaker 2:Well, I know this wasn't even our on our or on my radar in January of 2024. So this has been, like, a huge highlight of this year. So I'm grateful to you too and to all our listeners and, of course, Core Collective.
Speaker 1:Yes. Absolutely. Well, Lauren, you gotta give the spiel.
Speaker 2:Oh, hey. If, if you think this episode brought value to your life, if you think, it makes you love Colorado Springs and learn more about it, I hope you'll share it with somebody that you love and give us a give us
Speaker 1:a 5 star review. We'd really appreciate it. So appreciate it. We will see you next year.
Speaker 2:Happy New Year.