Tuesday, December 31, 2013

December 2013 Scavenger Hunt: Colorado


The last day of the year
finds Terry and me 
back in the mountains in historic Black Hawk
to celebrate New Year's Eve.

Black Hawk was founded in 1859
during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.
It's nickname is The City of Mills
because it had many smelters
to process gold ores from the surrounding area.



First Presbyterian Church
Black Hawk, Colorado




City of Black Hawk
The First Presbyterian Church is in the middle right.
December 31, 2013



When visiting an historical area,
it's always fun to look at old photographs.
The one below was taken between 1863 and 1870.



Historical Photo of Black Hawk
The First Presbyterian Church stands alone above the town's buildings.



The Planning and Development Department, 
the Board of Alderman, 
and the Historic Preservation Commission 
continue to hold meetings
at the First Presbyterian Church in Black Hawk today.
Source:  cityofblackhawk

Dedicated in 1863,
the First Presbyterian Church
was the first church west of the Mississippi
to have a bell in its belfry.
In 1907 the Black Hawk School bought the church
and used it as a gymnasium.



And now for the December Scavenger Hunt!



December's List:

1.  Silver
Silver Musical Instruments
Legend High School Titans
Parker Christmas Carriage Parade
2013





Silver December Morning
Parker, Colorado
2013





Silvery-Grey Horse with Silver Trappings
Parker Christmas Carriage Parade
2013




2.  25
Twenty-five spectators watch the Wells Fargo Stage Coach.





Silvery Take on the Stage Coach



3.  Christmas
Rushing Home on Christmas Eve
Silverthorne, Colorado
2013



Christmas Eve Lights
Frisco, Colorado
2013




Christmas Crackers at Christmas Dinner




 4.  Religious Icon
If you're a Denver Broncos fan, 
then this is your religious icon right now!

Go Peyton Manning,
the greatest quarterback ever!




Religious Icon at Ruth Memorial Chapel
Main Street, Parker, Colorado
2013



 5.  Shiny
Shiny Christmas Lights in Breckenridge
2013




Shiny Christmas Lights and Balls
Our Christmas Tree, 2013



6.  Movement
Gracie on the Run
Burro Trail, Breckenridge
2013



7.  Celebration
Pouring Wine for the Christmas Dinner Celebration 



8.  Words
City of Black Hawk Sign
Gilpin County, Colorado, 2013



9.  Recipe
Making Cranberry Nut Bread 



Did you take Home Economics?

It used to be a curriculum staple 
for Nova Scotian girls in high school.

I've been making this recipe
since I learned it in Home Economics
at St. Mary's Rural High School,
Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia
in the fall of 1965.
It is a family favorite.

I think Home Economics is sorely needed
for everyone today ~ boys and girls!



An all-time favorite recipe of mine!




10.  Candles

Candles at a Parker Store ~
Some Look Good Enough to Eat!








11.  Window Display
Window Display St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Parker, Colorado
This is the church where Terry and I were married.





Window Display Main Street, Breckenridge
2013



12.  Cake
Festive Peppermint Cake Pops
Starbucks, Ameristar
Black Hawk, Colorado


 Location of Colorado in the U.S.A.
Source:  Wikimedia



January's List:

J is for ?, 1p.m., Measurement, Color, A Corner, Hats, Stamp, Looking Down, Crowd, Natural, Fruit, Roof

Thanks to Jill and her Made with Love blog for setting up the hunt.

Hunt:  http://suzzie43.blogspot.com/p/scaerngera.html



Wishing you and yours
health, happiness, fulfillment, and love
in the coming year!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Jack Frost Comes Calling


A few days before Christmas,
a raw cold settled on the high plains.






A night mist had frosted the landscape,
and a sunless morning bled color from the prairie.








The world was tinted in daguerreotype hues ~
a rare and magical day.

































The frigid wind cut like a knife,
but the bitter beauty beckoned.





































When Jack Frost comes calling,
you just have to venture out
and explore the unusual and delicate beauty
of a color-drained world.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas to All My Blogging Friends!


Merry Christmas one and all!
May you have a lovely time 
with your family and friends on this special day.

After a harrowing Christmas Eve drive,
Terry and I are safely in Breckenridge
to spend the Christmas holiday with our family.


I-70 Heading West



 Rearview Mirror



But being here with our family
was worth every moment of the nerve-wracking drive.



Heading Down into Silverthorne



This is the scene that greeted us
from our bedroom window this morning.





 Breckenridge, Colorado, USA


Christmas morning fun started with
traditional family photos.

Kevin, Cathal, Noreen, Deirdre, and Conor



Terry and I



Deirdre, Cathal, Noreen, Kevin, and Conor




Cathal and Noreen with Rufus


Gathering around the Christmas tree is always fun.

Kevin and Deirdre



Conor and Gracie



Cathal



Rufus



Noreen



Terry


Rufus and Gracie join in the fun.




Wishing you health, happiness, and love,
today and always.