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.

Source:  cityofblackhawk.org

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.

Source:  coloradocasinoguide 

And now for the December Scavenger Hunt!

December's List:

1.  Silver

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

A Silver December Morning
Parker, Colorado
2013

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

2.  25

Twenty-five spectators watch the Wells Fargo Stage Coach.

A 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.

Blog:  http://suzzie43.blogspot.com/

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

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

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.

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.