Home for the Holidays

One of the things I love most about being a Professional Innsitter is that I can make my own schedule. Although we have many "homes" all over the country, I always try to be in my real HOME for the HOLIDAYS. 

And look how beautiful it is! 

I have been fortunate to find a client in our home town - the Old Parkdale Inn.

And have worked there for the last five Christmas seasons so when I am not cooking breakfast or making beds at the B&B I am at home sitting under my tree drinking a cup of cocoa.

 

 

                                                                         

And nothing goes better with cocoa than old fashioned gingerbread. So here's my family's recipe for gingerbread:

Cream 1C butter and 1C sugar

Beat in 1egg, 1C molasses, and 2T vinegar

Add 5C flour, 1 1/2 t soda and 1/2 t salt

Add ginger, cinnamon and cloves to taste

Chill dough, then roll and cut in shapes

Bake 375 - 5 min

Then get your whole family together to decorate the cookies. Have Fun!
It's a tradition for us!

         Let me know how you like it.

 

 

Christmas in Colorado

  There is just something magical about Christmas in Colorado. Even though we have not had any snow yet, the nights are crisp and cold and the mountains gleam in the moonlight. Our little town has a host of fun Christmas activities starting with the "Candlelight Walk". Thousands of people gather at the top of the hill with lit candles and stroll down the main street to Clear Creek singing carols the whole way. You just can not help but be moved by the spirit of the season.

                              
The Dove Inn is our current home and it is a real treat to be innsitters here over the holiday. As you can see it is beautifully decorated and the inside looks just as lovely. We also always have fresh homemade Christmas  cookies and gourmet hot cocoa available for our guests. You should come visit us if you are ever in Colorado for Christmas.

     

Golden Bronze

Our current assignment as interim innkeepers is in Golden Colorado. Golden is a super charming town nestled between the big city of Denver and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The city has done a great job in making a naturally beautiful area even more lovely and very enticing for tourists. They have historic buildings, lush parks, charming shops, gourmet restaurants and lots of public art. GPAP [Golden Public Art Program] has funded 30 beautiful bronze statues scattered all over the city. Kirk and I have made it a point to check out as many as possible. We have not yet seen all 30 but here are our favorites:
"The Cowboy" is Kirk's favorite, DUH!                                                                
                                               
  
       
                   

                                           "A Friend to Lean On" is definitly the cutest.

 

This one is in front of the Library and is called "Secret Garden"

 

I am also very fond of this little monster - "Cameron's Dragon"

 

But my absolute favorite bronze statue in all of Golden Co is:

"Sleeping Bear"

 

Yes, I've been to Chicago and seen the "bean". I've been to Paris and seen the Eiffel tower but I really do like Golden's Bronzes.

Where is your favorite public art?