Sunday, November 24, 2013

The Junior League of Denver Holiday Mart




It was my daughter's birthday this week and as part of her birthday celebration we went out for a ladies day brunch to celebrate at one of the popular breakfast restaurants in the Denver area called "Snooze."  She had a serving of carrot cake pancakes and I enjoyed a pretzel roll, filled with scrambled eggs and a sausage patty, with hash brown potatoes on the side. Both entrees were delicious!


After breakfast, we went to the annual Mile High Holiday Mart sponsored by the Junior League of Denver. (Click on the above photo--and all other photos in this post--once to enlarge it, and again to see it at an even larger size). The Junior League of Denver, established in 1918, is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.


The mart was held in the Denver Marriott Tech Center.


There were many interesting vendors and merchandise for sale for every taste.


Many items were unique, one of a kind, and handcrafted


I thought these alphabet letters carved from actual vintage Readers Digest Condensed books were so interesting!  My parents had a large collection of these books when I was growing up, and I thought this was a unique way to recycle them into a fun, decorative item.


Do you see your name on Santa Claus' "Nice" List?


It is always nice to shop and support a good cause while doing so, and one of my favorite purchases at the mart was the new Junior League of Denver "Colorado Classique" cookbook. It is filled with beautiful photos of Colorado by premier photographer John Fielder, contains hundreds of favorite recipes by the league's home cooks, plus recipes from 25 participating Denver restaurants, with 75 full-color photos. The cookbook also includes nutritional information, and wine and beer pairings. It really is a beautiful cookbook and profits help the league's focus on changing lives in Denver through sponsoring literacy.  Click on this link if you'd like to purchase your own copy or one of the past editions of the JLD  fabulous cookbooks! (I have no affiliation with the JLD or their cookbook--just want to promote a good cause!)




Later in the day my husband and I babysat our granddaughter for the night, so she and my son-in-law could go out to a movie and sleep late the next morning. For a new parent I think that is the best gift in the world, don't you agree?


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28 comments:

Kris said...

What a yummy looking breakfast! Happy Birthday to your daughter! The books carved into alphabet letters were indeed interesting!
You gave her the perfect gift, with the overnight babysitting!!!
xo Kris

Lorrie said...

How fun to celebrate your daughter's birthday with a ladies' outing. Markets are such fun places to visit. I love those book initials.

Pallavi said...

Looks like you and your daughter had a great day :) I loved the handcrafted items.. so unique! Have a great day ahead :)

Sarah said...

Pat, I went to the Jr. League's Christmas Affair here on Thursday. Denver's looks more interesting. In year's past I used to really enjoy and look forward to shopping at this yearly event, but it no longer appeals to me. Perhaps it is my age, but everything looks the same. Ha! Glad you had a good time.

diane b said...

That sure is an interesting market and for a great cause. That is the best gift for a new parent. When I was in LA, Sonya and Bernie went to the movies for the first time in 3 years.

Old Kitty said...

Awwwww happy happy happy birthday to your beautiful daughter!! What a fabulous celebration too!

I would totally go straight to the woolly doggies with hats! LOL!! How adorable!

Oh I remember these digested reads! LOL! My mum used to order them too!

Oh noes - I can't see my name on the nice list for Santa!! But there's time yet! LOL! Take care
x

eileeninmd said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter! The breakfast and market sounds like a fun way to celebrate your daughter birthday. And what a nice present for your daughter and SIL..a night out and you have your precious grandbaby for the night. Wonderful post!
Have a happy Thanksgiving and week ahead!

Anonymous said...

Your little girl is growing so fast! And she's beautiful.

Ola said...

someone could give me such a babysitting as a gift from time to time:)

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

It looks like a fun time. How many Readers Digest Condensed Books were there? We had lots of them and they all probably ended up in the trash.

Yes, taking care of baby so that the kids can have a night out is a wonderful gift.

podso said...

Yes, a wonderful gift for your daughter, the babysitting! And your breakfast of a hot stuffed pretzel sounds so interesting! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Pat!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Happy birthday to your daughter. What a lovely way to celebrate. The Junior League is such a fabulous organization. I have a couple of cookbooks from various cities.
Sam

Anonymous said...

This looks like such a fun time!

Vee said...

Looks like the loveliest of days... Your granddaughter is so darling ...such beautiful eyes and ohhhh those lashes!

ellen b. said...

Yes! What a wonderful gift to parents! Also the bunch and shopping time sounded perfect. A very happy birthday to your daughter! She must be real thankful having you and hubby living close by!

Barbara F. said...

I am so happy that you live near your children. Although I kinda miss having you over in my old home town of Brooklyn! Lol. I am nuts, I know. I would love spending time at this Christmas event. The brunch sounds wonderful, too. Happy Birthday to Lisa. xo

The Gathering Place said...

What a fun place to celebrate with your daughter! The Readers' Digest letters were very clever. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Lovely day, lovely post! I definitely agree with the gift of a night out -- the best for young parents. I'll try to remember that restaurant for our next visit.

Sally said...

Hi Pat,

You are really enjoying your move and having your family close by.

I love that Reader's Digest book letter idea!

Have a good Blue Monday.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Hi Pat
Looks a perfect birthday celebration for your daughter to start the day at 'Snooze' and then end up by offering them a good nights sleep and a lie-in, a lovely and clever pressie!
Loved that Christmas market. I of course homed in on the dog hats!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
Wren X

Anonymous said...

What a fun party!

Misty said...

You are right about the cloud resembling an angel; didn't think about it. :) Sounds like you and daughter had a very nice breakfast and I bet you and your husband enjoyed the little grandchild. Thanks for your comment.

Unknown said...

Fun post!! Boom & gary of the Vermilon River.

Judy said...

It sounds like the perfect day...from beginning to end (even the cookbook!). Now I wish I knew how they made the letters from old condensed books. Great idea! And yes...I agree that watching a grandchild overnight is the best gift one can give the parents!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

What a great gift you gave your daughter - a day together, then babysitting. I can see how you're loving the benefits of living near your kids.

Willow said...

Happy Birthday to your girl!
The mart looks like it was a fun outing.
Oh dear--I didn't see my name on the 'nice list'. But I've been good, really I have!

Kathleen said...

Yes, that is a wonderful gift! But as my son says, no one wants to bay sit 5 kids! He is right! :)
The Fair looks wonderful, and all made in the USA!
Have a wonderful Colorado Tgiving.

steviewren said...

What a nice way to celebrate your daughter's birthday. And your granddaughter is a cutie pie!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!