Sunday, December 20, 2015

Comfort and Joy for a Merry Christmas!


We have had many dreamy white snowy days in the month of December in our area of Colorado this year.  We are guaranteed to have a "white Christmas" this year as more snow is predicted for Christmas Eve. (All photos in this post will enlarge if clicked on)



One snowfall was almost 15 inches accumulation, which broke a record for snowfall in the Denver area for that date.

Even our local deer had a hard time navigating through that snowfall!


This snowy season was the perfect weather to stay inside and be cozy. I was able to do some decorating for Christmas, although I've had some ups and downs post op after eye surgery in early December.  It has been a challenge, as I was not able to bend or lift anything heavy, but my husband and I managed to put up a lovely Fraser Fir tree and bake some traditional cookies together. I did not want to disappoint my grandchildren who look forward to enjoying a part of the holiday with us!



I made a visit to the annual Denver Christkindl German Market on opening day to enjoy the food, music and to shop at the vendors. This has also become an annual tradition for me. Although I am not of German descent, I enjoy the festivities very much. You can click here and here and here to read past blog posts I wrote about the market.


Ms. Lily Goetz was this year Christkindl --she represents the Christ child who in German tradition brings gifts to the children on Christmas Day in Germany. The large heated tent on the grounds of the market was full of happy revelers who enjoyed the free entertainment, music, and dancing.


As always, there were many wonderful vendors at the market that had many gifts, decorations, and food available for purchase.  I always find something charming to buy!


I was also able to make my annual visit to the Colorado Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion. You can see past years visits here and here.  Every year there is a new theme and a new group of designers who decorate the mansion.  This year's theme was "Colorful Colorado."


The drawing room was done in "5280 Shades of Blue."  5280 measures in feet of being a mile high and that is what Denver's altitude is. The team of Eva Puterbaugh and Lynn Williamson decorated the room using blue ornaments on the trees, bluestocking hung on the fireplace mantel, all embroidered with the names of a few of Colorado's 54 total 14,000 + foot mountains. As a touch of humor, a big blue stuffed bear sat on the Steinway piano bench--an obvious reference to the big blue bear statue that peeks into Denver's Convention Center.


The library's theme, designed by Colleen Heldt, was "Powder Days" and was decorated in cozy white throws and pillows and white ornaments on the tree



The main dining room was decorated as "Purple Mountain Majesty" by Carol Moore. The fireplace in the room was wrapped in purple lights and the dining table had many touches of purple. As a bit of whimsy, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth was hung in the room as another example of "majesty" beside the paintings of Colorado mountains and waterfalls.


The large and sunny palm room was decorated with the theme "Golden Waves of Grain" by Julie Kass and Michelle Alleman. There were paintings of the golden plains filled with growing grains, white lights and golden reindeer, bunches of grain sheaves in vases, and ornaments made of wheat


Another portion of the large Palm room contains an ancient well imported from Italy and was decorated in the theme "Ever Green" by Annie Huston and Stephanie Tardiff with extra greenery and ornaments.


Finally, the mansion parlor and bar area were decorated with the theme "Red on the Rocks" by David J Rote. There were musical instruments on display and the tree was decorated with red ribbon and framed portraits of jazz legends.


Every year I like to point out the magnificent Waterford crystal chandelier that hangs in the Colorado Governor's residence drawing room that once hung in the White House ballroom during President Grant's administration in 1876. It was a gift for Colorado's entrance into statehood that year.  We were told on the tour that recently the first lady Michele Obama asked for its return to the White House, as did First Lady Jackie Kennedy, years ago.  Both times Colorado declined to surrender the chandelier, as it has become a treasured memento.


Click on to enlarge this photo collage to see more beautiful holiday decorations in the mansion.


All in all, I have been enjoying this joyous season.  The beautiful "Trail of Lights" at the Chatfield division of the Denver Botanic Garden, visiting Santa Claus with the grandchildren, seeing the holidays lights and decorations in Denver, seeing Santa Claus arrive in Littleton.


Of course, the real reason for this season of joy is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  May all who believe allow His love and peace to enter our hearts and homes this Christmas.

Wishing you all a very Merry and Blessed Christmas! 




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41 comments:

Linda W. said...

I'm glad you've been able to get out and enjoy Christmas despite your eye surgery recovery. Lovely photos, especially of the snow.

ellen b. said...

Whoa! That's a lot of snow! So many beautiful Christmas scenes you have shared. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

Love the snowy shots! Have a wonderful Christmas.

Deanies Stash said...

I love all the photos! The snow ones are especially nice. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Didn't know in CO is a Christmas market - in Europe they're open all over right now. My favorite in the Governor's mansion is the one with the library theme - so relaxing and beautiful!

Ola said...

the snow and the decorations are like from a fairy tale!
Wishing you Merry Christmas!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, you did have a lot of snow. It looks beautiful! Lovely images and decorations. The kiddies with Santa is adorable.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

SmilingSally said...

Hi Pat,

That snow might mess up my grandson's plans to fly home to Florida for Christmas. I sure hope his flight isn't cancelled.

Oh my, that blue room at the governor's house! Just lovely. And, I agree with CO; they should keep that chandelier. After all, it was a gift!

Thanks for sharing today.

Have a Beautiful Blue Monday and a very Merry Christmas!

podso said...

Loved seeing the governor's mansion all decorated. Hope you continue to improve and the next surgery goes well. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Anonymous said...

We haven't gotten as much snow up here in SD... so no white christmas for us. Bummer. You post is so full of Christmas cheer. Denver will definitely be on our Christmas list for 2016. Merry Christmas.

Lisa @ Life Thru the Lens

Jutta.K. said...

What wonderfull winter-time !
Here in Germany, we have no snow this days, it looks like spring everywhere
Greetings and Merry christmas

This is my mosaic-post

Mersad said...

Love the Christmas atmosphere in your images. Thanks for linking in with "Through my Lens"

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Merry Christmas to you and the family, Pat... I am SO SO SO SO envious of your snow... We are going to have a warm and RAINY Christmas here... Want a visitor????? ha ha (You know how much I love snow.)

I will continue to pray for you with the other eye surgery... Keep in touch.

MERRY Christmas and a Fantastic 2016.
Hugs,
Betsy

NCSue said...

Beautiful photos!
Thanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/12/time-for-tune-up.html and good luck with your surgery!

joyh82 said...

Hope you continue with a good recovery after your surgery. Love the beautiful photos. That is quite some chandelier! Hope you have a Very Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year!

Angela said...

Gorgeous Christmas images! We are getting rain with no hopes of a White Christmas.

Donna said...

My goodness so much to share....love all the snow and the Christmas Shop...wish we had these...I love seeing the governor's mansion decorated for Christmas! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Denver is stunning at the Holiday! Thank you for sharing the glory. I am so glad you are recovering well from your eye surgery!

Anonymous said...

That is certainly a lot of holiday cheer! Hope things are improving with the eye.

Barb said...

Forget recuperating - you've been BUSY! Your photos share the beauty of CO during the holidays - and there is even snow. I'm not crazy about snow on Christmas Eve - we return to Breckenridge on Christmas Day. Hope driving won't be treacherous. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Pat.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful preparations for Christmas. Wish you Merry Christmas.

Willow said...

What a festive post this is! In spite of the surgery, you have done so much! Love the last photo of the window. Merry Christmas!

Jeanne said...

Hello Pat, You are a wonder with all the things you do. I do hope your eyes are doing better. You are blessed with a husband who is so helpful and always ready to go where there is anything of interest. I am blessed with a husband who is the same way. Lucky us.

The snow is so pretty. We will not have snow this year because we are having a Dec heat wave. It will be 70 Christmas day. Unheard of. They say it will be a record. Our temps are in the 60's daytime. Crazy.

The Christmas market reminds me of our trip up the Rhine in Dec a few years ago. The German Christmas Markets were awesome. I love your photos.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and New Years.
Hugs,
Jeanne

likeschocolate said...

I love that the Christmas market even has the Christmas angel. Lovely!
http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-season.html

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family my dear friend :) I am missing you and blog land a lot.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Well you are certainly making the most of Christmas this year. Your love for it shines through.

Have a Merry Christmas and continued recovery from your eye surgery.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Wow Pat. You have me wanting to move to Colorado - or at least to be there for Christmas. I loved the virtual visit through the governor's mansion. What a beautiful place! I hope your recovery continues to move in the right direction and I wish you and your beautiful family a most joyous Christmas and happy new year.

Lea said...

Beautiful images!
Merry Christmas!
Lea

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Such opulence in the mansion but nice to see it and dream....
Will there be a bit of corn out the back for the resident deer to have Christmas day? I can't believe how much snow you have already and we have absolutely none - feels strange.
Merry Christmas Pat.

A Colorful World said...

A cornea transplant! That is major! Wow! I bet you feel especially thankful this Christmas! Your beautiful photographs are so wondrous...I enjoyed the journey through the Governor's Mansion, the Christkindl, the snowy scenes, and all! I love the contrast of warmth with the reds and golds after seeing the snow, but I've always thought blue was a particularly lovely Christmas color too. It's just such a gorgeous time of year! Have a very blessed Christmas!

Fun60 said...

Glad to hear the eye surgery went well and what a treat you have given us this week. So much to look at in your photos. A real Christmas post.

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! What a beautiful series of photos of the Xmas season in Colorado ~ glad your eyes are on the mend ~ you would never know by your photos ~ Beautiful!

Wishing you the magic and love of this season today and everyday,
artmusedog and carol

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous pictures, it looks like a winter wonderland. Hubby recently had cataract surgery, his went well and I hope the same for the outcome of yours.
Merry Christmas!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I know all the skiers are delighted about the snow in Colorado and we would be too as we spent many a day after Christmas until New Year's Day in Snowmass with our girls skiing when they were younger. Great memories! Beautiful photos, Pat! The Governor's Mansion looks amazing. Merry Christmas to you and Vinnie!

Gracie said...

Have a very Merry Christmas with your family and wishing you the very best for the New Year!!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

Thank you for your beautiful post…it is so nice to see your Christmas celebrations. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and a new year filled with health and happiness. I hope that your eye is better soon.

Vee said...

You did beautifully decorating this year. I know that your Beloved was a big, big help. Yes, I will be praying for all to go well with your next surgery. It's a good time to cozy down and enjoy the season. A Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and yours!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I enjoyed your beautiful photos! And your tree is lovely. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas!

Judy said...

Christmas in your part of the world is most beautiful!! Glad things went well with your eye surgery...and that you are able to be up, about and blogging again. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and many blessings in 2016.

La Petite Gallery said...

Wonderful post. I had snow that high last year almost 13 inches on patio table. Looks like a big cake. Sending you and family best wishes, may you all be Healthy,
Happy,Wise, and Safe. Yvonne
Happy 2016

Sally Wessely said...

You truly did manage to do much in making sure you enjoyed the season. I have never been to the Governor's mansion. I will have to get up there to tour it next Christmas. I'm glad you are doing better.