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!