2011 Christmas Tree

What an easy and smooth tree hunting trip this year! We always try to got the first day that cutting begins. We had our spot mapped out from last yr and stopped to get our $ 10 permit early this past Monday morn. The weather was great (high 50's) and the hike to pick the right tree was beautiful. It went up on the car very easily, up into the stand quickly and we'll decorate it this coming weekend. Can't beat it!

Palmer Lake Star Lighting

In 1935, during the dark days of the Great Depression​, the former railroad company town of Palmer Lake found a way to light the holidays, beginning a tradition that continues today.
The 500-foot, five-point Palmer Lake Christmas star is the bright idea of B.F. Jack, who managed the Mountain Utilities electric company.
He teamed up with Sloan's Cafe owner Bert Sloan, who saw the idea as a way to draw drivers to his restaurant near Colorado 105, a popular route between Denver and Colorado Springs.

With the exception of World War II​ blackout requirements, the Palmer Lake star has sparkled every Christmas season, and also for Memorial Day, July Fourth and historic occasions, including the 1981 release of U.S. hostages in Iran, and the end of the Persian Gulf War 10 years later. It also shines when a longtime Palmer Lake resident passes away.

This is one of my favorite holiday traditions.

Thanksgiving 2011

Hoping everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We sure did but we missed the girls. We tried something new with the turkey (butterflied it per Alton Brown). It turned out nice and moist and cooked alittle faster.

Everything was delicious. The four of us played lots of games and had a fun time. On Friday we hiked up to the reservoirs for a little exercise before Tyler and Lauren returned to Denver. We saw a busy beaver working on his lodge and some fly fisherman catching fish near the ice. Happy Thanksgiving!

Cute Idea!

Cute idea....(found on the internet) but will save this for another year! Hope all of the Thanksgiving preparations are going well.

Life Wisdom

Bread or Drink.....get it??

Welcome Cate!

We welcome a new little girl to this cute family! Catherine Elizabeth will need to be a strong girl to keep up with her brothers. Can't wait to meet her!

Cute litte Acorns

I found these cute little acorn cookies on a blog (can't remember which one) and thought I'd make them to take to work tomorrow. Tasty, cute,and easy...a good combo. Recipe - Mini Nutter Butter Cookies, Hershey kisses, chocolate chips, frosting.

And the Adventure begins!

The Banks family is beginning a new adventure. They are moving across the country to a new job and life in Georgia. They will have a new part of the country to explore, be closer to the beach, and be able to drive to see Great Gma and Mickey Mouse! We wish them loads of luck!! We'll miss them alot!