Holiday Events
The holiday light shows at the zoo, https://denverzoo.org/events/zoolights/ and Botanic Gardens, https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/blossoms-light, are selling out, so don’t wait to make reservations on these. There are also light shows at Hudson Gardens, https://www.hudsongardens.org/enjoy/christmas-lights/, The Butterfly Pavillion ,https://butterflies.org, and Elitch Gardens, https://www.elitchgardens.com/luminova .
When I was little my parents would load us all into the big station wagon and we would drive around looking at lights. It was a fun holiday tradition and when we got home we had cocoa and cookies. Here’s a map for ideas for your own light tour. https://extras.denverpost.com/holiday-lights/index.html
The Nutcracker, https://tickets.coloradoballet.org/events, Christmas Carol, https://www.denvercenter.org/tickets-events/a-christmas-carol/ , and more are showing at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, https://www.denvercenter.org . Get dressed up and go out for a night on the town.
Parade of Lights, this Saturday, December 4 at 6pm. https://www.downtowndenver.com/9news-parade-of-lights/
Georgetown Christmas Market, it’s back! First two weekends in December. Go up to the mountains where you might actually get to see some snow. Hayrides, food, entertainment, and
more. https://visitclearcreek.com/events/
Check https://www.denver.org for more fun things to do
Yes, the poinsettias are back. Every year the color selection gets bigger. Watch those foil or plastic covered pots, very easy to overwater. Poke some holes in the bottom and put on a drainage tray.
Not crazy about poinsettias? Try some amaryllis or paper white bulbs. There is also cyclamen, Christmas cactus, and kalanchoe. Branch out! I love potted plants. They provide weeks of enjoyment as opposed to short lived cut flowers.
Looking for a unique gift or cool centerpiece? Try a French basket. Go to a larger nursery, Paulinos, Echtors, City Floral, or Tagawas, someplace with a good selection of small potted plants. Pick out a few that speak to your inner Martha and arrange them together in a pretty basket with small plastic liners. Top with florists moss and voila! Unique, long lasting and lovely.
You can find fresh ginger root in just about any grocery store these days. Ginger is a wonderful immune booster, and tasty antiviral for the cold and flu season. Ginger is also effective for nausea, and an effective remedy for any kind of gastric distress.
Ginger is a great warming spice for those cold winter days. Eventually we’ll have one, this perpetual fall is somewhat unnerving. I use fresh ginger root in teas, juicing, smoothies, cocktails, soups, stir fry’s, desserts, and more. It’s spicy, warming flavor never fails to be both delicious and comforting.
To peel ginger just use a spoon and scrape off the peel. If you are using organic ginger you don’t need to peel it. You can grate, slice, or mince ginger. Dried ginger is also available but I prefer the milder, juicier taste of the fresh root.
Use ginger when you have a chill, a tummy ache, a cold or flu, or just want to spice things up.
