Recently I had the pleasure of visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens for its annual winter lights display, at the behest of dear friend Kristi, who might be the one person who loves the holidays more than I do. She said it in one of those YOU MUST GO! kind of voices, and so I did.
And it was beautiful. Simply beautiful. I had never been to the Botanic Gardens in the first place. Thanks to the foot of Christmastime snow, the lights seemed even more magical, almost Seuss-like. I felt like I was walking in a galaxy. Apologies for any blurry photos, it was kind of chilly that night! Just perfect actually. While crowded, everyone was cheerful and, at the risk of ODing on holiday catchphrases, dare I say merry. The walk could be as festive (some folks donned Santa hats) or as contemplative as you wanted, as there was no holiday music anywhere to be found. It was serene, almost reverent. Definitely worth the drive and price of admission. Hot cocoa and hot cider, as well as spiced almonds available for purchase at reasonable prices — perfect fuel for the hourlong stroll under a winter’s night (indulge, you won’t regret it). And … there was mistletoe.
I cannot wait to do this next year. Here’s to making new traditions! p.s. Hurry! This event runs through January 1. That’s in less than a week! Can you believe it?
What did you during holiday break?
I had a Kid-free Christmas, sadly, so instead I:
- baked two batches of cookies
- rented It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas Vacation
- slept in every day
- bought the cat kitty toys
- read three magazines in a row
- stayed in my pjs alll day on Christmas day
- made a batch of chili, nom!, and store bought cinnamon rolls (such a good combo)
- had dinner ar Sushi Sasa in Denver
- had Larkburger in Boulder
- attempted post-holiday shopping at the mall for deals but … truth is I hate shopping. Unless it’s at Target.
Great night lights pictures, these will be awesome to revisit in July!
[...] There is nothing more magical to me during the Christmas season then to look at twinkling lights that shine brightly. I can spend hours driving throughout neighborhoods taking in the brilliant light displays. So in keeping with our annual tradition (that we only started last year!), we attended the Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Lights the night after Christmas. To tell you that this light display is something you must see is an understatement! I tell all my friends that it’s a holiday tradition that must be experienced. (Even my friend Melanie would agree!) [...]
Whoa! That top photo looks like psychedelic mushrooms
I’ve been meaning to get to the zoo or the gardens, but I have yet to venture out just yet.
BTW: I drove through Longmont yesterday without knowing that I would be driving through it. My Colorado geography sucks, but I was visiting an old friend (of Love Evil Funk Quartet fame) who was in Loveland.