Christmas from the rearview mirror - Day 1

It's always nice to get the Christmas urgent-ness over with, isn't it? It just kinda hangs over me every year - when they start playing those commercials - around Halloween. Or is it Independence Day? haha.

This year I did actually get in the mood, feel the spirit...well - at least I didn't dread it as much. I think it's because Amy, Jud and Kara helped us kick off the season by coming here at Thanksgiving. We celebrated Pretend Christmas then since J & K would be with Kara's folks this week.

Celebrating Christmas on Wednesday is a bit awkward - but it is Christ's birthday. It's not like we can switch it to a Monday like Memorial Day, right? Paul, Odie and I decided to drive straight through to Amy's house on Saturday. I kept forgetting it was Saturday - and wondered if Amy would be at work. Duh! We let Garmin guide us to her new place - and we ended up behind the place next door that serves crazy old people. (Hey, we could live there someday!) Eventually though - we found her lovely little stable house behind the mansion.

Amy's place is the roof at the back

Her roomie Megan was home and they showed us the new place - which had recently been remodeled by the gay guys that own it and the mansion out front. There is an apartment above and another apartment in the basement of the mansion too. I bet the rent from those places pays for the mansion! At least the heat....



There is lots of exposed brick and travertine tile

The bedrooms have big doors - Megan let us stay in her room

Stairway down to the left of Pablo
 

We were starving and decided to go to Larimer Square for a meal at barbecue place with great brisket. Then we shopped a little and went to a downstairs "Speakeasy". It's an anonymous brown door - a place called "The Green Russell. It was fascinating - all dark and full of nooks and crannies. We sat at the bar and watched the bartenders create genius drinks. Some have specially shaped ice chunks - 1 per drink!

They make all their own bitters and fresh additives. Look how straight Amy's teeth are getting with her Invisalign!

A little later we went to the Denver Botanical Center where the whole place was lit up like a walk through an eye-popping wonderland. Amy got the 3-D glasses - that made some of the lights look like Gingerbread Men. Or made one feel like they were on an LSD trip. If one had ever taken LSD...(which I haven't). It was lightly snowing and we stopped in the cafeteria and purchased hot chocolates all around. Megan met us with her friend Joe. We saw a lady wipe out on the slick sidewalk and I took very careful steps so I wasn't next.

The temperature was perfect - just a slight chill, though my Popsicle feet started to get cold.

Of course I had to look at the trash/recycling receptacles...

I like the signage on the recycling containers!

 Megan took our photo at the end of the walk. Then we headed back to Amy's place. Odie awaited - she was happy to see us. We take her small kennel and she likes to get in it even if we leave the door open.

Just call me Rudolf - red nose!

We watched the end of Love Actually when we got back - one of my favorite Christmas movies. Then it was early to bed. Tired kiddos from Ioway!