“It was our pleasure to have been able to spend a week in CALEBS retreat. It was perfect. Thanks to all and wishing both of you
Gods blessings.” (MO)
The last snowfall was enough to keep our sledding hill full enough for childen to sled. Our guests with four young children enjoyed the sledding and I enjoyed hearing their laughter. Even our little dog Joy went out and ran around quite a bit and when they weren’t watching, she took one of the children’s gloves as a treasure for herself. We didn’t have to look very far for the glove, she had brought it indoors.
The next thing the guests enjoyed was a fire in the fire pit. It was pretty cold out there but they wanted to enjoy every minute of the outdoors.
It is great to see people enjoying our Colorado mountains. They had great fun and found this place to be peaceful and beautiful and a real home away from home. The mountains do bring peace to the people. We could not ask for more and it turned out that neither could they. This is life as it should be.
Went to work today and found that we were comparing the below zero cold weather with friends. Being an optimist, I am thankful that my below zero weather only went down to -4. A friend of mine had a -15 weather report.
This didn’t keep us from going out and braving the cold weather. The sun was shining and the roads were clear and the snow on Pikes Peak was breathtaking.
Some of the scenery around here is magnificent and not even the cold weather can take anything away from it.
The workday is done and the evening has come. We are back home and cozy and tomorrow is another day with new surprises, new temperatures and new things to see.
Life is good for those who see the good in every circumstance.
If ever there was a message from the snow this morning, it would be: “It’s 9 degrees out, I am not moving.” At this temperature, the snow will not melt. The coziness inside invites us to stay in. A good day for hot chocolate and for reading a good book. I am tempted but there are things that I need to do so responsibility calls.
Still, the times of getting away to a nice, cozy, comfy cabin beckons. There is a new word out called: Staycations. A mini vacation of sorts. This is a good time to plan that small get away. A staycation in the mountains in one of our cabins would be a welcome change for anyone needing a change.
Staycations like vacations don’t come along on their own. No, they don’t. Like most important things in life, they need to be planned. In need of refreshing and rest, Caleb’s Retreat will offer that.
We have reduced our rates for the winter months. We hope you will keep us in mind.
As I write this post, the sun is shining through the ponderosa pines. The snow may have to melt a little.
I stayed at Tirzah’s Cottage last night and woke up to about 5 inches of white,fluffy snow. The roads were getting quickly packed with ice and it was a chilly morning. The cottage was cozy with a blazing fire in the hearth. The white snow blanketed everything in sight, even the small blue spruces and the evergreens right next to the driveway.
The roads got better once I made it to Colorado Springs and it looked like it was going to be an easy drive to Denver. Once up in the Briargate area (North part of Colorado Springs), the snow continued to fall and all the the way to Denver, there were snow drifts all along the highway. I had a great day in Denver.
When I left my meeting there, I was surprised to find that the sun had come out and the roads were wet but no longer icy. I had a great drive all the way to the Springs.
I visited PF Chang’s for lettuce wraps and watched as the shoppers and the bright lights added quite a bit to the pre-Christmas shopping days. There was some snow on the roads and parking lots but even that only added to the magic of Christmas shopping.
The weather here changes pretty quick and it is a delight no matter what we are doing. When we don’t know what the weather will bring, we layer on with sweaters and if the weather warms up, we shed one or two of the items. However, if the weather gets a little cooler, we grab the items we carry in our cars: the gloves, the ski cap and the coat with the hoodie. We, in Colorado, do our best to be prepared for whatever comes our way.
Have a wonderful night!
Thanksgiving was spent with several families who joined together with a festive sense of community. My daughter and her husband, Kelly hosted a great gathering. For the first time in over two years, I actually enjoyed the occasion. My son passed away a little over two years ago and my heart was not ready to join much less enjoy any occasion before now. Over 30 people were there, all very special and all brought together with a strong bond of family. We all had much to be grateful for and we did not let the day pass without sharing that with each other.
We are blessed to live in this country. We are blessed with friends and family. We are blessed with so much. When we say “thanks” we affirm that we acknowledge the blessings and sometimes even the struggles. (For it is in the valley (struggles) of life that we have our greatest lessons. Although, I know we would probably all prefer to live on top of the mountain.)
Giving thanks is needful. It gives honor to the One who watches over us.
Started the day with a cool 23 degrees and listened to a couple of songs on you tube. We have come so far in the accessibility to songs on the internet. In just seconds, we can punch in the title of a song that can bring us joy and happiness and sometimes can change our quiet demeanor into a cacophony of joy. It all depends on what type of music we choose to listen to. I started with “Revelation Song” by Kari Jobe and ended with “Don’t believe he’s brought me this far to leave me.”
I saw some great sights today. One of them was a buck with a 5-6 pointer walking along this little high ridge with all his majesty. He was unperturbed as he walked his path. I saw Llamas sunning themselves in clusters and others played between themselves. When it gets extremely cold, the llamas sit closely together. Their walk is proud and gallant. They are a sight to behold.
The llama farm is about 6.5 miles from our home.
Deer sit around camouflaged against the backdrop of pale yellow and beige grass. They are not easily noticed until we see their ears poking up out of the grass. They also do some people watching, just like we humans keep an eye out for animals. We’re all God’s creatures!
Time does move on and although I had great intentions of writing daily here, it hasn’t happened. This past few weeks I was a bit handicapped due to some unexpected illness. Now Thanksgiving looms ahead just a few days away and people are planning the holidays, that is the plural holidays, because time will move quicker when we finish with one holiday and move into the next two.
Went to visit Breckenridge this past week with some friends. The skiing and the snowboarding season has begun and is in full swing. The roads were clear and the wind was chilling at times, but the sun beat down with all its heat in force. Colorado’s beautiful scenery was heightened by the white snowcapped mountains.
Time will march on and people will move on to the next project or task at hand and seasons will change. However, many will bow their heads during thanksgiving for all the blessings that came their way during the past year. Many will thank God for the daily blessings as they come.
I give my thanks for the Time that we have each day. I give thanks for the cabins and for all the guests that have come and spent time here and those that will come again. I thank God for daily health and blessings. It is all very important and very much appreciated. So as each of you are making your lists for Thanksgiving, add “Time” to it. It marches on but when well used, it is so great!
I’ve been here 12 years and I think I’ll write about my favorites places here. On the top of my list to start my morning is a stop at Buster O’Brian American/Cajun restaurant. On great days, I stop for a cup of coffee and a couple of beignets, a deep fried pastry sprinkled with powdered sugar or sugar and cinnamon. I like the comfy, warm, small town atmosphere and the people there. I’ve heard good reports on their meals but I have only tried a few: chicken gumbo, french toast and an egg, cheese, bacon sandwich. Woodland Park has lots to offer but this is one of my all time favorites. Buster’s has been open only a few months but I believe it is here to stay.
Caleb’s Retreat has the vacancy sign on right now, but it is a time when people are back to their normal routines, families, jobs and obligations. My husband has winterized the RV and the hot tubs are in the process of being winterized.
The snow is melting quickly and the sun was a welcome visitor to our area today. It still looked like a great day to bundle up and take a walk. However, I gave myself some “doctor’s orders” and rested. I have had some painful muscle spasms lately and the best way to minimize that was to stay in bed and rest. Later today, I will want to do something, but today, I listened to my body and rested. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to do nothing. This promises renewed vigor and energy. I look forward to it.
