Getting in the Christmas Spirit

Well, we have made it through Thanksgiving so I think we can officially start talking about Christmas. I just want to insert here that those who say retailers start on Christmas too early are probably not the ones doing the shopping, decorating and meal prep.  I, for one, need all the time I can get!.

For those not located in Denver, it has been really hard to get in the Christmas spirit this year when we have 70 degrees several days in November and a record high of 81 degrees on November 27^th. On top of that we have had the driest year on record. What little snow we have gotten has melted the same day.  It has felt more like early Summer than Winter.

Knowing Christmas will be here before I know it, I have been looking for ways to get in the right holiday frame of mind. Usually putting up Christmas decorations helps.  In looking through my Christmas stuff, I came across some pictures from last year at Hudson Gardens. If you’re having trouble getting in the right mood like I am, you might try a trip to see this wonderful place.

Hudson Gardens is conveniently located in Littleton on Santa Fe between Littleton Boulevard and Bowles.  It is a great place for gardening classes, beer fests and wedding events.  During the summer, they also have many great concerts with headliners like Chris Isaak, Gladys Knight, Michael McDonald and Kool and the Gang. 

Christmas Village and Train

Today, I want to talk about their winter event called A Hudson Christmas where they decorate the gardens with many different lights.  The cost is reasonable with $9.00 for Adults and $6.00 for children from 4 to 12 years old.  Parking is well orchestrated by the Hudson staff.

When you go, the first stop after you purchase your ticket should be to pick up some of their specialized cardboard glasses at the gift shop.  These look like 3D glasses and add special effects to the lights like snowmen or candy canes depending on which ones you get.  Let me warn you that it will be a hard choice.  Unfortunately, we didn’t see them until we have finished touring the grounds last year.  They would have made the lights even more special.

After you’ve purchased your glasses, you can begin your casual stroll around the grounds.  There are many different pathways to go.  Each section has different displays of dazzling lights as well as Christmas music.  It must take the Hudson staff many hours to get all of the lights up. 

Hudson Garden's Rainbow Tunnel

 Along the way, you will also find a building with a miniature Christmas village with a train running through it.  It is very detailed. You may have some trouble dragging the kids away from the train display but let them know that a little further on, they can get hot chocolate and cookies from Nixon’s Coffee House. It’s a good place for the Adults to sit while the kids visit with Santa or run through a rainbow tunnel. 

Eventually, all paths lead back to the gate and the gift shop where you will want to spend a little more time before you leave.  Check it out. I think you will find it a very relaxing, fun way to get in the holiday mood. You can check out their website here for more info and where to buy tickets. 

Should I Have My Home Professionally Staged?

It's a short week and many people are focused on Thanksgiving so I am going to make this a short post. Check out this video from Shane about one of the ways to get the most money for your home.

Confessions of a Plant Killer

Ok, I admit it. I kill houseplants. Now don’t look at me like that! It’s not something I want to do. I just have the most difficult time keeping plants alive.

Recently I murdered a Gardenia. Trust me, it was not premeditated murder!  I had always wanted a Gardenia. I just love the way Gardenias look with their glossy dark green leaves and their fragrant creamy blossoms. I fantasized about having a big beautiful Gardenia bush sitting on my deck, the sweet fragrance wafting through the summer night air. When I saw one at Home Depot, this last summer, I decided to ignore my history and pick one up. My summer evening fantasy fell apart immediately as it didn't do well on my deck. Who knew they were so fussy? It turns out Gardenias have to get just the right amount of light, not too much and not too little. They also need humidity but don’t like damp roots. I tried the poor thing in several different locations trying to find a good home for it. Finally, I tried placing it in my basement bathroom near the window. It seemed to be doing well in the bathroom where it could get lots of humidity. Then one day I walked in and all the leaves were turning black. Nothing I did, turned it around and I finally had to let it go. Sadly, if there was a Plant Killers Anonymous, I would be a lifetime member.

I like having plants in the house, though so I keep trying. I know that plans make your home feel fresher and will improve the home’s air quality. But investing in plants can get expensive if you can't keep them alive. Recently I did a little research to see if I could improve my record and found the following suggestions:

1. Use leftover water from cooking. Plants love the extra nutrients from your leftover cooking water that can’t be found straight from the tap. Instead of dumping the water right after boiling vegetables, let it cool and use it to water your plants.
2. Coffee makes great fertilizer. Rather than throwing your used coffee grounds in the trash, empty out your French press or coffee filter straight into a planter.
3. Dust your plants. This should be part of your regular dusting and cleaning routine. Keeping your plants’ leaves dust-free keeps them healthier.
4. Pay attention to soil types. Different plants require different soils. Do some research to discover each plant‘s preferred soil. For instance, succulents require sandy, dry soil.
5. Beware of root rot. Houseplants are prone to root rot because there’s often nowhere for the excess water to drain from the planter. Prevent root rot by putting pebbles in the bottom of the planter, which elevates the roots. Use a water-hydrogen peroxide mixture for plants that are already showing signs of root rot.

Dusting my plants is never going to happen. I only dust when I absolutely must. I might give the leftover water and coffee grounds a try though. I’ve also read that coffee grounds keep away ants if you sprinkle it around your outdoor plants. Hmmm, I wonder if it would work on my peonies?

Winterizing Your Home

All though I was born in Colorado, I moved away before I was a homeowner. Now that I’m back in Colorado, I’ve had to get up to speed on what I need to do to maintain my home so I’ve been doing some research. I want to share with you some of that research so today’s blog is on how to winterize and perform other maintenance tasks in your home.

The cold weather has arrived, and it’s time to get your home ready for the months of harsh conditions that are on the way. Here are five key tasks for winterizing your home.

Get your HVAC system inspected: Some things are better left to the experts. Schedule a tune-up with an HVAC professional—they’ll check for carbon monoxide, inspect pipes, clean/change filters, and get your system running more efficiently.


Reverse your ceiling fans: Did you know that there are separate settings on your ceiling fan for cool and warm months? You want it to rotate clockwise during the winter. It’ll force the warm air down and keep you comfortable at night.

Disconnect all hoses: This is the most common cause of frozen pipes. One way to reduce this risk is by putting your hoses away in the shed or garage for the winter. That way, if someone connects a hose they will hopefully disconnect it to put it back in its place. Also, if you see a hose out of storage it will be a red flag that someone connected it.

Keep an emergency kit: A blizzard can quickly leave you stuck at home with roads too dangerous to drive to get food and other supplies, and can even cause power outages. Prepare for the worst by stocking water, non-perishable foods, and plenty of blankets.

Clean the gutters: Clogged gutters can fill with ice and cause roof leaks from water damming. Another problem is the gutter can become heavy and rip off, causing other damage.

Now what?

Winter is hard on your home. The weight of snow puts stress on your roof, and the cold expands and contracts the materials your home is made of. So what should you do when that winter weather is behind us? Not surprisingly, some of the areas where you were focused on for winterizing will need post-winter home maintenance.

Roof and shingles: It’s pretty common for shingles to get damaged or detach completely after a long cold winter. Thoroughly inspect your roof to ensure that shingles are in good condition and the roof is structurally sound. It may not be time to replace your roof yet, but consider how many more years it has left and start preparing a budget.

Check your gutters:  Yes, do it again! The weight of heavy melting snow and debris is more than enough to make your gutters sag or loosen. Clear out all the leaves and other debris that’s collected in the gutters, and make sure they’re still securely attached at all points.

Check concrete surfaces: Fluctuating temperatures cause concrete to expand and contract. This can lead to damaged driveways, walkways, and other surfaces, and that can spell bad news for water drainage. Fill the cracks with an appropriate material, and seal your surfaces if possible.

HVAC service: Before you put your central air conditioner through a rigorous summer, clean the coils and change the filter. Better yet, bring in a professional for yearly maintenance.