-Miss Bliss
Here in the mountains you think differently… snow and big trees, old trees, hover over you here…. The possibilities in life expand to match the expansive space in Colorado… rock, canyon, mountain, tree, clouds, air, pure air as if it is the best air you have ever breathed in your entire life… peace is possible and colorado demands that you become at peace with the environment around you because you have no choice… it’s bigger than you and the other humans… you realize you are just visiting…the colorado earth has been here before and will be here long after you… a rhythm of water flowing below you in a canyon bed reminds you of how quickly things pass, and sings for you to slow down… you can feel your blood pumping, warming muscles and skin. You dream of days of simplicity: what do you really need, after all?
Each morning the sun rises again over green boulders and shiny snow, the world is fresh for you to explore, to leave the past behind, to find a new pace… where wood is weathered, seasons capture your attention… a collection of ice forms as thick as phone poles, saplings, on your back porch: now you should stop and hear what is inside you, seeing these icicles like daggers, another force, solid, containing air and water, coatings over coatings, layers, the earth is wrapped in snow and ice with green and sun and blue sky still over head.
Footsteps crunch the snow. People fight the slippery powder to join the Boulder rhythm, civilization right down the curvy icy road: faces, hearts beating, lungs breathing oxygen in and out, color, people layered in clothing, holding warm cups, and then, return to the quieter mountains for the journey into their sanctuaries.
Colorado stars shine over the snow and cliffs and rushing water, the canyon holds its life tight for the dark cold night.
Don’t miss the beautiful pictures!
Nederland, Colorado 
“Ned” with snow-capped mountains peeking over…
After some snowy days, crisp blue skies…
Pearl Street in downtown Boulder, CO on Christmas Eve
The “Flatirons”–Boulder’s gorgeous daily backdrop…
snow-dusted…
We love it… it does remind this Miami girl of “Northern Exposure” this time of year!
Barefoot in the snow! Tulips proliferate here on Pearl Street in springtime…
Another Boulder tradition, and the cigar bar serves hot chocolate to the kids
after they skate…
A view from our canyon hideaway…
The steps to our home away from home…
Snow started the minute we arrived in the center of Boulder, and began our journey to the mountain lodge. The flakes thickened, and we walked from the canyon road down toward our home for the next week. The snow fell, over already snow-whitened road and ground, the skies pouring onto our world, something very dreamlike to our tropical sensibilities. As if in our own little snowglobe, we walked, forward into the dark road; the snow fell, illuminating our lodge and the path–the bridge lead us to our holiday hideaway. It seemed we were the only ones for miles; all we could hear was a creek, babbling away against its icy “roof”. The snow kept falling all night and the next day,
We had Christmas Eve in Boulder, and Christmas here in the Four Mile Canyon…Mr. W. made me lovely meals for which he had shopped and carried home to us only by bus and backpack…no rental car on this trip! Colorado’s public transportation is too good.
In Nederland, we saw the frozen lake, and I remembered the first time I saw the expanse of Nederland at sunset–it was something beyond imagination. The glassy dark blue lake, the sky: its purples and pinks blending over the spring green, white-topped mountains. That day changed me…I learned life had beauty that could shock you, and heal you at the same time. The 26th, we rode up to beautiful Nederland, surrounded by snow covered rocks and canyon walls that seemed to touch the Colorado blue sky. Layers of sunny blue sky froze at ice-coated rock, and the shadows protected snow down to the road.
Just Beachy’s tree is like snowflakes! The decorations just pop against the white, and I love the unexpected white in place of the usual green….and such sweet decorations.Dear Friends,
This video and these young boys’ voices truly tugged at my heart this morning.
You will see true beauty in their spirits. I hope you watch it… I think it is hope and love made visible.
The results will make you feel joyful too! It is making me think of times when the kindness of strangers has affected my own life….
xoxo
Miss Bliss
Breakfast at the airport…on our way to Colorado!!!
my holiday shirt!
Our breakfast view
Hello, Lovely Friends!Mr. Wonderful and I are blogging from the Miami International Airport this morning… what a beautiful place for breakfast: Illy coffee with whipped cream and Valhrona cocoa in Terminal H/J and we are enjoying a wall of palm-treed windows onto the world… TAM Brasil plane with signatures all over the plane body, Air France, Air Canada… I love airports!
Miami traffic speeds along the highway in the backdrop; in front of us the airport employees are driving the luggage trucks and vans and walking around the runway…we are all waking up.
Classical holiday music plays in the background and planes lift off…
We are in high spirits after LAST NIGHT: our bartender/angel on earth at the Blue Moon made us buttery nipples, (good holiday drink… just like the butterscotch candies!) margaritas, and finally, chocolate covered grasshoppers to send us on to our holidays and travel this morning…our friend who was with us also drove us to the airport, and texted for coffee please on his way to get us… ; )
Mr. Wonderful is tres excited for the winter storm on a “collision course” with Colorado… we are going to get there just in time!
How are your holiday adventures so far???
xoxo,
Miss Bliss
I once swam in this pool in Mexico. 
Here is the adult pool…find some shade or SUNSCREEN!
Your room elevates you to a truly blissful state of mind… and this is where you can discover Mexican Hot Chocolate, brought to you by room service…
much needed tlc with the work trip…
There you are, drinking your Mexican Hot Chocolate at the
Four Seasons in Punta Mita, Mexico. Sweet Dreams!
Whether you are relaxing somewhere warm and toasty or if you are just trying to stay warm and toasty… this does the trick.
Build and customize the following All Recipes suggestion or try this one from Taste of Home as you like, the key is to add cinnamon and the chili powder… just a touch!
Ingredients
3 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch chili powder
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup boiling water
Directions
1.In a large mug, mix the hot chocolate mix, chocolate syrup, cinnamon, and chili powder. Pour in the milk. Add the boiling water and stir. Enjoy!!!
pics from here
One more from Tyler Florence at Food Network… thanks M.J. for suggesting real chocolate!
mushy warning!!! …and now, back to watching Bridget Jones’s Diary with Mr. Wonderful. When Mark Darcy tells Bridget that he likes her,
just as she is, it makes us both smile.
in the ending film with the credits… he says the little girl at the birthday party is me… she is having a big piece of chocolate birthday cake, swigging something bubbly, and swimming in the pool… then she kisses him… and this makes us smile, too…
maybe tomorrow he will make me some Mexican Hot Chocolate…
A yummy cup of hot cocoa is perfect anytime! This is on my list…I am going to need a lot of hot chocolate to survive Colorado
next week with this Miami Beach blood! The snow will be pretty, though…outside the window while I have some hot chocolate, that is….;)
Sock monkeys would make a great holiday gift for kids, and they are so fun to make. On the sock monkey subject, did you see this…? It was in a Food Network Cake Challenge— the sock monkey cake with sparklers… so funny!
Do you have a special ornament?
Ready for a little orchid therapy? 
my kind of place… 
….maybe we need a greenhouse…..
very cheap therapy….
almost leopard print 
does it get any prettier?
like the caterpillar about to spring into butterfly glory…
will they all fit in the car?
so many to see….
love this deep purple hue
orchid fever….
more beauty!
just a couple blooms here…
possibly my favorite shot!
do you see the SPIKY orchid? (up top)
Pick me!
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