Page 15 - November 2019 proof 7 Castle Pines Connection

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Holiday fun and Christmas markets
By Patte Smith
Horse drawn carriage rides will take families and friends on an old-fashioned jaunt around the Schweiger Ranch Austrian Christmas Festival & Christkindl Market on Saturday, December 7 from 1p.m. to 5 p.m. Kids get to visit with Santa and his reindeer, make crafts and have their faces painted, while adults can attend a wreath-making workshop.
The market will feature local handcrafted items – great for holiday gift giving. Carolers will be strolling through the festival singing Christmas favorites, and there will be a performance by the Legendary Ladies: Unconventional Women of the West. Enjoy Austrian food, hot chocolate, and cider while listening to a traditional Austrian band. As the day winds down, the ranch’s array of holiday lights will add to the holiday spirit. Visit https://schweigerranch.org/upcoming- events/ for more information.
The Parker Christmas Carriage Parade and Holiday Market exudes the hometown feel of the holidays. A tradition for years
in Parker, the all equestrian parade features dozens of dressed up horse-drawn carriages, wagons, surreys and stagecoaches from across Colorado. The event will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the parade begins at noon. There will be locally created crafts and plenty of food. For more information, visit www.parkeronline. org/.
The entire family can enjoy a free Christmas event lled with fun holiday activities, a visit from Santa, hot chocolate and cider
at Christmas on the Ranch on Saturday, December 7 at CALF’s Lowell Ranch from ____________________________. Vendors and exhibitors will o er a variety of crafts and activities. Visit www.thecalf.org/ for more information or call 303-688-1026.
For those who like to head downtown to
see the lights and enjoy a festival, shop for gifts, ice skate and wander, the free Denver Christkindl market will be a hit. Held until December 23 at 1515 Arapahoe Street
and 16th Street Mall, the event features a European Christmas village, with wooden vendor huts, twinkling lights, festival music, and an authentic German Bier Hall.
For more information, visit www. christkindlmarketdenver.com.
According to Ancestry.com, 77% of my ethnicity is located in England, Wales and Northwestern Europe. Perhaps this is one of the reasons I love tea.
My mother, Annie, was a proud Newfoundlander who was born and raised on tea. In my book, Heaven Has Tea Parties, I share my story of faith and my English mother who loved a cup of tea. I had the privilege of sharing many cups of tea and the opportunity to attend high teas with my mom. Wherever I live, I look for tea rooms that serve an enjoyable high tea experience.
My de nition of a high tea consists of fancy table cloths, linen napkins, china teacups and a three-tiered plate lled with nger sandwiches, scones and decadent desserts. Most importantly for me, a high tea must have raspberry jam, lemon curd and clotted cream for the scone. I prefer a smooth black tea with cream and sugar. There are many varying traditions associated with high tea, but I learned mine from my mom.
We Coloradans are blessed to have an abundance of tea rooms options where we can experience a magni cent high tea.
The Brown Palace in Denver, (www. brownpalace.com) is a favorite, especially at Christmas time. The afternoon tea takes place in the lobby. You are surrounded
by the beautiful Christmas decorations while hypnotic piano music plays in the background. The table is brilliantly set with china teacups, plates and pewter cream and sugar sets.
The Dushanbe Tea House in Boulder, (www.boulderteahouse.com) is an authentic tea house from Dushanbe, Tajikistan that was given to its sister city, Boulder. The tea house is nestled in the foothills and sits alongside Boulder Creek. Words are not enough to describe the amazing experience.
Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs, (www.gleneyrie.org) is the home of
General William Jackson Palmer and his family. The castle is currently serving its autumn tea, but also serves a yule tea to celebrate the Christmas season. There is something magical about a high tea in a music room with breathtaking views of the castle grounds and red rocks of the canyon.
And nally, Cherokee Ranch & Castle in Sedalia (ww.cherokeeranch.org) is
a local favorite. The castle is a rare example of a 15th century architectural masterpiece, housing a collection of world-class art, antiques and rare books – all serving as the perfect backdrop for an authentic high tea experience. You’ll be treated like royalty when you attend tea at Cherokee Ranch & Castle, which includes a light meal with a seasonal menu, complete with scones with clotted cream and jam, nger sandwiches
and pastries.
No matter where you live in Colorado, you are sure to nd a tea room near
you that captures the authentic high tea experience. Just remember, make sure they are serving scones with raspberry jam, lemon curd and clotted cream – the requirements of a high tea, according to Annie.
To nd your next high tea visit www. destinationtea.com/colorado.
A cup of Christmas
comfort
By Michelle Post
Choo-a-woo...the Winter Express train
will take passengers on a one-mile, winter- themed wonderland ride along paved trails around the Millhouse and Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park on Friday, December 13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kids and families will enjoy the live reindeer, Santa, s’mores, hot chocolate, sleigh rides, outdoor games and an obstacle course. For more information, visit www.crgov.com.