You may already be taking a deep breath or two before facing 2025 but let’s wrap up Year 2024 first. This delicious-looking Dark Chocolate Bundt cake with Hot Frosty icing, a dessert for any holiday occasion, is as tasty as it looks. You need that frosting recipe. It’s no-fail and easy to pull together. Can we all laugh at the handmade sign planted at our City Market’s entrance? It’s a small grocery store and per square feet is Colorado’s busiest during the holidays, thus the cautionary advice for tourists.

On New Year’s Day I’m flying to Washington DC for the next three months. If you recall, last year I spent two months in DC but found it took one month to find my way, leaving only one month to play tourist. Last year was to be my last winter “work” trip. While those three-month experiences the past ten years have been hugely rewarding on every level, they also are physically and mentally challenging.

Because I left so much unexplored, I decided to commit to another winter in DC. And, of course, with the upcoming election I thought I would be on the ground for the inauguration excitement. Most importantly, if my candidate won, I would gather my girls and we could witness an historic inauguration of a female president together. That didn’t happen. Still, there is much to see. If or when I’ve seen enough this winter, I can easily change coarse and head for sunnier climes.

ASPEN’S WINTER – Despite the season, I live in a paradise but our part of the country thrives and depends on snow. In November when those flakes start to fly, there is relief and joy. One cold morning at 7:30am after we’d had another 4-6 inches of snow within a 7-day period, I came out to shovel snow off my car again and found Erin Barr, the assistant-General Manager of The Gant doing just that. She’d taken pity on me, I just know it. That’s why I only came to temporarily live at The Gant for two years but have now stayed twelve. They are very good to me.

LAS VEGAS – In early December my friend, Karen, asked me to join her in Las Vegas while she competed in a bridge tournament. I used to live in Las Vegas/Henderson. Karen played bridge. I lunched with friends, played tourist and we did dinner and shows together. Lucky for us that I could grab two tickets for a sold-out performance to see the Eagles at the Sphere. Barry Manilow was playing at out hotel. Ohhh Mandy, Barry was on fire. It was Cowboy Week in Vegas and our hotel served as its headquarters. Holy Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, I’d never seen so many different kinds of cowboy hats. Step aside, Mr. Stetson.

THE HOLIDAYS

After returning from Las Vegas, I took two days to recuperate while Karen hosted a Tree Trimming party! The reason I’m featuring Luky, Ann and Sistie is they were the only guests trimming the tree. For the most part the rest of us were in the kitchen enjoying each other, eating, drinking and talking!

It’s always nice to get a tip about something special. My Gant neighbor, Linda, introduced me to a candy maker in nearby Basalt who makes delicious Almond English Toffee. I bought several boxes for gifts and one for Mary.

HAPPY NEW YEAR