pikes peak in the fall

We drove the scenic and spectacular Pikes Peak Highway all the way up to the 14,110 foot summit of America's most famous mountain . . . Pike Peak! 

From the gateway at an elevation of 7,400 feet, we encountered some of the most breathtaking scenery as we winded our way through an alpine wonderland of scenic beauty and mountain reservoirs.  

DID YOU KNOW?
Pikes Peak, also known as “America’s Mountain," inspired poet, Katherine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful in 1893. There really are “spacious skies” and “fruited plains” and purple-hued mountains visible from the summit of the 14,115-foot high peak.

~ Although it's hazy, you can still see Pikes Peak in the background ~

Notice the mountain-side speckled with GOLD alpine trees!

The Pikes Peak Highway is 19-miles from the Toll-gate entrance to the Summit, and is a 2-lane road ascending more than 6,000 feet in elevation to 14,115 feet. The views are breathtaking and the drive is truly amazing. 

When we drove up to the Toll-date entrance, I saw a blackboard sign that read "Enjoy the Fall foliage." And I remember thinking "Oh, great! Maybe we'll see a few yellow, orange and red trees scattered here and there."

I was beyond surprised when just after a few short minutes we drove around the first bend and saw a grove of GLOWING GOLDEN Alpine Birch trees! My husband and I were in awe.   

 ~ Their leaves are breath-taking ~

~ The forest floor was also afire with RED foliage ~

~ View from above one of the reservoirs ~

~ View of GOLD Aspens looking up from the reservoir ~

After a short stop at one of the reservoirs, we continued to make our climb to the Summit of Pikes Peak.

~ It's no secret . . . I'm terrified of heights, so Pikes Peak's Highway

had my heart racing from Mile Markers 15 to 19 (the TOP)! ~

There were very FEW guard rails!

~ On our way to the SUMMIT ~

~ We made it! ~

~ Although it was hazy, the view from the TOP was quite spectacular ~

We had an incredible day! My "Little Ones" still ask to see "the mountain pictures" every day.  Luckily, there is still snow as low as Marker 16, also known as The Devil's Playground, so the kids were able to touch and experience SNOW for the first time. 

FUN FACT . . . Devil’s Playground was named for the way lightning here can sometimes be seen jumping from rock to rock during storms.

~ As you can see, we weren't dressed for the SNOW - or the COLD weather, 

 but that didn't stop us from experiencing all that Pikes Peak had to offer ~

~ My little guy tucked his arms in his jacket for extra warmth! ~

~ Oh, and yes ~ they do sell DONUTS at the TOP of Pikes Peak ~

YUM!!

~ It's just an extra perk for those who make it to the TOP! ~

Cascade, Colorado


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"our tree"

My little ones adopted a tree . . . and I think it's pretty darn cute!

I'm not sure why they chose THIS tree, or why they even adopted a tree for that matter, BUT they did . . . and they check on it at least 3 times a day . . . FIRST thing after breakfast, just before lunch, and late evening.  Thankfully, its within walking distance of our hotel. 

It's a pretty little thing. It's trunk stands about 5 feet tall, and it's branches span about 10 feet in diameter. 

The more I visit it with the kids, the more I can see why they adopted it, I guess . . . It's short, so they can reach its pretty red berries, and it looks like something from a fairy tale book. 

We gently pick its berries, and have "berry races."

The "Little Ones" roll them down a hill and see whose berry finishes first.
There's even cheering and jumping for the winner!

~ And we plant the berries in hopes that a new tree grows! ~

~ It's set among a small grove of trees that are changing with the season ~

~ So pretty! ~

"Can we visit our tree Mom and Dad?"

Highlands Ranch, Colorado

nomélie cupcakes

We ventured southeast to Old Town Parker, Colorado today . . . and, of course, toured their Main Street. 

Old Town Parker is beautiful! 

While on our tour of this charming and historical town, my oldest daughter, Charley, and I stopped into a sweet Cupcake Shoppe called Nomélie Cupcakes. 

I'm quite a critic when it comes to cakes and cupcakes, so I  don't say this often about cupcakes, but . . .  Nomélie Cupcakes are DELICIOUS!

From the mismatched furniture down to the amazing milk glass cake stands you’ll find in a little antique shop, filled with an amazing assortment of sweets – no detail was left un-touched. I wish I had taken a photo of the chandeliers and painted tin tile ceilings. More importantly though, the cupcakes were tres chic and ooh la la sweet!   

Nomélie Cupcakes was founded by a mom and baker, Selah Davenport.  She shared in an interview that she has no formal training. She worked in the corporate world, then in massage therapy, got pregnant and then became a stay at home mom.  

Selah began watching a lot of Food Network, and after moving to Colorado in 2006, she became serious about her cupcakes and went to work testing her recipes in the high altitude. With determination and a lot of research, she found the right balance of ingredients. The results are not only beautiful, but delicious. 

She started with selling special order cupcakes in 2007, and then opened up the retail space in May 2009.  

The name Nomélie came from the joining of Selah's son and daughter’s names – Noah & Amelie and it kinda sounded French (which she's obsessed with), and she felt like it worked.

In my opinion, Nomélie's cupcakes rival that of Sweet & Saucy in Southern California (which to those of you who have had their cupcakes ~ is a BIG compliment) . . . 

PERHAPS THIS IS WHY . . . 

Nomélie is a small, family run artisan cupcakery. Everything is created in small batches with great care. They sift everything by hand, and Selah's sister makes all the frostings.  They incorporate buttermilk into all of their batters, and they use Mexican vanilla beans. There are no pre-made products in their batches, only the finest ingredients; and they try to use local products whenever they can find them – summer time is big for local fruit.

You can actually taste the QUALITY of the ingredients in their cupcakes! 

I LOVE that their cupcake MENU changes daily! With so many yummy cupcake selections to choose from . . . it was hard to pick just one, so we bought a few (smile).

~ Charley chose a Vanilla LOVE Cupcake with blue sprinkles ~

She LOVES her little box!

~ I chose a TUXEDO, BUCKEYE, & MAPLE Spice cupcake ~

The BUCKEYE is one of their most popular cupcakes!

It's a delicious, moist chocolate cupcake filled with 

a sweet, creamy peanut butter frosting,

and then topped with chocolate ganache 

and sprinkled with a soft chocolate peanut butter candy.

L.O.V.E.

Be sure and stop by Nomélie Cupcakes 

in Old Town Parker, Colorado, the next time you visit!

bon appetit!

littleton, colorado

We ventured north to Littleton this morning . . . strolled the historic Main Street, and wandered through charming shops.  

Littleton's streets are lined with tall, old trees that provide a perfect shade for visitors. . . and its vintage street lamps and brick faced store fronts (some painted, and some not) give Main Street its historic charm.  

   

A few of my favorite shops are located on West Alamo, just off Main Street. Older homes have been transformed into charming shops filled with hand-crafted garden decor, seasonal items, and beautiful home accents. The porches are just as captivating as the interiors of the shops.

The "little ones" spotted a plump squirrel perched atop a small branch nibbling on a nut. My daughter told me that they were "sneaking" up on the squirrel. I guess that explains their peculiar positions, but I don't have an explanation as to why my son's hand is tucked in the back of his pants? 

This store-front's porch was not only over-flowing with garden gifts, but beautiful flowers too! I must have stopped and admired the lush, draping foliage several times on our walk.

 

And my favorite shop . . . Vandel Antiques, also known as A Paris Street Market. This charming shop of Parisian Market finds, antiques, and unforgettable seasonal items left my heart and mind whirling with GLEE! So many "ooohhs" and "aaahhs!" . . . and if I could've bought one of everything ~ I would have. 

Vandel Antiques is a must visit if you're ever in 

Littleton, Colorado.

Just to the left of the shop is this Fall display that leads to a patio brimming with hand-crafted iron works for your garden. The kids and I thought the iron spider holding the large pumpkin was particularly cute! 

Market finds and seasonal items welcome you onto the front porch.  Feminine petite chandeliers twinkle in the window just beyond . . . and serve as a warm WELCOME to shoppers like me.

We've all seen wooden and plastic corn holders, BUT have you ever seen elegant corn cob holders? Sounds a little crazy, huh!?! I fell head-over-heals for these hand-crafted holders made from VINTAGE silverware.

And look at these Tea Bag Holders! Who would use a ceramic tea bag holder when you could use one of these!?! Again, so pretty and elegant. LOVE!

We wrapped up our visit on Main Street at The Chocolate Therapist. A fun find if you're a chocolate lover too! I sampled milk and dark chocolates, as we sipped on a delicious cup of Mexican Spice Hot Chocolate. My husband and I both agreed that it's one of the best cups of hot chocolate that we've ever had.

It's easy to fall in love with the nostalgia and charm that

MAIN STREET

brings to Littleton, Colorado!

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 Simply Suzannes at Home

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petite candied applies

These sweet, petite apples inspired a dessert that I made for a "Little Mister" themed baby shower.    

The mommy-to-be ADORES the Fall season . . . and since her son's expected birth date is in October, a Fall-inspired dessert menu seemed most appropriate.

"Little Mister" Candied Apples

~

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

served with Fall Spiced fresh Whipped Cream 

~

Lindt White Chocolate and Salted Caramel Crumble 

~ 

Ginger Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies

  
THE "LITTLE MISTER" . . . 
One-third the size of a typical apple, these little pretties make for the perfect dessert table treat.  Candied apples are fun any time of year, but especially in the Fall.  With adorable black & white striped paper straws to serve as their stem . . . and cute black felt mustaches to dress them up . . . these charming "Little Mister" candied apples will make your dessert table most handsome. 

 

~ black and white paper straws ~

~ etsy for an assortment of mustache stickers ~

~ dipped in white chocolate ~

 and rolled in toffee bits or crushed cinnamon graham crackers 

"Little Mister" all dressed up!

~ "Little Mister" and a few of his friends ~

bon appetit!