DECEMBER 2010
WRAPPED WITH LOVE Ingenious system to beautify your gifts
The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association • Volume 41, Number 12
Publisher/Editor Associate Editor Editorial/Digital
Mona Neeley, CCC Donna Norris Carissa Sheehan
OFFICERS President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Executive Director
Chris Morgan, Gunnison Bob Bledsoe, Tri-State Bill Midcap, Fort Morgan Don Kaufman, Sangre De Cristo Kent Singer, CREA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Empire John Porter Grand Valley Sylvia Spangler Highline Jim Lueck Holy Cross Michael Glass K.C. Dan Mills LaPlata Tom Compton Mountain Parks Stan Cazier Mountain View B.D. Paddock Poudre Valley Jack Schneider San Isabel Joseph Costa, Reg Rudolph San Luis Valley Mike Rierson, John Villyard Sangre De Cristo Paul Erickson Southeast Mark Grasmick United Power Jim Jaeger White River Bill Jordan Y-W Stuart Travis Yampa Valley Sam Haslem Associate Members Basin Electric Co-Bank Moon Lake Electric Wheatland Electric EDITORIAL Denver Corporate Office 5400 N. Washington • Denver, CO 80216 Phone: 303-455-4111 Email: MNeeley@coloradocountrylife.org Website: coloradocountrylife.coop Facebook: Colorado Country Life Twitter: @COCountryLife ADVERTISING Kris Wendtland NCM
16 FEATURE Fabulous Fobbies A new easy way to make your
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holiday gifts beautiful BY ALLISON MELUN
COLUMNS
Sweet delights that Santa and your guests can’t resist BY LINH TRUONG
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Gardening
Poinsettias’ pretty petals make for fascinating foliage BY EVE GILMORE
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Outdoors
The search for the most realistic duck decoy BY DENNIS SMITH
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Energy Tips
Humidifiers improve health and energy bills BY JAMES DULLEY
DEPARTMENTS
Promoting the health and importance of electric cooperatives BY KENT SINGER
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4 303-902-7276 800-626-1181
COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly for $9/$15 per year by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life, does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life, magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.
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Recipes
Viewpoint
Letters Calendar Co-op News NewsClips Industry Story Discoveries
COVER: A CUDDLY TEDDY BEAR WEARS A FOBBIE GIFT TAG AS A BELT AND WAITS FOR HIS NEW OWNER TO FIND HIM UNDER THE TREE. PHOTO BY BRENT WARD, BRENTWARDPHOTOS.COM
A Year of Connections Promoting the value of electric co-ops continues
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can’t believe it has been nearly a year since I bec a me executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association. It has been an exciting and challenging time, and I remain extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead this association in Kent Singer our ongoing efforts to support Colorado’s electric co-ops. Over the course of this past year, I have had the opportunity to connect with a host of people involved in the electric co-op program. I have gotten to know co-op directors, managers and employees and I have had a chance to meet with many member-owners at annual meetings and co-op events. It is a great group, and I am proud to be one of the thousands of Coloradans working hard every day to make sure those who live in rural Colorado have as much access to affordable and reliable electricity as the folks in our cities and towns. What the electric co-ops are able to do in Colorado is amazing given the terrain of our state, the vast expanses of the territory the co-ops serve and the weather conditions in which they operate. As an example, Southeast Colorado Power Association headquartered in La Junta has a service territory larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Yet, the co-op operates with less than two customers per mile of line. Despite this lack of population density, the co-op still provides reliable electric power at affordable rates. Getting to Know the Co-ops The best part of my job has been getting out into co-op country to attend board meetings and annual meetings across the state. Colorado’s electric co-ops provide
4 Colorado Country Life DECEMBER 2010
BY KENT SINGER, CRE A E XECUTIVE DIRECTOR
electric service to about 75 percent of the geographic territory of Colorado, from Kansas to Utah and from New Mexico to Wyoming. I have had the chance to see a great deal of that country since the start of the year. I have also witnessed co-op democracy and community commitment in action. My travels this year have demonstrated to me that the co-op business model is as robust as ever because all of the member-owners of the co-ops have a voice in how their particular co-op is operated. At CREA, our job is to protect that co-op business model and to help your co-op do its work as cost effectively as possible. How did we accomplish that task this year? Providing Support to Co-ops At the state level, CREA’s member co-ops supported legislation to make sure that co-ops are run in an open and transparent manner. CREA helped the co-ops make sure that along with transparency, local control was maintained and additional regulations would not drive costs higher for co-op member-owners. CREA worked to have another bill amended to make sure that a sales taxes would not be imposed on electricity for agricultural purposes. This one change saved a considerable amount of money for co-op member-owners. On the energy front, CREA also amended bills to make sure that co-ops will be able to recover their costs when they integrate new sources of power into the grid. At the national level, I testified in the United States Senate in support of a bill that would provide loan funds for co-op customers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The Rural
Energy Savings Program Act did not pass the Senate, but we hope it will be considered in the next Congress. Reaching Out CREA also sponsored an “Energy Innovations Summit” in Denver to showcase the projects the co-ops have developed in the areas of renewable energy and efficiency and to learn about the latest in new technologies. CREA brought in experts from all over the country to discuss the latest trends in energy policy, including nuclear power, energy efficiency, smart grid, solar technology and renewable power integration. Sharing expertise with others, CREA held an “Energy 101” course for policymakers so that they could learn about some of the fundamentals about the co-op business. And, along with partner Tri-State Generation and Transmission, CREA sponsored a candidate forum where the candidates for governor and U.S. Senate spoke to several hundred co-op employees. CREA participated in all of these activities in order to promote the co-op “brand” and inform policymakers and community leaders about the value of electric co-ops and their important role in rural Colorado. We will continue to find new ways in the year ahead to connect to co-op members and those around us, to demonstrate how the co-op community strives to provide reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electric service to its member-owners. I look forward to more connections in the coming year.
Executive Director
WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP
Watch Your Headlines I was offended by the headline and article “War & Peace” (“Limitless Learning,” September 2010). To imply that a gunsmithing school is somehow equivalent to war is an insult to the many craftsmen and craftswomen who are gunsmiths. This is a respectable profession that has nothing to do with war. Michael Lowenstein, Grand Junction
Proud of Those Who Served Thank you so much for your Viewpoint article (October 2010). I am a military wife and mother whose husband and two sons have a total of 80 years of active duty in the Air Force. It means so much to all military families to read the moving tribute to your Uncle Loyd’s service. You are right that many have become cynical. Many simply have no concept of how dangerous this world is … and how much more so it would be without our military. Many do not understand any of the issues we face as a country. Still, this is the greatest country on earth. We proudly fly our flag daily and will always vote to honor all who served. Thank you for reminding us all of the sacrifices of our military. Charlotte Miller, Monument
Enjoying Library Donations Thank you for the wonderful donation of books to our library. The patrons of the Simla Branch Library will get hours of reading enjoyment from your thoughtful donation. We appreciate your willingness to give to our library. Sharon H. Hall, Branch Manager Simla Branch Library
Viewing Wildlife Maybe if Dennis Smith had taken the time to get off his loud mechanical contraptions he might have seen some wildlife. (Outdoors, November 2010) I don’t see much wildlife driving through the forest in my Chevy either. Ron Bauer, Grand Lake
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end your letter to the editor by mail to 5400 S N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or by emailing it to mneeley@coloradocountrylife. org. You must include your name and address to be published. Letters may be edited.
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DECEMBER 2010 Colorado
Country Life 5
DECEMBER CALENDAR Through December 30 in Colorado Springs
Margaret Whiting Art Exhibition Western Museum of Mining and Industry 719-488-0880, www.wmmi.org November 26-December 31 in Pueblo
Christmas at Rosemount Mansion 1893 Victorian museum decorated for the holidays Closed Sundays and Mondays 719-545-5290
December 10-11 in Aspen
December 11 in Steamboat Springs
Aspen Summit for Life
Merry Mainstreet Holiday Celebration
Events raising awareness of organ donation www.summitforlife.org www.chrisklugfoundation.org December 10-11 in Craig Winter Arts and Crafts Show Centennial Mall, 1111 W. Victory Way Dec. 10: 12-7 p.m.; Dec. 11: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 970-824-7011 www.centennialmall.com
December 3-12 in Mancos
Carolers, Santa, shops, parade and gingerbread house tour on historic, festively decorated downtown Lincoln Avenue 970-846-1800 mainstreetsteamboat@comcast.net December 11 in Wiggins
Wiggins School Arts and Crafts Show Elementary school gym Free chili lunch with nonperishable food donation 970-380-1888
Seven comedians portray the 24 crazy characters in this play about a strange Texas town 7:30 p.m., 970-349-0366 www.cbmt.weebly.com December 17 in Grand Junction
Chocolate Walk Historical walking tour of downtown complete with a hot beverage Meet at Enstrom Candies 701 Colorado Ave. 970-254-3866 www.gjcity.org
Mancos Olde Fashioned Christmas
December 10-12 in Longmont
Craft fairs, stagecoach rides, visits from Santa, tree lighting ceremony 970-533-7434 www.mancosvalley.com
Flatirons Mineral Club Show The Boulder County Fairgrounds http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/ fmc/fmcshow.htm
December 11-17 in Mt. Crested Butte
Gingerbread House Competition
Breakfast with Santa www.powderhorn.com
December 3-28 in Durango
December 10-31 in Pueblo
The Polar Express
ElectriCritters Holiday Light Extravaganza
Forms due December 11, entries due December 17 970-349-2217, www.skicb.com/ginger
December 20-22 in Steamboat Springs
The Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Story, hot chocolate, carols and treats www.durangotrain.com
Pueblo Zoo 719-561-1452 ext. 106 events@pueblozoo.org December 11 in Grand Lake
December 3-5, 8-12, 15-26 in Fort Collins
Garden of Lights Gardens on Spring Creek Stroll through twinkling gardens lit by thousands of LED lights 970-416-2486 December 4-12 in Frisco
Wassail Days Main Street Frisco Shopping, carolers, sleigh rides, hot wassail 800-424-1554 www.townoffrisco.com/ events/wassail-days/
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Christmas Festival of Music St. Anne’s Catholic Church A concert of Christmas music 6:30 p.m. 970-627-3402 www.grandlakechamber.com/calendar
December 18 in Powderhorn Ski Resort
Santa on the Mountain
Holiday Art Show December 11, 12, 18 in Golden
Santa Claus Train Colorado Railroad Museum 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. 303-279-4591 www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org
Dec. 20: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; Dec. 21: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Dec. 22: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 970-846-5970 Linda@steamboatcenter.com December 24 in Winter Park
Holiday Home Tour
Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks
December 11 in Manitou Springs
Meet at the Arkansas Valley Art Center 1–6 p.m. 719-395-6612 chamber@buenavistacolorado.org
Winter Park Ski Resort 4–7 p.m. 970-726-1564 www.skiwinterpark.com
Snowflakes and Smiles Holiday Parade
December 16-18 in Crested Butte
December 29 in Grand Lake
Rock on Ice
Kauffman Museum Open House
Crested Butte Mountain Resort Ice carvings, demonstrations, ice sculpture garden 970-349-2217
970-627-9644 www.kauffmanhouse.org
Downtown, 12-2 p.m. Bring nonperishable food item to donate 719-685-5089 www.manitousprings.org
F or more information on these activities, visit www.coloradocountrylife. coop. Click on Events.
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December 12 in Buena Vista
January 9-10 near Walden
Ice Fishing Contest December 17–January 1 in Crested Butte
“A Tuna Christmas” Crested Butte Mountain Theatre
Lake John — Cowdrey Lake Cash prizes, registration required 970-723-4600 northparkcoc@cs.com WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP
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DECEMBER 2010 Colorado
Country Life
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Lack of Money ELECTRIC CO-OP RENEWABLE GROUP FIRST POWER PACT FOR WIND Stops Efficiency CLOSES nergy from wind buffeting the Allegheny Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania is being put to practical use by electric co-op consumers in Maryland and Improvements Virginia, thanks to the first wholesale power deal facilitated by the National
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he countr y’s ongoing tight financial markets have kept many smaller to medium-size businesses from making needed energy efficiency improvements, according to the 2009 National Survey on the Cooperative Difference recently released by Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives, the branding program for the nation’s electric co-ops. “Businesses lack access to capital when it comes to energy efficiency investments,” comments Tom Laing, director of market research at TSE Services. “So while companies may be interested in pursuing energy efficiency projects and recognize their economic merits, they just can’t get the money to proceed.”
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Renewables Cooperative Organization. Two electric co-ops on the East Coast are now receiving the entire 52.5-megawatt output from the Stony Creek Wind Farm in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, under 18-year purchase power agreements. The two co-ops also own all of the renewable energy certificates and credits or carbon offsets from the projects. RECs are environmental attributes associated with the generation of 1 MWh of renewable energy that can be sold to other electric utilities and electric generation suppliers to meet state renewable portfolio standards or marketed to companies and institutions wanting to demonstrate their ecological commitment. The National Renewables Cooperative Organization, formed in 2008, assists generation and transmission cooperatives and others in the electric co-op system to pursue diversified, cost-effective renewable energy projects nationwide. NRCO and its 25 member co-ops, including Tri-State Generation and Transmission in Colorado, serve 11 million consumers. With that kind of size, NRCO can help attract renewable energy projects that would not be available to the smaller individual co-op utilities. Working together streamlines the process for the developers of renewable energy, as well as for the electric co-ops. NRCO is working to bring more renewables into the co-op system across the country.
— RE Magazine
— RE Magazine
Nuclear Energy Development China
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Russia
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India
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South Korea
2
Japan
2
China, Taiwan
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Slovak Republic
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Bulgaria
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Ukraine
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Countries building one nuclear plant: Argentina Finland France Iran Pakistan Canada Brazil United States
This chart shows some of the countries building or planning to build new plants. The number of plants under construction or on order has increased impressively over the last few years. There are 60 plants under construction and 151 on order around the world. While developing nations such as China and India lead the way, a number of developed nations — such as Russia, Japan and the United States — are turning to nuclear energy to fulfill the need for energy security and as a solution to the problem of global warming.
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PROBLEMS COULD THWART PLANS FOR COMING DECADE
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lectric utilities have prepared adequate plans to meet the demand for electricity over the next decade, but there are many issues that could threaten the implementation of these plans. That is according to the annual Long-Term Reliability Assessment released by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The amount of power expected to be available has increased significantly since last year’s projections, mainly due to the economic downturn and resulting reductions in demand, NERC said. Most regions of the country should have no trouble meeting demand. The expansion of renewable energy sources will go hand in hand with expected transmission development. Approximately 39,000 circuit miles of new high-voltage transmission is needed. The full report is at www.nerc.com under Assessments and Trends. — Solutions News Bulletin
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DECEMBER 2010 Colorado
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INDUSTRY
Doing More With Less An emphasis on energy efficiency helps keep costs down throughout the electric system BY MAGEN HOWARD
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ou’re probably familiar with the concept of energy efficiency — doing more with less electricity. Some even call efficiency the “fifth fuel” — behind coal, nuclear, natural gas and renewables — to show its importance in the mix of technologies that produce power for our nation. Energy efficiency benefits both electric co-ops and their consumers. When members use less energy, they not only help keep their individual electric bills affordable but also reduce the overall demand for power. That, in turn, delays the need for co-ops to build new generating plants and saves everyone money. Due to to various efficiency measures, per capita energy consumption by electric co-op members has grown less than 1 percent per year since 1978 despite an explosion in computers and other home electronics. Before that date, average residential electricity use by co-op consumers increased by about 7 percent each year, according to information from the federal Rural Utilities Service and Herndon, Virginia-based National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, a supplemental lender to electric co-ops. A key piece in this trend has been the introduction of national energy efficiency standards for appliances. In the early 1970s, the amount of energy a refrigerator, for example, used depended on its design and the amount of built-in insulation. Due to ever-higher energy efficiency standards since then, the typical fridge today consumes 75 percent less electricity than in 1975 — even though the size of the average unit has grown from 18 cubic feet to 22 cubic feet, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. “Appliances consume a huge amount of electricity, so they provide enormous potential to both save energy and take pressure off consumers’ pocketbooks every month,” explains DOE Secretary Steven Chu. The Energy Star program has also played a role in raising the bar for energy-efficient appliances and electron14 Colorado Country Life DECEMBER 2010
Today, a typical fridge consumes 75 percent less electricity than a fridge from 1975, but only if you don’t move the old fridge into the garage for pop.
ics. Launched in 1992 by DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star-rated products in more than 60 categories deliver the same or better performance as comparable models while using less energy and saving money.
Helping you save Electric co-ops have long been in the business of energy efficiency — it’s a natural extension of their business model.
“Unlike investor-owned utilities, notfor-profit, consumer-owned electric coops aren’t structurally motivated to sell more kilowatt-hours,” observes John Holt, senior manager of generation and fuels for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Virginia-based service organization of more than 900 electric co-ops across the United States “Co-ops — to deliver a safe and reliable supply of electricity at an affordable WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP
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INDUSTRY
price — strive to maximize use of existing resources and infrastructure. “Efficiency can help co-ops temporarily head off the need for constructing new generation. The biggest payoff comes from consumers switching to more energy-efficient geothermal heat pumps, lighting, and appliances, combined with improved power plant efficiencies and expansion of load management programs that reduce electricity purchases during times of peak demand when power costs skyrocket.” According to NRECA surveys, 93 percent of co-ops conduct energy efficiency educational efforts, such as holding public meetings and seminars; publishing reams of information in statewide consumer publications, local newsletters, bill stuffers and websites; broadcasting radio and television advertisements; and even launching a sweeping promotional campaign, TogetherWeSave.com. Almost 80 percent of co-ops offer residential energy audits and 66 percent offer commercial and industrial audits as well. Depending on a home’s age and upkeep, savings from acting on an audit’s recommendations can be significant. Brian Sloboda, senior program advisor for NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network, predicts that most co-op members will see bills at least 5 percent to 10 percent lower — “amounts that far outpace anything spent.” To encourage consumers to implement efficiency steps, about half of all co-ops provide financial incentives, such as low- or no-interest loans for upgrades, leases on efficiency-related equipment or ownership and maintenance of standby generators to reduce power use when consumption spikes. More than 40 percent offer efficiency and weatherization services, including selling and installing high-efficiency lighting systems, electric water heaters, geothermal and air-source heat pumps, insulation and Energy Star appliances, while roughly 50 percent include interactive energy use calculators on their websites. Most co-ops are taking advantage of recent technology advancements, too: upgrading power lines, replacing older WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP
transformers, using advanced equipment to control voltage fluctuations and deploying advanced metering devices. Others are encouraging consumers to change out traditional incandescent lightbulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps. “Co-ops are doing everything they can to keep consumers’ electric bills as low as possible, and energy efficiency is a big help,” Holt remarks. “You continue to use the same products at your home, but at a lower cost. The lights are on, the air conditioner is running, but they’re more efficient, so you use less electricity.” And co-op members are answering the call. A recent NRECA study showed a majority taking low-cost or no-cost energy-saving steps like turning off lights when they leave a room, turning their thermostat up in summer and down in winter, replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs or light-emitting diodes, adding weather stripping around doors and windows and only running the dishwasher or washing machine with a full load.
Looking to the future According to DOE, if every American household replaced one incandescent bulb with a CFL, our nation would save enough electricity to light 3 million homes and
save more than $600 million a year. And that’s just lightbulbs. The Palo Alto, California-based Electric Power Research Institute, an independent, nonprofit research and development group that counts electric co-ops as members, sees massive potential for savings if energy efficiency initiatives are enacted nationwide. “The achievable potential at the low end — what we call realistic — is 236 billion kilowatt-hours saved by 2030, roughly five times the present electricity consumption of the New York City metro area (annually),” states Omar Siddiqui, EPRI program manager for energy efficiency. “At the high end is a reduction of 382 billion kilowatt-hours by 2030.” Efficiency’s greatest impact will likely come from advances in commercial lighting, commercial office equipment — particularly information technology components like servers and data centers — and home electronics. “Large screen televisions, game consoles, laptops and cell phones — where there isn’t a strong efficiency standard now in place — opens up opportunities for efficient versions that result in significant savings,” Siddiqui points out. To uncover your own opportunities to save energy and money, call your local electric co-op or visit the co-op’s website. You can also visit www.togetherwesave. com, sponsored by Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives, the national branding program of electric co-ops, and discover small ways to keep your electric bills affordable. “Energy efficiency remains key to how electric co-ops will keep electricity affordable in the face of rising prices,” concludes NRECA CEO Glenn English. “Co-ops are putting their expertise to work in fashioning innovative programs that will help members get the most out of every kilowatt.” Magen Howard writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Virginia-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumerowned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
DECEMBER 2010
Colorado Country Life 15
Liz Mrofka
BY ALLISON MCCREADY MELUN
A Colorado woman invents an ingenious way to wrap your gifts with love this holiday season.
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Coloradan Liz Mrofka of Drake is the classic entrepreneurial example of the saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
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he amateur inventor and woodworker was so dismayed by the pine-beetle infestation and subsequent devastation of the trees around her house that she thought there must be something positive she could do with the dead trees. So she began recycling the pines by fashioning them into rustic ornaments stamped with wildlife images. That evolved into package décor and a deceptively easy system that makes even the plainest package look like Martha Stewart herself wrapped it for you. In 2005, Mrofka formed The Fab Fob Company and applied for a patent for her product, which she named the Fobbie. The name Fobbie comes from the word “fob,” meaning “an ornament that hangs at the end of a ribbon.” The Fobbie has since won many awards, including best new product at the National Stationery Show in New York. It has also garnered coverage on the “Today” show and several news shows, and scored some prime distribution deals. Along the way, Mrof ka became a member of the Rocky Mountain Inventors Association (www.rminventor.org) where she learned about the process of patenting a product, manufacturing, marketing and more. And she played around with lots of ideas … some that worked, some that didn’t. She also started blogging about her inventing process at www.inventors journey.com. It’s obvious when talking to Mrofka that she loves the creative side, coming up with new designs and finding alternative ways to use the Fobbie. The business side is more difficult. She likened that process to “jumping through hoops.” She has had a crash course in the intricacies of contracts and licensing agreements and some of the disappointment of deals falling through. But with her product now being sold at Michaels, she feels like she’s finally made it. (You can also order the Fobbie online at www. fobbie.com.) All the work seems to have paid off. “This ‘overnight success’ thing is amazingly slow,” jokes Mrofka. So what is the Fobbie and how can you use it? The Fobbie is a square or round card that has a holiday or special-occasion theme. Made from recycled materials and about three-anda-half inches in diameter, the card has four pairs of parallel slots through which you can weave pieces of ribbon around
Liz Mrofka leans on the first shipment delivered to Michaels hobby stores.
your package. You can easily adjust the Fobbie to fit any size package by pulling the ends of the ribbons to tighten them. True to her inventor persona, Mrofka encourages people to find their own unique ways to use the Fobbie and become what she calls a “wrap star.” She even has a blog (www.fobbie giftwrapping.blogspot.com) where she writes about new and creative ways to use the Fobbie. “You are only limited by your imagination,” says Mrofka, who has loved gift-wrapping since she was a little girl and liked to put lots of bows and curling ribbon on her creations. The Fobbie is especially useful during the holiday season, when lots of people are sending packages to friends and family all over the country. With standard wrapping, ribbons get crushed, tags get lost, bows fall off and packages are in fairly dismal shape by the time they reach their recipients. But the Fobbie adds a beautiful design touch that cinches down flat against the package, staying neat and tidy and arriving in the same condition as when it was sent in. Not to mention, it eliminates the need for tape (which, if you’re like me, never seems to be handy when you need it). And even the most wrappingchallenged among us can use it. Although at first glance it looks a little tricky, it really is quite simple to use. The Fobbie comes in many different designs, but it also comes in a blank version, which can allow you to be even more creative in your wrapping and is especially fun for kids to decorate. Mrofka loves that people are creative with her product and put their own spin on the wrapping. “Make it special and use it to reflect your personality … or the personality of the person you’re giving the gift to,” says Mrofka. She has seen people use climbing rope instead of ribbon, knitters who have woven knitted strips through the Fobbie and a picture frame Fobbie that was made into a pin cushion. Mrofka suggests that during the holiday season, people can turn their [continued on page 18]
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DECEMBER 2010
Colorado Country Life 17
STEP-BY-STEP FOBBIE DIRECTIONS
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Fobbies into ornaments. a sewing tape measure used in place During the holidays, there are so many of ribbon.) people to give gifts to — teachers, coworkThe best part: Mrofka designed her ers, hostesses, etc. — and not all of those product with the three Rs — reduce, gifts fit into a box. A traditional hostess gift reuse, recycle — in mind. Because her like napkins, candles, tea towels, breads or product is durable and long lasting, it cookies can be “dressed up” with a Fobbie. can be reused over and over. And it And because Fobbies are adjustable, they can have a life after packaging a gift, such as an ornament or a refrigerator will fit on irregular sized boxes or objects. “They are versatile and really fun,” says magnet. The Fobbie is made from Mrofka. recycled materials, so even after it has The Fobbies range in price from $1.49 for lived its many incarnations, it can be recycled again. a single to $19.99 for a 21-pack. The themes range from traditional designs celebrating So check out the Fobbie for all your occasions like Christmas, birthdays, anni- Fobbies make wrapping hard-to-wrap packgift-giving needs this holiday season. Mrofka promises some amazing new versaries and weddings to more modern ages easy and the result gorgeous. designs in stores and online. “It’s so versadesigns including frame Fobbies and blank tile,” she says. And easy … take it from a gal who’s all thumbs. Fobbies that you can decorate yourself. And they’re not just for gifts. You can use Fobbies to adorn scrapbook pages, wrap around candles at a table setting, place as Check out Mrof ka and Fobbie on Twitter at http:// name cards, tie around a bottle of wine as a gift or a favor and on twitter.fobbiegirl or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ and on and on. Mrofka’s website features pictures and descrip- fobbiegiftwrap. tions of many different wrapping styles and uses that consumers have come up with. (My favorite is the above-mentioned picture Allison Melun is a Denver area writer and editor busy getting frame Fobbie that became a pincushion with felt and fluff and everything ready for the holiday season. 18 Colorado Country Life DECEMBER 2010
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ooking for something special for that special someone? Maybe something artistic? A good book? A great lotion? Those with artistic interests will love one of the beautiful, personalized metal signs offered by McCoy Metal Worx. They look great on the front of a home or hanging from a gate. Visit www.mccoymetal worx.com for information. Looking for something different? Order one of Ragan Trunks Ltd.’s handcrafted trunks. Cedar lined on the inside and smooth cherry or oak on the outside, this trunk
becomes an immediate heirloom. Fine art is another option for Christmas. Mullens Photography offers cards, calendars and prints featuring memorable western landscapes. Find out more at 719-742-0257 or cathymullens2@hotmail.com. Rather read about those landscapes? Try one of Eugene Vories exciting western novels. A new one, Strike, has just been released. Order it at 719-742-5426 or ecvories@centurytel.net. Other books for Christmas include Wild Shots, a breathtaking coffee table
book of wildlife by Durango photographer Claude Steelman. Contact him at www.wildshots.com. Or pick up a new children’s book, Elizabeth’s Christmas Eve Gift by Chesna Smith. Find out more about it at www.perkycowgirl.com or at 719859-1731. Finish your shopping with stocking stuffers from Mia Bella Candles/Gifts/Beauty. Try the natural hand and foot lotion or a soap or candle. Visit www.naturesbest. scent-team.com to order.
Give a Colorado Country Life subscription. It’s only $9 in state, $15 out of state. It’s a great inexpensive gift idea for friends and family.
Call 303-455-4111 for more information.
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DECEMBER 2010 Colorado
Country Life
19
The Sweetness of the Season Santa won’t be able to resist these delectable Christmas delights
BY LINH TRUONG
W
hether you enjoy eating them, baking them or both, holiday cookie treats are a tradition this time of year. Below are just a few recipes from www.north pole.com. While you’re baking, the kids will enjoy the stories and games on the site, which also has activities and resources for parents and teachers.
“Night Before Christmas” Coffee Cake 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter 2 beaten eggs 1/2 cup warm milk 1 package yeast (2 teaspoons bulk yeast) dissolved in 3 tablespoons warm water 3 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Topping: 2/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 4 tablespoons melted butter or margarine 1/2 cup nuts (or maraschino or candied red or green cherries) Cream together sugar and butter. Then add eggs, milk, yeast dissolved in warm water, flour, salt and vanilla. Beat all of these ingredients together. Then set dough aside and let it rise until doubled in size. When your coffee cake dough has risen to double the size (this may take about 2 hours) put it in a 9- by 13-inch greased pan and spread with topping. Now place in a cold oven and leave it in there overnight to rise. The next morning turn on oven to 350 degrees and bake for 1/2 hour. Take out and serve warm. This makes a large coffee cake or you can put the dough in two round pans instead. Topping: Combine sugar, cinnamon, melted butter and nuts (you can use maraschino cherries or candied cherries if you don’t like nuts)
20 Colorado Country Life DECEMBER 2010
Candy Cane Cookies 2/3 cup butter, softened 2/3 cup sugar 1 egg 1 egg yolk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons red food coloring Cream butter in large mixing bowl, gradually adding sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, egg yolk and vanilla; beat well. Mix flour, soda, salt in small mixing bowl. Add to creamed mixture; stir well. Divide dough in half. Tint one-half with red food coloring. Wrap each half in waxed paper. Chill 2 hours. Shape into long skinny ropes approximately 1/4-inch wide by 6 inches long on a lightly floured surface. Place plain ropes and red ropes together, and twist gently. Place on greased cookie sheet and shape into candy canes. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool lightly on cookie sheet and remove to wire rack. Yields 3 dozen. WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP
Mini Chip Snowball Cookies 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter or margarine, softened 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House semisweet chocolate mini morsels 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts Powdered sugar Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Photo courtesy of Nestlé
Peppermint Snow Pie Crust 1 1/4 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs (8 crackers) 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/3 cup butter, melted Filling 1 envelope (7 grams) unflavored gelatin 2 tablespoons boiling water 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation evaporated milk 1 cup (6 ounces) Nestlé Toll House premiere white morsels 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract 1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided 1/2 cup coarsely chopped hard peppermint candies (about 24), divided
Beat butter, sugar, vanilla and salt in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour; stir in morsels and nuts. Shape level tablespoons of dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Remove from oven. Sift powdered sugar over hot cookies on baking sheets. Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, if desired. Store in airtight containers. .
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Crust Combine crumbs and sugar in prepared pie plate. Stir in butter. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.
Photo courtesy of Nestlé
Filling Place gelatin in small bowl; stir in water. Let soften for 1 minute. Heat evaporated milk and softened gelatin in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with whisk until mixture is dissolved and hot. Remove from heat; stir in morsels and peppermint extract until completely melted and smooth. Pour into medium bowl. Refrigerate uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cool to touch. Gently whisk in 2 cups whipped topping. Sprinkle 1/4 cup candies over bottom of crust. Pour filling over pie crust. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Spread remaining whipped topping over center of filling. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup candies. Serve immediately. Jenny Harper consumer test kitchen project manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and www. verybestbaking.com.
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DECEMBER 2010
Colorado Country Life 21
The Prominent Poinsettia More than just pretty petals, this holiday favorite is fascinating foliage
BY EVE GILMORE
I
’m willing to bet that everyone, from all traditions, in the state of Colorado is familiar with the huge radiant red “flower” of the poinsettia. It is abundant in people’s homes and retail stores of all kinds and has become associated with the holidays celebrated at this time of year. However, few people could tell you much about this well known plant. Read on to become one of the enlightened few and impress your friends with plant trivia. Interesting botany The botanical name of the renowned poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, means “the most beautiful euphorbia.” (See, botanical names are quite poetic with an elegance all their own.) I put the word flower in quotes above because the Euphorbia genus has a unique flower structure, called a cyathium, that most people would not think to identify as a flower. The brilliant red for which the poinsettia is known is thanks to its bracts, which are modified leaves attached below the flower. Next time you encounter a poinsettia, take a closer look and notice the small and unusual “petal-less” flower above the large red bracts. Holiday association The poinsettia is native to southern Mexico where it is called “flor de la noche buena,” which translates as “flower of the holy night.” The beauty of this plant was recognized and prized by Aztec kings and used in mid-winter celebrations far preceding Christopher Columbus and his ilk. It was introduced to the United States around 1828 by the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was enamored with the plant. It was named in his honor in 1836. Care for your poinsettia If you’ve ever been to southern Mexico or have an idea of what it’s like there, you should have an idea of how to appropriately care for your poinsettias. They don’t like to be chilly. This applies when transporting them to your house as well as once they’re in their new home. 22 Colorado Country Life DecemBER 2010
During outdoor transport, protect them from the cold by covering them with a bag with plenty of room to avoid damage to the leaves. Place them indoors away from drafts and prevent their leaves from touching cold windowpanes. Keep the room they are in at a temperature comfortable for most people, no lower than 50 degrees and not above 80 degrees, and you will keep your poinsettias happy, too. Removing the decorative wrappings in which they are often sold is important for proper drainage. Water them when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch, and avoid standing water in the saucer.
There. I hope I’ve given you both a worthy topic for small talk at all those inevitable holiday office parties and awkward family get-togethers as well as some useful information for beautifying your holidays. For much more enlightening information \ about our beloved Euphorbia pulcherrima, see CSU fact sheet number 7.412 at www. ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07412.html or ask your county extension agent for a copy. Eve Gilmore is a landscape designer and garden coach and owner of Gardens by Eve in Durango. You can reach her at www.gardensbyeve.buzz. town.com or at 970-769-3319. WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP
WHEN IT COMES TO WATER HEATING, MONEY BURNS AT 121 DEGREES. I”m saving $73 a year by turning my water heater
down to 120˚. What can
you do? Find out how the little chages add up at
TogetherWeSave.com.
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Thanks to those who nominated families in need for the Colorado Country Life Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway. Four families in Colorado received a box of food stuffs and a gift card for a turkey the week before Thanksgiving. We hope they had a blessed holiday. DECEMBER 2010 Colorado
Country Life 23
The Art of Deception A search for duck decoy perfection continues BY DENNIS SMITH
COLORADO WOMEN’S TASK FORCE QUILT WINNER NELIA HENDERSON
Nelia Henderson of Grand Junction (left) accepts her quilt from Task Force member Ruth McClaskey
Second place winner — Gene Scheer Third place winner — Bill Berens Thanks to everyone who supported the Task Force’s quilt raffle. Proceeds will go to the electric co-ops’ Energy Camp; the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour and the Employee Burn Fund.
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24 Colorado Country Life DECEMBER 2010
H
istory tells us that American hunters have been using decoys to lure ducks, geese and other game animals to their nets, spears, bows and, currently, shotguns for approximately 1,800 years. Of course, no one knew this history until 1924 when a team of archaeologists examined a cache of ancient hunting artifacts uncovered 13 years earlier by miners hauling bat guano from a cave near Lovelock, Nevada. Among the fishhooks, nets, seines and miscellaneous other tools, they found nearly a dozen duck decoys meticulously fashioned from tule reeds, individually wrapped and carefully buried in a pit dug into the floor of the cave. The robodecoy flaps its wings in a mock gesture Scientific testing indicated that the of welcome to geese in the neighborhood. decoys were made by Native Americans who lived west of the Colorado Plateau Waterfowlers began introducing during the Archaic period (2,000 years motion innovations to make their decoys ago). On display in the National Museum move like real ducks and geese. One model of the American Indian at the Smith- included an underwater cord that, when sonian Institution, they are still the oldest jerked from inside the blind, made the known decoys in the world. Interestingly, decoys tip up and down on the pond, mimsome are adorned with duck feathers and icking the behavior of actively feeding skins, an obvious attempt to make the decoys ducks. Another type featured motorized appear as lifelike as possible, a quest that vibrating weights to rock, pitch or move continues to this day. the decoy, followed by a model with airOver the years, hunters have tried and motor-activated wings that created many other materials for decoys, includ- the illusion of ducks fluttering safely into ing wood, cork, foam and rubber. Wooden a quiet pond or field. decoys rode the water beautifully but were Today, we have the next level of innoheavy and subject to becoming water- vation: Robodecoy, the brainchild of logged. Cork and foam decoys were Loveland goose hunter Carl Sheldon. c on siderably more por t able but Robodecoy is a remote-controlled, proved fragile and had a short life span. full-bodied goose decoy that f laps its Rubber models, lightweight, durable and wings and bobs its head up and down in affordable, lacked the kind of realism the fashion of a happy goose greeting a required to fool persnickety ducks flock of incoming birds. It’s a clever idea, Hunters demanded better, and so but if history is any indication, it too manufacturers responded with glass eyes will need to be continually subjected to and species-specific paint schemes. Today, modification in the timeless quest for most decoys are injection-molded from a the perfect waterfowl decoy. variety of lightweight plastics and comIt is certainly a step-up from ducks posites. They’re anatomically precise and made of reeds, however. Interested feature astonishingly intricate feather hunters can go to www.robodecoy.com for detail and true-to-life paint jobs. Unfortu- more information. nately, it takes more than realistic appearance to fool today’s decoy savvy ducks; Read outdoor columns at www.colorado countrylife.coop. Click on Outdoors. it takes realistic behavior, too.
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The First Grade Tree BY MARVIN HASS
It was getting’ on toward Christmas; School vacation was about to start. I was wonderin’ when we’d get a tree to put some joy in my school boy heart.
We stuffed that tree in Larson’s trunk. He drove us kids in a Buick Dyna-flow. I got out down at our section line — what’s a quarter mile when your life’s aglow?
When I asked about Ol’ Tanenbaum, my mama spoke real plain and straight: “This year we’ll just make do, Bud, with what you and I can make.”
Larson leaned the tree by our mail box, said, “You sure you can get that home?” “Yes sir, I’ll go and get my sled and ask my dad to help me some.”
It was the year we had hailed out. Cash money was mighty tight. “Now Bud, don’t hang your lip like that. We’ll all make out alright.”
I ran for the house through a foot of snow. Told my folks first grade was fine. We’d have a tree this Christmas and it wouldn’t cost a dime.
“But Mama, how will St. Nick know where to put the gifts without a tree?” “We’ll put a map in your snowman’s hat and light the lantern for Santa to see.”
Mama brought a star from our steamer trunk. We strung cranberries and popped up corn, made looped chain from colored paper, hung ornaments that were old and worn.
The last day of school seemed endless ‘til Miss White said, “Does anyone need a tree?” I was amazed that she would even guess as I waved and yelled, “Pick me.” I heard muted laughs and snickers then I saw as I looked around, I was the only one a wavin’ so…I sheepishly sat down.
Well Santa found my snowman’s note and there were gifts beneath the tree. Mama gave thanks for all our blessings. Daddy sang Tanenbaum to her and me. Now we all have Christmas memories; takes a childhood heart to really see. But I’ll always recall that special year with our First Grade Christmas Tree.
HUMIDIFIER BENEFITS Humidifiers improve health and energy bills BY JAMES DULLEY
A
re humidifiers a good investment for dealing with dry winter air? Does using a humidifier negatively impact energy bills? What kind of humidifier is best?
Most people suffer during winter from overly dry air in their homes. Properly humidified indoor air is not only comfortable and healthy, but it can also reduce winter heating bills. The proper type of room humidifier depends on the family’s needs and the size and layout of the house. One or two room humidifiers are generally enough for a reasonably airtight, energy efficient home. Older, leaky houses may need more or larger-capacity models. For daytime use, an evaporative humidifier is effective and the least expensive to buy. These humidifiers use a wick material, which has one end submerged in a water reservoir. There is a fan inside the humidifier that draws room air through the wick, and water evaporates into the air. If the children in the home tend to get colds, a warm mist humidifier is a good bedroom choice. These models boil water to create water vapor. Germfree models include a UV or ultraviolet light purifier chamber to further sanitize the air flowing through it. Another design uses ultrasonic waves to create water vapor. These are the most energy efficient, using about 50 watts of electricity. A very quiet fan blows the mist into the room. The follow ing companies of fer free-standing humidifiers: Essick Air, 800-547-3888, w w w.essickair.com; Holmes, 800-546-5637, www.holmesproducts.com; Hunter Fan, 800-448-6837, www.hunterfan.com; Kaz, 800-4770457, www.kaz.com; and Lasko Products, 800-233-0268, www.laskoproducts.com. Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to: James Dulley, Colorado Country Life, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.
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F or more information on humidifers, visit www. coloradocountrylife.coop and click on Energy Tips. DECEMBER 2010 Colorado
Country Life 25
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PROMOTE YOUR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES in the February issue of Colorado Country Life.
All Coloradans are students. Many will want to learn from you once they know your specialty. Is your specialty a particular topic or field of study? An especially successful teaching method? Is your student body particularly adept at developing its own successful beginnings? Share the good news!
Advertising Deadline: December 23 Contact Kris at 393-902-7276 or email advertising@coloradocountrylife.org
26 Colorado Country Life DECEMBER 2010
Merry Christmas from all of us at Colorado Country Life & Colorado Rural Electric Association
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2011 Colorado Legislative Directory
With so many new faces serving in Colorado’s General Assembly, you’ll want a copy of this annual guide to legislators. Order copies for your organization today.
Call 303-455-4111 Be ready when Colorado’s General Assembly opens its 2011 session in January.
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Colorado Country Life 27
TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/month. Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay with a credit card. Send your ad to: Mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Phone: 303-902-7276 fax: 303-455-2807 Email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org
ANTIQUES
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
CHAIR CANING, hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-5470723. chaanita@aculink.net. (858-10-11)
EARN A LITTLE OR A LOT! We can help you achieve your goals. www.GreatDayProfits. com. (924-01-11)
COMPLETE RESTORATION of antique woodburning stoves. Some parts available. Free estimates. 719-924-9192. (874-12-10) GRANDMA’S CLOCK QUIT? Expert repair of spring and weight driven clocks. Berthoud, 970-532-3022 Email: four burros@aol.com. (126-12-10)
ANTLERS ANTLER CHANDELIERS made only from REAL antlers. Wholesale, as much as 60% off store prices. Many other antler products and mounts, including giant 5’ moose mount! 970-627-3053. (10502-11)
BOOKS LET US PUBLISH your book! We can take your manuscript, design a cover, edit and format it, and print it. Check us out. Personalized service is our specialty. 719-749-2126. www.peakvistapress.com (933-03-11)
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.) AVON sells — you earn money. Generous profits. Flexible hours. $10 start up. ISR. 719-550-0242. (133-12-10) BEGIN YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Mia Bella Candles/Gifts/ Beauty. Try the best! www. naturesbest.scent-team.com. Free weekly drawing. Great income potential. (831-01-11)
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CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Call Robert 970-2477729. (109-03-11)
DIET FOOD DISCOUNT DIET FOOD. Highest quality, lowest prices. Our plan or yours. Diethighprotein. com. (763-06-11)
EDUCATION IS YOUR STUDENT INTERESTED in a variety of topics? Buy a book about the Wild West. Now on sale for $25. Colorado’s Rodeo Roots to Modern-Day Cowboys. Call 303-455-4111 to order yours today.
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FOR SALE HEAVY DUTY CATTLEPENS. Portable or Permanent; 32x45 working pen w/ 16’ crowding tub, $3,015. Call Kenneth 580-876-3699, www.cccattle equipment.com. (882-12-10)
WORK CLOTHES – good clean rental type, 6 pants and 6 shirts $44.95. Lined work jackets $10.95. Denim Jeans $6.00. Call 1-800-233-1853. www.usedworkclothing.com. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. (610-04-11)
FREE FREE BOOKS/DVDS. Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@ yahoo.com, 888-211-1715. (814-12-10)
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RELIGION
HELP WANTED $400 WEEKLY ASSEMBLING PRODUCTS FROM HOME. For free information, send SASE: Home Assembly – CC, PO Box 450, New Britain, CT 060500450.
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28 Colorado Country Life DECEMBER 2010
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Santa, even though several of her more worldly classmates at her elementary school tried to convince her that Santa wasn’t real. Not wanting to believe them, but with some doubt, she sat down to write her Christmas letter to Santa Claus. Telling Santa that she thought she’d been a good girl, hopeful that her name was on the good list, she asked for a small sewing machine for Christmas. She signed her name and added a postscript designed to learn whether or not her classmates were right: “P.S. If you are real, please sign and return this letter to me.” The letter was returned in the mail a few days later with Santa’s signature in bright red ink. Question answered. Aubrey Holderness, Moab, Utah
It was bedtime for 4-year-old Jeremy and his Call Kris at 303-902-7276 and advertise in Colorado Country Life.
What to get the cowboy in you life?
Buy a him book about the Wild West.
My young granddaughter has always believed in
little sister on Christmas Eve. As they put on their pajamas and were about to crawl into bed, Jeremy said, “Mom, I don’t want to go to bed. “ “Why?” I asked. “‘Cause Santa will be tired and might need some help unloading his sleigh,” Jeremy replied. With a smile, I agreed and told him he was very thoughtful. So, with blanket and pillow, Jeremy waited for Santa in the living room recliner. It was only a little after 8 p.m. when he had fell. When we woke up, it was Christmas morning and Santa had managed to get a red wagon for Jeremy under the tree. Jeremy was disappointed that he hadn’t seen or helped Santa, but he was happy the wagon was there for him. Susie Young, Coaldale
Our 7-year-old nephew Hunter became obsessed with huskies after caring for one with two different color eyes that showed up on his doorstep. He was devastated when the dog was claimed. One afternoon his mother came home from a day of substitute teaching and told Hunter about a boy in her class that day who had one blue eye and one green eye. Hunter, in wide-eyed amazement, replied, “Mom, you better take a picture of him, he might be part husky.” LaNette Shipley, Pueblo West We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. At the end of the year, we draw one name from those submitting jokes and that person will receive $150. Ruth Dalhberg, a member of La Plata Electric Association, is this year’s winner. Send your 2011 stories to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 or email them to funnystories@coloradocountry life.org.
DECEMBER 2010
Colorado Country Life 29
Love Your Lips
W Adorable Snowoolies
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ot much more needs be said: They are simply as cute as their name. Handmade by Golden resident Julie Hicks, each Snowoolie ornament is made with natural wool and can resemble a flurry of personalities: a Rockies player, a hunter, a bird watcher or one of many other designs. You’ll find them for sale at craft shows throughout the state during the year or contact Julie at 303-519-5596 or snowoolies@aol.com.
hen the cold months come, lips dry and crack. Mad Gab’s Wildly Natural Bodycare products offer a solution for this winter woe: lip-nourishing balms that are not only cute, but also environment-friendly. Find Mad Gab’s products in many Colorado stores or online at w w w. madgabs.com.
Stir in Some Sweetness
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ot cocoa on a cold day will always be delicious, but Hammond’s Stir Sticks can make it exciting. Flavors include peppermint and hot cinnamon candies that melt into your hot chocolate as you stir, giving it a spicy twist. Hammond’s Stir Sticks are available at www. hammondscandies.com.
Tantalizing Toffees
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eed the perfect stocking stuffer? Try Vern’s Toffee. Vern’s world-famous butter almond confection is handmade the old-fashioned way. Using their own secret recipe, the candy makers at this family-owned shop have been crafting toffee since 1976. Visit Vern’s Toffee House in Fort Collins or www.vernstoffee.com.
SURE TO SECURE
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ordlock combination locks have made remembering your combination easier by using letters instead of numbers. Each Wordlock lock spells up to 10,000 possible four-letter words. Bike locks, padlocks, and luggage locks are all available from Wordlock at many major retailers and online at www.wordlock.com.
ENTER TO WIN
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E nter our December contest and win a Christmas stocking filled with the December Discoveries and other wonderful surprises. Visit our website at www.coloradocountry life.coop and click on Contests. Deadline is December 15. We will also be giving away Christmas gifts and more on Facebook during December. You’ll find us at www.face book.com/COCountryLife.
RIP AROUND YOUR WORKSPACE WITH A MOTORMOUSE
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his Christmas, how about buying someone special that sports car they’ve always wanted? A Motormouse sports car, that is. It’s just like your regular computer mouse, with an ergonomic design and 2.4 GHz USB receiver, except that it looks like a perfectly detailed, miniaturized sports car. Motormouse even has rubber wheels and an opening trunk where you can store batteries. Shop for Motormouse online at http://motormouse.us.com.
30 Colorado Country Life DECEMBER 2010
WWW.COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.COOP
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DECEMBER 2010 Colorado
Country Life 31