Colorado Springs Homes & Colorado Land Blog

There are two types of shuffle boards, one uses disks and a long stick, often seen on cruise ships, and the other uses small metalic pucks on top of a wooden table. Both are fun to play, and both are available in Colorado Springs.

The first type of Shuffleboard is offered at Arcadia Park on the north end. For a very small fee, you can rent the disks and sticks. Someone can explain to you how to play the game, and it is a great way to spend some time out in the fresh air.

The second type of Shuffleboard is played indoors and can be found at Bristol Brewery. You can enjoy the local flavors of Bristol’s concoctions while nibbling on pretzels and playing the game. Many customers know how to play, so if you don’t, feel free to ask and someone will be thrilled to teach you. The game gets easier to play the longer you are there.

We have many wonderful spas in Colorado Springs and in the surrounding areas of Denver, Boulder, Breckenridge, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, etc. If a splurge at the spa seems a little much, consider gathering up some gal pals and hosting a spa party of your own at home.

What you’ll need:

• Assortment of lotions
• Facial masks
• Massage oils
• Foot scrubs
• Nail polish (and polish remover)
• Nail kits
• Flip flops or slippers
• Light snacks (nuts, fresh veggies and fruit, tea sandwiches)
• Water (flavor it with slices of cucumber, lemon or orange for a true spa experience)
• Soothing music. Pandora has great spa-like music selections if you don’t want to buy a cd.

Ask the pals to bring along a robe, and a tub big enough to put their feet into.

Everyone can take turns with foot soaks, facials, and snacking. Everyone should have their own nail kit with tweezers and nail clips for health reasons, and foot baths should be scrubbed after each use if sharing.

In thank you bags, you can drop in the massage oils, mini lotions, the flip flops/slippers, and an extra packet of facial masks or nail polish. Enjoy your time together, perfect for expecting moms, brides-to-be, or any woman who works hard and needs a break!

Sign up now for the Jack Quinn’s St. Patrick’s Day 5k! The race runs through downtown Colorado Springs, while crowds cheer from the sidewalks. St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, and a parade takes place following the race. It’s fun for the whole family, and yes, strollers are allowed in this very fun and festive run. Feel free to wear green!

This race kicks off the Colorado Springs Race Series for 2012, and is a great starting point for new runners and those who took some time off this winter, focusing more on their skiing than their running. There are a few weeks yet to meet at Jack Quinn’s every Tuesday night at 6pm for the group run, which is also a 5k (3.1 miles).

Between the race and the parade, stay downtown and grab an iced coffee, or a green beer. Many establishments open at 10:30-11am if you’d like the later.

If you have yet to visit, Van Briggle Pottery & Tile offers beautiful pieces of ceramic art at affordable prices. Recently relocated, 1024 South Tejon St., Van Briggle has served the Greater Colorado Springs area since 1899. The famed pieces turn up at such fine art establishments as the New York Metropolitan Museum and the Smithsonian, as features of fine American pottery.

Pieces made today may resemble the early day pieces created in 1899, or may be new, emerging pieces the artists of today are hoping will hold to the Van Briggle legacy. Whether you’re in the market for a new piece or simply want to discover what the establishment has to offer, I recommend a visit in the very near future.

There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who are ok with eating in bed, and those who aren’t. I’m ok with it, my husband is not. Assuming you are lucky enough to be in agreement, you can have a delicious, low-crumb breakfast in bed whether it’s for a romantic occassion, or an indulgent Saturday, with these recipes:

Coffee – Support the little guys and buy locally roasted coffee at High Rise Coffee Roasters. They can grind it per your brewing equipment at home, or grind it yourself before brewing. Place two empty cups on a tray, along with a little sugar bowl with a spoon and a little cream/milk. Use a French Press or a caraffe to carry the coffee in.

Tea – Some are coffee drinkers, some are tea. Pikes Perk offers a great selection of tea blends if you want to break out of the Celestial variety pack. Use a ceramic pot to carry the hot water in.

Yogurt Parfait – Use little cups and add some yogurt, berries and granola.

For something hot – Pancakes and waffles are always winners, although syrup can ruin the experience…unless you plan to do laundry after pulling yourself out of bed. These are low-crumb options, and a delight served with fresh berries or bananas.

Fruit – Grapefruit, oranges, apples and bananas are in season at the moment. No crumbs, maybe a little juicy, but the vitamins are worth it.

Eggs – Scrambled is the way to go when wanting to eat in bed. Fast to whip up, add chives, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, peppers, cheese or any combination and you have a delicious, warming breakfast. Serve with a side of toast and you’d swear you just ordered room service. Place a lid over the top while you resituate in bed (if you are the one surprising the other).

Bagels – A fast option for a breakfast item, minimal crumbs, just cut, toast and bring along the cream cheese or slather the bagel before serving.

To take this morning one step further, serve the breakfast with the paper, or a small vase with a fresh flower sprig. Believe me, it will be noticed and appreciated.

We had a great amount of snowlast Friday, and the snowshoes came in handy. Snowshoeing is quite easy, it’s just like walking and it requires no more effort than walking. It’s a great cardio workout, you can do it anywhere there is snow, and it is a quiet sport allowing  you to take in the natural sounds around you. Any hiking trail can be a snowshoe trail if you’re nervous about getting lost. Rampart Range offers great trails, as does the Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon, and many others just beyond Manitou Springs. Stores like REI also offer hiking trail maps which can be very useful.

If you’ve never tried it before, REI and a few other outdoor shops around town offer snowshoe rentals for a small daily fee. This is a great chance to try out different types of snowshoes before buying a pair of your own.

A few tips from those who have gone snowshoeing before:

• Bring water with you. It is cold outside so you don’t realize how much you may be sweating under your layers.
• Take breaks as needed. While it is nothing more than walking, some inclines feel tougher than normal and remember, you’re wearing more clothes than you do during the summer hiking months. You’re carrying around extra weight.
• Bring snacks along. Healthy snacks give you something to look forward to at the middle and end of trek. It also provides useful fuel to keep going, and should you find yourself lost, it can keep you feel satisfied until help has arrived.
• Pack an extra pair of socks. At the end of excursion, it is wise to change your wet, sweaty socks before driving home (or if snowshoeing near home, once you get home). The dampness can make you feel chilled as your body acclimates to the indoor temperature.

It’s hockey season! Make a fun night of it and head to Denver to cheer for the home team Avalanche! The team plays at the Pepsi Center, with many games starting at 7:05 pm, but check the schedule before hand. It’s amazing to watch how fast these guys skate and pass the puck. Of course, many fans also enjoy the body checking and fist fights that happen at virtually every NHL game, but the main goal is to support the home team and cheer for our Colorado players.

For this hockey fan, hot chocolate and nachos are a must at any hockey game. While you are sitting indoors, a sweater or jacket are still recommended, unless  you have a suite in which case those are kept at a warmer temperature and a jacket is not necessary. This is a great way to spend time together as a family, on a date, out with the guys, or bonding with co-workers.