Yesterday on a brisk walk in the glorious Colorado sunshine with my two dogs, two friends and their four dogs (OK, so we were a herd), I found myself asking what they -- the friends, not the dogs -- were doing for the holidays. My heartbeat quickened with the mere mentioning of the word "holidays." A little bit because of the impending chaos, but mostly with the thrill of all to come in this joyful season.

And so I thought today I would share with you some of what makes Grand Junction and the entire Grand Valley so special in November and December.

I felt the wonder of the holidays here when we moved from Denver nine years ago. I found Grand Junction offered many wonderful events found in larger cities but with one major difference: no ginormous crowds. The Grand Valley is a perfect blend of small town and big city (not too big!) old and new, big and small. All wonderful.

For example, my children were small when we moved here, and the Parade of Lights was an event we went to once in Denver and then watched on TV because of the enormous crowds. We decided to try the Parade of Lights here and had a ball. Yes, it was cold (but not miserable). And yes, there was a crowd (but manageable and friendly). But the thing I noticed was how different this public event was because we could get up close and really be a part of the festivities. And to top it off, there was hot chocolate, coffee and goodies galore as local groups set out their snacks to raise funds. We all left feeling part of something bigger. The community? The spirit of the season? Probably. All I know is that it felt like "home."

That feeling continues and grows each year. Simple things like going to the Nutcracker Ballet and sitting in the eighth row without paying an arm and a leg... enjoying a classic Christmas concert or holiday symphony performance in an intimate venue and actually feeling part of it... or attending an art and craft fair to find treasures while chatting with neighbors in an atmosphere that is welcoming, not overwhelming. Or gathering up friends and family (either in the family car or a limo) to view the multitude of homes that go all out with Christmas lights and decorations.

The Grand Valley hosts a variety of holiday events featuring music, art, merriment and more. All in very pleasing, intimate and heartwarming atmospheres. I love the holidays here. The feeling may be small-town, but the delights are huge.

Check out this website for most of the holiday happenings. They're all great, and I'll be writing about many of them in more detail soon. Until then... enjoy this wonderful season of thanks and love.