78. O'FARRELL CABIN Boise, ID

The O'Farrell Cabin is located  at 450 W. Fort Street. The cabin is the oldest family home in the city and retains 85% its original construction. The O'Farrell family donated some land for the first Catholic Church in Boise. John A. O'Farrell was born in Ireland in 1823. His wife Mary Ann responsible for the first Catholic services in the valley. Services were held in the cabin for four years. (Information Courtesy of City of Boise.)

77. DUNKLEY MUSIC Boise, ID

Dunkley Music of  Boise was founded by William K. and Dorothy Dunkley in 1950. William and his brother started a piano store in Ogden, Utah in 1946. Since it was after WWII new pianos weren't so readily available. They made a trip to Chicago and purchased a railroad car containing used pianos. William K. wanted to represent the best in pianos one brand being Steinway & Sons. So William and his wife moved to Boise in 1950 and opened Dunkley Music. The stores theme is "the richest child is poor without music". How different would our lives be if there was no music? I can remember playing one of my first piano recitals at the store.

This Steinway piano was owned by the late Vladimir Horowitz. Horowitz was considered to be one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century. He first debuted in 1928 and was called a tornado unleashed.  He purchased this piano in 1935 and it traveled with him all over the world. The piano has been traveling around the Idaho region before it heads back to its home in New York.



76. CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HISTORIC HOUSES OF WORSHIP, Boise, ID

On Sunday December 26th the Historic churches of Downtown Boise opened their doors to the public. Each church provided guides and information about their church. It was a self-guided tour to look at the Christmas decorations, view the different architectural styles and hear special music.

Inside St. John's on the corner of 8th & Hays

Construction of the St. John's Cathedral began in 1906

Boise First United Methodist Church

First Baptist Church

The St. Michael's congregation was organized in 1864.





Christmas decorations inside St. Michael's

It was interesting to learn about some of early history of the churches in Boise. The stained glassed windows are beautifully detailed. 

75. EGYPTIAN THEATER, Boise, ID

Photo courtesy of boisetheatre. netfirms

 Since 1927 this has been a place for shows in Boise. Located in 700 W Main St. in downtown Boise. The theater stands as a local landmark of the early days of theater. The building was modeled after King Tut's Tomb. The name of theatre has changed a few times from the Fox, to the Ada and back to the Egyptian.  If the walls could talk just imagine what stories we would hear.

During the Christmas season they play the movie, It's a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart.  The cost is one can of food or a bag of animal food. These donations are given to the Idaho Food Bank. The showing is over for this year but you can always put on your list for next year.

While I watching the movie on the big screen it made me reflect on how each of us can make a difference. It is the litte things that we do that make the greatest difference.

Merry Christmas!



    

74. MERIDIAN FARMERS MARKET HOLIDAY BAZAAR Meridian, Idaho

 The Meridian Farmers Market is a great place to find a gift for friends and family or something fun for you. Today was the last day for the holiday bazaar but here are some of the local vendors.

 This is Susannah of Xuxa Jewelry who makes her own jewelry

 and you can find her on

Facebook, Etsy or email xuxajewelry@gmail.com .

 Zoie Fresh is homemade soap made with natural products.

 They have many  lovely scented soaps  from lavender to citrus. 

 These beautiful and tasty cookies were made by Becky Hays. She makes cookies for your special occasions.  You can contact her at abkhays@gmail.com or take a look at her blog http://www.beckybakesboise.blogspot.com/



RECIPE EXCHANGE

These are my favorite cookies. I enjoy them year round but for most they are a great seasonal treat.

Leave me your favorite cookie or holiday treat recipe below.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies...Amazing

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg (I use more)
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla and pumpkin until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; stir into the pumpkin mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips. Stir in the walnuts if desired. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until edges begin to brown.

Try instead of chocolate chips:

cranberries(fresh or dried) and white chocolate chips,

cranberries and orange rind and a little fresh squeezed juice to the batter,

add a pecan to the top and drizzle with chocolate.

Enjoy life! Rebecca

73. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, All, ID

If you are out exploring Christmas lights head over to these neighborhoods for a spectacular light display set to the holiday music.

It fun, free and you don't even have to leave the warmth of your car.

The Hickories Subdivision off Five Mile is a great neighborhood filled with lots of great lights.

 Check out www.mccoychristmas.com for a specific address and details.

Check out the neighborhood above Simplots Hill, off Bogas Basin Rd. At 4403 N. Keldoon. The arch ways at this house are incredible.

  

Where do you go look at Christmas lights? Any great neighborhoods?

Is your house great? Leave your comments below. 

VACATION

Some of the Tresure Hunters decided to take a weekend trip to SLC to visit family and see some beautiful lights. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

72. REMBRANDT'S COFFE HOUSE, Eagle ID

Where can you find a wide variety of teas and coffees, bakery items, local art, local live music, book signings and a relaxing time?  

How about in a church building on the corner of Eagle Road and State Street?  Rembrandt's Coffee house began six years ago, with the Treasure Valley community in mind.
  

This place is amazing for their business practices of only purchasing "Fair Trade" food products, buying local machinery and supplies and providing a place for you to be part of the community. 

Rembrandt's wide variety of activities include movie nights, local artist and authors' works and live music ranging from your neighbor to professional Jazz bands.  

If you need to occupy the little ones, ask for the board games they keep in the back and sit them down with a little snack.  

Right now they have an awesome paintings, lights and a very big Christmas Tree in the middle of the main room that you can enjoy while sitting in plush chairs and couches.  

The food is made in house, the coffee is freshly ground in the back and their bubble tea is amazing.  

Rembrandt's Coffee house is located at 93 South Eagle Road Eagle, ID 83616.  You can also visit their web page at http://www.rembrandtscoffeehouse.net/. 

Go and enjoy an amazingly relaxing time at Rembrandt's Coffee House!

71. WINTER GARDEN A GLOW, Boise, ID

The Christmas season seems to bridge the age gap. Through holiday magic and Christmas cheer everyone is magically the same age. If you look back at your memories of Christmas I am sure you will find a memory or two that is illuminated with the glow of holiday light. Every year my family drove around listening to Christmas music and marveling at the joy of seeing houses decorated to the nines with Christmas lights.

This year the magical display of lights was more spectacular and more magical then ever. The 14th annual Winter Garden a Glow at the Idaho Botanical Gardens featured almost 250,000 sparkling lights, fresh roasted nuts, live music and a railroad train.

Open Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25 - Nov. 28, 2010
December 3 - January 9, 2011 

Open daily from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Gates do not open until 6 p.m. - Last admissions at 8:45 p.m.
Garden closes promptly at 9:30 p.m.

Adults: $8.00; Children 4-12: $4.00; Members: $4.00

Take the whole family on Monday night and get in for just $20.00 a car.

70. STAN'S, Boise, ID

Craving a hot dog? Frozen Custard? A delicious burger?

Bet you are now.

Give this place a try. I myself have only been there twice. The first time I met Stan himself he told me the best things to eat. I had a hot dog with Bronco sauce. Not really sure what it is and how it differs from chili but it was good. I'm a fan. A little pricey for a hot dog, but they are gourmet and well worth it.

The menu is full of beefy items perfect for the a sports fan appetite. Decorated with local high school banners, and of course many Bronco items.

Located in the Vista Village shopping center on Vista Ave. Stop in and have a bite.
When you are full you can roll yourself over to Lees Candies, Ceramica, The Dollar Tree
 and Idaho Camera. (These places might appear on the blog soon.)

Apparently everyone loves this place.

69. OPERA IDAHO, Idaho

Since 1973 Opera Idaho has been filling the lives of audience members with appreciation and understanding of the opera though its operatic enlightenment movement has been under many different names. Origionally Boise Civic Opera, and in 1983 Boise Opera with the last change being in 1997 to the current name of Opera Idaho.

Carmen, Cinderella, Rigoletto, La Boheme, and many more classics are only a few of the shows that have been repeatedly shown over the last 35 years.

The 2010-2011 season show were held in the Egyptian Theater located in the heart of downtown Boise, with the exception of Roger and Hammerstein's Carousel held in July that will take place at the Idaho Botanical Garden.

Many of the Treasure hunters recently went to Opera Idahos Christmas production of

Amahl and the Night Visitors.

For more information please visit their website at www.operaidaho.org

68. BOISE TUBA CHRISTMAS, Boise, ID

I know another event to put on you holiday calendar for next year. Think of this as your holiday resource guide for next year.

A 60+ tube and baritone band of local musician from high school and BSU band members, band directors and community members.  The half an hour performance included classic Christmas Carols-Deck the Halls, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Silver Bells, and Silent Night.

Yesterdays performances were held at 3:30pm in the Grove, and 4:30pm at the State Capital Rotunda.

Check out downtownboise.org in November for next years performance schedule. You can listen here for a sneak peek.

67. LIVE NATIVITY, Eagle, ID

I am all about traditions. Seriously, I love them.

As a kid I loved them and as an adult some of my best memories include them.

This event is sure to become a life long tradition.

Always on the first weekend in December, Friday and Saturday night the Eagle Seventh Day Adventist Church hosts a Live Nativity. The Nativity features a life size journey through Bethlehem to visit the Christ child. This is a great interactive activity for kids to help them remember the reason for the season and a little about the life of Jesus. They have animals including the camel that you can feed, sing along Christmas carols and crafts for the kids.

Check out part of our journey. Next year you should go. And it's free.

ENJOY LIFE!!!

Rebecca