I'm trying to remain positive and not whine about our current streak of bone chilling days and nights. My poor husband, Chuck, takes the miserable duty of feeding the horses at 5:30 am. This morning it was MINUS 5 degrees when he trudged out in the frigid, crunchy snow to the barn. BRRRRR.

Luckily, it is the season for warm, wonderful feelings of friendship and family. We will be bringing 200 toy- and treat-filled stockings again to the Mountain Resource Center's Holiday party for children that may not have gifts this year. If the sight of a child receiving one of these huge stockings doesn't make you feel warm inside, I'm not sure what would.

Please accept our best wishes for a warm, loving, joyful holiday. You are at the top of our list of blessings!

"I do a little bit of everything," is how Spa Babe Tiffany Giefer describes her role in the Guest Relations Department. You might find her at the front desk or the front door greeting guests. Maybe she's fluttering around the spa making sure towels and robes are stacked in place or that the fireplace is warm and toasty, candles lit, water and tea pitchers filled. "My job is to make sure our guests have the perfect experience...which I just love to do."

About a year-and-a-half ago, Tiffany decided to look for a part time job so she could become more of a hands-on Mom to her two-year-old. Liking everything about TallGrass - close to home, beautiful location, warm people, great energy - she found the perfect place to work. And, when she's not at work, Tiffany is an avid year-round runner, although sometimes the weather is a factor. "Thirty degrees or below is my cut-off," she says.

It's been quite a year - oftentimes tight, tense, stressful. That's why this is the perfect time to give the best gift to the people who deserve to know how much you appreciate them.

TallGrass Gift Certificates and Instantly Printable Gift Cards come with the promise of a wonderful day in beautiful surroundings, with the highest level of service, gracious amenities, comfortable Great Room and a total experience of escape.

Instantly Printable Gift Cards can be ordered online and printed-out within minutes. They come in a variety of holiday designs. We really love the Christmas Mouse, but the Elk with Christmas lights in his antlers is pretty cute, too.

Traditional Gift Certificates are placed inside a TallGrass Menu of Services that is elegantly wrapped and decorated with tall grasses. They can be ordered by phone or in person and can be mailed to you or to your recipient.

When it's a gift, you want it to be extraordinary.