Winter!

We got about 6" of snow last night, and it is snowing even now. More is expected on the weekend. This is quite unusual for here; usually we get a little snow and it melts off within a day or two. It is so exciting to have a significant amount, and to have it stay! It looks like we are going to have a white Christmas this year--I think the last one was at least 18 years ago. Because it snows so infrequently, and for such a short period of time, every snow fall feels like the first one of the year. It never gets old, it never is taken for granted; it is always magical.

This is the gate to my neighbor's back yard. I just love the way she decorates it with a wreath, and then the snow is the perfect finishing touch.
And this is a pathway in our neighborhood. I was the first one out this morning, so I was able to get it with pristine snowfall.

Winter at the Falls

Early morning sun, streaming over the lip of the falls and shining through the mist...it almost looks like an otherworldly glow.

I really like the contrast here--the warm ethereal colors and light in the upper left, and the cool dark pool at the base of the falls.

The rock wall at the base of the falls, on the far side, was covered with sheets of icicles. They remind me of elaborate Victorian fringes. Not color tweaked at all--down at the base, in the shadows, it was this blue and chilly-looking!

Frosted

This morning it was 20 degrees (unheard of for Seattle!) so I bundled up and went over to the Falls, hoping for some ice. Nope. No luck. BUT---near the head of the falls the water vapor was thick enough to coat things in a lovely thick layer of hoar frost. Tomorrow I'll post some shots of the falls. The sun was just coming over the edge, and shining through the mist...

Flocked by Mother Nature....

It even beautifies Scotch Broom, a nasty ugly weed.

Winter, of sorts

The big snow storm bypassed us. It went north, it went south, it went west, and it went higher, but down at ground level in the valley there is just a trace here and there. What we do have is sub-freezing temps, which hardly ever happens around here--at least, not for consecutive days. I celebrated by finding a leaf in an ice puddle (although, if it is frozen, can you really call it a puddle?) I love the abstract designs that form in the ice. I will have to bundle up tomorrow and go hunting.

Winter in the valley

We had a winter storm roll through last night, and it brought some snow and (for here) bitterly cold weather. The wind is very strong and we are hoping we don't lose power. This is a view of our valley from a high point--and boy, was it windy up there!!

Ho ho ho!

I love this time of year, when I can bring out my collection of hand-carved santas. I have been gathering them for years, and my mantle is full. These three are some of my favorites; I like Santas dressed in non-traditional colors. Unfortunately, this carver is no longer selling his carvings; he has opted to have them reproduced and sold to larger markets. But aren't these little Santas just the friendliest little guys? In "The Night Before Christmas" Santa is called a "right jolly old elf" and yes, these guys look like they are definitely elvish!!

Not exactly a winter color, is it?

Our winters are mild enough that a lot of the public plantings include kale (ornamental cabbages). They come in purples and creams and greens, with solid leaves and lacy leaves and wavy leaves. I like them because raindrops cling to the leaf edges so nicely. This one was at the gas station, and I snapped a couple while my car was filling up with $1.89 gas!!

One of the wonderful variegated varieties. Love the combination of colors, and the way that the leaves are edged in green.