above the freezing fog

Seattle skies have been completely saturated with freezing fog for the past week.  Freezing fog is exactly what it sounds like, and riding the bike in the morning to work has been no fun.  But about 500 feet above us the sun is shining brilliantly in a cloudless sky.  So after a week of this cold pea-soup, AJ and I had to get out.  We went up to Snoqualmie Pass and did a leisurely hike along the river to Franklin Falls.  It was snowy and icy - and sunny.  Really a beautiful day.

the most picturesque little winter cabin ever

filtered forest light

the destination: Franklin Falls, partially frozen

snow on the banks of the Snoqualmie

not sure what to call these - inverted icicles?

snow fluff

Franklin Falls

AJ on the trail

giant giant icicles

snow, ice, and water - Franklin Falls

 fir soaking up the sun

a classic winter scene

ice!

AJ and JJ at the ice falls

AJ inspired

lichens and moss on a cedar

cold trees

moon rising over the ridge

back at Champ - and a heater to warm up

log o' mushrooms

Our friends The Blondes are keenly aware that AJ and I have recently gotten into mushrooms, so they brought us a mushroom log - since the outdoor hunting season is over, they helped us move it indoors.  AJ made a little greenhouse for the log, and in about a week we harvested more shitake's than we can eat.  Super fun!

bare log inoculated with mushroom spawn

after 3 days - baby mushroom stumps

4 days

5 days

day 6 - harvest!

chop 'em up

make a mushroom marinara - viola!

'twas a good christmas

Things are getting back to normal around here (i.e., the cat has reclaimed her home and is no longer hiding), but AJ and I had a great Christmas with a number of parties, events, dinners and a visit from my family for the New Year.  It was great to celebrate the season with those close to us - we missed many of you this holiday, but we look forward to connecting with you ALL in the New Year!

A brisk walk to Candy Cane Lane

 Santa and Mrs Claus showed up in their phat ride!

  Christmas Eve Nutcracker performance - all sets designed my Maurice Sendak of Where the Wild Things Are!

AJ and JJ at the theater

Christmas morning bloody marys - the only way to do it

AJ and JJ gazing on in merry wonderment

Engaged in lively Christmas dinner conversation

Christmas dessert: carrot cake and pecan pie!

A dark and stormy sunset

A visit to the snowy mountain town of Leavenworth

AJ and JJ under the Christmas lights in Leavenworth

AJ going after the famous Bavarian Pretzel Tree

Mar and Jer lookin sharp while experiencing two completely foreign entities: snow and cold

Leavenworth's festive Christmas lights

Seattle Conservancy's pointsettia collection

A fantastic New Year's Eve sunset over the Olympics

New Year's Eve dinner with the Parents, Uncle Money, and the Blondes

good eats and good vino!

baby Hala scoping her mini-sized veggie burger

A dessert for the ages: homemade layered ice cream cake and rum cake

2013's first day

AJ and I spent a low-key New Year's day in Seattle, enjoying the sun and the views, exchanging well-wishes with neighbors, and strolling through the 'hood - perfect for the first day of the year.  We hope you all had a pretty-perfect day too, and that the coming 364+ days bring nothing but good stuff for you and yours.

frozen lupine leaves this morning

migrating ducks hanging out in Greenlake

late day light on the mountain

our little kitty cat keeping warm

 finishing the day with a sip of Patron, compliments of the grandparents