Surprise Christmas Visitor

We had surprise Christmas visitors yesterday: a very plump suburban raccoon and his not-so-plump sidekick. We've seen the plump one before, but it has been quite a while, and he has never come out in the open like this before yesterday. He scurried up the tree and back down, across the thin fence with his partner, and then drank some melted snow on the neighbor's shed before disappearing. They were cute as could be and fairly entertaining for the 15 minutes that they spent in the yard but certainly not creatures we wanted to go out and cuddle.

Oh, for those of you who are curious, it is still snowing here despite the meteorologists' assurances of raining and snow melt. Perhaps we'll thaw over the weekend...?

Merry Christmas!!

We wish you all a very merry Christmas full of love and laughter!

We're enjoying a quiet day together in Kirkland (Seattle area). The snow had turned to rain yesterday, but apparently went back to snow overnight because we woke up to several inches of fresh, puffy, white snow and a sky full of giant flakes. It's a beautiful white Christmas (and this wet snow is perfect for snowmen and snowballs). Other than that, we're going to enjoy my partially successful attempt at Grandma's tea ring (a McCamon family tradition) and some bubbly (a Sadlier family tradition) while we open gifts and watch the snow fall. Merry Christmas!

Winter Wonderland

The Puget Sound area is in the midst of a burst of winter. For those who live in the midwest, northeast, Rockies, or Atlantic seaboard, this is just average winter weather. For the Pacific Northwest, this is a real weather event. [We hope our little feijoa tree can survive.] Our temperatures have been below freezing for a good five days now, and snow has appeared in the forecast for most of those days.

Today was the real weather event. At about 5am, the snow suddenly started coming down...and wow did it come down! We got several inches in an hour or so. Despite the forecast for snow and near white-out conditions, my 8:30am final exam was scheduled to go on like normal. I left at 6am, George went with me, and we arrived at school just shy of two hours later. The freeways were a mess, and side roads are even worse. I was glad to have plenty of snow-driving experience from growing up in Ohio...like when I nearly spun out on the I-405 to I-90 interchange at the top speed of 15 mph. George thought it was great adventure. (Check out the road conditions and snow-covered holly tree viewable from my craft room.)

Any time it snows, Seattle transplants (and most of my friends here are) begin the rant about Seattle and snow. Despite being a transplant myself, I have to come to Seattle's defense. Sure a inch or two of snow can stop this city (just the threat of that canceled school across the region yesterday), but we are not in Kansas anymore, Toto! Sure, drivers who aren't used to driving in snowy conditions are a hazard, but the hills and infrequency of snow really make this a different game than snow in many of our hometowns. Getting from point A to point B nearly always involves a hill in Seattle; getting around them can take a lot of time and planning. And, since it only snows a few days a year here, there is very limited equipment. And, let's remember that we usually get snow only after getting rain...which means ice under snow. If the road conditions I experienced this morning would have been in Ohio, it would have closed everything there, too. So, while I am as irritated as the next guy when the car in front of me puts on its brakes at the worst possible time, I can appreciate that life can't go on as normal when snow hits Seattle.

On the other hand, snow always brings out a little grump in me. After all, I love snow at ski resorts and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but I moved from Ohio to avoid living in snow. When I moved here, I was told that it would only snow a dusting once every few years, but it has snowed a measurable amount every winter thus far. Ah well. Now that finals are over, the snow makes it easy to get in the holiday spirit. Did I mention that - as of right now - I am halfway through law school and on break? I'm not sure what to do with myself besides cuddle George and drink lots of hot tea.

Productive Weekend...sort of

In law school tradition, Thanksgiving weekend is the time to catch up on outlines, reading, or whatever else you have been putting off for the previous 12 weeks. In American tradition, Thanksgiving weekend is a time to start thinking about Christmas. I intended to embrace the former and ended up with the latter. Nonetheless, we have been pretty productive.

George has worked diligently all weekend to install 4 recessed lights in my craft room. When he finishes, it'll be the best lit room in the house since all the other bedrooms are lit by a single wall sconce. As soon as exams finish, I'll give the room a little TLC with plaster repairs where needed, fresh light blue paint on the walls, fresh white ceiling paint, a new closet organizer, some new curtains, and, of course, some shelves to keep all of my craft goodies organized. This is the last bedroom to be "finished," so I am pretty anxious to get my hands on it and really anxious to enjoy my completed room.

We have also tended to Christmas preparations this weekend. For whatever reason, we have been ahead of the gift-buying game this year, and our New Zealand-bound gifts have already been purchased, wrapped, and sent. After my trip to the shops today, we have just one gift left to buy. I'm also making all of our Christmas cards this year (or at least that's the goal). I started several weeks ago, and, after a few solid blocks of time this weekend, I currently have 43 completed cards with about 20 or so needing made. With the exception of a few repeats, they are each a little different to the rest. I hope that each recipient will enjoy the one that George and I pick out just for him/her. I'm really enjoying making the cards, but I seriously doubt that I'll undertake a project like this in coming years.

This morning, we completed another holiday task: picking out a Christmas tree. It's our first tree at this house, and I think it fits in perfectly, if I do say so myself. George is less than excited by the process of hanging lights, ribbon, and ornaments, so I did it mostly myself. As I hung each ornament, I was taken back to the time and place when it came into my life. Corny, I know. Seriously, though, virtually every ornament has a story because the majority are either gifts from my mom or souvenirs from places I've visited. Now that it's all put together, we get to sit back and enjoy that amazing pine scent. Mmmm...

Speaking of pine, we bought a pine wreath at the tree farm. I'm not big on decorations, much less holiday ones, but I thought that a nice simple wreath might bring some holiday cheer to our pathetic front door. The whole thing was going well until I decided to tie a bow. I'm not sure that the bow is going to stay, but I'm quite pleased with the rest of the wreath.

And with that, I'll return to my jealous outlines.

A Non-Traditional Thanksgiving

George and I celebrated Thanksgiving in our very own way this year. It started with a very late start, lazy "morning" coffee, and lounging in front of the TV. I talked with some of my family, we cleaned up, and, by 3pm, we were finally ready to start thinking about food.

This was our feast: enormous scallops and prawns (from Pike Place Market), Safeway "fresh" bread, green bean casserole, and 2007 Eroica Riesling. The meal was anything but traditional (okay, except the green bean casserole), but I think we both enjoyed it. After eating, I talked with some more of my family, and we lounged some more. I have so much to be thankful for...being able to take a lazy day with my one-and-only beside me is just the tip of the iceberg!

Tomorrow, I'll get back to studying. My final oral argument is Monday afternoon, and I have three exams between now and December 18th. Oh, and there are also some Christmas decorations to buy and display. I'm still looking forward to that tree! :-)