When the snow is on the pumpkin

It doesn't snow often in Seattle (some winters, not at all) so when it does we run outside and take pictures of our decks and barbecue grills and text them the local TV stations.

Many "snow pictures" of this same old yard have been posted on the blog over the years, so I'll try not to be repetitive.  But there is simple joy in the brief transformation of familiar things.

We've had weather whiplash this week.  On Thanksgiving Eve, it was 60 degrees ("creepy warm" according to my brother Dave.)

The juicy Pineapple Express dumped inches of tropical rain, then yesterday afternoon the temperature suddenly dropped 20 degrees in a few hours. An Arctic front arrived via Canada, and it will be extremely cold and dry for the next few days, along with a bitter wind.  This morning's light snow was just remnants of tropical moisture left in the atmosphere.

From our local weather guru, Cliff Mass:

In one day, Northwest residents will go from breathing air that been over Hawaii and vicinity to air that has passed over the Canadian Arctic, and will do so without having to move an inch.  Hawaii and the Arctic will come to them. Far better than a Rick Steves travel  video...you will be breathing the real thing! 

I was planning to go the gym this morning and start to work off three days of eating. However,  Mr. Avalon is not allowed to go out in the snow.  A perfect excuse to stay home.  It's also Changing of the Season Day, and fall decorations come down and the Christmas dishes get lugged up from the laundry room closet.