Friday

Officially, winter doesn't even start for about a week. The TV weathermen are excited this morning because it's snowing heavily in the mountains.  The ski areas can finally open and travel looks dicey over the passes.

In a typical winter, down in the lowlands, we are treated to cold rain, while snow dumps by the foot up in the mountains. Of course, last year was anything but typical, with record February snow in Seattle. Who knows? 

Anyway, we like the Solstice in the Northwest because more than the start of winter, it signals the slow return of light and spring. The garden is such a sad and soggy sight.  This is the one time of year it's hard to believe it was ever beautiful, or will be beautiful again. (See above sad canna lily.) But by late January, the first bulbs are poking up and we've already turned the corner. Or so it feels.

Fortunately, there's plenty to keep us busy indoors in December.  Tomorrow I'm hosting a lunch for some old friends from the barn where I once kept my horse Sizzle. My, those happy days seem almost like a dream now.  Anyway, these nice barn ladies seldom see each other anymore, and never all at once, so it should be fun.  I'm making quiche and salad, with lemon cupcakes for dessert. Thank you Marji, for the delicious lemons from the sunny south!

Have a good weekend.