This is what hit us a few weeks ago...I know it doesn't look like much, but for here it was enough....
Stuck In A Rut
Winter Farm
Winter Tree
Ice Wine

Cory .... or one of the other editors, could you please remove my previous posting in lieu of this one.... Thanks

The Sheep Gate

This year's departure in this part of the world has certainly left a mark in the memories of those who have lived through the record setting rains, tree-leveling winds, days without power or water, and below freezing temperatures.  There's a new year coming with a promise of better days ahead.  Happy New Year to everyone....may God bring you the peace and joy that only He can give.Arlington Heights
Frosted Leaf

It was nice to see the beauty of this place again, especially after all of the storms and the damage done by them.  It seems as though it's been one hammer blow after another here.  Over a million + are still without power...and many will face below freezing temperatures without heat, electricity, or running water for the next several days.  It's just a mess!!!  But...it's hard to imagine living anywhere else....this is home!  
Olympics

Things are finally getting back to normal here after the "Great Snowfall Of '06".  I'm back home...the house is ok...driveway shovelled off...and a fire in the fireplace....Now we can enjoy the winter.  Just a couple pictures of the mantle.....
Mantle
Pine Cone 2
Pine Cone 3

I'm sitting in some hotel...where I've been since Monday and probably will be until Saturday.  Why?  Because I have no power at my house.  Why?  Because we got hammered here this past week with snow...freezing rain...more snow.....I have over 12" of snow at my house...but the trees just couldn't handle the weight of the snow...and the power lines couldn't handle the weight of the trees.  It looks like a "white" Katrina here.

Snow Storm 1
Snow Storm 2
Snow Storm 3
Snow Storm 4

We spent the day getting ready for Christmas....putting up the lights...making room for the tree...etc...etc.  We have an old (antique) paper snow village that we put in our window every year...it really does look kind of cool.  This evening I took some pictures of portions of the village and got some pretty surreal images with the lighting that we use on the display.

Thin Ice
Hot Frosty
Frosty and the Girl

Just got the weather report in today...the snow level is supposed to drop by this weekend.....so....
This...Snowline is going to wind up down hereSea Level

Should be beautiful!!!

I was supposed to go shopping today to get some last minute things for our Thanksgiving dinner...well I took a little side trip and took some pictures, these being among them.  I was gone about an hour or more then I should have been...but I'm not sure I was even missed in all of the commotion.

The Lake
The Kings Courtroom

I was driving around town yesterday, in the middle of a rain storm under a very grey, overcast sky, and saw this sitting alone and had to take the picture.  Old habits are hard to break....Lucky

This is one of the many places that was hit hard by the rains of the past weeks...the water has receded somewhat, but the ground is saturated and........the rain is back!!!!

Stanwood

It seems as though lately, in this record setting November for rainfall amounts, that one storm trails the next.  Here's just a little hint of light between the fronts...just to let us know that there's Hope on the other side of the clouds.Touch of Light

After two plus weeks of heavy, non-stop rain we were given a small window of relief this evening.....seems small enough...but for this we are thankful.
Between the storms

I was on my way to church this evening and was blessed with this awesome reminder of Who is in control...Sunset At Home

Abstract Sunset...just another way of saying "out of focus"...

I saw these as I was out wandering around and thought I'd share them with the group....just day to day stuff that we all pass without hardly taking notice...
Cattails
On The Right Track