The First Day

The weather reports in the fall of 2011 said we'd have one of the biggest snowfalls ever this winter. Man, were we excited. With all the talk of El Ninja, and record-breaking snow, we busied ourselves for weeks gathering boots and gloves and coats and snowpants. We bought magic carpets and goggles. Everything we'd need for a winter of sledding and snowball fights. We were psyched.

After the weeks of rain that blanketed the island for Christmas and New Years, it was so great to get outside on the first day of 2012 and get a touch of sun. We scampered around the rocks and found the perfect driftwood walking sticks. We peered into tide pools and gazed across the ocean at the snow-capped mountains of the Olympic Peninsula.

Even though we did not get a single flake of snow, this winter is reminding us of the beauty of where we live. Yes, it's raining again today, and has been since that first day of the year. And it may well rain right through until February. But we live on an island in the ocean. How cool is that? It is a breath-taking place to spend each day, inhaling the clean air, having beautiful views and beaches on all sides. So it doesn't get very cold, certainly not cold enough to snow. Many would think that is a blessing.

Rain is just as good a reason to light a fire every day.

Happy New Year,

xoxo
C