Moments... Thanksgiving week

We trekked over Snoqualmie Pass through a blizzard, driving for miles behind a rolling roadblock of four snowplows. Our fingers were crossed that we wouldn't need chains, and that our nearly-end-of-life tires would find traction. We came into Leavenworth to find it buried in snow, with every building brightly lit for the holiday season. The weekend was relaxing and full of laughter, as we celebrated Jim's retirement.

There was a release party at Plain Cellars, a fun couple of hours sipping wine and nibbling, talking with new friends, playing with Bella, the new winery puppy. And we also celebrated Julie's birthday with a shopping day in town, followed by German food and Mexican Train... and lots of chocolate.

On Tuesday we had to head for home, following the snow west to the summit, then pouring rain the rest of the way home. We recovered from the long weekend by sleeping in two mornings in a row.

Thursday was a day of giving thanks, sharing laughter and stories with my second family, and snatching some special private time with Jessica, who starts a new job on Monday and moving to the peninsula. Thanksgiving is always a fun time, with great food and wine from my brother-in-law's cellar. This year they planned a surprise blind wine tasting competition, which was great fun. An unwelcome surprise was the dunking of my cell phone in the bathroom... but thankfully the phone survived the experience (as did I).

On Saturday we woke to the first (and completely surprising) snowfall this winter. I think snow is always better, more beautiful, when it's unexpected. This snow reminded me of winters in the Tri-Cities, dry and cold and blowing all around. Snow that sparkled in the sun and frigid temperatures, but rarely iced up the roads, instead staying in fields and lawns and the desert, and lingering for days.

This volunteer holly tree had berries for the first time this year... is that even possible? I don't know, but I'm enjoying the bright red against the dark green of the cedar.