Winter Wonderland

Snow isn't essential for a beautiful winter photo -- today's sunset over Bellingham Bay proves that!

This rich color, taken a stone's throw from yesterday's blip, is our reward after another very cold, clear day. It was 14 F / -10 C at our house this morning, and only a few degrees warmer at the farmers' market, where all but a couple of vendors were crowded into the relative shelter of the Depot Market building. The doors were open, however, and it didn't take long for fingers to become numb!

In late afternoon, Phil and I went to the Hotel Bellwether for their holiday tree lighting event to benefit the Bellingham Food Bank. There were fourteen Christmas trees decorated by local businesses to admire, and complimentary hot apple cider and chocolate chip cookies, as well as this glowing sunset, to enjoy.

Several friends of ours were there, singing in a group called the NonStop Carolers, which provided a wonderful ambiance and a great post-concert blip opportunity, as did the wide-eyed tiny tots sitting on the laps of the very believable Mrs. Claus and Santa himself in the hotel lobby.

It was a lovely holiday event, and was quite a contrast to what we'll be doing tomorrow -- helping at the community tuna canning!

(The white dot at the center top of the photo is Venus, which reached its greatest brilliancy last night.)