Here's to An Amazing Year!

Let's be clear: 2011 was just about the coolest year ever. And I have high hopes for '12 too!

In the meantime, how about some fifth day of Christmas fun? The photo up above was taken with the cool fisheye iPhone lens that my mom got me.

Here's a photo taken from exactly the same spot with the normal lens:

Wild, huh?

Got some great SmartWool stuff from the Iwanski's, but the package was just as cool as the gift:


Meanwhile, Mimi is keeping warm in this handsome hat:


And I went for a run. Here's a map:

Okay, reader, we've got a few things to take care of, and then we're off for a mini vacation hiking and snowshoeing in one of my very favorite places: Olympic National Park!

Happy New Year!

Home for the Holidays

Since we have one or two amazing reasons why we can't really travel right now, we were happy that my mom was able to come share some holiday cheer with us here in Seattle.

Enjoyed the decorations at Benaroya Hall. And really enjoyed the Seattle Symphony's performance of Handel's Messiah.



Had a nice time around Capitol Hill too. Elliott Bay Book Company was wonderful, and wonderfully helpful—even helped my mom ship some gifts overseas! Glad to see that local independent bookstores like Elliott Bay are having a good year.

Emily and I loved the Volunteer Park Conservatory's Holiday Display:


And the Olsen Farms stand at the Broadway Sunday Farmers Market was a big hit:


Potato wreath, garland, snowman, and tree:

Leg of lamb and potatoes from Olsen Farms for dinner, along with brussels sprouts from Willie Green's. Delicious!

And of course there were presents!




Thanks for a great year reader, and Merry Christmas!

Advent Is Upon Us

I just love this time of year!

Sure, there are people out there who really get the wrong idea about what this holiday means...

And sure, I'm firmly on Jon Stewart's side...

But trees, lights, songs? What's not to love?

Speaking of songs, here's a favorite:


And speaking of advent, how about one more beautiful photo?