Friday, December 30, 2011

Weekend Reflections On the Past


These old pilings jut out of the water near the boat launch at Bloedel Donovan park.  In Bellingham's formative years, this was the site of the Blodel Donovan Lumber Mill, the remains of which we are looking at here. Around the same time, Lizzi's family operated the Ed Gooding Shingle Company near Glen Echo.

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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Skywatch Friday: Something's Brewing


When she's done with the swings we head for our car. The trail is long and her hands are cold so we stop several times while I convince her to keep moving before the rain comes.  During one of these stops a ray of light falls across the field before the clouds settle in.

Skywatch Friday

Old Barn


Weathered to perfection, this old barn sits in a field at Bennett Woodland Farms.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Labyrinth

To celebrate the Winter Solstice this year, my family and lizziviggi's walked the labyrinth at Fairhaven Park in the dark with flashlights and hot chocolate.  This wonderful design was our reward at the center. 

Monday, December 26, 2011

Snohomish Sunset

My family spent our Christmas evening in Snohomish, Washington were cousins played, gifts were exchanged, and a yummy dinner was shared.  I did happen to catch the beautiful sky changing colors while I played with my Christmas present, a fantastic new camera!!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011

Weekend Reflections: Afloat


What better place for a peaceful morning float?

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Skywatch Friday: Roosevelt Field


When yesterday's spinning exercises were over, we hung around the park long enough to get a few sunset pictures before it was time to go home.

Skywatch Friday

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Boat Lights

Christmas lights adorn this boat on Lake Whatcom.  Every year this boat gets all dressed up for the holidays.  It seems to be its only time to shine as I've never seen this boat leave it's dock.


Monday, December 19, 2011

The View From the Top

This is the view from the top of a logging road on Sumas Mountain.  We are looking out into the farmland valleys of Lynden and Sumas.  Beyond that, quite near is Abbotsford Canada.  My husband grew up on this little mountain, just farther down a bit.  He still remembered all the old trails and roads that were his playground as a child.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Holiday Hair

Take a close look at these festive hairstyles in a downtown Bellingham salon.  I spy a Christmas tree, an abominable snowman, and some reindeer antlers as part of Eklektik's fun take on the holidays. 

Friday, December 16, 2011

Weekend Reflections: Silhouettes


The morning fog rolled back just in time to catch a little hint of the sunrise before it, too, disappears.

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Skywatch Friday: Clayton Beach


After digging through pictures of December's murky skies and perpetual twilight, I decided it was time to brighten the mood and post something from a half year ago when the summer evenings would last until almost ten o'clock at night.
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Low tide at Clayton beach exposes a strip of old pilings, remnants of the booming fishing industry that Whatcom County was built on.

Skywatch Friday


The Eagles have Landed...


...at Bennett Woodland Farms. The locals say these trees are sometimes full of eagles, but only a few hearty birds were out today. Here's a closer look:


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Elf


Last weekend Lizzi and a friend particitpated in the Jingle Bell Run, a fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation. While the girls and I waited for her to finish, this poor little guy was being encouraged to pose with this slightly alien looking, unnaturally happy, giant elf.  I'd probably need some encouragement too.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Guerilla Art

"Grace" appeared on Halloween night on a pile of industrial waste off of the Taylor Street Dock near Boulevard Park.  The artist has chosen to remain anonymous, though he shared his story with Cascadia Weekly.  This sculpture of a dancer in a standing bow position was displayed with no permits or city approval.  "Grace" has remained on display for over a month and doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.  I surely hope the city or whomever owns the land lets it stay.

Click here to see a past post capturing the island before "Grace" arrived.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Reconstructing a Castle

This glorious old home on South Hill is getting a major face lift.  It sits above Bellingham Bay and has an unbelievable view.  I love the sandstone archway and have been told it most likely came locally from Chuckanut Quarry close to one hundred years ago.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Patchwork

This tree outside of NW Handspun Yarns is warmed by a blanket obviously made with love.  The shop offers classes, all things fiber, and a weekly knit night where knitters are encouraged to bring their projects to share.  Being a a very novice knitter myself, I'm sure I could learn a lot if I joined the group.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Weekend Reflections: Buy Local

Tree lined Commercial Street is reflected in the window of this independent business.  Digs is just one of many local businesses in Bellingham that help keep this city unique in its holiday gift giving options.

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Friday, December 9, 2011

Skywatch Friday: Alabama Hill


Alabama Street runs from Bellingham Bay to Lake Whatcom (behind me in this picture). Several years ago the city built a pedestrian overpass near the top of the hill that provides an excellent vantage point for sunset pictures.

Skywatch Friday

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Misty Morn II

Before the sun arrived to illuminate yesterday's trees, my path was darker, but no less beautiful.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Misty Morning

I took a morning walk in Bloedel Donovan Park. The fog was just beginning to break as the sun reached this stand of bare trees.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Reflecting a Sunset

The setting sun illuminates the windows of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fairhaven's South Hill neighborhood.


Monday, December 5, 2011

Still Keeping Time

This ornate clock stands against the Bellingham National Bank Building along Holly street.  The bank was established in 1905 and this glorious building was constructed in 1912-1913.  Today the Stamp & Coin Place, a local bullion and coin trading shop, occupies the bank's old first floor.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Winter Berries

Water clings to this magical bush covered with winter berries on the home grounds of Back Lane Gardens.


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Relic


Inside a shed at the Hovander Homestead, an old wagon and several large pulleys wait to be put to use. I wonder how long it's been since they've seen a days work? Perhaps the wagon comes out in the summer for old fashioned hay rides.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Madrone


A few bits of bark still cling to this Madrone tree. 

Most of these trees grow within a mile of the coastline here in Washington and B.C, and only in certain soils, so they are quite a treat to see.  Their reddish bark peels off, leaving the smooth trunk exposed.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Waiting

This wrought iron table sits and waits for use outside of Daphnes in Fairhaven. Sadly, I think it has a long wait ahead of itself.

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Falls

In case you were wondering yesterday what my family was looking at from that beautiful bridge, here it is.  Whatcom Falls.in all its beauty.  This park is situated in the middle of Bellingham, though once you are in the park it feels like you are whisked away somewhere up in the Cascades.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Green

My husband lifts my older daughter up to look over the bridge to see Whatcom Falls.  

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Weekend Reflections: Woodstock Farm


Whatever was in there wasn't nearly as interesting as what was behind her, which she soon figured out. After about five seconds she turned her face to the sun and ran squealing down the grassy hill toward the water. 


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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Skywatch Friday: A Seussian Sense of Perspective


Something about the red barn at Hovander Park toys with my sense of perspective.  It could be the two tiny windows placed at the top of the four story barn. Or it could be the very slight pitch change in the roof just below the windows that contrasts with the more pronounced angle on traditional barn roofs.

Or it may be those windows are two sizes too small!

Skywatch Friday