Monday, December 15, 2008

Sequim Winter

Yes, Sequim winter is here! Like the rest of the state of Washington, Sequim got its first snow of this 2008/2009 winter season. However, as we tell our blog visitors again and again, Sequim weather is special. From all the big announced winter storm with the coldest temperatures in 20 years and many inches of snow, we received maybe one inch of snow (our long driveway was 'licked' blank again by the sun within hours, the southern exposure helps, of course) and the coldest we had here at our house at night time was 26 F, whereas Bellingham got hit by a low of 5F. Brrrrr!

Remember the Carrie Blake Park photo from our last blog post about visiting Sequim for the holidays? Everything still looking green and in fall colors. Let's give you this Sequim photo update from yesterday, Sunday 12/14/2008. How is that for a Sequim winter photo? Actually, in 2006 during our first winter in Sequim, we experienced the first snow in November. See our photos in Sequim Winter Wonderland when we still lived in Sun Meadows.

Keoki at Carrie Blake Park at frist snowCarrie Blake Park first snow
What's new for this 2008 Christmas season in Sequim? Most houses are nicely decorated without going to the extreme. So, it's really fun to walk the neighborhood in the late afternoon when the Christmas lights inside and outside are already switched on. In addition, we exchange holiday visits with friends and neighbors while we listen to some traditional Christmas music and indulge in some special Christmas treats.

We had joined a very special Christmas party of our Hawaii expats in Port Angeles. Hawaiian pot luck, ukulele music and hula dances with teacher Mahina as the leader of the hula ladies from the Sequim Senior Center made this a great fun gathering and got us all in the spirit of the holidays.

Mike and ukulele groupSequim hula dancers with Mahina
As during the past 2 Christmases, we cut our own tree at the Lazy Tree Farm. Who has never done it, believe us, it's great fun. Just walking around between all the available trees, is kind of different compared to picking up a tree from one of the Christmas tree locations. One thing is for sure, the tree is definitely fresh and it's the one you selected. We love the shorter Blue Spruce trees and really like the one we've found...and the price was right: $15!

Blue Spruce from Lazy Tree Farm
Bell Hill View from our living room
We also read in the Peninsula Daily News that one can get a permit for just $5 to cut a tree in the woods but as the tree cutting permits are not available at special locations (Quinault, Forks, Quilcene and Hoodsort) and Christmas tree cutting is only allowed at designated areas, the Lazy Tree Farm is as good as it gets. Enjoy the holiday season and peaceful hours with family and friends! Happy Holidays from Heidi and Keoki from Sequim

Sequim blue hole on morning of first snow
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