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Their favorite time of year

Christmas photo by Chandler O'Leary

Christmas photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearySnowy trees photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyPhoto by Chandler O'LearyTacoma photo by Chandler O'LearyChickadee Christmas ornament by Chandler O'LearyPhoto by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas in Ashland sketch by Chandler O'LearyPhoto by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyPhoto by Chandler O'LearyPhoto by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'LearyChristmas photo by Chandler O'Leary

To me this season is not about a certain day, or even a series of holidays—it’s a collection of moments. It’s those moments that I cherish above anything else—especially when they happen with the people I love best, in this part of the world I call home. I hope your season, however you might celebrate or mark it, is filled with the moments you’ll want to remember always.

Merry Christmas, and happy holidays, from our home to yours.

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Snowy silence

Snow photo by Chandler O'Leary

I’m not the only one who’s housebound today.

Snow photo by Chandler O'Leary

Winter finally remembered us, and for the last four days the snow has been swirling.

Snow photo by Chandler O'Leary

Today we woke up to a proper blanketing.

Snow photo by Chandler O'Leary

So all over town, people are staying home, and watching through their windows—just like I am.

Snow photo by Chandler O'Leary

Thank you to everybody who commented, emailed, called, tweeted, sent cards and packages, delivered chocolate, or dropped by to keep me company. Your kindness has been so wonderful, so warming. I’m doing fine, for the most part, and though we don’t have all the answers yet, what we do know is there are no broken bones or anything really scary. I go back to the doc on Friday, and hopefully we’ll have a proper diagnosis then, as well as a plan for what comes next.

Candles photo by Chandler O'Leary

Until then, I’m here, waiting in the white.

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Snow day

Snow day photo by Chandler O'Leary

Three inches of snow fell today while I had my morning cuppa. Since the region has possibly the world’s tiniest fleet of snow plows (Seattle has a grand total of twenty-seven; you can imagine what the handful Tacoma’s got), and none of them are out thus far—’round here, three inches is enough to cancel an entire city, let alone school.

Snow day photo by Chandler O'Leary

Despite the lure of white beaches and urban ski runs, I’m not crazy enough to try descending the hills today. Instead I’m spending my snow day close to home, so I can marvel at how strange the rhodies look under a sugar dusting.

Snow day photo by Chandler O'Leary

On our rare doses of “real” winter, it always looks like Nature made some sort of clerical error—like the mailman dropping someone else’s holiday cards into our mailbox.

Snow day photo by Chandler O'Leary

Instead of a blanket of white over a soft grey world, everything glows in blues, greens, yellows … and reds?

Snow day photo by Chandler O'Leary

Yes, that is an apple, still on the tree—nicely chilled and ready to serve for Thanksgiving.

Let it snow!

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Finding winter

Mt. Rainier photo by Chandler O'Leary

The sun came out yesterday afternoon, and Mt. Rainier peeked out from behind the clouds. On a whim I tossed my camera into the car and bolted to Paradise, where I had been hoping for one more research shot for my book: Rainier in the snow.

Mt. Rainier National Park photo by Chandler O'LearyMt. Rainier National Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

Well, I certainly got my wish.

Mt. Rainier National Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

An hour and a half later I was standing in the cold, at the highest point on the southern park road, and the furthest one can go before the snow melts at the end of June and the rest of the park opens.

Mt. Rainier National Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

I looked over at one of the few cars around me, and was absurdly reminded of all those winters I spent in North Dakota (minus the mountains, of course).

Mt. Rainier National Park photo by Chandler O'Leary

It was nice to think that if I wanted snow, I could come and get it whenever I wanted—without having to shovel my way out of it.