Greetings everyone! I apologize for disappearing recently. We were out of town for a few days and I caught a major case of the lazy's. I will do my best to get caught up and come visit all your blogs as best I can. I also hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. I'm extremely fortunate. The place where I work closes each year between Christmas and New Year's. I don't have to be back to work until January 5th and I have to tell you, this is really relaxing. On the days my wife has had to work I've been able to go pick her up for lunch each day and that has been nice too. After lunch yesterday I drove down to the Port of Olympia. It's a great place to photograph everything from the water to boats to birds and much more. It's hard to tell from this photo but there was a mist falling. Not only did it not seem this clear and blue, but I didn't even see the rainbow until I viewed it on my computer.

Krise and I sincerely want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. I know it's going to be an interesting one for us. I hadn't mentioned it on here yet but Krise is pregnant. She's due in mid-July, and we're happy as can be.

For this week's Floral Friday contribution I thought I would share with you this tower of poinsettia from the Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma.

Click the link below to see more botanical beauties.

You might remember this previous post from our oldest daughter's last high school band concert. Believe it or not, my wife and I really enjoy going to these. There really are some talented kids there. Tonight was the Christmas (or winter if you prefer) concert for Jazz Band, Symphonic Band & Orchestra. Some of the songs carried the holiday theme, but they also played other non-seasonal songs. They led off with a wonderful version of "Fly Me To The Moon" as well as a fun upbeat song called "Goomba Boomba." Another concert well worth attending.

As I was looking back through some old photos this evening trying to decide which one to post this one caught my eye. Number one, for it's age it's still in pretty fair shape (ahem...like someone I know), and number two, I noticed it's another old photo of me holding a camera. If you look close you can tell it's an old box camera. The man in the photo is my Uncle Bob and you can see my dad's Packard in the background. I believe I was about five when this was taken in Spokane Washington, my home town.

For more nostalgic photos take a trip over to Remember Whensday.

Take a couple of cans of this, add grilled cheese sandwiches and suddenly this dreary, rainy day got a little better.

To see more ruby red photos click the link below and visit Ruby Tuesday.

A couple of days ago I showed you this photo of Santa's backside and the top of our youngest daughter's head. I had a request to try a little harder and post a better shot of the two of them. So, if you can put up with the frosty breath on the left of this photo here's a better shot of the two of them.

Well, today we got our first snow of the season. Not a whole lot but it sure made things beautiful. This evening we heading out to meet some family for dinner. My wife and I decided to take a drive through a housing area not too far from where we were going. There were several places that really looked good but this one sort of stood out. Perhaps it was the bright blue waterfall or the traditional holiday frogs just to the right of it.

Last night Santa and a few of his local helpers, ie the Tumwater Fire Department pulled their classic fire truck out of the garage and headed for the streets. The whole thing was pretty simple. Donate food, get a candy cane. Actually our youngest daughter who's head you see here managed to get her picture taken with Santa on the fire truck. It really is for a good cause, and the community has always responded generously.

I took this shot out the back door at work late this afternoon. All I had left to do was lock the doors and be on my way. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab my camera and capture this shot. It seemed like a beautiful way to end the work week. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

For more SkyWatch shots from around the world click the link below.

The cold weather really had a beautiful effect on this fountain at the Cambridge Court apartments in West Olympia.

Thank you Lauren for pointing this one out!

This past Sunday, after we left the beauty of the conservatory and all those flowers we took a drive to Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood. If the name sounds slightly familiar it's because I've posted a couple of photos from there such as this one from the dog park there, or this one showing part of the old mental hospital. This time we were simply taking a drive there but once our seven year old daughter saw the playground she wanted to stop, and you know it didn't make any difference that it was thirty some degrees with the wind blowing like crazy. We parked and watched her run off to climb and slide and just about anything else you could do at a playground. This really is a wonderful place. Click here to see who designed it.

See more contributions to Monochrome Weekly by clicking the link below.

It was a cold windy Sunday today, a good day to be indoors. We picked up my Mom and headed for one of our favorite places, the Seymour Conservatory up in Tacoma. They just changed their display to their Christmas theme. Lots and lots of Poinsettia set in amongst the plants that make this wonderful place their home year round. After we were done looking around and taking loads of photos (some of which I'm sure will show up on Krise's blog Floral Friday) we decided to go take a peek inside the gift shop. As I was walking through I noticed these three fat little birds perched on a branch reminding us of the three important "don'ts."

Another frosty morning with a little fog thrown in for good measure. Rather than take the freeway, some mornings I take the back way to work. The drive is a little slower and I get to go across Black Lake. With the fog and the colors of the sky it looked like a water color.

The past couple of weeks it's been gradually getting a little colder each day. Finally a couple of days ago we had our first real frost. When I look at the extended forecast I see the possibility of snow toward the end of next week. In the evenings the sky has been clear and the moon has been bright as can be. Come on winter, we're ready for ya!

For more SkyWatch Friday photos click on the link below.

On a recent walk through downtown we spotted this sign. Later, looking at this photo again I started to wonder about all those holes. Are they from previous signs, and if so where did they go? Did someone steal them? If so, I'd like to ask someone how they think the surveillance is working.

After work I had to run downtown for something. Since I was only a few blocks from Budd Inlet I thought I'd stop by and take a few shots of the boats with their Christmas lights aglow. I got lucky. The boats were lit up and slowly cruising the waters in parade style. Not all of my photos came out. This was one of the better ones. I definitely need some practice when it comes to settings at night. I think this qualifies as my Watery Wednesday shot.

For more wet and wonderful Watery Wednesday photos click the link below.

This elevated structure is The Department of Natural Resources in Olympia, just a stone's throw from the State Capitol.

For more photos outside the world of color, click the link to visit the Monochrome Weekly.

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What a gray drizzly day it's been around here. A good day to confine yourself to the indoor sports. The buildings are part of the Olympia Brewery in Tumwater. It's been waiting quite some time for a buyer. Those of you that have been following for a while might remember this post which explains things a little more.

I hope everyone is having a relaxing "post Thanksgiving" weekend.

Last night it poured and poured and poured. Today it was so nice I went out and washed the car. Late this afternoon I just couldn't pass up this SkyWatch Friday scene.

For more SkyWatch Friday photos click the link below.

Well, I thought it was finally time to plop down in front of the computer and take care of today's post before I head back to the kitchen for desert number two. I really have to hand it to my wife and oldest daughter. They slaved in the kitchen most of the morning and ended up delivering a meal fit for a king. My mom and sister joined us which was nice. I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too.

Artwork courtesy of our seven year old daughter.

Are the locations of these businesses simply a coincidence? Do they hand you a set of wings in one and a pitchfork in the other?

What is WorkSource? Their website describes it as a joint venture of organizations dedicated to addressing Washington State's unemployment needs. Besides holding workshops and training programs they also offer free use of computers, copiers, faxes & phones, internet job listings, job referral and placement, access to unemployment and numerous other job related services.

For more wonderful Monochrome Weekly photos click the link below.

Guess what? We picked up my Mother in Law's puppy today. First on the agenda, a bath with good old oatmeal shampoo. Next, on to her new home where she had a bowl of food. This, is what happened shortly after her meal. So far life's not too tough for this little girl. Next, Mom gets to name her. Actually she's of the belief that once she gets to know her, the dog will name herself. Right now it would be "Sleepy ".

My contribution to this week's Floral Friday. I will gladly accept help on the name of this one.

For more botanical beauty click the link below.

Well, here we go again. I had another photo in mind for tonight's post, but "guess who" somehow persuaded.....er.....threatened me into showing off one her early birthday presents. Our oldest daughter is going to be 15 this coming Sunday, and like many girls her age couldn't wait for the Twilight movie "New Moon" to come out. Little did she know that her conniving parents (and a good friend) conspired and purchased her ticket months ago. We managed to say nothing until a few hours before she was to go. She then proceeded to make all sorts of teenage girly squeely noises. She complained of rapid heart beat and breathing difficulties. She even had to stop eating her dinner she was so nervous. She was though, very very happy. One more thing you have to understand. The movie starts at midnight and she does have school tomorrow. (heh-heh). You know, I'll bet that doesn't really matter to her though. She was very appreciative. Anyway, Mom and I hope she has a wonderful time at the movie.

And, for you closet fans.....she's "Team Edward", because Jacob doesn't sparkle!

Last night I eluded to the fact that I missed Monday's post. Here's the reason. My early Christmas present from my wonderful wife. A 2009 Nissan Cube. Laugh if you want to, but if you ever get the chance you really should drive one of these. It is a blast. Plenty of power, handles like a dream and enough room to comfortably fit our family of four.

Today we did some early Christmas shopping. We picked up my wife's mother and let her pick out a Rottweiler puppy at a breeder's. She picked out a cute little female that, I would imagine, will do it's best to eat her out of house and home. After we took Mom back home we passed this sheep farm. This photo was taken in Yelm. In the distance are the Bald Hills.

For more Scenic Sunday shots click the link below.

A late fall afternoon view of The Olympia Friends Meeting. Today was about the coldest day we've had so far. It got down into the upper 20's last night so we woke up to frost this morning.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Tonight I'm going to lay out a challenge. It's Floral Friday, and I want you to name this flower.

For more botanical goodness click the link below.

This past weekend I was sitting at my computer answering blogs, (it's important time consuming work), while my wife was working in the kitchen. All of a sudden she said "Grab your camera and get over here." I don't even ask any more. If she says "Get the camera", I get the camera. When I got there this guy was out in the back yard, patiently waiting for someone to toss some goodies his way.

When I was a kid my family lived in Spokane which is in eastern Washington. In 1962, during the Seattle World's Fair we moved to Tacoma. The next year one of the things we did was to take a drive south to Olympia to see the Capitol. Things were a bit different then. Not only were we able to tour the Capitol Building we were able to take the walk all the way to the top of the dome. I can still remember the clanking of those metal steps and how tired our legs were by the time we reached the top. After the earthquake of 1965 they stopped allowing visitors to go up to the top. This photo is of myself and my sister. You might remember her from this previous post. Love the suit and tie huh?

See more Remember Whensday photos of the past by clicking the link below.

Today's post not only has a little something for Ruby Tuesday in the way of that heavy duty winch, it is also a tribute to my good friend standing on deck. The day this shot was taken my friend Kelly had taken me on the grand tour of this "catcher-processor". It wasn't the first that I had been on as he'd worked on others and I'd seen them too. He spent a number of years in what most people consider the most dangerous job in the world. He was a chief engineer on various crab boats in the Bering Sea. Definitely not a job for just anyone. I post this photo as a tribute to Kelly. I lost my good friend a few months ago. I hope he's got a much easier job now.

For more Ruby Tuesday shots click the link below.

We had a reunion in our house today. Remember this little guy that thought my finger was a sausage? Now remember our crazy Boston Terrorist Muffy? Well, we had the chance today to watch my wife's cousin's little boy. Every time he's over Muffy, being the motherly type has to

keep a close eye on him. As you can see here, they're buddies.

For more Monochrome Weekly shots click the link below.

On a Scenic Sunday I thought I'd share this shot from the eastside of Olympia looking west through part of downtown and on to the Capitol.

For more Scenic Sunday photos click on the link below.