Everywhere you drive (if you are inclined to drive, it's a nice day to stay home, and play ... maybe make a snowman?) you can see these merry winter spirits in front yards and out enjoying the holiday weather! These happy little guys were spotted in Green Lake, where the lake and the park are cloaked in winter white.

According to my information there have been numerous snowman sightings in Wallingford, North Seattle, Everett, Ballard, Fremont, the U District, and in neighborhoods all along the shores of Lake Washington. Tomorrow I will be showing an interesting-looking home in Matthew's Beach, so I'll bring the camera along, and keep you posted!! The weatherman was talking about rising temperatures and some of the snow starting to melt, so we may be in our best snowman-watching mode today, Christmas day! There may be some sighs of relief if the snow blanket does melt somewhat tomorrow, but surely we will regret the loss of our little cheerful snow buddies.

Not only that, every house you look at is so inviting. What is it about a bit of snow on the roof and a white garden that makes homes looks so...warm? The roof lines, the trim, everything shows up to advantage in the snow. The real estate agent in me took over for a few minutes and I wanted to tell everyone...hey, take a photo of your house now, because if/when you ever put it on the market it will really come in handy! There are a lot of 1920s brick Tudor style homes in Green Lake near the lake, and the snow makes them look like something out of a fairy tale!

And as always, hoping to hear back from you and how YOUR snowman is doing... are you where there is snow? If so, please share your snowmen with us too. The agents in our office are talking about making a snowman album, and those from other parts of the country thinking of relocating to Seattle (well, the snowmen, I mean!) would be welcome guests in our album! As for the people relocating, of course we welcome you to our (temporarily) snowy city!! Get in touch and let me know how I can be of help.

Labels: Ballard, Everett, Fremont, Seattle snowmen, U District, Wallingford

I'm always looking for places of great beauty and serenity, and even in November, under the right conditions, one can find both at Golden Gardens, the beach at the west end of the Sunset Hill area of Ballard.

Here is a virtual tour of the park

This last year we saw kite boarders, dog walkers, sand castle builders, swimmers (brr!), divers, kayakers, sunset lookers, and even attended a wedding among the trees.

Ask Larry and he'll tell you stories of his teenagerhood on the hairpin turn approach road that is no longer passable as of December 2007. Something about racing around the curves....

Meanwhile back to the serenity.

Lynette Hensley, Associate Broker
Larry Baumgartner, Realtor
BuyerTours Realty

Labels: Ballard, Golden Gardens Beach, Sunset Hill

Golden Gardens Park on Shilshole Bay could be called "Seattle's Seattle"... water, boats, mountains, seashore, and all the variety of beach-going Seattle folks. It has been loved for generations and it's a "happening place." My 7 year old found two friends right away, us mothers sat on logs and chatted (one of them told me she lived right in Ballard at the top of the hill, what a perfect location! she's a caterer and we discussed some of what makes Seattle food unique...the Northwest bounty of berries, seafood, and wild things that right now is showing up on our tables in abundance). Couples strolled down the edge of the waves. Groups sat on logs in deep discussion or played frisbee and volleyball. in the Boathouse a private party laughed and cheered and feasted. There must have been almost 20 fires that night...there are 12 approved firepits and many people make it a habit to bring their own wood and picnic into the night.

Last night, it was the place to be.

Check out this PI article for more on Golden Gardens.

Labels: Ballard, Seattle Parks