the great big sea....

January seems to be the time people think about escaping winter...and looking for a little sunshine and warmth...maybe near the ocean. My sister happens to live on the Canadian prairie...and doesn't need a whole lot of coaxing to escape for a bit most winters...and come for a visit to the west coast. Catching wind of the arrangements...my brother decided it was as good a time as any for him to flee the cold US Midwest and hop a flight west as well.

We sisters like to visit our favorite little spot on the ocean...not so far from here...and so that's where we were these past few days...the four of us. (The one from Texas had no winter to escape...so she stayed put!) The guys joined us for part of the time as well...and we spent a lot of time playing games...eating...and laughing.

Birch Bay is rather a sleepy beachside community in the winter...with 'warm water, warm people' as it's slogan. The only warm water we found was that in the hot tub on our deck...from where we could enjoy a view of the ocean. It's a great place for a winter retreat.

We are having an El Niño winter...what that means is it is that we are enjoying warm, balmy weather (not exactly what the Olympic committee ordered)...but perfectly fine for spending a day or two at the beach in January!

A storm blew through the one night...with the remains still evident in the morning.

The cars had to jump the waves...and the beachcombers could gather shells right on the road.

We watched the logs rolling in the waves...and a few were high and dry...on the right shoulder of the roadway.

The shoreline was thick with seashells...and I thought of a few little munchkins who would have been ever so thrilled to come collecting.

All evidence of any storm was soon gone...and we walked in the sunshine...jackets soon discarded.

Though most people flock here in the summer months...it does seem that some are permanent residents...judging by the mailboxes.

Oh...and some have obviously lived here for a very long time!

We passed by beach houses and condos...

...with planters and window boxes in full bloom. Amazing...in January! On closer inspection we realized that these particular flowers bloom year-round...and don't require any water or fertilizer.

Now these... however, are the real thing! They may still be in for a cold shock...but yesterday they were smiling.

We made one quick side trip from the beach...that being to Bellis Fair Mall...to stock up on yummy smelling soaps from Bath & Bodyworks.

Heidi and Maelyn joined us there...and Maelyn decided it was her kind of place as well.

The sun set on our little get-away...and I returned home to find myself one year older. I know...a little birdie already told you. I'm OK with that...and thanks to all of you for good wishes. I always think birthdays are a good reason to celebrate...and it looks like I may just be doing that for the next day or two. Smile.

Enjoy the day...