February 28: Repurposing the Viaduct

Work may have begun on the Tunnel Option to replace the Viaduct, but there's no shortage of ideas being put forward for the existing structure. This poster in Ballard proposes a "Ballard Elevated Bike-a-Duct."

February 27: Flower and Garden Show

Each year that Christianson's Nursery participates in the show, its demonstration garden is always the standout. Here's this year's entry, which won a gold medal.

Saturday, February 26: Snow

It didn't snow much in Seattle, but it sure did in Des Moines. Mom and Dad's garden is still asleep, except for the crocus, which made a particularly charming display in the snow.

February 25: It's Cold Out There

February 24: Rachel's Sister (a/k/a Chalkboard Pig)

Rachel's sister has moved to South Lake Union - she now resides in front of the new Tom Douglas restaurant at Harrison and Westlake. She and her many other siblings appeared around Seattle in 2007 and were auctioned to raise funds for the Pike Place Market Foundation.

February 23: One Good Thing about Belltown

The half-block of Blanchard between 3rd and 4th has three lovely trees with 3 beautiful wrought-iron grates covering the tree wells, and a nice bike rack, and a bench in a design that complements the bike rack, and even a strip of well-tended grass between the sidewalk and the curb. It sets the standard for the whole neighborhood.

February 22: B on the Lookout

February 21: Cold Weather Coming

The forecast for Wednesday is a high of 31 and a low of 11, so we moved all our potted plants inside. This is what's left of a "chinese lantern" seed pod.

February 20: Golden Gardens

Today started at well below freezing but turned mild in the afternoon, so we took a walk to Golden Gardens and Amber noticed this lovely hummingbird.

February 19: Butterfly House

Amber and I went to the butterfly house at the Pacific Science Center this weekend and I took lots of butterfly photos. This was a particular decorative variety.

February 18: Helleborus "Kingston Cardinal"

These have been blooming in our garden for about a month now. Heronswood calls this "undoubtedly our most striking hybrid."

February 17: Viburnum in bloom

February 16: Daffodil in Waiting

February 15: Spring bulbs

Our garden is filled with little green shoots and buds that are waiting for a warm day to unfurl.

February 14: Happy Valentine's Day

Last week these invitations encircled every tree on Ballard Avenue for blocks.

February 13: Sunny Day

The family got together at Anthony's for Sunday brunch, and we were blessed with a few hours of gorgeous sunshine.

February 12: Hellebore

February 11: Signs of Spring

It's coming, it really is. The plants know it, even though we can't feel it yet.

Bulbs are pushing up green shoots everywhere, and crocus are getting ready to bloom.

February 10: South Lake Union

South Lake Union is adjacent to Belltown but couldn't be more different - it's filled with shiny new buildings, innovative architecture, tree-lined streets, and lots of trendy stores and restaurants. The streetcar glides by every 10 minutes or so to whisk people to the new lakeside park at the northern end of the neighborhood, or to downtown at the southern end. Belltown needs a Paul Allen.

February 9: Sunrise

February 8: Belltown

I've been walking through Belltown for over a year to get from the bus stop to work, and it is, from all appearances, a wasteland of ugly concrete buildings, street litter, parking lots, and the occasional vacant lot. I'm going to start getting off at other stops to see if the landscape looks any better.

February 7: In Mourning

This is the store window at Souvenir on Ballard Avenue, which closed this week. The plaque at the bottom of the frame reads:
Ballard Avenue's Souvenir was struck down in its prime by
plaustrum ante equs prae dominus
Souvenir is survived by
faithful servant Curtis Steiner
and loyal canine guardian
Mortimer
Respectful tributes of half mast flags, appropriately somber mourning attire, solemn dirges and conspicuous grief
encouraged and appreciated
At 5325 Ballard Avenue NW
The remains will lie in state until February 6

February 6: Nemone

We all had a very relaxing weekend together.

February 5: Sunset Hill Greenmarket

Our very convenient, very expensive corner market. They've done a lovely job of making it pretty, inside and out.

February 4: Your Tax Dollars at Work



Just below this symbol is a sticker that reads "Property of WSDOT Bicycle Program." A bit (OK, a lot) of on-line digging revealed that WSDOT has designated certain roads as "signed bike routes" including Blanchard, where I took this photo. Further down the road there's a bike symbol painted on the roadway. I guess if you're a bike commuter you're "in the know." http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Roads/Bicycling.aspx



February 3: Whatever

February 2: Houdini



Our neighbors are in New Zealand for a month, so we're taking care of their cat. She has a high-pitched baby meow and the softest fur.



February 1: Nature's ornaments

On our walk through Carkeek we encountered a tree bare of leaves that was beautifully ornamented with tufts of various colored  lichens....as if nature had decided to decorate its own Christmas tree.