Walking in the New Year

We've had every sort of weather imaginable even though the year is but a few days old.

We started out with rain and then cold.

With all the December rain, the mosses...

...and lichens are healthy and happy.

The Big Creek is full and fast.

The mushroom is called Turkey Tail.

I cleared off some leaves to give these mushrooms some breathing room.

Look how much they've grown in a week's time!

I always enjoy the bright green of the ferns.

Ferns and a moss covered log over the Big Creek.

Still have some rose hips.

We then transitioned into freezing rain.

Fortunately it did not last long.

It's pretty, but can be very destructive.

The ice sparkles like little lights.

We took the outdoors as our decorating theme for the holidays.

We had a mini forest in the dining room.

This tree had miniature Hallmark bird ornaments.

Forest themed ornaments.

Even the tree in the family room became a forest themed tree this year.

I literally brought the outdoors inside with informal bouquets of Douglas fir, teasel, holly, Oregon Grape, rose hips, Osier Dogwood, and Hazel.