Once a year we have a storm in Seattle in the Winter. Sometimes it comes near Thanksgiving, and other times closer to the new year. Sometimes it brings really high winds, in excess of 90 miles an hour, and other times it brings freezing rain or snow here at the foot of the mountains.

This year we had a little of everything, and in between the two holidays. At first, we got a little snow in the lowlands, which was pretty and white - and it actually stuck around because it's been very cold. In fact, it's been so cold that the pond near our home froze over.

But then the winds came, around 100 miles an hour a little south of us. And it began to snow - not just a little, but a lot - and that was followed by freezing rain. Streets are shut down, since we have lots and lots of hills here that we just don't have the equipment to clear. While driving on snow is not so bad, driving on ice is not a good idea ever.

On Sundays after church we always go to the same little Mexican restaurant about a mile or so from our house. They have great food, and we know the folks there. So in the middle of the snowstorm, we geared up and grabbed our walking sticks and started hiking down the hills to get our lunch. We had a blast - a real Winter blast!

Sometimes our weekend trips are grand affairs, climbing mountains or visiting an exciting new city. But sometimes our adventures are as simple as a hike to a Mexican restaurant.