First Friday and some other firsts...

Every month in nearby Old Town Anacortes, they have what's called 'First Friday Art Walk.'

Galleries, shops & eateries stay open late and the main drag buzzes with activity.

Have you ever been to one of these?  Oh so much FUN.

But there's something extra special about the First Friday in December.

The holiday season seems to infuse it with such a festive spirit

and a festive spirit was just what I was after.  

A clear, cold night perfect for those with warm winter coats, like dawg,

who came along for a night on the town.

Although a rural woofer, she'll never pass up an opportunity to prowl for pats.

The Samish Gallery of Native Arts was filled with stardust!

Ok, window reflections from the street trees but that would make for a good story, wouldn't it?

Glass snowflakes...

woolies...

and little antique shops with scents of mulled wine & hot apple cider

wafting from the doorways, not to mention the baked goods heaped on trays.

Ok, we won't.  But that led to this...

Adrift

THE BEST restaurant in town.

For starters, a to-die-for Thai tomato bisque soup followed by

seared scallops in lime butter, sauteed organic kale with garlic

sided with a scrummy potato croquette,

all washed down with a local red.

Yup, the feelin' was quite festive indeed.

By morning,

the sun brought these...

long, glorious shadows after days & days of gray-upon-gray.

The first sun of December!

Upstairs on the worktable, there was a little weather happening.

Some rain was falling...

T's soft rain, all the way from Australia where they are having summer

and where I like to imagine their stories are being stitched into storycloths, too.

Sending heartfelt wishes of good cheer and festive spirits to all!

Note: all night photos were taken with the trusty phone (aka Batphone)