Sweater Weather and Yoda

After a sunny summer and fall of hiking and exploring the outdoors, we have hit the cold and rainy season in the pacific northwest a.k.a. "Sweater Weather".  Sweater Weather is that magical time of year when I throw on a comfy sweater and boots and enjoy the indoor activities that this part of the country has to offer.  Think:  sitting by a fire with puppies (who would rather play than take pictures), trying new restaurants, visiting museums, and (my favorite) touring the impressive Gingerbread Village.  Each year chefs and architecture firms from around the city design and bake elaborate gingerbread houses, and the exhibit benefits a charity.  This year the Gingerbread Village benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the theme was Star Wars "May the Holidays Be With You".  I saw all my favorites like Yoda, R2D2, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and there was even a gumdrop starship.  Basically I was in nerd-heaven and loved every minute of it.  Winter isn't this Texan's favorite season, but seeing a Christmas tree decorated in lightsabers helped to make the season bright!