A Bay Area Winter: Redwoods, Beaches, and Celebrations

Looking back at the photos from the winter of early 2009. The season started with the lingering glow of the holidays. We still had the Christmas tree up, a constant backdrop for dressing up, whether in a green velvet dress or a full-on pink ballerina tutu.

That's one of the great things about a Bay Area winter—you can be inside one day and out in the sun the next. We took a walk through a grove of redwoods, with that distinct light filtering down through the impossibly tall trees. We also managed a few bright, clear days that were perfect for the beach, even if it was too cold to swim. A toy truck and some sand are all you really need.

There were other small adventures mixed in. A trip to the aquarium to get lost watching the fish swim by, and simple afternoons spent sitting on the bright green grass at a local park, soaking up whatever sun we could get.

The month wrapped up with a birthday celebration at home. A simple cake with pink frosting marked the occasion, a sweet end to a season of small, varied, local moments.