Nancy Conner, ABR - Olympia/Thurston County WA

Don't miss Olympia's annual Christmas Forest with over 50 trees sponsored by local businesses and displaying elegance, clever & unique ideas, sheer beauty - a feast for the senses! This is a community charity event presented by Providence St. Peter Foundation and it runs, this year, from November 26th - December 2nd. at the Red Lion Hotel, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive, Olympia.

It includes musical and dance performances, a kids day with special craft activities, a Santa Breakfast and other special happenings - check www.providence.org/giving for more info. You will marvel at the creativity that goes into these special Christmas trees!

We are definitely moving into that time of year when rainy days outnumber sunny ones here in the Pacific Northwest. I miss the sunshine and warmth of summer, but suspect that in several ways, house hunting in the rainy months can provide buyers with unexpected benefits.

If you are looking at a home on a rainy day it is pretty easy to figure out if the roof leaks, the gutters are clogged, water is pooling up right next to the house, you have to wade through puddles to get to the door, and the lawn feels suspiciously squishy under your feet. Your home inspector likely would have seen evidence of possible roof issues and clogged gutters or misdirected downspouts and grading sending water toward the house not away - but now you already have a heads up that these may be issues to negotiate. And compared to looking at a home in August when it has been dry for 2 months, the drainage or lack of on the lot may only be apparent now that we are receiving a pretty regular soaking.

The other factor that is much easier to determine now is whether the home has enough natural light coming in to keep you from going a little crazy by, say January, when it has been overcast for weeks on end. My rule of thumb is always that if we are looking at a house at midday and I have an overwhelming urge to go straight to the light switch in each room - that really is NOT a good sign.

Since the rainy winter is essential to give us the evergreen beauty we treasure, it is helpful to consider how house hunting in the rainy season may give you some insight into what it will be like to live in this house in that rainy season. And I figure if a house feels inviting and bright on a rainy day, it is likely to be a good bet year round. So grab your rain coat and don't hesitate to do some house hunting in the rain - we northwesterners don't melt!

If you love buying handcrafted gifts for family and friends - & like the idea that you are also helping support your local economy - you can't beat shopping at local holiday bazaars.

There's a good one here in Lacey this Friday, November 6th from 4-8 PM & Saturday, November 7th from 9 AM - 4 PM at Thurston County Fairgrounds (3054 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey). This is the 18th year for this bazaar & there will be something like 100 different crafters with very cool, unique items to tempt you - 4 buildings full! Parking & admission are free though food bank donations are gratefully accepted. There will even be food for lunch or bake sale items available if you shop so hard that you work up an appetite!

In past years I have found scented candles, ornaments and other decorations, clever wooden plaques, knitted sweaters & hats and cozy, cuddly scarves, hand painted wine glasses & carafes, colorful old fashioned rag rugs, yummy jams, jellies, pickles & lovely jewelry of all types!

So much fun to browse, admire the talent on display - & get your shopping started!!