Winter Water Lilies

Confession time. I have not been taking many pictures recently,ok,maybe I have taken almost none with my camera.So in order to share some pictures I had to get creative. I used Pizap to edit some summer pictures.

I enjoy seeing Waterlilies in summer and thought they might be just as pretty in winter.

So without further interruptions by me,I present to you Winter Water Lilies.

For my American friends,I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving on Thursday. Enjoy time with family and friends.

To all who read this may you feel a touch of God's love today.

Give Thanks

I am a Canadian and so our official Thanksgiving day is past,but that is no reason to stop giving thanks.I have been reminded today by a few other posts about being thankful for little things.

I find myself wondering if indeed the so-called little things are really all that little.I want to share a few images which cause me to be thankful.

I love birds and this Mourning Dove seemed to be thankful for some warm sunshine.He/she looks comfy and at rest here.I was thankful for the opportunity to capture this image.

I absolutely love the Black-capped Chickadee.These little bundles of energy always seem cheerful and I can learn from them.If I,like the Chickadee,sang more and complained less my world would be a brighter place.I thank God for creating the Chickadee. This one is taking a drink from a bird bath on my deck railing.

Early in fall as I was sitting and enjoying the sunshine on the deck,I noticed the top leaves of the Amur tinged in a beautiful shade of red.It may not be much colour but I am thankful for even small patches of beauty.

The lake just west of my hometown is not large by most standards,but I can usually find beauty there.

The day I took this the water was sparkling,thanks to the sunshine.I still feel warm and happy when I look at this picture.Thank-you for the sunshine and the sparkles on the water.

As I was trying to capture the sparkles,my lens was not perfectly focus and I saw the patterns this gave. I suppose this is called Bokeh. Usually we want our pictures to be perfectly focused,but I liked how this looked,out of focus but in my eyes,pretty.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and today I see beauty in the birds,the leaves and even in an out of focus image.

Hummer and Flowers

At the start of the winter season it always seems to feel so much colder,even though the thermometer doesn't show that cold.

We need some time to  acclimatize. Well,since I am no different than anyone else,I feel the need for some 'warm' pictures. I do like winter,after I have gotten used to the colder air.

Early in fall the Hummingbirds are preparing for their southward migration.

Allow me to share a series of pictures of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at a Butterfly bush.

I had once again headed to Winnipeg and The English Gardens,so that is where these pictures were taken.

In this first shot we have the shy Hummer,turning his back on us.

Still rather shy,covering his eyes with his wings.I like this picture,even though the eyes are covered.

Finally a peek at the face.

I saved,what I consider the best picture for the last. I enjoy watching these little birds and when I get a series of decent pictures,that is even better.

 I hope you enjoyed spending a little time in the garden with me and the Hummer.

Because God gives us everything,we owe Him all our praise.

Sky and Trees

The following pictures have all been taken with my iPhone in the last short while.

When we watch the sky there is never a lack of beauty.

I apologize if some of these are repeats.

I know that if done correctly,I should be showing the sunset picture last,but who says that I have be so correct. This is from a few weeks ago,at sunset.

This tree stands directly in front of my bus. We have a compound where the buses are parked and my spot is the best one,because I get to see this little tree during each season and all the different sky backgrounds.

In the middle of my yard stands a Silver Maple tree.I enjoy this tree in all seasons and here I like to see the bare branches against the beautiful blue Manitoba sky.

On my way to the first school,I often need to pull over for a few minutes,so that my timing is right.Often I see very pretty skies to the east,from this spot.I have to be a little creative,so that I don't get undesired buildings in the picture

I can't tell you how often I reach for my phone when I step out of the house to go to work.

This is one of those mornings,just the other day.The pretty colours in the eastern sky just needed to be photographed,even if only with my phone.

The heavens declare the glory of God;the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Psalm 19:1

Stepping Back Into Summer

My cameras have been on holidays recently.Well,at least that's what it feels like.

There just is not that much that inspires me to pick up a camera.

No worries,I have hundreds upon hundred of pictures which have never made into the public view.

I might add that many of them never will be seen publicly,for various reasons.

 Join me as I step back into a summer garden. The garden we will be in is one that I have taken you to often,The English Gardens,in Winnipeg.

The roses are always pretty.I like the soft colours of this one.

Zinnias come in a variety of colours and forms.Usually I am drawn to the double flowering kind,but I really like this simple flower.

Of course, a visit to the English Gardens is not complete without a stop at the Water Lily Pond.

This one is especially vibrant.

Along the pathway I found this beautiful Hydrangea. The sunshine on this flowerhead makes it really light up.

Last but not least is this little gem.I was walking along,when this Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched almost right above me.She proceeded to preen and then stretch her wings.The angle is not perfect,but I still like the pose.

We have had a very mild fall,with only a few days of freezing temperatures.Today it felt balmy,but the weatherman is promising that it won't last.

While we wait for the snow to blanket the ground,we will enjoy each milder day we get.

I hope you enjoyed this walk through the garden to observe the beauty of God's creation.

Thanks for joining me.

Memories

Memory is a precious thing.

Today I look back at many years of a wonderful life with the the man I love.

Jake came into my life in a quiet way and then made me complete.

Both pictures today are from trips which we took together with my parents.

My Dad took them and I have taken them from some very old slides,so the quality is less than perfect,but the memories are wonderful.

Walking hand in hand on the White Sands of New Mexico. Yes, I did have dark hair at one time,very long ago.

On this day,November 10,2010,God called this man to Glory. I miss him as much today as I ever did,maybe more.The comfort I get is in knowing that he is rejoicing and one day we will be together again,and at that time we will never have to part again.

Leaves

In looking for pictures to share today,I noticed all the leaves I had gotten images of.

I began to think of how each leaf represents a part of my life.

Some days I feel like a plain old brown Oak leaf,not much to look at and left to go unnoticed on the ground.

Many a day I feel like my life is filled with holes.Broken pieces that are no more a part of my life.

Still I see beauty in this leaf.I trust that God still sees beauty in my life as well.

Some days are a little brighter. I may feel more like a sunshine yellow leaf.

Can I still praise God even when the wind has knocked me to the ground? I pray that my life will bring glory to Him.

Many a day I feel like the last leaf on the tree,just barely holding on.Still I know that God has a reason for me to be right where I am

As unbelievable as it may seem,some days I feel like a beautiful leaf which glows with joy found deep within.

A promise given to me by God about three years ago now is found in Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters,I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

These words were true then and I have found them to be just as true today. 

God is my strength.

Baking Day

I had the privilege of spending the day with my granddaughter Kai,on Saturday. We did what we so often do,we baked cookies.

Kai made the decision on which cookie cutters to use,

She is becoming very creative in the decorating. I enjoy watching what she will come up with.

Here is a look at her tools,or should I say icings.

Here she proudly displays a cookie with a B on it for a special friend.

I hope you enjoyed watching our fun. Now if only I could pour you a cup of coffee or tea and serve some of these sweet treats.

The Colors of Sunset

Those of you who follow me on Facebook,already know that I went for a drive yesterday,

November 3,so this is not news to you.

I left town,not expecting to see much of anything,because it was very overcast and the light was fading fast. When I left town,I glanced towards the west and thought that the sunset might be OK.

I found a spot from which to shoot and waited,as the sun was setting.

I was not prepared for the beauty which I saw.The clouds parted just enough to give a spectacular sunset.

I was thrilled that I had not stayed at home.

After taking many shots at this location,I started towards home.When I had a chance to once again look west,I realized that the beauty was not over,so I quickly pulled over to the side of the road and took a few more pictures.

This was looking almost due north,but I liked how the clouds were lit up.

Turning more toward the west,the clouds were a beautiful shade of pink to mauve.After  not taking pictures,except with my phone for too long,I was thrilled to be able to witness such beauty.

Here are two pictures taken around the middle of October.

This first one is in the Pembina Valley,but at a different location from where I usually go.

We have a lot of Oak trees and often they are not very pretty in fall,but I think this picture shows that even the Oak can be beautiful.

As I was driving along some back country roads,I saw this stand of Birch trees.The brilliant blue sky,white tree trunks and the golden leaves,combined to make a very pleasing sight.

Thanks for joining me on a drive around the countryside near Morden.

I am currently in a ladies Bible study,where we are going through some of the Psalms.

I want to share with you  one verse.

The Lord protects you;the Lord is a shelter right by your side.

Psalm 121:5 ( Holman Christian Standard translation)