Advent and My Little Tree

On this first Sunday of Advent,I pray that you will be filled with wonder at the season we are in.

This is my little Christmas tree,which God so graciously placed on my window last year.I like it just the way it is.

Please don't look at the dirty window,but rather enjoy my God given tree of frost.

I thought it would be fun to decorate this little frost tree.

I just wish I could translate the decorations onto the tree in my window.

Thought for today:

APPRECIATE SIMPLICITY.

Snowy Memories

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American Friends.

In Canada we celebrated this holiday in October,but now I wish for you a day filled with love and laughter,family and friends.

I went back to pictures taken about a year ago.

These are scenes from on my yard in the end of November of last year.

Today we had a high of +11C or 51F.

Needless to say,the little snow we had is now gone.

I think I like the looks of last year better,it is so much prettier than dirty brown.

These light and fluffy snowflakes clung to every little seed head,piling up to make snow cones everywhere.

The last rose buds of the year were adorned with sparkling white snow flakes.

I enjoy seeing the snow accumulate on the tips of the evergreen boughs.

It looks like each tip has it's own little hat.

This picture was taken in the end of November 2010,but i don't remember having that much snow on the ground at that time.

I guess this proves that I need to take pictures just so I can remember what has happened in the past.

That is a good enough reason for me,now if only we would get a nice soft layer of snow so I could get more pictures. LOL

Thought for today:

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.  ~Terri Guillemets

Seeing Beauty Everywhere

With snow on the ground here and the temperatures sitting around −15C/5F,fall is a memory.Thankfully I have a some pictures to help relive that memory.

All of today's pictures were taken on my yard.

You will also notice that I have added a Watermark,in hopes of making it  harder for anyone wishing to steal my images.

This shows a few leaves from the Amur Maples on my yard.

In wandering around the yard looking for photos,I saw the Peony leaves and noticed how pretty they looked.

The rest of the pictures all show the varied faces of the Amur Maples. I love how they light up with the sun.

Spotting a lone red leaf on the ground,was reason enough to get another picture.

A few orange or rust coloured leaves clinging to the twigs.

The gentle colours are pleasing to the eyes.

This coming week I am dong two presentations about my photography. I am nervous,but also excited to share this passion with others.

I have entitled my talks, Photography:The Art of Seeing Beauty Everywhere.

My post today is a good example of that.I decided to spend some time just walking on my yard and looking for beauty.All it takes is a little time and open eyes,to see beauty.

Let us all take time to really 'see' the beauty around us.

The Heavens Declare…...

It seems that sunsets are always a favourite. 

I have not been as diligent as I should be in getting out to capture these spectacle,but I did  go out in October and was treated to a beautiful sunset.

Here are a few images from that evening.

The evening started out fairly slowly and I thought that perhaps I had spent this time in vain.Here is how I first saw the setting sun,pretty, but not spectacular.

I turned around and looked to the east,and saw the sky tinged a soft shade of pink.

I love those soft colours almost as much as a vivid sunset.

Slowly the sun dropped down below the horizon.

I found a spot with a little tree to use as a foreground.

As the sun dropped even further,the whole sky turned a deep orange.

I was reminded again that when God puts the world to sleep,He does in a spectacular fashion.

Starting down the road to go home,I was once again greeted with this soft colour in the east.softer and more subdued,but equally beautiful.

Thought for today:

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

Psalm 19:1

Focus on Flowers

Looking out the window,all I see is drab brown,so to brighten things up I have gone back to some summer images.

I know that I have many pictures which have never been posted,here are just a few of them.

These Hollyhocks were blooming right outside my door.They are an old fashioned flower,but I really like them.For me they evoke memories of my childhood.We always had a patch of Hollyhocks in the garden and I enjoyed walking through them,feeling small among these tall plants.

I slipped over to my neighbours yard one day and took this picture.

Some of these Lilies came from my garden.

This natural bouquet is beside their deck and dresses up the area beautifully.

Of course,I have to include at least one picture of Daisies.I love them and their simple beauty.By now it is a challenge to see how I can photograph them in a new and different way than before.I am already looking forward to next summer and more Daisies.

I have many varieties of Lilies on my yard. Unfortunately I am not organized enough to remember all their names,but I can appreciate the beauty.

This is one of the more unique ones.I am still undecided as to whether or not I really like it,but it is different. Each petal is all blotchy,and as the flower fades it turns a light pink,but still with the spots on it.

Thought for today:

When Christ is the centre of your interests,life will be in focus.

365 Days…..

365 days or one year have passed since I last gave my Sweetheart a kiss and told him,"I love you".The quick reply from him was,"I love you too",and those were the last words he spoke on this earth.

Here is the way it used to be.Together,happy and enjoying life.
This picture was taken by our Granddaughter Kai.

When we got married I thought that we would always be together,and we were for 38 wonderful years.So much has changed in one year,yet so much has remained the same.

Grandpa and Kai sharing a special moment.
I pray that Kai will always remember her Grandpa.

Yes,I have cried buckets of tears,but I have also laughed heartily.At first I thought this would never happen,that I would once again laugh.

God has been good to me,His love has not changed and it never will. Praise God for that.

Being a widow is not something I had ever considered for my life,but once again,God had other plans.

Both of these people,Jake Hiebert and Dorothy Schritt are with the Lord now.
They went home to heaven about one month apart.

Now as I stand at the start of year two in this life of aloneness,I wonder what God has in store for me.I know that I do not need to know just what every day will bring,but I do need to rest in God and all will be well.

One more picture of the way it used to be.
Oh,how I miss those happy times. Now all I have is the memories,but I am thankful for those,and the many pictures I have.

I am so thankful for each of you,my blogging friends.Here is a place where I can share my sorrows,but also my joys.

Thanks for being a part of my life.

The Lord Is My Strength

Were it not for the Lord and His strength,where would I be?

I Am Still Here

I figured I had better do a post,so you won't forget about me.

I don't know what is happening,but it seems that the days and weeks slip by and I don't get to post to blogger,the way I'd like to.

I have lots of newer pictures,but they need to be edited,so you will once again get some from this past summer.

I walked through a butterfly house at the Assiniboine park,this past summer.

All the butterflies I saw were Monarchs,but that's OK,as they are really stunning.

This is Lamb's Ear after a rainfall. No it is not in my garden,but,as you might guess, at the English Gardens.

I posted a picture of this succulent in a previous post.Here it is in black and white.

I think this plant lends itself well to this.

My last picture for today is a Hibiscus.These were growing outside the butterfly house.I love the tropical look of this flower. I know,in my part of the world they need to be moved indoors for winter.

I hope that I will soon get back on track with posting,but for the next month or so I will not be pushing myself too much.

As I deal with the anniversary of Jake's passing,I will try to be gentle to myself.

Thought for today:

No day is too dark,no burden too great,that God in His love cannot penetrate.

The English Gardens

Well,finally I am back with a post. It seems that the days slip by so quickly.

I have often talked about and shown pictures from the English Gardens in Winnipeg.Today I want to take you,my friends for a walk in the garden,again.
I welcome your company as we take a leisurely walk on a beautiful day.

This is the first thing you see as you enter the gardens.

As I have said before,the gardeners take great pride in 'their' gardens.
Right along the perimeter of the garden are these pillars and each one is adorned with a huge basket of flowers and/or vines.
I believe this is a sweet potato vine in this one.

The walk that leads into the garden draws your eyes right to the centre,where there is a small pond and a display of greenery.
Each year the display is different,yet beautiful.
Notice the benches placed around the pond,so one can sit and enjoy the peaceful scene.

In one spot in the garden is a small Cacti garden.
This is just one of the succulents displayed there.These plants,of course are moved indoors for winter.

Here is another one of the plants in the Cacti garden.

To the back of the gardens, a path takes you to a somewhat larger pond,which is more natural looking.This was taken on the path to this pond. 

I loved how the sunlight lit up the Coleus along the walk.

I have no idea what the bright green plants are,but in front of them are Rudbeckias.

Again the sunlight was like a spotlight on this area.

The whole garden is linked together with beautiful walkways.Along one of these,at the edge of the garden,in a more wooded area,was this log,complete with a foliage frog sitting on it.At least I think it is supposed to be a frog.

One last picture,I know I have more than my usual five today.

The ornamental grasses just add to the charm of this place.

I hope you enjoyed our walk through the English Gardens.
If I lived closer I would be there at least every week.

Thought for today:
Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful.
Welcome it in every face,in every sky and in every flower.

Duffy and Smiles

Today I think back to one year ago.This brings tears,but also thankfulness for what was and what is today.

This is a picture I hesitated to show,but I show it only to share how I feel.

Here is Jake one month before his home going.The puppy is Duffy,and belongs to Jake's brother and his family.

Duffy became quite special to us,as he was the only one who could bring this much of a smile to Jake's face.I am thankful that we were able to have Duffy visit us on many occasions. That smile is worth much to me.

You will notice the variety of pillows. I pulled out anything I could which would help to make Jake feel more comfortable.

Thanks Duffy,for giving Jake a smile.

Although we all miss Jake more than words can tell,I am thankful that God has brought each of us thus far.I don't think a day goes by that I don't talk of Jake and of course miss him,but I know that with God's help I can carry on.

Flowers

Seeing as the flowers are all but faded and gone from my area,today I am thankful for memories and photographs.

All of these were taken in the English Gardens.

Dahlias are spectacular,and come in so many variations.

The Foxglove is a flower I have not been able to grow successfully,so I am thankful I can enjoy them in other gardens.

I have never tried to grow Lantana,but it may be on my list to try for next summer.

THis was a favourite of the Hummingbirds and the Clear-winged Moth.

We live in such a beautiful world and so often see only the things that are wrong.

I want to try to look for what is good and lovely.

Thankful Sunday

Today I am thankful that the birds come to visit me.This Blue Jay was more concerned about getting the peanuts than me sitting nearby.

This picture was taken with my iPhone and the initial post was also done on the phone.

With any luck and some patience I might get the Blue Jay to feed from my hand.

Now that would be something to be thankful for.

Early Morning

Yesterday,on my way to work,I saw the sunrise and wanted to go home and get my camera,so I could take pictures. Of course I didn't.I don't think the boss would have been to happy about my being late,just because I wanted to get a few pictures.

So what was I to do? I got up early on my day off and went out for that sunrise shoot.

I was not disappointed by what I saw.

The large grain elevator in the distance just seemed to fit the whole scene.

The elevator is 3 miles away,but it adds to the look,along with the tracks.

I spent almost 2 hours around the Morden area,capturing the fall colours and the sunrise.It was a good way to spend a beautiful morning.

Today I am thankful for beautiful sunrises.

For anyone who would like to follow Steve and Linda in their month of Gratitude,go to the side bar and click on the link under {express} Life.