This and That Before Christmas

It is one week before Christmas eve. For me Christmas will happen on Sunday,December 21st.It just happens to work best for us to do it that day,but it really doesn't matter which day we celebrate,the reason is still the same.It is the birthday of Jesus.

I have a few random pictures I want to share today,not necessarily connected to Christmas.

It has been at least a year,maybe two,since I last had any Common Redpolls on my yard,so I was thrilled,when  a few weeks back two showed up.Unfortunately,I saw them that day and have not seen them since,but at least I got a picture or two.

I have not been seriously looking for Snowy Owls,although,I am hearing that there are quite a few around.I got this far away picture on a recent trip to Winnipeg with my son. This is a lovely male,as indicated by it's whiteness.

 This picture does have something to do with Christmas,as it is an icicle decoration hanging on one of my trees.I like the iridescence of these icicles.

 Here is another image,taken a while back.It shows lake Minniwasta,all frozen over.

A few years back one of my blogging friends,Anita,from did you bring your camera?,sent me a set of crystals for my window.I love seeing them and think of her often as I watch the rainbows on the walls. Thanks again,Anita.

Here is part of my living room,adorned with a multitude of dancing rainbows.I absolutely love this and miss them in summer when the sun is a different angle.

I think this quote fits well with today's post.

One smile,can start a friendship.

One word,can save a fight.

One person,can change your life.

I want to be that one person,who can give a smile and start a friendship or change a life.

So many of you have,and are giving that smile daily to those you meet and by your words,to those who read the blogs.Keep it up.

Around the Yard

I seem to be in a bit of a slump with photography or is it just that there is not too much to take pictures of.

After a recent snowfall,I did go outside to look for photos and found some. All of these are taken either from inside my house or on my yard.

We look for frosted cones to decorate our Christmas trees.I had one that was decorated by God Himself. 

If you have followed this blog for any length of time,you know about my obsession of taking pictures of my frost covered windows.Here is another unique design.

With the setting sun in the corner of this shot the frost flowers take on a new look.

A few remaining clusters of berries on the Mountain Ash,look extra special with a cap of snow.

One of the evergreen trees has this interesting bark.It peels away and creates all kinds of designs.

Today's thought includes each of you.

Thank you God for all your blessings on me and my family.

For the strength You give me each day and for 

all the people around me who make life more meaningful.

Thirty-five Years of Service

Thirty-five years ago,I timidly stepped into a school bus for my first drive with it.I did not expect to be at this job  much longer than a year or two,yet now 35 years later,I am still driving and enjoying my job.Many children have passed through the bus doors,these have grown up and now have children of their own. I am seeing those children on my bus now.Who would have thought that this would happen.

MANY the miles that I have put in sitting in a vehicle like this one.

Many a wintery morning I have been greeted by this sort of scene. Ice all over the bus.At times like this I have to let it run a little longer to thaw the ice off before I drive.

Field trips have been part of each of those years.This one was to see the wind turbines in a near-by community.

It was a rainy,cold day,so I got to see this sort of view most of the day,while the teachers and children toured the area and got wet and cold.

I and two of my fellow drivers reached this milestone and at our annual Division Christmas Banquet were honoured and rewarded for these years of service.

Each of us got to pick our own gift,within a certain dollar amount.

This is what I chose. The back view. WSD stand for Western School Division.

Front view,complete with lots of sparkle. Sorry for my reflection in this one.

Western School Division has been good to me over the years. I plan on being employed with them for a few more years. No reason to quit my job when I'm still enjoying it.

Memories of Winter 2013

December is well on the way and activities are many,as we prepare for Christmas.

Living in southern Manitoba,Canada,one thing we like to see around this time of year,or at least some of us like to see,is a good layer of snow.We have some,the ground is mostly covered,but ideally,I would like to see more.

The following are images from the end of December of 2013.

All photos are taken on my yard and likely from the warm comfort of my house,perhaps through an open window. Enjoy,winter as it should be in Manitoba.

I love watching a snowfall like this. Big flakes,quickly blanketing the landscape.

The words from this song seem to match the images above.

Snowy flakes are falling softly

Clothing all the world in white

High above the stars are shining

Twinkling through the wint'ry night

Was it just like this, we wonder,

Starry bright and crisp and cold

On that Christmas night of old?

Angels spread their wondrous story:

Jesus Christ is born today

"Peace on earth," they sang, "and glory

Be to God on High alway"

So we sing the sweetest carols

Telling how the King of love

Came to save from heaven above

Birds Around My Yard

I realize that I used to post a lot more birds.Well,here are a few of my recent bird photos.

This Dark-eyed Junco was enjoying his bath time and why not,the water was warm in the heated bird bath and no one else was waiting for a turn.

I looked out one day and saw Waxwings in the maple tree. when I lifted my lens to focus on them,I realized these were Bohemian Waxwings.They come around in fall and spring,so it was a special sighting.

I wish I had been able to get closer,but this was the best I could do. Just in case someone doesn't know,you can tell they are the Bohemian,because of the rusty undertail coverts,or feathers.

I get some of these pictures through the window. The bird bath is on the deck railing.I have the pleasure of having the White-breasted Nuthatches around all year and I am thankful for that.

Another bird I am thankful for is the Blue Jay.I can count on them to brighten most any day.If I provide the peanuts,they will provide me with photo opportunities.

Thought to ponder:
Don't forget to pray today,because God didn't forget to wake you up.

Looking To The Sky

I LOVE watching the sky. There is almost always beauty in the sky.
Most of these pictures were taken with my iPhone.

Delicate white,wispy clouds in a beautiful blue sky. PERFECTION.

Fall can bring with it some dark skies. Some people would call them dreay skies,but I still see beauty.The patterns in the clouds are so unique.

This shot is very similar to the one before it,but I love that dark and billowy sky.

By now,some of you may be saying,'enough already',but I couldn't stop taking more pictures.

This last picture is taken with my camera.The blue of the sky was what made me stop to get a picture.

A simple quote I found says:
It's a good day to have a good day.

SO,HAVE A GOOD DAY.

A Peaceful Evening

This post is not exactly Christmasy,but in a way it may be.The photos show an evening of peace and tranquility and I believe that Christmas and the birth of Christ are peaceful.
Welcome to December,even as I take you back to the middle of October.



As I have mentioned before the lake located just west of my town,Lake Minniwasta,is one of my favourite places to go for sunset photos,or most any photos.
The following pictures were all taken on a beautiful evening around the middle of October.

I had gone to the lake to see if by chance the sunset would be a photogenic one.Well,I was in for a surprise.Not only was the sunset gorgeous,but the time leading up to it was filled with amazing beauty.

The water of the lake was as smooth as glass and that resulted in gorgeous reflections.

The low angle of the setting sun,cast a golden light on the surrounding trees and grasses.

I found myself turning from east to west to try to capture all the beauty.

I had to keep on shooting as the color and the beauty was all around me.

Even the stones at the water's edge looked lovely.

I spent far more time at the lake that night than I had planned on and took far more pictures than I had expected to take. It was a refreshing time to be a witness to such beauty and calmness.

Fun Phone App

As many of you know,I enjoy playing with the different iPhone apps.The camera ones can be super fun,without a lot of work on my part.
The following photos are all taken with an App called 'Fisheye Pro'.
It has different lens options with the touch of a finger.

Here for no reason other than that I want to share my fun with you are a few shots taken during the fall of 2014.All are taken on my yard and while standing on my deck.

This shows the maple trees in the centre of my yard.

The potted Mums sitting on my deck.

A fisheye view of my back yard.

Another lens option on the fisheye camera showing the trees on my yard.

The crystal ball effect using the same camera app.Still my yard ,the trees and that beautiful blue sky.

This quote can apply to the above photos,but also to each of our lives.

When you change the way you look at things,
the things you look at change.

Special Views and Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends. Have a wonderful day.
The title of this post is Special Views and what is more special than family and friends.
Let's all remember to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.


I have entitled the post,Special Views.Each view is special in my opinion,but some are just
slightly more so than others.

A walk around the yard resulted in this photo and the next.
It is so easy to walk right past something like this and not really see the beauty.
The lichen growing on this limb is filled with intricate details.

Trying to get a bugs eye view of the area under the evergreens,resulted in this shot. I kind of like the perspective.

Here are a few more pictures from my sunset shoot in mid-October,at Lake Minniwasta.

There were only a few clouds in the western sky,but they were just enough to create interest.

When I noticed a small flock of birds flying across the lake,I tried to capture them in the sunset. I am not totally sure,but I think they are Double-crested Cormorants.

The eastern sky had  more clouds and they picked up the rays of the sun,making for a gorgeous display.

As the sun was setting,it seemed as though I could hear God say.

"Relax,your problems are in my hands now".

More Manitoba Beauty

Once again,I take you to Lake Minniwasta,during the early fall of 2014.


This is a spot I don't visit very often,as it is the actual boat launch.Of course I don't have a boat,nor do I want one,but I still enjoy the beauty of this spot.

A walk along the shore of this lake can be so peaceful.This scene speaks peace to me.Of course I recall being there that morning and feeling the calm sweep over me as I walked along.

One small shrub put on a gorgeous display of color. The sunshine brought out it's beauty even more.

A few Milkweed pods were still clinging to their precious seeds,even as  the wind was trying hard to dislodge them.

A seldom used railroad track and a cluster of late blooming Asters made a great combination.

Those who walk with God always reach their destination.