Remembering-----

Come with me as we step back to about 2005.By looking at these pictures,I would guess it must have been in the fall of the year. I am sharing them for no other reason than that I like them and the time spent getting these pictures was a happy time. Jake and I spent precious time together enjoying the beauty God has created.

To the best of my recollection, these pictures are all taken in the Assiniboine Forest in Winnipeg.I don't have a lot of details about the forest, but I do know that it is in Winnipeg and it is a lovely place to walk and enjoy nature.

A path like this is charming and makes me want to see what is around the next bend.

Some of the paths are narrower,but all are well maintained. 

I don't recall seeing many birds or other wildlife, but the walk through the forest was very enjoyable.

The fall colours add to the beauty of the scenes.Can't you almost smell that distinctive fall smell, even while looking at this picture?

Just so we don't forget that winter need not be over just yet,I will add a more recent shot. In my part of the world, we can get some very heavy snows in March,so although it is very pleasant now, we might well see more snow and even storms.This picture was taken a few years ago and shows the end of a branch on one of the evergreens, all coated with frost.

Life may not always give us what we want but through it all let these words be an encouragement:

So,amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be disheartened God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

(from the song Count Your blessings)

Kitchen Makeover

Ever since we moved into this house in 1992,I have been dreaming of having a white kitchen.
Jake and I had talked about it, but it seemed like a lot of work and neither of us enjoyed painting so it just never happened.
One Saturday morning, Steve asked I had ever considered having  white kitchen cupboards.Of course I had but it seemed out of reach.Before that day was over both he and I had done some research online and visited a popular paint and decorating store. We had all the information we needed and Steve was willing to do the work. This post has lots of pictures so bear with me.

This is the way the kitchen looked before we made any changes.

The first order of the day was to remove all the brown door pulls.

You may also notice that the wall paint has changed color. That happened years earlier and the rose border above the cabinets is also gone.

The cabinets were washed down with a product called TSP. This takes all the grease and dirt off them.Then they were sanded.The holes from the pulls had to be filled with putty and sanded, and the painting can begin.It was two coats of oil base stain blocker primer that went on first. The primer was oil based but was completely odourless.That was wonderful.

Kai got in on the fun as well and primed several of the doors. Thankfully I had some old long tables downstairs which could be used as work surfaces.

Once the primer had dried Steve put on two coats of Benjamin Moore Advance top coat in a Pearl finish.The top coat was a latex.

This was the primer we used.

This is the top coat.It was tinted in Cloud White.

With each new step.I was thrilled to see  the difference.

Both sides have been painted, now for the backsplash.

The built-in china cabinet has a new life as well and I love it.

On a Saturday,while I was in Winnipeg at Mission Fest,Steve started with the backsplash.

I am super thrilled with how it looks.

The backsplash is something called Smart Tile.These are vinyl tiles which are peel and stick and look like glass tiles.It is very easy to apply them and according to the research I have done, they are very durable. Numerous reviews said they were the best brand to use.

We had at first considered refinishing the counter top as well, but I really like the light and bright look it has now,so we won't be changing that.

I am not getting any endorsements for mentioning the products by name.I just wanted to put the info out there in case someone is interested.

I still walk into the kitchen and stop to admire how it looks.I would never have tried doing this on my own. A huge thanks goes to Steve who has worked diligently to give his Mama a new kitchen.
Perhaps I should spend time in this new kitchen and bake him a special treat.

Birds For All Seasons

Look at the birds.

They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.

And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?

Matthew 6:26

We all enjoy watching the birds.I often think that as they gather food, they have to work so hard to get a tiny little seed.

This Robin showed up one winter, quite a few years ago.

It is not uncommon to see a Robin in winter.There has been one or two on my yard all winter.

Even the smallest of birds have to work to provide for their family.Many years ago,I was fortunate enough to watch a Ruby-throated Hummingbird put the finishing touches on the nest.

The Tree Swallows are cute.They look rather sophisticated in their dark suits, but they sure are charming.

Some years we have many Common Redpolls around, and then it may be years before they show up again. This one was checking ut the food supply at the window feeder.

Summer brings the Hummingbirds to the nectar feeder.These tiny birds are always on the move.

All photos in today's post were captured by Jake, some of them many years ago.

Closing Thought:

God loves the birds and provides for them.

Consider how much more He love you and me.

Finding Winter Beauty

Winter is not over yet, so we may as well look for the beauty in this season.

Truly, it is not hard to find beauty in winter and here are a few pictures that I hope will prove that.

No, these are not from today, but as the large snowflakes are drifting down today, they are creating more lovely scenes like this.

The male Hairy Woodpecker, looks lovely in the sunlight.He is one of the many birds who enjoy my homemade suet.

Let's take a short drive out of town, on a snowy day and see what beauty awaits us there.

This scene is what I found.Hoar frost covered trees and shrubs.

Lake Minniwasta still has some beauty to offer, even on a dull, overcast day. Here too, the hoar frost has coated the trees and helped to create a lovely scene.

Look at all that frost on the trees.I hope you see the tremendous beauty in this, as I see it. God has once again touched the trees and turned them into works of art.

Back on my yard, more correctly, back in my house, I look out the window and see the Pileated Woodpecker at the suet.Some slow movements, as I get the camera and I am able to capture that bright red crest on this pretty girl.

Closing Thought:

We would worry less if we praised more.

The Joys of Winter

January 2017 is about done or may be history by the time you read this and we are at February.

The first month of this year has flown by. 

Come sit at the window in my house and enjoy the views I see regularly.Oh,I might even offer you a cup of coffee or tea as we chat.

Those snow laden branches are something I love to see.

While we watch, we may be lucky enough to have a visit from a Red-breasted Nuthatch.He is a little cutie, in my opinion.I've had as many as three of these birds at the feeder at once.

The falling snow covers the branches of the evergreens and weighs them down.

I enjoy watching a heavy snowfall, especially when I know that I don't have to leave the yard.

All the dirt and leaves from fall are covered with a beautiful layer of pure white.

While we watch from the living room window, we are treated to this sight.The sunbeams highlight the falling snow.What a gorgeous scene God created for us to enjoy.

Can I get you another cup of coffee or tea? 

I do hope you enjoyed this brief visit and will join me again, soon.

I'll be looking for you, but until then,remember:

The universe is filled with the evidence of God’s Greatness.

Winter As I See It

As much as I would like to think that we are done with the coldest part of winter,I am also realistic, knowing that we can still get more cold and lots more snow.

Since we are still in the winter season,I will share some more of my recent winter photos.

I hope you find one or two that you like and I trust that the quotes I share will speak to you as well.

Learn to appreciate what you have, before time make you appreciate what you had.

Below— Male House Finches on my yard.

Pay no mind to those who talk behind your back,it simply means that you are two steps ahead of them.

Just remember, even your worst days only have twenty-four hours.

Some of you will recognize this place.This is at Lake Minniwasta,near Morden.I have taken photos here in many different seasons and weather.

A scene from my yard.

Just remember that, in prayer,God hears more than your words— He listens to your heart.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes of your time with me, here on this page.

Let's meet here again, real soon.

Some of My first Pictures

Join me as I take a look back into the archives.

I recently organized all my pictures, and in doing so,I got brief looks at all of them.

I was actually quite surprised at how good some of my first shots looked, so I will be sharing some of them. I may have posted some of these before, but hope you enjoy them the second time as well.

These pictures were taken during the summer of 2005.I had just got a camera a simple point and shoot.I think it was an Olympus.It had some zoom on it, but no telephoto lens.

This is the first ever Bald Eagle I was able to photograph.I was thrilled as could be to get this shot.

I should mention that all of the pictures in today's post were taken in the Whiteshell area of eastern Manitoba.

I've always enjoyed this shot.A small body of water beside the road was all it took for some fantastic reflections.

Jake and I had gone to the Whiteshell for a weekend.The place we stayed was across the road from this beautiful lake.The setting sun made for a lovely picture, in my opinion.

Of course, even back then, in my early photography days,I couldn't just take one picture of a sunset.

The next morning we were treated to mist over the water. This had a more subtle look but was still very pretty.

I will be showing more winter/snow scenes, but I will also keep on sharing some of my earlier pictures and some never before shared shots

Closing thought:

The following seems very appropriate:

God creates the beauty,

my camera and I are witnesses.

Mark Denman

Window on Winter

Many of my photos taken on my yard begin by me looking out the window.I may see something that demands a photograph.Sometimes,I get my parka and boots on and step outside to get that particular shot and at other times,I am able to, or am sort of forced to shoot through the window.

This first picture was not taken through a window, but I looked out and saw this scene and knew I needed to capture it before the wind destroyed it.

A heavy layer of wet snow had fallen overnight,earlier in December.This kind of snow clings to everything and here it clung to the scroll work of the bird feeder pole.Hanging from the pole is the round peanut feeder, now completely covered in snow. 

Since I was outside,I decided to wander around my yard and see if I could find any other photo worthy scenes.It didn't take long to find a variety of them.The sculpted snow on the lawn was one of many scenes that caught my attention.

Some days the weather is such that I would rather stay inside, but that doesn't mean that there is a lack of beauty. Some years ago a dear friend, and she will know who she is, sent me a package of five crystals.They have been hanging in my living room window since then.Sometimes they cast rainbows over the whole room and at other times they just add beauty to a dull day, simply by being there.

I move to my kitchen/dining room area and find another sort of beauty.

This female Pileated Woodpecker visits the suet at the window feeder and then flies to a nearby tree.On this particular day I was able to get numerous shots through the window.

When she flew back to the feeder, she was so close that all I could get was profile shot.I am not complaining about that.It is a treat to see this bird and even a greater treat to be able to photograph it.

Closing Thought:

If you want to be rich, count all the things you have that money can't buy.

The Beauty of a Manitoba Winter

At the time of this writing Southern Manitoba is under a blowing snow advisory, which could reduce visibility and an extreme cold warning, with wind chills reaching to -40 to -45C.This sounds like a good reason to stay indoors and enjoy nature through the windows of my home. The following pictures were taken in December and I was actually outside to capture them.

These are all scenes that I can see from my windows.I don't ever want to take lightly the beauty that is right before my eyes. I will share some quotes I have found from a variety of sources.

 Not every day is a good day.

Live anyway.

Not all you love will love you back.

Love anyway.

Not everyone will tell you the truth.

Be honest anyway.

Not all deals are fair,

Play fair anyway.

This branch is weighed down by the weight of the snow.

Here is a different sort of picture.I stepped out of my door and saw this, turned around and got my camera so I could capture a decent picture. Without looking to the end of the post, can you guess what it is?

Closing Thought:

I pray you will have a day with more blessings than your heart can hold.

Now for the answer to the picture above.

The snow had built up on the deck railing and as the sun hit this snow it began to slowly melt, forming interesting shapes.Shapes that caught this photographers eyes.