Photo Challenge Day # 87

Day # 87

I while I drank my morning coffee, I watched 3 deer eat their breakfast grass. I was looking out the living room window, daring not to go outside to disturb them. 
It was a restful sunday….puttering about, spending time on the deck, listening to the birds singing. You can't feel but relaxed, peaceful, happy! 

afternoon visitor 

plant life

Photo Challenge Day # 87 "Pancakes at the Ranch"

pancakes topped with a reduction made from grated apple, butter, rasp
berry jam and a wee bit of cranberry juice…heavenly! 

Morning Visitors 

Not sure what the weather will bring for tomorrow, hoping yours was peaceful and relaxing!

See you tomorrow with Day # 88

Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 86

Day # 86

Today, I  took road trip into Airdrie to see my grand children. I was greeted at the door with drooling smiles from James. To tight hugs from Ashton and Aleah, who were helping Andrew with building a new deck!
James was the project supervisor.
 Aleah the scrap wood builder, and also took time to help invented a new game called "swingsoccor" that Grandma Julie and Aleah played (not sure about the scoring or who won). 
 Ashton was his dads helper, from holding the measure tape in the right spot, holding wood to be cut, to using the drill to put in the screws! This project had lots of water, snack, nap and tim bit breaks! Was this a union job? The deck will be fabulous when completed.

Ashton 

Aleah 

James, doesn't he look a supervisor? 

Photo Challenge Day # 86 "The Grandkids" 

This grandma had a great day! I hope your day was just as wonderful! What will tomorrow bring? What pictures should I aim for at the Ranch? hmmmm suggestions??

see you tomorrow with Day # 87

Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day #85

Day # 85

Eating my dinner tonight, I looked out the dinning room window. There were 2 sets of eye looking towards the house. It was like they were watching me. I went outside to take pictures Yes, there was that crazy lady with her camera again!
There are usually  3 deer hanging out coming to visit. When I speak, there ears move. Wonder what they are thinking? 

Day # 85 "Doe a deer" 

See you tomorrow with Day #86!
Have a great evening?
Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day #84

Day # 84

I had discovered that Skjohn loves the camera. When I bring out my camera, she appears, and boots Kilde out of the way! Hmm, reminds me of some children I know. The deer on the  ranch look at me..like.."what the hey?" …esp. when I wear my pink pi's and am taking pictures of them on the deck of the house! 

Day # 84 "Affection"

My goal now is to get a good picture of Kilde! 

See you tomorrow with Day # 85

Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 83

Day # 83

Its an early morning. Everything feels fresh. Birds are awake, flying and singing. Dew is on the grass. I went outside in my Pyjama's with the camera, and I went for a before first coffee walk down the drive. The view, the scenery is worth it! 

Day # 83 "Good Morning!"

Lets see what tomorrow brings!

See you tomorrow with Day # 84!

Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 82

Day # 82

It was a very peaceful night, no sounds like you hear from a city.  When I got up, I went looking for coffee, and while the machine was doing its thing. I opened the front door, and I was met with a 4 legged visitor. You might think I slept with my camera. I was glad it was handy! 

Photo Challenge Day # 82  "Breakfast on the lawn" 

Hoping your day was a good one!
See you tomorrow with Day # 83!
Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 81

Day # 81

Its very quiet here….its just me and my own thoughts. I love sitting on the deck, drinking coffee, writing, and mostly just listening. Because in the back ground you can hear all sorts of birds singing, calling out to each other. 
I took a walk around the property…. bird houses are occupied. Come summer, there should be a few wild strawberries about, from what I can tell with the blossoms. 
After dinner and dishes, I took another walk. I saw something move….I stopped and looked…waited….and continued to walk…and there was something watching me, following me…I saw it!! The Owl! I though she/he was following me! The Owl even  waited to get my camera so I can take some  pictures. 

Photo Challenge Day # 81 "Owl"

Well, So, that is Whooo's in my neighbourhood!
Have a great evening, see you tomorrow with Day # 82!
Jewels

Photo Challenge Day # 80

Day # 80


Today, was another beautiful day out here in Alberta and I had the chance to go for a covered wagon ride! Something I had not done before. 
The area we drove around was beautiful. I can imagine what the pioneers thought when they rode their covered wagons across Canada (except they didn't have rubber tires).  
My brother Ernie took the picture of Jean and Julie in the wagon! 

Photo by Ernie 

Photo Challenge Day # 80 "Kilde, Skjohn and Ernie" 

Last week I rode on a Zodiac on the ocean, and today a covered wagon pulled by these two cuties!
I feel very lucky!
I hope everyone had a great day!
See you tomorrow with Day # 81
Jewels

Photo Challenge Day #79

Day #79


Earlier this week we were spending such lovely warm sunny days at the west coast on Vancouver Island! We walked on the beaches, the smell of low tide, the salt spray, the wind off the ocean! Such a great time. 
Today I am now at the foothills of the rockies. As I flew to Alberta this morning, I saw misty smokey (forest fire) morning sunrise over Prince George, then the majestic snow topped Rockies, to the patchwork quilt like farmland of Alberta. 
I will say this many times. We are so very lucky to live in such a beautiful country. I look through the airplane window and I never get bored at what I see below me. 
I am on another adventure, I will continue to post photo's for my challenge daily. 

This is day one in Alberta! 

Photo Challenge Day #79 "Dinner on Deck"  

It was a wonderful day of walking, talking, eating a delicious dinner and tasty dessert! 
I hope everyone had a wonderful day!
See you tomorrow with Day # 80!
Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 78

Day # 78

One of my favourite food items is chocolate! 
Chocolate cookies, cakes, cheese cake, ice cream, bars, hot chocolate! I love going into chocolate/candy shops to look, taste, and smell the chocolate. Sometimes hard to choose! My mom has this amazing chocolate pudding cake dessert! 
I have loved chocolate it seems like forever! 
 I truly think that Chocolate should be in its own food group! I know the benefits of eating one piece of dark chocolate… sometimes its just hard to resist! 

Photo Challenge day # 78 "Chocolate" 

Yes, I enjoyed this piece of chocolate, with a great cup of coffee! I did (fingers crossed) have only one piece!

What is your favourite treat?

See you tomorrow with Day # 79!

Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 77

Day # 77

Forget me not flowers, I have a wild patch of these tiny cluster of flowers. I don't mind  if these tiny flowers would take over my flower beds!

Henry the lV adopted the flower as his symbol during his exile in 1398 and retained the symbol upon his return to England. 

In 15th century Germany, it was supposed that the wearer of the flower would not be forgotten by their lover. 

It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness, and enduring love.

The meaning of Forget me not flowers is faithfulness, memories. Many charities use this tiny flowers as their symbol….for hope. 

Photo Challenge Day # 77 "Forget me not" 

If I was to chose a flower as my symbol, it would be the" Forget me not" flower. 

See you tomorrow with Day # 78!
Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 76

Day # 76

Being on Vacation, means different things to different people. For some its travel, seeing the world, seeing the country! For others its resting relaxing to doing different things.
I like to go away, but, when I get home, I get excited, inspired. This trip we just did to Victoria got me inspired. I saw beautiful gardens in parks, and in other peoples homes. So,
I dug out my seeds, went to the nursery picked up a few bedding plants to start. Plus, with my front and backyard projects that we are currently working hmmm well, you will just have to wait for the photographs. 

Photo Challenge Day # 76 "planted" 

See you tomorrow with Day # 77!

Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 75

Day # 75

We left Shawnigan Lake about 11am, heading towards the airport which is in Sydney BC. 
Since we were early, we decided to park the car and go for a walk about town. 
The sky was blue, the water, and scenery extraordinary! What a wonderful last day on the island. 
We decided to have lunch on the pier, so we found a table at the Pier Bistro, looking over the ocean and the water! Lunch was delicious, company wonderful, and the best view in the country! 

Iris.  Lake in background 

the pier, lots of people out crabbing today 

Sail away, Sail away, Sail away! 

Photo Challenge Day # 75 "Blue Ocean View" 

Lunch and a view, try the "Seafood Chowder" 

Pier Bistro at the end of the wharf! 

Julie playing with camera settings...

Playing with camera settings...

Victoria Airport 

….saying farewell, see you soon as the plane took off for home. 

See you with Day # 76 photo ! 
Jewels 

Photo Challenge Day # 73 & # 74

Day # 73

We had a nice relaxing stay at the lake day. A good day for bird watching of all types. I even witnessed a falcon fishing for its dinner. We walked, talked, drank wine, and delicious soda that was brewed in Victoria & watched the boaters on the lake. 

Yellow Broom

Broom

When we were driving on the Island, along side of the road you could see these yellow flowering bushes. I am told they are invasive, but beautiful. Maybe better than dandelions?

Bunk house 

Ancient tree 

Buddha (fungi) 

Photo Challenge Day # 73 "Hobbit forest" 

A beautiful place, I felt very fortunate to have spent a few days there! Thank you to the hostess!

Day # 74

Victoria Day! In town, in Victoria, there were celebrations, starting with a parade and the Highland games. We had decided to drive into town and go and see if anyone was at home at Craigdarroch Castle and Government house. 

We drove around the Rock land area, I just love the older, Victorian homes. The stories they walls and windows could tell. 

Craigdarroch Castle is impressive, from the time you enter the front gates to when you leave. No house would be complete without a Dance Hall, Billiard Room, a Dining and a Breakfast Room! I loved the stain glass windows. 

Drawing Room

Breakfast Room

Craigdarroch Castle had become Victoria College, from 1921-1946. I found graffiti written in pencil is the master bedroom. Makes you wonder about these people and where they are now? 

Names now a part of history. 

View from Mrs. Dunsmuirs Master bedroom

graffitti and math problems

A cool place to sit 

Craigdorroch Castle 

Our next stop was Government House. I felt like I was trespassing  and invading privacy when we were walking about the beautiful gardens and the grounds. I know I didn't see everything in the gardens. 

Front entry 

Back View 

hmmm, notice a tiny fender bender?

My mother had told me that she and my father had luncheon at Government House. What a memory that was for her. In the carriage house, there was an empty space between a carriage, and this white car…hmmm…must of decided to use the other car for the Victoria Day Festivities! 

One of my favourite plants
Not sure what it is called. 

These flowering bushes are everywhere and in every colour!

A young duck in the Government House Duck Pond
Photo Challenge Day # 74 "THE Duck" 

Our last stop was down at Fisherman's Wharf! The smell of the ocean, the fragrant smell of  "fish n' chips. 

I loved the colours of the Floating Houses! No lawns to mow, no dandelions! I am sure they have their own set of problems, eh! 

Floating Houses 

Boats on Fisherman's Wharf

Floating Houses 

We ended the day with Grilled Halibut, fresh broccolini, salad, white wine and ice cream on the deck at Shawnigan lake. 

Take off!! 

One more posting from our last day….

Jewels