ALBERTA SCENERY

We take lots of drives around Alberta (usually into the Rocky Mountains) and I want to share some of our beautiful scenery with you.Some of these show
our Skies, and most are of the mountains.

These photos were all taken on our short trips in 2009.

CHINOOK ARCHES

"CHINOOK - "a warm dry wind that blows down the east side of the Rocky Mountains in
the winter -- Temperatures can change in a few hours up to 30 degrees."

The winds cause an arch in the sky and are seen in northern Montana and Southern Alberta.
We know that warm weather is coming if only for a short while.

I have seen hundreds of Chinook arches over the years and never tire of them as each one is different from the others. The wind pushes the clouds into an arch (often a perfect arch) and they are so welcome. Sometimes at sunset they are spectacular -see photo.

I am going to post some pictures of my part of the world for the next while. I live in
an interesting place -- on the west are the Beautiful Canadian Rockies, then the foothills and to the east are the prairies and ranch and farm land. I hope you enjoy my pictures of some of the beautiful 'arches'. Shirley

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

My six year old grand daughter just phoned -- it seems Santa brought her a set of drums and an
mouth organ ! (I am glad they are at her house rather than mine!). She 'played for us
on the phone and I promised I would help her play a tune on the mouth organ. We are having a quiet family get together tonight.

I am finding this Christmas difficult, but that is to be expected -I know it will be easier as
time goes by. I hope to get back to normal this next while - teach my classes which were
promised last summer and do another wall hanging.

Our weather is so much nicer today - we have had terrible weather this past month-but today it is bright and sunny, not bitter cold and a typical Alberta Christmas. I wish I could
share it with my friends in the warmer climes. (Maybe they could send a bit of their
warmth this way.

We spent 2 Christmas's in New Zealand and I remember having a 'barbie" on the beach
with our friends - wonderful sea food right out of the ocean- pipis, clams, etc. It is
one of my favorite memories of our two years there.

Once again, have a wonderful Christmas everyone! Shirley

My dear friend Deb, who is

like a daughter to me is celebrating her birthday today - (a very special one) .

Deb -- has been a big part of my life for l0 years and
and has been such a wonderful friend, especially this
past few months when things were very dark in my life. I wish you good fortune,
good friends, and all good things dear Deb. Shirley

Here are some of my winter scenes,

made over the past two years. Looking out my window I think they are appropriate right now! I actually love to do winter scenes
but don't love the winter.

We have had
some really bad
weather this past 3 weeks.

I feel some enthusiasm
and will start working on my classes after Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

It was a----

tiring day, but the celebration of Rob's life went very well. It was a gathering of his friends
and family - which was what he wanted.

I am going to take it easy for a few days and then decide what project I will start - and
what class I will get ready to teach on Learningfa.

This is the 'Emma's tree' I have up on my wall at home. Today I received some Christmas
decorations from the girls in a 'Decoration swap' on the Learningfa group. I was so pleased as I wondered what their decorations would be like. I decided to put them on my 'Tree"
and here they are. Thanks so much if any of them are reading this blog. The other tree I made for a gift was much appreciated and I have decided to make them for all my friends next year. I am very tired and will take a few days to get back to working on my 'stuff'.


Shirley

Rob - February 20, l957 - December 13, 2009

Beloved son, father, brother - May you rest in peace Rob. Mom