Frostbite and Sunburn

O Canada!

2012-01-23T18:17:00.000-08:00

The Frostbite & Sunburn household

became Canadian Citizens today.

This is a special and long awaited date for us - one more piece of the puzzle that ties us to our new home, and slots into place with a feeling of calmness and settledness (if such a word exists). We applied one year ago - and have lived as Permanent Residents in Canada for just over four and a half years now.

We all arrived bright and early, and after having all our paperwork checked out (passports with the dates that we said we were in, and out, of the country, birth certificates, Permanent Resident cards, etc), my hubby and I took a written test. It is a 20-question multiple choice test - and you need to get at least 15 to pass.

Applicants between the ages of 18 and 55 sit the test - so our girls sat outside the room with a book, waiting for mum and dad to do their thing! In all honesty, we should have sent the kids on our behalf, as they knew all the history and geography better than us.

I think I now have a pretty good grounding in Canadian history and politics, who is on which dollar bill, and what a beaver represents!

Because we passed the test in the morning, we were invited back at 1pm to take part in the Citizenship swearing-in ceremony. One hundred new citizens took their oath in Calgary today (in French and English) and came from an amazing 37 different countries of origin.

I felt it was a very special day and even caught myself welling up a bit. Old softie.

The Ceremony finished off with a final sing-song of the national anthem "O Canada" - in English (thank goodness, for us!). I really like the Canadian national anthem and my throat nearly always closes up when I hear it, or try to sing it - I think this is down to the pure gusto with which it is sung. It's a very proud song.

So then we all filed out to start the next part of our life in Canada.

And they can't kick us out now, eh?

2012 kicks off ...

2012-01-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

2012 has so far been, er, aggravating.

Two separate wind storms attacked the tiling on our roof. The first storm just did a little loosening preparation, and then a second storm let rip - literally! We littered the neighbourhood with unsighly shredded strips from our roof, adding unwelcome black decorations to the snowy landscaping. Trudging around your neighbour's gardens collecting chunks of your house is a little bit annoying.

Our roof is only 2 years old - so I was about to write a strongly worded letter to the roofing company, until I noticed several other houses with similar problems. On this occasion I suppose we just have to accept that the storm was "exceptional". Bugger. But they fixed it quickly and fingers crossed for nothing more than a passing breeze for a while.

And then the hot water tank packed up.

On other matters, and while still declaring my love-love relationship with my Mac, I can report that a couple of weeks ago our iPhoto and iTunes went AWOL. Don't panic, I said, as I inhaled through a little paper bag!

We couldn't find them anywhere, in spite of much searching, much wailing and gnashing of teeth and were even resorting to blackmail if they didn't show themselves in 24 hours. We nearly put out a "Missing" Ad in the local paper. But iPhoto and iTunes laughed in our faces and remained camouflaged.

Apple couldn't help. Western Digital couldn't help (WD is the hardrive where most of our stuff is backed up). Things were looking bleak, and I was trying to work out ways to re-download and send back to myself all the photos I had put on my blog, on Facebook or had emailed to friends. I have thousands of photos of landscapes, flowers, sunsets - you know, all the stuff I bore you lot with. All my holiday photos were gone, all the kids stuff. I had a very sad face for a few days.

But a clever little recovery program called Disc Warrior saved the day and most of our stuff has been restored. Yay! But we are still missing all our Florida photos, several random photo and music albums, and probably some other stuff that we don't even know is lost.

Now I think we need to investigate other means of backups and/or copies - either here at home or perhaps remotely. How many times should you back up your back ups?! It's frightening how much money we have spent on music and film, and how many photos we are able to keep now in this digital age. I admit, however, that I also need to purge!

In other news, after spoiling us with Spring-like temperatures for the last four weeks (very un-Alberta), Mother Nature - or is that Old Man Winter? (yeah, let's blame the guy!) paid us back with interest.

A wee dumpette of snow last week? Ha, no problem.
Temperatures of -32ºC (-26ºF) this week? Hmm, me no likey. It's the dogs I feel bad for though. But with certain limits.

One sniff of the arctic air wafting past the fur on their nose is enough to thwart the enthusiasm of even the hardiest and best snow-loving woofer. Smudge (Mr Dainty Paws) offers a look of sheer disgust and contempt as I approach him to strap on dog booties. I've learned that anything colder than about -18ºC, and he can't hack it. Fair enough. So wear your bloody boots then. I don't care that they are red, with black stripes and look utterly ridiculous!

Honey in the meantime, does her impression of a splay-legged penguin. Waddling but with her legs apart as the weird sensation of wearing boots knocks all sense of rhythm and walking abilities straight out of her head.

But my God - by the time you've dressed the dogs in their boots, and then layered up yourself - found gloves, scarf and head lamp, done up the laces on your own boots, hunted down the poo bags and clipped on the dog leads - it takes more time to prepare than it does to offer them a toilet expedition of about 300yrds, before they both give up and pull me back to the house with that "Who's daft idea was this then - did you not see how cold it is out here Dumbo?" look on their faces. Without pausing to pee or poop I might add. Too cold to squat.

(Sunnier days, and no, I have no idea why I took this photo!)

So then they spend the next couple of hours alternating between sitting with their wet, snuffly noses on the glass of the back door and snuggling back down on the sofa in the front room.

First they practice their I'm-busting-for-a-pee look and they scratch to go out. Whereby Dumbo here gets up off the sofa and opens the door with a glare, the dogs take one more sniff of the outside, remember why they don't like it, and turn their back on the recently opened toilet door and wander back to sit in the other room.

Five minutes later, repeat. Like I said ..... aggravating.

Gonna be +3ºC (37ºF) by Saturday. T-shirt weather. And that's just the dogs.

SkyWatch Friday - December Sun

2011-12-29T22:41:00.000-08:00

I took this photo about three weeks ago - in anticipation of posting it for Christmas.

It is a fair representation of the usual

Christmas days in Alberta!

However, we are having a wonderfully welcome mild and snow-free "brown" Christmas week
and it feels more like March.

There is only a little residual snow on the sides of paths, and the grass is dry, brown and crunchy, with a smattering of white ice in the crevices and creases of the landscape.

The mountains are looking wonderful - there have been clear blue skies, warming chinooks and then icy breezes, and an occasional hint of heat from the sun.

And no-one is complaining!

The sun pours in through the Big Window for Nosy Dogs.

Mild temperatures have been running between

3ºC - 9ºC (37ºF - 48ºF) which is perfect for end-of-year

walks with Smudge & Honey.

Who seem to have lost the use of their limbs.

Ahh, Bliss - There is nothing better than a

self-medicated snowy back rub.

Happy SkyWatching

And Wishing You A Really Happy New Year.

SkyWatch Friday - Christmas Reds

2011-12-22T05:36:00.000-08:00

The chinook winds blew in again this week.

Sigh. So pretty.

Wishing everyone a very happy

SkyWatch Friday

- and peaceful Christmas weekend.

Our World Tuesday - December days

2011-12-20T14:30:00.000-08:00

A drive out to Banff (Banff National Park, Alberta) is about an hour and five minutes from my home town, and is usually a fantastic opportunity for bloggie photos.

My camera twitches in anticipation.

NOTE: The above two pictures were taken

in the summer months.

And now for the December shots.

The roads conditions during last week's drive to Banff were mostly OK, until we passed through the gates for the National Park - and then one definitely had to slow down and take care

- and yes, that line through the middle of the photo is my obligatory cracked windscreen - a essential rite of passage for all worthy Alberta vehicles!

The clouds were so very low. Socked in, as they say here. This picture was taken in Canmore. A smudge of vague blue to the left of that first peak hints of a beautiful sky just bursting to show through.

C'mon baby, you can do it!

Flurries of snow during the day kept floating around, not amounting to much, but sufficient to disguise voluminous mountains and transform them into a bump on the landscape.

The Three Sisters at Canmore became

the One Point Eight Sisters.

Banff Main Street was positively white.

And those clouds stayed low and smothering all day.

And then the Spirit of Christmas showed up.

As the sun set (what sun? No sign of the sun in these pictures), the street transformed into one of those little china

village scenes.

Have a wonderful Tuesday folks!

Christmas Caption Competition

2011-12-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

My World Tuesday - Where is everyone?

2011-12-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

Let's take the dogs for another walk

on this cool and grey December day in Alberta.

Soft white flakes carpet the paths again over the weekend, and the heavy clouds threaten to dump a little more snow.

The day has no colour.

There is not another soul around.

Maybe all sensible people are currently huddled in front of a roaring fire?

No-one new to play with. Best go and do some investigations then. The river remains unfrozen, but is far too chilly for a swim now.

But hey, look over there - yay, another dog.

Let's see who can race to him first.

And suddenly, they are coming out of the woodwork.

The off-leash park comes alive and there are canine friends everywhere you look.

Now this is more like it!!

See more Tuesdays from around the world here.

Scenic Sunday - And we're off

2011-12-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

Winter arrived properly last night.

Sideways snow storm.

Eight inches of the white stuff

is quite heavy to shift off the driveway.

I think my husband might need one of these for Christmas!

Happy Scenic Sunday.

Our World Tuesday - Fattening up

2011-11-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

I know it's officially wintery when the

Bohemian Waxwings come to visit.

I'm sure I blog about them every year,

but I love these little yellow-tipped birds.

They basically gorge themselves silly on the plump red berries of the mountain ash

outside my front door.

They will fly south soon.

They've been stalking the neighbourhood for a few days now.

And they are getting fatter by the minute!

Happy Tuesday!

Our World Tuesday - Chocolate delight

2011-11-14T11:18:00.000-08:00

Marvel at the skill - and take a long, slow sniff at this wee beauty. Absorb the rich aroma of layers of one of my favourite foods.

Chocolate sponge, filled with a lightly cinnemoned cream and wrapped in a hand-made cloak of yet more chocolate.

Cherries swimming in a chocolate lake, so awash with brandy, they have died and gone to heaven in a drunken stupour.

My "Our World Tuesday" comes to you with thanks to the SAIT students in the Highwood Dining Room - a living classroom for cookery students.

It's a good job that these courses exist to train and graduate such essential personnel into the workforce. I mean, EMT and Paramedic courses are all very well, but we are talking chocolate here - serious business indeed.

See more Our World Tuesday's from all over the world.

Christmas lights, already

2011-11-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

It was a balmy 10ºC on Friday, so we did what all normal people in Canada do on the 11th November - we put up our Christmas lights.

Last year, we left it too late - standing up a ladder on a frozen mid-December morning (read about -20º with windchill) - and trying to mess around with fiddly clips on the guttering, while wearing big gloves is no longer our idea of a fun morning out.

Much swearing ensued, much dropping of said fiddly clips into the snow on the drive, and the strings of lights were somewhat thrown at the mountain ash, rather than artistically placed for maximum effect. It got to the point that we didn't really give a damn about maximum effect - we were lucky to get any lights up at all. Throw, dump, and run back inside was our methodology.

So this year, we have got into the game extraordinarily early - but ha, so did half the neighbourhood it seems. And instead of feeling self-conscious about being premature, now I feel part of this chilly country's festive preparations.

And I've bought new stuff too, so I am excited to see it all come together. But we won't be switching them on yet. I'm still a bit bah-humbug about looking at Christmas lights for ten weeks - it dulls the anticipation!

So we've learned the hard way - and have been admittedly pretty slow to pick up the hints. This will be our fifth Christmas in Canada.

All we need to do now is leave the lights there 'till April and we will have assimilated beautifully.

Blogging gets sidelined...again

2011-11-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year blogging some nonsense about my world has become almost non-existent - and I'm missing out on lots of your own updates and lovely photos. I have, of course, many excuses I can offer, but none are very original. And to prove my state of mind right now, I can't even think of anything interesting to entertain and distract you from my boring excuses!

Family life continues at a fast pace. After-school activities and the requisite ferrying around takes up much energy. Homework for all - or should that read "cajoling" sessions?

Finally repainted the last basement room and Daughter Number One moved into her new purple palace - OK -aubergine, if we are being technical.

Have been back to my choral group on Tuesdays - fa la la la la'ing with a new repertoire of pretty toons for our Christmas concert. Supposed to be learning them by heart, but it's all going in one ear and out the other right now.

Life for a couple of friends has thrown some awful curveballs recently and we have tried to help out, cook meals, and generally rally round being upbeat and supportive.

"Back to School" for me on a Wednesday evening - a long, long day and my brain is about to shut down for the season. Grades are respectable however, which is a relief as I am currently feeling like a right old fart in a class of early-twenty somethings!

Work has been so busy busy - many staff changes, swapping of duties, and in a moment of weakness, I agreed to take on presenting the new staff orientations (gawd help 'em - the blind leading the blind).

Hubby has also changed the focus of his job and he is finally a happy chappie who does not have to contemplate working outdoor shifts during this winter - hurray. And he will do regular office hours - this is indeed a miracle!

Halloween and pumpkin-carving has been and gone, and I bought a new Christmas tree last week!

Life is a rush right now. Can you tell my brain is fried?

I need a week off and a spa weekend. Who's in?

The white stuff is returning

2011-11-07T19:27:00.000-08:00

We have been pretty lucky on the weather front

as we head into the first week of November.

There have been two attempts at snow,

neither of which amounted to much,

but the temperatures are now officially "cold" according to my pyjama-o-meter!

It's been dipping below -10ºC at night-time,

and we cannot expect much above 3ºC

for most of this week.

The mountains sure look pretty

with their new white coat though.

How is Your World Tuesday?

Guilty pleasures

2011-10-13T22:14:00.000-07:00

I have to confess something. I LOVE looking at show homes. Those poor sales reps can spot me a mile off - I might as well tattoo "just browsing, please ignore" across my forehead.

I don't want to buy one you understand. I don't need one. I just want to look, and touch, and coo appreciatively. Or pooh-pooh the whole design and layout, and critique the lack of space in the fourth bedroom.

I like to momentarily fantasize that I too could have a sparkly, clean and shiny home, encompassing my amazing design skills, colour co-ordination and the latest, greatest modern appliances and gadgets. And there would be nothing out of place in my dream life/home. My granite would sparkle, my towels would be fluffed and the toilet paper holder would refill itself. Yes, I really can be that shallow for about half an hour every other weekend.

But let's get real. That would be sooooo boring. My home is, er, homely. People actually live in it. These people leave their crap everywhere. The windows have dog-nose smears and small handprints on them that glow with such luminescence during these low-sun autumnal evenings. And no-one is capable of re-stocking the loo paper.

Look at this latest trend. A boot room. Isn't that a thing of beauty?

Yeah, right. Because we all own one pair of co-ordinating boots, a cute hat and one coat. Can you imagine this scene when you swap "design" for "reality". Chaos I tell you.

I laughed recently at a little cardboard notice in a show home. It said "Have you got HDD?" House Dissatisfaction Disorder!

So, no actually - I am not dissatisfied with my house really. I just like to be bloody nosy and see what trends are out there. I'd hate to think I was missing something.

SkyWatch Friday

2011-10-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

Taken a few weeks ago by my husband on his phone.

See, even he's got the SkyWatching bug now!

Fabulous moody and swirling clouds gathering over

Red Deer in Alberta.

Happy SkyWatching.

And now a story about a cat

2011-10-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago a local resident was walking in

North Glenmore Park in south west Calgary, when a cougar ran across the path in front of him.

When police arrived they found a young adult male cougar in a tree, near the Canoe Club.

On this occasion, I do not think the fire department would carry this kitty down.

Fish and Wildlife officers tranquilised him,

and he was allowed to fall to the ground

(at this point I am thinking "Er, crashmat guys?")

... where he was hauled off, checked over and

later released somewhere safe(r).

Apparently about 90% of reported sighting of cougars in residential areas turn out to be bobcats or foxes. It was thought this healthy male probably followed the deer tracks along the Elbow River corridor into the

Glenbow Reservoir Park in the city.

This fella weighed 140lbs, and while still an extremely rare event, shows how close we live to nature,

even in our city suburbs.

(Posted with an acknowledgement and thanks to CPS for the pictures)

Looking out for the dogs

2011-10-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hello - Smudge here, hope you folks are doing well. I'm still enjoying my riverside walks but it is getting too cold now to go swimming (unless I have to rescue my ball, in which case, needs must).

I'm writing today in response to a message we bloggers at Frostbite and Sunburn received. The Reluctant Dog Owner was a little saddened that one of our readers hinted that we dogs were perhaps not being looked after properly, and that we might require the services of a dog walker.

This relates back to some flippant comments made in a September blog about us doggies feeling lonely now that the Little People have gone back to school again and everyone leaves us alone during the day.

I can confirm, whole heartedly, that we are well looked after and very loved dogs. Misdemeanours of chewing sandals and cushions and peeing on the door mat were hinted at.

Apparently, in a bid to promote some entente cordiale, we dogs have to now publicly admit that we have some weird habits. No, I'm not sure how that works either, but anyway, it's obvious to even the casual observer that Honey is quite frankly an oddball. We all know she's cute but er, well, stupid. So it's confession time.

First off, Honey is obsessed with shoes. We think she has a footwear fetish and ought to seek some counselling. This mostly culminates in gathering shoes that our family leave lying around (and believe me, they leave a lot of shoes lying around), and then placing them right beside her nose as she dozes. She even sleeps with her face fully submerged in one of The Boss's old slippers. I know! Where there's no scents, there is no feeling.

Me - I have a penchant for licking the corner of cushions. Day or night, in company or alone, there is something quite lovely about sucking on the blue cushion in the bedroom and that brown cushion in the lounge. Yes, I am smart, good-looking and intelligent, and no, I don't know why I like cushion corners. I've done it since I was a puppy.

As for peeing on door mats - that definitely wasn't me. I have a bladder with amazing storage capabilities. Honey may or may not (I can neither confirm nor deny rumours) have had a little piddle the other week. The Little People decided to go to some friends after school and they forgot about us and our need for fresh air and toilet facilities.

(Hey, shhhh, what's that strange creature over there?)

So, to put minds at rest and assure our Anonymous and concerned reader, we are well-walked, well-toileted and well-catered for - and mostly well-behaved. We are not destructive bored doggies, though we are obsessed with barking at any person, truck or leaf that passes by the Window for Nosy Dogs.

In fact, the Reluctant Dog Owner thinks we get more consideration than anyone else in the house.

And quite right too, says I.

SkyWatch Friday - Distracted

2011-10-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

Like many other jurisdictions, Alberta has recently introduced a distracted driving law. It is primarily aimed at people using mobile phones while they are driving, but the detail includes a few other examples too, like programming your GPS or trying to text.

But what about the sun-rises out here?

They can be pretty damn distracting too.

Thank goodness no-one can legislate against these.

And as for the person who took the photographs?

Not guilty m'lud.

Four days. Four distractions.

Happy SkyWatching!

September, and money - both gone!

2011-10-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

September - Week One - with rapidly fading memories of lazy summer days, and a mad, final dash around Staples, I am $200 poorer. This sets the scene for the whole month.

We buy out half the store so that the girls can haul enormous and overweight backpacks to school, and then fret over the colour of the locker they will be allocated. Sorry Sir, purple just isn't working for me this year. And as the innumerate parent, I don't even know what all the symbols of the fancy new calculator mean.

$270 on school bus passes. And more dollars on new clothes.

It is exciting to return to school, meet up with old friends and show off sparkly new t-shirts. Normality and routine will return. Allegedly.

Classy photo above, eh? What do you mean, you have no idea what it is .... The Josh Groban concert was fabulous. What a lovely guy - amusing, self-deprecating and a bit of a good voice too. Happy 18th wedding anniversary to us.

Week Two - Children go back to school, and herein begins the daily madness of packed lunches, signing an abundance of school forms, writing random cheques for I don't know what, and washing the 'right' pair of jeans for tomorrow. God forbid one would have to wear the wrong pair of jeans.

Actually, let me backtrack slightly. Waking children and attempting to dig them from their pits at 7am is a feat in itself. Not attractive, that's all I'm saying. But they have not missed the bus so far, so that is a mammoth achievement.

Oh, and mum, I need new shoes too. It transpires that Daughter Number One has spent the last three months in one pair of flip flops and I hadn't noticed that she really had no other footwear that actually fits her. Mmm, gonna need to sort that out before the first (shhhhh, say it really quietly now) snow falls.

Spectacular September sun-rises grace me on my journey to work, and all is calm for at least 30 minutes of commuting each day.

Week Two continued - the Weekend - more money. The dance shop. Holy Moly. $340 later, and my two offspring are suitably kitted out in new leotards, miscelleneous dance shoes and other random but essential items. What is it with kids anyway? Why do they have to keep growing?

In the meantime, ballet shoes have to be ordered in especially. Apparently there is not much call for girls dance shoes in a size 11. Maybe we should go to Mountain Equipment Co-Op and buy some canoes instead!

That's in addition to the regular Dance Fees, which would bankrupt a small nation. Just Say No.

I spend two days in my garden - sorting, clearing, tidying and planting some spare perennials that a lovely guy from work donated to a good cause, ie, me! Very exciting. OK, exciting for me - not so much for anyone else.

Week Two continues. Dad goes on a course for work, I return to choir and realises just how unfit my lungs really are. I also commence a new college class because it seemed like a good idea at the time, and need to spend $140 on one text book. All this somehow fits around taxi-ing children (ours and other peoples) back and forth to classes.

The dogs go into a sulk. Why are we being left alone in this house all day by ourselves? I think we'll chew some sandals, this new cushion, and then we will just pee on the door mat in protest. Hummmmph. (or Woooofph).

Week Three - hurray - children have managed two whole weeks, and Daughter Number One has not broken a bone, twisted or pulled anything and is still upright and in one piece. This is indeed a miracle. Both children return to dance classes and are walking like John Wayne as the muscles in their bodies go into shock and spasm. But we have new dance teachers this year who are both "cool" and "terrifying" at the same time.

Ah ha but wait. Week Three, part deux.

The annual and inevitable ritual called "The-swapping-of-bugs-and-germs" has commenced.

I hereby re-name the last week of September as Sick Week.

Teachers get an early moment of relief because half the class calls in sick as some mutating, viral thingy circulates through the whole school, wiping out 50% of children for at least a couple of days.

And I hereby also declare that all employers should just give parents an extra week off at the end of September to attend to fevered brows, snotty noses and dirty toilet bowls (sorry - is that too much information?). It would make processing annual leave so much simpler. Let's just say this week has been stressful.

Week four - Repeat, with extra germs.

At least the weather has been kind, with continuing warm sunny days, beautiful skies when you have no camera to hand, and the bonus of no mosquitoes.

And suddenly it is October, and I'm exhausted. And skint. How are you?!

SkyWatch Friday - Clear blues

2011-09-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

A Labour Day weekend trip to Kimberley in British Columbia finished off the summer break

with a few days of welcome recreation.

Clear lakes in the Kootenays become a playground.

Washed up or washed out?

A spectacular lakeside tree root.

And such clear skies - not a puff of cloud

to be found anywhere.

Uninhabited sunshine-and-shade walking trails around the Kimberley Nordic Club cross-country ski routes.

Hidden wasps nests ...

And worthwhile views across the hazy skies

to the mountains opposite.

Mmmmmmmmm.

Happy SkyWatching!

And my apologies for not getting onto and commenting on many of your blogs this week - as you can see, I was distracted!!

SkyWatch Friday - August closing

2011-08-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

There is a perceptible shortening of the days

as we head into September,

so it is lovely to actually be awake to witness the sun rising.

A couple of very different gifts this week.

Happy SkyWatching folks.

The Discovery of Witches

2011-08-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

I am no accomplished book reviewer, but here's a blatent plug for my latest read.

I really enjoyed this. And it's part of a (yet to be finished) trilogy - and would make a sumptuous film. I can't wait for the author, Deborah Harkness, to hurry up and get Part Two published.

If I say there is a hint of Twilight - but without simpering, angst-ridden teenagers (I never could work out why Edward fell in love with the humourless Bella) - would that put you off? But if you were to throw in some good-quality mystery and modern-day romance with a twist, fighting and flying, killing and kissing - you are halfway to understanding the essence of this book. All the characters are either witches, vampires, daemons or wizzards. (There is the odd human thrown in for good measure - and it makes me wonder where I would fit. You know, it's not a totally proven fact that I am human you know).

Mystery and intrigue, action and world travel, magic and lurve. C'mon - what more do you need? Enjoy.

SkyWatch Friday - a short storm

2011-08-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

A six-minute hail storm erupted this evening.

The size of peas on steroids perhaps.

Just long enough to start trashing the baskets and pots.

Just long enough to add a crunchy topping to tables,

and to provide a slushy for dogs to lick off the deck.

Just short enough that moody black clouds move on quickly and the sun bursts through again moments later.

Just short enough to provide an icy jumping beans game on a trampoline.

Fifteen minutes later, what hail storm?

Woah - weird cotton-wool cloud formations left in its wake.

Happy Sky Watching.

Wash your mouth out ....

2011-08-16T17:07:00.000-07:00

Three different people today have used the "F" word.

I speak, of course, about "frost". Have they no heart?

It became a little chilly last night, and apparently the F-word appeared on the outskirts of town.

La la la la la.

It's been a gorgeous sunny 21 degrees C today and I am in no way contemplating using the F word.

Well, not this week anyway.

This is My World. See more worlds here.

Have a great week. Free of the F word anyway.

RIP: Klaus Peter - 1960 to 2011: Founder of MyWorld Tuesday.
Thank you Klaus.

SkyWatch Friday - Alberta morn

2011-08-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

An early morning Sunday drive highlights the summer beauty of the southern Alberta foothills.

As the Rockies give way to the Prairies, farms and farmland rule the landscape.

I post these photos for your interest, to show you my world - but selfishly too, as a reminder how gorgeous this place can be. Mid-winter it can quickly lose it's charm and spectre in brutal temperatures, and grasses in ten shades of brown that convince you death has won, and nothing will ever be resurrected again.

But of course, the seasons bring about the thrill each May when the colour and new growth re-appear.

I admit to believing this land was pretty boring and barren when I first arrived. No large trees, no hedges, no thatched cottages. All I was used to from growing up in England.

Time has healed my first impressions.

Now, I relish the open landscapes and skies, and greedily breath in great lungfuls of space.

Happy SkyWatch Friday folks.

2011-08-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

Reading about all the shameful behaviour in the UK right now regarding riots and looting, this photo made me smile today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixel-eight/6024429000/

I love the use of the riot shield as a tea-tray! Brits, eh?!

Only a multi-million selling artist

2011-08-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

About 18 months ago, I was flicking through the television channels, desperately looking for some inspriration and distraction. Not much doing, I have to say.

Then I clicked onto one channel and there was this guy singing this song.

At that time, I had never heard of Josh Groban before - but you know when you sometimes hear music and it just clicks for you?

His voice - while singing live - was just astounding.

A quick search on Google and it turns out he's a little bit famous afterall. Where had he been hiding?

Josh Groban is coming to Calgary in September - and I have tickets - and I'm just a little bit excited.

Funny how much my tastes have mellowed from my late teens/early 20's - where seeing The Clash at Brixton Academy in London for four nights in one week was my distraction of choice back then!

Maybe I am growing up after all. But only a little bit.

Hummingbird

2011-08-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

I saw my first hummingbird today. Many bloggers across Canada frequently catch great shots of these speedy little birds but I had never noticed one in Alberta before.

A little wing maintenance

Sitting still for a nano-second, but still blurry

And a wings-a-buzzing bum shot

Flippin' hard to photograph!!

SkyWatch Friday - Pink or red?

2011-07-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

Great colours and formations this week.

This first picture taken with a regular "au naturel"

setting on the camera.

Second picture using the "sunset" setting

which certainly adds to the depth of colour.

I like both, but the first looks more authentic to me. If someone had painted that second one, you'd be tempted to say the paintbrush had run away from them!

Have a wonderful SkyWatch Friday.

Dust to dust ...

2011-07-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

We bought a new fridge.

This meant moving the old fridge.

Which had never been pulled out in the four years we have lived here.

I have just killed off an entire eco-system.

I do hereby declare I am a slob.

Oops!

How does your garden grow?

2011-07-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

The term "garden" translates slightly differently on either side of the Atlantic. In the UK, your garden is the whole patch of land that comes with your home - large or small, grand or paved - the whole area is called your garden.

In North America, this would be called your "yard" - and the term "garden" is used more to describe the actual flower beds or vegetable patch where you physically grow stuff. What do your call your outside space in your part of the world?

So, when I first moved to Canada I would tell colleagues I had spent the whole weekend in the garden. I got slightly quizzical looks as they were probably imagining me standing forlorn in the middle of my poppies, or soaking up the sun among the carrots. But to me I was spending time in my yard - gardening!

Regardless of the terminology, I do like to try and grow stuff. Not always successfully. I try to make my "yard" look pretty. My British assumptions and ambition are repeatedly thwarted by the shorter growing season and the Alberta winters - but I'm learning!

I was sad that my favourite Globe Thistles (echinops)

have not re-surfaced this year.

However, my lasagne gardening did finally work - it only took 18 months, instead of the usual 6 ! So this has resulted in more space to plant new stuff - and spend more money of course. Everything is small and new but in a couple of seasons (if it all survives!), these will have filled out nicely.

To finish up this exisiting flower bed, I've put in soft silver Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina), interspersed with spikey blues of the Sea Holly (Eryngium). And some pinky-blue Columbines (Aquilegias to me). At the back, to give some height, will be some tall blues of Monkshood (Aconitum). And then I've just thrown in some blue pansies this year to give it some instant interest.

So 4 years ago, we owned this barren patch of grass:

And now we own this shapely little number:

A dog run, a home for the trampoline, a path out to the back park area, and a still-terrible lawn (mostly because I refuse to irrigate it) - but it is taking shape and looking better. Well, I think so anyway!

I love these three trees that were hurredly shoved in the ground in September 2009, with a little prayer that the snow would stay away for a few more weeks - which it did. They are simple, and fairly commonly grown here - Caragana "Sutherland" - I love the vase shape and the bronzey green bark.

We've given Daughter Number Two a patch to play with - and she chose (what I think are slightly old-fashioned plants) Gladioli and Dahlias - and some ever-popular pansies - plus an obligatory plastic dragonfly to brighten things up!

Things that do grow remarkably well in this area are poppies, day lillies, iris', russian sage, potentilla, heuchera, and some geraniums.
Coneflowers, columbine and thrift survive well - but my lupins and astilbes all gave up and died rapidly.

Oh, and of course, the conifers and pines love it here!

So - how does your garden grow?

Scenic Sunday - Nose Hill Park, Calgary

2011-07-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

Come for a stroll with me around Nose Hill Park - a large chunk of natural environment situated in the north west of Calgary, Alberta - it is apparently one of the largest municipal parks in North America and is approximate 3 miles (4.8km) north to south, and about 2.5 miles (4km) east to west.

It has hundreds of walking trails, some purpose-built with asphalt, and some just worn away by many feet, but not always of the human variety!

An hour or two up here offers a city dweller a welcome feeling of space and fresh air in amongst the city limits and lies in the midst of blocks and blocks of timber and rooftile suburbia. The lay of the land rises up some 300 feet, and the grassy hills are a notable feature of this quadrant of the city.

And it's worth a walk to the top -

you can see across the city from up here.

(The above photo courtesy of Kevin Cappis via wikipedia.)

In the first week of July, wild flowers abound.

I took the dogs for a walk here on a thankfully cool and slightly wind-swept visit this week

(we've been mostly cooking with temps in the high 20's and early 30's - I'm not complaining though).

It's rough and wild, and natural and colourful right now.

Many people bring their dogs up here for walking.

But take great care.

The parkland is notorious for coyote attacks.

Every year there are reports of pet dogs being tempted into the tall grasses by the crafty coyotes, and there are several fatalities. The coyotes are hungry and merciless.

This hand-made warning poster this week states the owner's dog made it through his ordeal, after extensive surgery.

Yikes! A wake up call.

So have a wonderful Scenic Sunday,

and if you are in Calgary soon, take a morning out of your schedule to come and have a wander.

Week One of the School Holidays (9 to go!)

2011-07-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

I have been in a bit of a blogging funk the past few weeks - life has been very busy. Family came to stay from the UK which was great (and so very fattening), the last few home renovation and DIY projects were completed, and exhausted children and parents were praying for that last day of school, and now we've moved full swing into what-to-do-with-the-kids-in-the-summer mode.

'Cos they love each other so much!

Kids camps to the rescue!

My girls are booked into a few camps each this year - the variety can be overwhelming and costs can be eye-watering - but as working parents, we reach the usual compromise of camps, playdates, mum and dad booking alternate dates off from work, and then a few days of making it up as you go along. A good fall-back is to have plenty of flour, sugar and chocolate chips in the kitchen cupboards!

So far, Daughter Number Two has spent a week learning how to make soap, lip gloss, and some disgusting smelly gloop that is supposed to revitalise your hair - one whiff of that, and I'm not convinced. Key ingredients were vinegar and kelp - just let your imagination loose with that one. Poo-ey!

Next week, both girls go to the "best idea ever mum" and attend a Shakespeare vs Glee camp at Calgary Young People's Theatre. Who knew Juliet could sing Bohemiam Rhapsody with such verve? Thou art more lovely than a Scaramouche, Scaramouche, can thou do the Fandango.

Later in July comes a one-week camp away from home with a friend (think mum's gonna like that week the best) and then in August, there will be a dance camp to shock their lazy limbs and muscles back into fitness mode.

Speaking of dance, one of this house's tv favourites - So You Think You Can Dance - has returned to our screen - but some wise production companies have decided to run the American series and the Canadian series at the same time. When, pray tell, am I supposed to get a look in, on my own television?! With the two dance shows, then the results shows - that's four evenings taken care of. Hummmph!

(Pssstt, if you have the vaguest clue or interest in what I'm talking about,

I'm rooting for Melanie Moore - simply stunning on the stage)

The latest home renos include new carpet (finally) on the stairs and the three bedrooms, and I think I've reverted to the 1970's because shag is back in. Well, just a short shag (Brit readers, stop sniggering). And here's one tip for you. When the carpet fitting company offer to pull up your old carpet for a few extra dollars, take them up on it!

OMG - what a hard, dusty and disgusting job that was - especially the stairs - and then you spend hours pulling out hundreds of bloody staples. Then you have to load up your own vehicle - twice, just to take it all to the tip. So just pay the man, OK? Anyway, it all looks and feels fab underfoot - and not a tea-stain, paint stain or puppy-pee stain in sight!

And last but not least on this mini-update, two quick bathroom renos have now been completed too,

and I need to collapse with a very large glass of the chilled stuff. I mean - there are still nine weeks of school break to contemplate here!

SkyWatch Friday - Dodging the rain

2011-06-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a real sunshine-and-showers week.

We have listened to rumbles of thunder and watched the lightning in the distance. And have mostly, somehow, managed to stay one step ahead of the wet stuff.

Loving this angular cloud.

Happy SkyWatch Friday folks.

Click here to see some more wonderful skies

from around the world.

Pay attention to your surroundings!

2011-06-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

This is posted near Moraine Lake

(Banff National Park), Alberta.

I had never seen this particular sign before

- but if I wanted company on my hike,

this "cute" fella wouldn't be my first choice!

So - to calm your nerves,

here are some pretty scenery pictures instead.

I've posted about Moraine Lake before,

but it's such a lovely drive. We have family visiting from the UK, so this is an obligatory day out.

Castle Mountain, as seen from Highway 1.

And this little tree made me laugh

- gotta love it's determination for choosing this slab of rock upon which to place its faith for life.

It seems to be doing remarkably well!

Old dogs and new tricks

2011-06-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

School in the morning. Pay attention to the lessons now.

Lie down nicely - OK, this isn't so hard.

Then off to the hairdressers.

Woah - cropped!

Anyone else think it's a bit chilly in here?

Back to school in the afternoon.

Pay attention - remember what he taught us earlier?

Such good behaviour deserves a tummy tickle.

All this hard work is quite exhausting.

School and beauty parlours are very tiring.

Time for an afternoon nap.

My World Tuesday - Downtown Calgary

2011-06-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Downtown Calgary can appear a very glossy, glassy affair.

Calgary Tower looking east along 9th Ave.

On the bright sunny days, reflections bounce around...

and the sky rebounds back to you in high-rise images.

A few older, more traditional buildings still exist from the early 1900's - and have held their ground as the diggers and cranes created glass towers around them

The old fire hall - now still in use as office space.

The true downtown area is fairly small - only a few blocks squared.

By early evening and especially at weekends, the business core of this oil and gas city can appear deserted.

One thing I do love here is the many sculptures, art and statues positioned around what can sometimes be a sterile environment.

A collection of funky wind veins.

A strong naked man - in broad daylight no less.

CP Rail history along 9th Ave.

There are little surprises of super modern architecture

and pockets of culture and fun dotted around.

The casual and light-hearted ambience of this city in the summer, versus the frigid, gritty greys of winter

is dramatically different.

I'm kinda lovin' it right now

Come visit My World in Calgary in July or August!

Dances with Humans - A "Ruff" week

2011-06-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

Hello there, it's Smudge here and it's been a ruff week for me. I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself.

I'll come back and explain those sexy little socks (yellow bandages) in a moment. So first off, I had my annual barber shop visit for a professional hair cut. I don't mind the wash and blow dry bit - it's those clippers I'm not impressed with. Once again, the shave was a tad too close and all week, I've been twitching like I've got fleas (which I haven't) and been licking my itchy bits! The Reluctant Dog Owner has finally agreed that I don't have to go to that parlour again.

Then on Friday, The Boss whisked me off to the vets where they shaved my front paw and inserted a sleepy drug and next thing I know, I come round, feeling all groggy - and a bit drunk really.

This photo has been unapologetically uploaded for the sympathy vote - some oohs and aah's please.

I've had some claws removed because they were continually annoying me, growing all curly, and The Reluctant Dog Owner couldn't get the nail clippers in around them to trim them for me. So after a few years of trying to make this work, they decided to cut them off. Bit drastic if you ask me - but they didn't ask me, so....

I'm OK now of course - I have bravely and valiantly battled on through the pain and the embarrassing ritual of having Ziploc bags tied over my feet (man, they are slippy to try and walk in), and I've been a bit bored too. No ball chasing, no river-dunking, no bird-harrassing...

... the shame of it, I've had to wear that ridiculous cone on my head. Again. And Honey has been no help whatsoever.

It was a double dose of hell - not only could I not get at those bandages and start nibbling, but I couldn't lick my itchy bits either. What's a dog to do?

I've milked this for all it's worth of course, and have been pampered with so many cuddles and ear-tickles - it's almost been worth it.

SkyWatch Friday - Spring skies

2011-06-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

A mixed bag of weather this past week. But fab big skies.

Three days of non-stop saturating rain, followed by a few days of clear blues and welcome sunshine.

And what a difference a month makes to the greenery.

You know I am happy when the landscape changes to this!

And two hours after a spectacular thunderstorm, the skies open up again and the clouds pass by the mountains and head east.

Have a very happy SkyWatch Friday.

What to do

2011-05-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

The end of the world didn't happen this evening, like it was supposed to. Well, that's buggered up my weekend.

I'd better take some chicken out of the freezer after all, and I suppose I have to tidy up the basement now, in readiness for visitors. Damn, thought I had got out of housey work this weekend.

Typical - you can't rely on anything these days.

Mind you, 2012 is when it's going to happen. True.

Scenic Sunday - Big Weather

2011-05-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

I completed several journeys last weekend back and forth to Banff, which is about an hour and a quarter from my hometown - it's a horrible, boring journey - not much to see!

The Spring weather was fabulously diverse - half-hour downfalls of wet snowflakes the size of Toonies

(large two dollar coins), which had all melted and disappeared an hour later.

Brilliant sunshine and snow on the peaks, with rolling shadows.

Sunshine and rain.

Proper rain moving in.

A huge mix, in a huge landscape.

T'was a gorgeous Scenic Sunday.

Have a good one yourself.

Boys who dance

2011-05-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I took my girls to their final dance competition of this year. I sat through dozens of routines, cheered and waved appropriately and then the exhausted mother and daughters headed home, proudly carrying their various awards. And without pointing one toe, I felt I had earned them too.

A happy and successful weekend all round, all bar the twenty minutes that Daughter Number Two went into nervous-tummy-melt-down mode (don't cry dear, you'll ruin your mascara). I was the picture of serenity - a calm and soothing mother, who shuffled her be-smudged child to one side, talked to her while licking a cotton-bud - then gently pushed her forward into the group of sparkly purple-clad dancers, telling her she should at least try and do the routine. She was, of course, absolutely great. By this time, I had been reduced to a nervous-tummy, nail-biting wreck on the sidelines.

I witnessed literally hundreds and hundreds of girls shake, wiggle and smile for the adjudicators. And only about 9 boys.

Dancing is not cool for boys. It's "gay" - said with such derision by the hockey and football jocks. I hugely admire any young lad who maintains his dance classes after about the age of 8. Figure skating is the same. It's the occasional need to wear sparkly buttons - that's the killer for guys, isn't it? But really, who didn't enjoy Billy Elliot?

Brandon Bryant (SYTYCD (USA) Series 5)

But dancing IS sooooo cool. Like, seriously, cool. A guy who can dance will have any other guy or girl entranced. He is buff and strong, he is very co-ordinated and talented, and he would put most athletes' fitness levels to shame. He is sexy!

So my question is, where do guys learn to dance, because it does not seem to be in the traditional dance studios up and down the country? Our own dance school has one serious teenage male dancer, two younger 10-year old boys who do a variety of classes, and then a smaller group who only turn up once a week for Hip Hop classes (because that is just about cool enough to fend off bullies at school perhaps). Alberta is still way more conservative than a more multi-cultural and diverse city and perhaps I'm getting an unbalanced view? Are city-centre dance school over-run with boys learning to dance?

(I won't add the direct YouTube link to my blog 'cos it takes too long to load,

but if you've got a few minutes to spare, click here!

Just remember that Alex Wong is a classically trained ballet dancer.)

And yet when programmes on the TV ask for dancers to audition (So You Think You Can Dance, for example, or [insert country]'s Got Talent, Pop Idol, X-Factor), or even the hugely popular High School Musical movies, there are thousands of young male dancer wannabes. Where did they learn to dance? "John has been dancing since he was 9 years old". Where?? In his bedroom watching a video? Actually, yes. Real talent goes unspotted and wasted.

Many of the reasons behind lack of visible numbers is down to parents. Some mums, but more especially the dads are not so open to their son dancing as they thought they might be. When push comes to shove, c'mon buddy - hockey/soccer is the one for you.

So the stereotype in fact becomes true, and those that stick it out - well a large proportion happen to be gay anyway. But then they have to hide that!? My request to all dance producers is to keep plugging away, keep the diversity of dance coming and let the fee-paying audiences show you they want to watch ALL dancers.

C'mon guys, shake that booty and show us your stuff. Please!

Blogger Problems?

2011-05-13T10:52:00.001-07:00

My SkyWatch Friday post seems to have disappeared.

I will try to resurrect it later.

EDIT: and even more weird - my link to SkyWatch Friday has also disappeared. And I know it was published because I had received comments.

Hey Blogger - what's goin on?!

EDIT NUMBER 2: The SkyWatch post has re-appeared - good stuff!

SkyWatch Friday - Dusky skies

2011-05-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Whilst filling up the car up the other evening - with the choking fumes of petrol in my nostrils - Mother Nature bid me goodnight...

To see more skies from around the world, please visit SkyWatch Friday.

My World Tuesday - Dare to plant it

2011-05-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

Time to splash some cash at the garden centre

and be brave, with regards to our weather.

I am now finally convinced that Spring is officially here, and there's nothing anyone can do about it!

My World Tuesday

Noisiest Cat

2011-05-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

My favourite Friday headline, seen here on the BBC website:

Guinness World Records announced Smokey, 12, who is a British short-hair cat, achieved the loudest purr by a domestic cat, peaking at 67.7 dB.

He can purr as loud as a vacuum cleaner apparently!

And my favourite:

Guinness World Records is a veritable catalogue of fantastic felines, and Smokey is a welcome addition to the family.

Way to go Smokey! Puuuurrrrrrrr.

Anyone else think he looks like a cat that would kick ass anyway? He's a No-messing kind of moggie. He was going to get that award, come hell or high water.

That's a Paddington Hard Stare if ever I saw one!

(And for those of you not familiar with Paddington Bear, he was a famous story-book bear, with a fearsome stare when he disapproved of something or someone!)

Animal Magic

2011-05-05T18:48:00.000-07:00

While we were out in the back end of beyond at the weekend (visiting our "rural" friends as I like to call them),

I spied a big tall lump on top of a fence post.

As I focussed better, the big tall lump grew feathers

and then swivelled it's enormous head

and peered at me with stunning yellow eyes.

My handy wildlife-for-amateurs book tells me this is a

Great Grey Owl. Isn't he gorgeous?

And he was huge, probably about 30 inches high.

Can you see anything in this picture? We were also lucky enough to hear a couple of these fellas whooping and hollering through the woodland - they sounded like monkeys. Well, they sounded like monkeys before they hit their stride with a traditional knock-on-wood session.

These are Pileated Woodpeckers, I believe.

And of course, spring time in the country has to involve pictures of a cute calf or three.

(Hasn't this wee fella (the brown and white one) got great markings on his face?)

And since we last visited, ten new chickens have arrived.

So soft. No shortage of eggs here soon. As long as the bears don't get them again!

Another fun day out in the wilds of Alberta.

Spot the Difference

2011-05-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

This is what I like ...

And this is what I've got...

OK - let's play again.

This is what I like...

And this is what we've got...

Worked it out yet?

Yes, ladies and gentlemen - "Green" is M.I.A.

When I lived in the UK, January and February were the longggggeeesttt months.

We've all got those, wherever we live in the world, I am sure.

Mine was the I'm-skint-and-need-a-holiday-and-some-flowers-and-where-is the-bloody-sun kinda feeling.

Now I live in Alberta, I have lots more sunshine - but I still get moments of

I-need-COLOUR.

But it's happening, slowly.

Reporting live from just outside Calgary, I can confirm the recent sighting of not one, but several blades of green grass - it's finally happening folks - god, it's so exciting!

And my tulips have re-surfaced again - carefully sticking their little noses out of the soil - and not seeing any snow for at least four days now, they are going for it! Yay - c'mon my brave little soldiers!

I am CRAVING a riot of colour.

SkyWatch Friday - Goodnight sun

2011-04-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

Beautiful evenings this week. Beautiful skies.

Have a lovely weekend, and happy SkyWatching.

To see more skies from around the world, click here.

That Wedding ...

2011-04-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

Every news channel, newspaper and magazine is currently dedicated to a little wedding occurring in Old London Town on Friday.

The frenzied Republicans are having a field day denouncing the whole thing. The loony Royalists are showing off their collections of tat to anyone who will listen. The news channels will be smothered in "and-reporting-live-from-Buckingham Palace" accounts of every glance of eyelash, satin shoe, horse-drawn carriage or over-dressed celebrity.

I have no strong opinions for or against the Family, but my day-off coincides with the wedding - so I shall set my PVR to start recording at 4am and I will wander downstairs at a more civilized hour, and then raise a toast to the happy couple with my morning cuppa - and I truly wish them well. They are going to need it.

I can then fast-forward through all the adverts to the best bits - which for me will be the location.

(With thanks to the English Heritage website for this photo)

From afar, I shall look forward to aerial shots of Londonengland and cast a wistful eye over the majesty of the 1000-year old Westminster Abbey, the backdrop of a lively and colourful city with some stunning architecture - and sit smiling at all the thousands of mad, joyful people getting ready for a right Royal knees-up.

All the naysayers can bugger off just for one day while I wave my metaphorical flag.

My World Tuesday - Dogs and Puddles

2011-04-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

When the snow melts, large puddles appear.

Reflections of fences in the still and still-freezing water.

Honey's eyes light up with sheer delight.

Time to go for a quick dip. The muddier, the better.

Smudge calls out to his mates

- let's play fetch ... right over here.

And after a ball-chasing run-around session,

all sensible dogs should dip their toes...

and grab a quick drink.

See what you humans are missing?

My World Tuesday

See what everyone else is up to.

Harry Potter Skies

2011-04-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

In June 2010, Harry Potter decided to up-sticks from the cupboard under the stairs,

and took up residence in Orlando, Florida.

The Islands of Adventure (Universal) Theme Park has dedicated a large corner to Harry's world - and very well done it is too.
Charmingly designed, but packed with tourists.

It's a real "don your elbow pads" kind of day.

Under stunningly clear and warm blue skies with temperatures in the mid 80's, Harry's world of faux-snow peaked roofs are wonky and stylish.

I could do with some faux-snow here too
- none of that real stuff for me!

Happy Sky Watch Friday - and watch out for those Muggles.

Repetitive Snow Syndrome?

2011-04-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, the Scenic Sunday meme - lovely.

A weekly opportunity to post

some colourful and inspiring photos.

Er - no!

Snow. Again. Did you check the calendar? It's Mid-April.

Ok, so maybe not so unusual, but it's boring I tell ya!

I am wearing the face of a very unamused woman right now.

It's no good, I'm sorry - go click on another blog for your

Scenic colour and inspiration - hee hee.

SkyWatch Friday - Wintery evenings

2011-04-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

Despite it's best efforts at Spring,

Alberta is not quite there yet

- as another dump of snow last night testifies!

However, this week the occasional blues have been welcome, and hint of some warmth yet to materialize.

and the cloudy sunsets have been pretty.

Happy SkyWatch Friday.

Welcome blasts of colour

2011-04-09T17:44:00.000-07:00

(Photos from Florida again, sorry!) :

Most people probably don't pay much attention to the epic scale of the landscaping in the all the Disney parks, etc, when they trawl around acres of entertainment,

from rollercoaster to ice-cream to water slide.

Me? Well, I was entranced.

Colour, and style, and use of shape and foliage - heaven!

Epcot had got in on the action, with a flower festival.

For those who like some frivolous fun with flowers and plants, scroll on ....

Lady and the Tramp.

Snow White and a few of the dwarves.

Sleeping Beauty

All good fun.

Scenic Sunday - We are melting

2011-04-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I showed you some pictures of the frozen Bow River.

The seemingly never-ending winter had taken it's toll,

and for the first time in many a year, it had become ice-packed with overlapping layers, causing an ice-jam

and a few anxious headaches for the locals.

We are now in early April and all is well.

The river has been melting and flowing fast, but you can still see great walls of ice at the riverside which continue to break off in huge chunks.

Some of them are still five and six foot thick.

If you look really carefully across the sparkling water, two geese have come for a quick wash and brush up, and a honking session.

Now, I just long for the return of green, grassy banks, wild flowers to bloom again and some fluttering butterflies to complete the scene.

Have a super Scenic weekend.

12 Facts about Florida

2011-04-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

This is a serious post and at no point are there any sweeping generalizations, glib observations or flippant comments. Maybe. If you are researching a trip to Florida, I'm your woman. Search no more. Here are 12 Facts about an Orlando-based holiday, told from a slightly winter-stir-crazy Albertan point of view.

FACT: Florida is always gorgeous and warm and sunny and everyone is always happy happy happy because of this.

FACT: It never rains in Florida.
Except for when they have terrific thunder storms and tornado warnings - and lightening shows that would rival any Disney fireworks display - with accompanying torrential 14-hour downpours, almost enough to set sail in your Arc. The storms were large scale and slightly showy-offy to be honest. But apart from that, it never rains.

FACT: Long trousers are surplus to requirements.
This is obviously because, as previously mentioned, it is always gorgeous and warm and sunny and it never rains. Shorts are the suit de jour. Toes breathe a sigh of relief in their flip-flops and shoulders and cleavage blush (or is that burn?) in strappy tops. Ahhhh.

FACT: Florida is full of new and shiny cars. There is no dirt, or rain, or snow or grit.
That every other vehicle on the road has been rented from Orlando Airport and no cars are over 12 months old may have something to do with this observation, but I prefer to view everyone as a proud and happy, shiny-vehicle owner.

FACT: Florida highways eat tyres.
The beautifully smooth and pothole-less highways are littered with shredded rubber. What are these guys doing? I have never seen so many broken down and punctured cars sitting sadly at the side of the road. I deduce it is the heat. Or someone has been secretly firing nail guns from the sidelines.

FACT: Swimming pools are essential to life.

FACT: Florida is full of people from somewhere else.
No-one is actually born in Florida. Ever.

The only creatures born in Florida are dolphins and killer whales who are "successfully" bred in captivity. This creates enormous conflict in your author, who appreciates the educational efforts to enhance learning about them, but is overwhelmed by the slick commerciality of keeping these gorgeous creatures performing for their supper. It brought tears to my eyes.

FACT: Orlando is the land of make-believe.
And shopping.
And giant 6-foot Mice and Princesses. And even Harry Potter has moved here now.
Reality is just a figment of your imagination.

FACT: Disney put glitter in the tarmac on the I-4.
Truly, that road really sparkles. This may be something to do with the composition of the heat-resistant black top or it could just be another sparkly Disney take-over bid.

FACT: You can grow absolutely any plant or tree you want in Florida.
It is green and lush and palm trees grow like weeds. For a green-fingered and garden-loving displaced Brit living in frozen or parched Alberta - well, it just sticks in your throat really. You lucky buggers.

FACT: Olive Garden was invented just for me.
Salad and bread sticks anyone? Yummo!

FACT: You cannot just visit one time.
It is a worm-hole of fun and warmth and escapism that sucks in us holiday-makers by the thousand, and leaves us wanting more. Slick and commercial don't go halfway to explaining the allure of this peninsula.

There must be something in the air. It makes you feel like a super-hero.

Back from a holiday

2011-04-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Returned last night to my snow-laden and cool home after spending a wonderful, busy and HOT two weeks in Orlando.

I am all "parked" out. Disney, Universal, Hollywood, water parks, just quite happily knackered. And poor. And only 3lbs heavier which is something of a miracle.

I had never been to Florida before and I have lots of observations and hundreds of photos to sort out.

Look at this strange and long-forgotten colour.

Green, I think they call it.

I also have much blog reading and catching up to do so I hope you are all well.

Today will consist of opening mail, reading and deleting tons of emails - and my old favourite of unpacking and putting away three overflowing suitcases. It's the "putting away" bit I struggle with - my husband is very organized, but I could look resentfully at the last remnants in a suitcase for weeks. It's like a closure issue - the holiday IS actually over.

I also need to pop next door to thank my neighbour for shovelling our driveway, otherwise I would have had to paddle through about 5 inches of wet snow in my sandals last night!

In the meantime, for those of you still awaiting the arrival of Spring, look at this picture and then close your eyes and just imagine the heat of the sun on your back, and the soft waves lapping over your toes.

It was hell, I tell you.

Back soon!

And then it was March...

2011-03-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy the past few weeks - if I was a dog, I would be dizzy from chasing my tail.

No time to fart, as my dear mum would have said!

One weekend spent painting a basement.

One cold, dull blue bedroom transformed into warm inviting guest room. Woe betide any child that dares even breathe in there.

Then two weekends spent ferrying children to rehearsals

and photo days - with all of us getting into practice again for the dreaded Dance Competition Season (that I hate, and they love) which kicks off next month.

Four costume changes, each...

add curly ponytail, remove curly ponytail,

add ear rings, no ear rings,

black tights, beige tights - are you paying attention back there?

I am now becoming expert on

"How-to-make-your-sweet-innocent-child-look-10-years-older-by-slathering-her-in-lipstick-and-make-up-and-false-eyelashes".

Just a bit too much of the "Tantrums and Tiaras" for my liking!

I then dedicated last weekend just to me - soothing my stressed out soul. I sing alto with a local choral group - very low-key (ha ha, geddit) and just a lovely community choir numbering about 35 on a good day.

We sing just about anything, from pop to traditional hymns,

to funky spirituals and jazz and a

touch of the Chattanooga Choo Choos!

(That's me in the centre with pink glasses, looking so bloomin' serious!!)

We were all invited to take part in a whole weekend workshop with Calgary's Mount Royal University choral group Kantorei - and what a treat that was.

They are all, like, proper singers!

And I finally realized one of my ambitions - to sing a "big" choral number. This one was Achieved Is the Glorious Work from The Creation by Haydn.

Somewhat overwhelming for an amateur like me, if I'm honest - but enormous fun trying to keep up!

And I just loved the windows at St Matthews United Church (26a Street SW, Calgary) where we did our mini concert.

Very contemporary.

And as the afternoon sun moved, we were all singing and our shirts were bathed in bright patches of colour.

I had a blue arm and a red chest.

And finally, last night, one more concert raising money for our local foodbank.

I tell you, I am pooped. I need a holiday.

Oh wait, I have a holiday. In about 26 hours. Yay!

It'll be Spring in Calgary when I return.

Perhaps. Allegedly. Maybe.

SkyWatch Friday - Relief

2011-03-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

Here comes another one - a chinook

rolling in this morning and a welcome break

- up to 5 degrees C this afternoon. Finally.

And I want you to truly appreciate my photos this week, because I have suffered for my art!

As I was on my way to work,

I quickly pulled my car over and jumped out to take these.

When I returned to my car, all the doors were locked,

with the engine running. Excellent!

So I had to walk back to my house

and grab the spare keys, then

walk back to the car, get in,

drive back home, drop off the spare keys then

finally actually go to work. What a pain!

So today, it is a relief for me to see the break in temperature, and a relief also that I hadn't parked up on the side of a highway miles from anywhere!

Have a super SkyWatch Friday.