Welcome to My Little Piece of the Prairies ...

Friday, November 30, 2012

School on a Day Like Today ... 100 Yrs Ago!!


It's not that cold outside at -12C but it is certainly foggy and dreary!  Looking at the old Heart Lake School that was established 100 years ago in 1912, I can only imagine how 'tough' the children were that attended this school!  Composed of one room, built out of boards, and standing alone out on the prairie ... exposed to the elements!  Heated school buses certainly did not usher the children to and from the school!  It amazes me that such history still stands on our prairies and on days like today you can almost step back in time!



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Poor Lil' Red Poll ...


My Red Poll's have returned but this poor lil' dude took a wrong turn and flew into my window!  He was okay ... a bit stunned but I scooped him up and set him over by my trees and bird feeders.  It took him a few moments to shake off his headache but returned to the skies shortly there after!  

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

November's Full Moon


A busy day requiring my camera to 'hang low!'  However, between hockey practice and Scouts, I managed to hang my camera quickly out of the car window on our way to town for a quick snap of the rising full moon!   November is coming to a close much too soon!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Jasper's Nose ...



Jasper's nose knows ... when it's feeding time!  Mr. Mischief himself certainly likes to give me a hand!  He's quite the character, so I don't mind his company!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

That Chore ....


I can't think of a worse chore on the farm, than cleaning out flat bottom grain bins full of barley sprouts!  Lucky for me, I have the most superb Husband that volunteers himself for such jobs!  I've truly offered my assistance but being the gentleman that he is, he always declines and tackles the beast himself!  Now, that's a good man!!!


Thanks Sweetie!  I love you!  

Saturday, November 24, 2012

The Foggy Abyss



Engulfing the landscape, I love the mystery in a fog.  I love how it seems to hang on with claw like grips in coulees and valleys yet rolls over roads and dry flat lake bottoms. I'm amazed how it can be so thick and within a breath be gone!  It certainly seems like an abyss at times!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Prairie Power Lines


For some reason I can handle these power poles and power lines stretched across the prairie landscape but I really dislike the monstrous metal towers that are replacing these!  

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Snow Covered



I love waking up and looking out at snow covered trees!  Despite the cold, there is just something about that 'white blanket' that pleases the visual senses ... the landscape always looks so peaceful!  So, on this peaceful looking day, I know many friends south of the border are celebrating their American Thanksgiving and with that I would just like to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you enjoyed a wonderful and blessed day surrounded by friends and family!  Cheers!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Winter's Night




Somehow between trying to get stuff done at home, chores, an after school birthday party for my oldest and another child ... the day slipped away and so did the sunlight.  Although, I must admit, we never did see the sun today.  It was another overcast, grey day with some snow flurries.  However, I did manage to head outside after the kids were in bed and played a bit!  Everything is covered in a thick hoar frost and dusting of fluffy snow.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

No Blue Sky ...


Overcast, grey and the return of colder temperatures!  That's the part I dislike about our winter's ... the yo-yo effect on the thermometer!  It was +4 C yesterday and back down to -14 C tonight!  It would be a lot easier to acclimatize if the weather man would just pick a nice average winter temperature and stick with it!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

That Evening Sky



Cloudy or clear, there is something to be said about that prairie sky!  I will forever love the unobstructed horizons that permit you to see forever!  

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Foiled Star Trails ...


I had hoped to take some shots of the Leonid Meteor shower last night, along with some star trails but that was foiled by clouds and a bit of ice fog.  My plan was to attempt it all over again tonight!  That was foiled once again!   Needless to say, at least it was a fairly warm night and my trustee flashlight and hounds kept me company!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Following the Feed


These last few days have certainly been hectic ... so hectic that I've even forgot my camera a couple of times (trust me that doesn't happen very often).  Well, the weekend is here and I am hoping to recharge not only my batteries but my camera's as well.  In the meantime ... you have to look at some of our heifers following the tractor during feeding time!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

You Can Never Get Tired of Aurora Borealis!










The boys and I were treated to a show of Northern Lights not only on our way to town tonight but on our way home as well!  Yes, they were very active this evening and it was enjoyable sitting outside with my boys and taking the sights in as a family!  You can never get enough of the Northern Lights!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Just a Monday ...



... A very wintery looking Monday!  So before the sun and warmer temperature (... it was -26 C yesterday morning!) melted the hoar frost, I quickly ran out and took a couple of quick photos.  I was hoping to get out and take more exciting images but somehow that didn't happen today!   Oh well, have a great week everyone!  

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Lest We Forget


To the Men and Women who fought and are still fighting ... 'THANK YOU!'
I will never forget and I will ensure that my children learn, understand and never forget as well.  


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Shorter Days and the Setting Sun



Our days are indeed getting significantly shorter ... and colder but I love the warmth of a setting sun!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Feeding Time





With the heifers all home and the snow flying, 'feeding time' is back in the daily routine! The boys said "Mom, why don't you feed the cows when were not home?"  My response was "because I love your company!"  Truth is ... they are a great help, I love that they are outside and learning the rope's and I do love their company!  Ever since both boys were babies, I've bundled them up and taken them in the tractor with me to chore.  I guess old habits die hard.  The only problem, my boys keep growing and it's getting a little 'tight' in the cab of the tractor!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Nobody Is Home


Well, our very weathered bird house out at the end of our lane, is certainly empty these days.  It's resident Tree Swallows left a few months ago and likely a good thing since 'Winter' has certainly creeped in before 'Fall' really had a chance to take hold, let alone leave!  Alberta has been hit with 'Old Man Winter' once again and judging by the snow flying outside my window tonight and listening to the wind, perhaps I should have followed the Tree Swallows south!  

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Leaves and Snow



We had another dull, grey day that has ended with snow falling and a heavy snowfall warning.  I'm not sure how much snow we will have by morning but I am certain that it will at least be enough to cover the last of the fallen leaves.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Sweet Warbles






Having spotted the beautiful red plumage of the male Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) against the snowy backdrop in my garden the other day (no, I didn't have my camera ... tsk, tsk), I've been keeping a watchful eye, in the hopes of spotting him once again BUT with my camera this time!!!  So far no luck!  However, the 'ladies' are not shy and singing with their sweet warbles they indulged in the seeds from our lilac trees this afternoon.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis



The Chinook Winds arrived, the temperatures soared, the snow melted and the prairie landscape is golden once again!  The skeletal remains of the native Blue grama grass danced and swayed in the sunshine this afternoon but for how long is yet to be determined.  The forecast is showing a return of the 'white stuff!'  

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Sunshine ... Glorious Sunshine!




FINALLY, that warm, glorious sunshine returned to the prairies!  It didn't take long under those warm, sunny rays, for the icy-frost to melt away, my horses were out and about soaking up some vitamin D and we moved the heifers home this afternoon.  All in all, a pretty sweet November day!



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