Threatening Skies

I love the prairie sky during the spring and summer months ... the clouds 'roll!'  And just when you wonder if the dust will ever be settled, the rain does fall!  Yes, we received some of that much needed rain back on the weekend and the clouds have rolled back in again with the forecast for more rain!  I won't object!

A Wedding in the Rockies

Yes, we made it back home but not before enjoying a fabulous weekend in those beautiful Rocky Mountains celebrating my Brother's wedding!  The Bride and Groom could not have asked for a better weekend ... the weather was 'perfect!'  And a trip down the river in their canoe was a perfect way to celebrate their special day!  

Wedding Bells!

Meet my Brother and his wonderful and gorgeous Fiance!  Yes, they are shy but today is their wedding!  I can't begin to express how happy I am for my lil' brother!  He has truly found a gem to spend his life with and we, as his family, are so fortunate to have his fiance join our family!  She is a remarkable gal!  This was a picture taken from last summer during our annual canoe trip.  Our canoeing adventure is already planned and will be on our doorstep before we know it.  Although this time, there will be 'Newlyweds' on the trip!  Congratulations you two!  May you have a lifetime of treasured adventures and happiness!  Love Ya! 

Beginning to Burst

Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men.  

~Chinese Proverb

It's true ... I know with that cold wind blowing, I have yet to put away my winter clothes, so I am glad my Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo) is showing positive signs of spring!

Feathers!

Apparently, somebody higher up on the food chain, is eating well these days...!

Barnwood & Weeds

It was a cold, dreary, windy, spring day.  A day in which the texture of old wooden corrals and barns stand out as dark landmarks against a dull, barren, spring landscape.  The only thing swaying in the wind are the remnants of last years grasses and weeds.

Fencing Supplies

The first few weeks in spring always seem to start off slow and then 'over night' it seems like you can't get enough done in a day.  Well, the fencing supplies are ready for someone to put in a few miles of fence this year.  Hmm ... that's likely one of the items on my 'honey-do' list.

Fun in the Spring Sun

Finally, a warm enough day to bring out the shorts, flip flops and the 'BUBBLES!'  Who doesn't love playing with bubbles?  Well, I think any 'kid at heart' does and I am thankful that my boys enjoy 'the lil' things' in life!  We reached a high of 26 celcius today.  I think spring has definitely sprung!  

Repeat

WOW!  What a gorgeous spring day!  I think we hit a high of 22C but don't quote me.  However, in saying that, such gorgeous spring weather usually means there is a 'honey - do' list miles long and first on the list is usually prepping equipment for the up and coming seeding season!  So with the 'honey - do' list in hand and not my camera, I repeated yesterdays picture taking tactics ... grabbing a last minute snap of the setting sun!

A Setting Sun

We all live under the same sky, 

but we don't all have the same horizon.  

~Konrad Adenauer

We had a crazy long, busy day and the only opportunity I had to take a photo was on our drive home.  Nothing fancy and power lines included ... the final snip of the sun setting!  Good night everyone!

Spring Clouds

I've lain on the prairie and heard grasses sigh.

I've stared at the vast open bowl of the sky.

I've seen al those castles and faces in the clouds,

My home is the prairie, and I cry out loud.

~David Bouchard

It was certainly 'spring' out on the prairies today.  The sun was warm, the wind cool and the dust was blowing.  The clouds rolled in and out like waves on a sea and for a brief moment they even brought hope of a rain shower!  Alas, the wind blew it away!

I also wanted to mention that Canadian Artist, Gena LaCoste painted a watercolour portrait of 'Olive, the Great Horned Owl!'  Check out Olive's beautiful portrait and check out Gena's amazing work at http://genalacoste.blogspot.ca/ and http://www.genalacoste.com.

Curious Heifer

Apparently this lil' lady really wanted her picture taken!  If the dog hadn't barked, I'm certain my lens hood would have had 'heifer drool' on it!  Yes, the girls are still at home but with a bit of rain and sunshine our pastures will welcome them soon!  

Take Off ...

Oops!  I swear, Mallards are the easiest ducks to startle and apparently my 'shhhh ... sneaking up on Mallards' techniques are a bit rusty!

Pussy Willows

You know spring has arrived when you can go out and get a few cuttings of 'pussy willows' to add to a vase of flowers!

The Return of My Prairie Souls

First a howling blizzard woke us,
Then the rain came down to soak us,
And now before the eye can focus -
Crocus.  

~Lilja Rogers

My Prairie Soul's have returned!  Ah yes, the Crocus (Anemone patens).  I don't know anyone who doesn't love seeing the crocuses out on the prairies!  They always appear so delicate yet they are TOUGH!  Always the first to blossom and bring colour to the springtime prairie 'drab,' they withstand our cold spring winds and storms!  I guess this is why they still remind me of my Mom and a handful of other women that have been or remain in my life!  Like Mom, they were, or still are, connected to their rural, prairie roots.  They were/are strong, caring Women that can and have weathered many a storm yet with class, they dust themselves off and move forward.  They are 'resilient,' they are my 'Prairie Souls!'  

Mr. Robin

A bird does not sing because it has an answer.  

It sings because it has a song.  

~Chinese Proverb

Oh Mr. Robin ... how you can warm a cold, grey spring day with your sweet, cheery song!  

Before the Overcast Sky ...

Yes, for a fleeting moment we saw a bit of blue sky and the morning sun.  However, it was quickly replaced with overcast, grey skies and interludes of rain, snow and wind!  ... We need the moisture!  LOL!

A Few Droplets of Rain

Many a man curses the rain that falls 

upon his head, 

and knows not that it brings abundance to 

drive away the hunger.  

~Saint Basil

We missed the snow but we did manage to receive a few droplets of rain!  With the shortage of snow this past winter and the lack of rain last fall ... we are definitely going to need a few more droplets to green things up and keep things green!

Feathery Remains

This feather caught my eye as it danced and twisted in the wind today.  Yes, it was another overcast, windy spring day but hopefully those clouds will promise to bring some rain!  The prairie could certainly stand a bath!

The Return of the Red-Winged Blackbird

(Agelaius phoeniceus)

You know spring is aligning itself and taking hold when the male blackbirds return to our cattail sloughs to stake out their 'territory!'  Apparently the 'gals' love to return a week or two later to the males 'raspy song tunes!'

A Springtime Sunset

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, 

but to add color to my sunset sky.  

~Rabindranath Tagore

And it's true ... those clouds are not carrying any rain nor ushering a storm.  Instead, the wind howled again today ... another 'drying' springtime windy day.  The only problem ... we really don't need anymore 'drying' winds.  Instead, we could certainly use a nice warm spring rain!  So, here's hoping those clouds do decide to carry rain or usher a storm!  

The Gypsy Blues ...

Not the greatest photo but I loved how Gypsy was enjoying the beautiful spring day ... out in the big blue slough under the big, blue sky!  Give it time ... it won't belong before that slough is not quite so blue ....

Happy Easter!

See the land, her Easter keeping,
Rises as her Maker rose.
Seeds, so long in darkness sleeping,
Burst at last from winter snows.
Earth with heaven above rejoices...  

~Charles Kingsley

The winter snows are definitely gone and some seeds are in fact beginning to burst.  However, there was apparently a strange chicken in my yard overnight that left behind brightly coloured eggs filled with chocolate!  Hmm ... or was it the Easter Bunny???  Haha!  I still have lil' ones that will tell you the Easter Bunny had been to our house!  So with that being said, from my family to all of yours, I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Easter Sunday!  Happy Easter everyone!