BOO! Happy Halloween!

When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
~Author Unknown

These wonderful Halloween decorations were made by my lil' Ghouls at school and are definitely little works of art!  How can you not get in the Halloween Spirit when you have glowing pumpkin jars and 'bedazzled' pumpkins, made by the hands of your child to display?  

After a long day of celebrating Halloween, my 'Dead Cowboy' and 'Pirate' each returned with a very large bag full of ghoulish treats and smudged face paint!  LOL!  They had a great day and are busy counting pumpkins in their sleep!  

Rimmed in Frost

I think this was day six without the sun ... maybe day five; there might have been a glimpse of it for a short period the other day!  Either way, I think I am running short on vitamin D or perhaps I am just feeling 'claustrophobic!'  I miss the sun!  Fingers crossed that the sun shines tomorrow!  In the meantime, Jack Frost apparently rimmed each Mountain Ash leaf on my tree with frost last night!  

Thoughts and Prayers ...

A bit of fog and some freezing rain might make some of us 'cranky' but it certainly is nothing to complain about ... especially when Hurricane Sandy is wreaking havoc on so many out on the East Coast.  Thoughts and prayers to all of my friends, followers and fellow bloggers out on the East Coast.  Stay strong and be safe!  Here's hoping that Hurricane Sandy passes swiftly!

Western Dock on Ice

Western or Field Dock (Rumex occidentalis or Rumex pseudonatronatus) is one of those plants that I curse when it decides to 'pop up' in my garden ... it is a well-rooted plant, but I do love to photograph it!  After an early sprinkle of 'freezing rain,' the remainder of the day was overcast but not as cold as the last few days. I think the sun is supposed to return tomorrow.

'Till the Cows Come Home ...

We enjoyed more snow flurries today and with the combination of a nice crisp, raw wind, the temperature felt like -14C.  That means chopping watering holes for the cows until they come home next weekend.

The Scratcher!

There's nothing quite like a good old 'scratch' from the barbwire!  Of course, I'm certain that the human opinion on this vrs the cattle's opinion is greatly divided.  All I know is that cattle love to back up or nudge up to those lovely little barbs for a good old scratch.  The scratches I get from barbwire are usually inflicted upon myself while attempting to assist my husband while fencing and often involve a certain 'language' and a 'gaping wound!'

Of course, one need not mention when one is too lazy to open a gate and opts to crawl between 2 strands and 'hooks' oneself and one's clothing!!!  Youch!  Funny thing ... you repeat this act over and over again.  Perhaps 'crawling' between 2 strands is faster.  That is, as long as you don't hook the back of your shirt or coat, and in trying to release yourself of that, you hook your pants, causing you to re-hook extra material on your shirt ... oh and now skin.  Within moments, you are caught precariously by the 'barbs' in ALL the wrong places!  Nobody is there to assist you ... thank God, because you look like a 'putz' and your herd of cattle are rather entertained watching your antics!  However, the only way to now free yourself from the entangle mess YOU have put yourself in, is to pull.  Yup, pull!  The Scratcher!  (besides ... torn jeans are in style these days!)

A Snowflake Day!

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.  

~Author Unknown

No, they weren't the BIG, FLUFFY snowflakes, just those small dainty ones.  However, with each and every flurry that started and ended within in a blink of an eye today, I was tempted ... oh so tempted to dig out the Christmas tunes!  ALAS, I did not!  Hmm ... November is around the corner!  

A Splash of Colour

My apple trees are about the only trees in my yard with leaves clinging on for dear life and they are colourful leaves at that!  So, on this cold, grey day, the splash of Autumn colour is certainly a welcome sight!

Winter's Harsh Arrival ...

They said it would happen and it did!  Old Man Winter did more than just tease us ... he ARRIVED!  Apparently he didn't receive the memo that it's still 'Autumn!'  Hmm, neither myself, or the horses seemed pleased.  They were taking cover in the trees and I had to find my snow shovel and put it to use twice today and I am certain that by the time morning arrives, I will need to use it once more.  

Nature's Crystal

Are those the magic fairy wands
glistening on the tree 

or only winter icicles that I see?
~Author Unknown

The sun returned today but I don't think the temperature ever got above freezing.  No, it wasn't COLD but one certainly needs to bundle up a bit before heading outside!  It's hard to believe a week ago our trees still had an abundance of leaves and today most are grey and bare.  However, there are gems to be found and this tree in particular, was shimmering in nature's crystal!  

Western Snowberry on Ice!

The Western Snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) scattered throughout the central Alberta prairies was certainly living up to a portion of it's name lately!  Dusted in wet snow and ice perhaps one should consider making Snowberry Ice Wine?  LOL!  Hmm ... on second thought, I think we'll leave them for the wildlife!  The Blackfoot Indians used the fruit as 'famine fruit' and boiled the fruits to make a diuretic for horses!

A Prairie Snow Day ...

Hard to imagine that the temperature reached a high of 19C yesterday and we woke to the white stuff this morning!  Ah ... the weather in Alberta, I guess that's why we always say "wait 5 minutes" and it will change.  The sun is supposed to return for a day or two but there is more snow in the forecast as well!  Have a great weekend everyone!  Cheers!

Tundra Swans on the Move

Not the best but I wasn't actually prepared to capture Tundra Swans migrating south today!  However, I snapped a couple of quick ones as this group flew over!  I have really noticed that the swans have started making their way south yet I'm amazed at how many American Coots (Mud Hens) and Mallards are still paddling around the sloughs.  Hmm ... it will be interesting to see how much longer they stick around before heading south!  I'm assuming they know something about the weather that we will NEVER know!

"Finito!" ... The Flax is Done!

Finally home and officially done our 2012 harvest year!  Yes, the flax is in the bin, the straw is baled, the combine, grain trucks, tractor and baler are back home!  There are a few weary heads tonight but each wearing a smile!  There is nothing quite like the 'satisfaction' of knowing your crops are off and you are done for another season!

Back in the Field

Well, we were back in the field and back in harvest mode today.  Yes, the combine has been 'resting' for the last few weeks but it won't be put away for winter until the flax is finally in the bin!   Here's hoping that the weather will cooperate over the next couple of days and that we don't have any 'hiccups' with any of our equipment!  If all goes well, the flax will be in the bin before Saturday and the equipment will be tucked away for a long winter's nap by then as well!

I See You ...

I see you, little baby Great Horned Owl, hiding in the remains of some canola at the edge of that slough!  Do you see me?  Ooops, I'm afraid so ... and I was not quick enough on the shutter button today!  :(

Well, I might have to go looking for you another day!  I 'think' you are the baby owlet we saw in the spring and I think you are Olive's sibling!  You are now in the same piece of land that we always see Olive in!  Hopefully she and your parents keep you out of mischief!  Happy hunting little one!

Afternoon Attitude!

Meet 'Clarabell!'  Yes, the Calico Cat with Cattitude!  Despite it being a 'gorgeous' fall day, she is never short on her attitude either!  The warm sun returned and I believe we reached a high of 18C today.  However, despite 'Clara's basking in the sun,' she strategically sat by the front door ALL day, waiting for her opportunity to get back in the house!  Clara will be 15 years old this fall and my senior lady figures she should bask in the sun from inside the house and not outside!  On cold days I agree with her but unfortunately, on beautiful days, she doesn't get my sympathy!  Needless to say, her strategic planning usually works to her favour and she always seems to get back in the house and back to her 'spot' in a timely manner!

Sunset on Long Lake

So shines the setting sun on adverse skies, and paints a rainbow on the storm.  

~Isaac Watts

I think for many of us familiar with Long Lake (Farrell Lake), we pass it by without a moments thought ... after all its just a big, old, shallow, alkali lake found out in the middle of the Alberta prairie!  Alas, beauty is within the 'eye of the beholder' and Long Lake was looking pretty beautiful as the sun set!

October Aurora Borealis!!

Sometimes it pays to sleep with one eye open ... despite the Aurora Forecast being a low 2 on the scale ... the Northern Lights are certainly unpredictable!  The sky was a 'glow' very early this morning and WOW what a show!  Truly mesmerizing!

Prairie Remnants ...

Although summer is gone and 'Fall' has had it's toes stepped on by 'Old Man Winter,'  there is still beauty to found on the prairiescape!  I love walking through native prairie during all seasons but during the 'Fall' it's so easy to find the remains of what gave the prairie colour not too long ago.  These are the remnants of White Heath Aster plants (Symphyotrichum ericoides) and can be found throughout the prairie landscape.  They make beautiful dried flower arrangements ... and can easily replace dandelion's in a vase, if you have kids!  :)