Sizzlin' Solstice!

My family and I enjoyed the afternoon and evening celebrating the arrival of the Winter Solstice and an early Christmas with family!  Heading home, we witnessed a storm level display of Aurora Borealis dancing across the northern sky and reaching for the south east!  There was a great deal of 'rubber-necking' from each of us as we gasped in amazement!  Yes, I was chomping at the bit to get home and grab my camera ... and eventually I did!  I took a bit of a gamble and drove further down the road to this old school house ... still rubber-necking as I watched in amazement at the aurora display out my side window!  There are no words to describe watching this phenomena and it is truly something one should experience with their own eyes!  No matter how many times I have watched the Aurora, the next showing is still like a gift!

I'd have to say the Winter Solstice had a sizzling display for its grand entrance!  I guess we can officially welcome Winter!  

Morning Sunshine!

The clouds are clearing, the frost is falling (off of everything it appears to be glued to) and the sunshine has returned!  

Grey Day

Our frost, fog and grey days are trying to hang on!  

Santa Spirit!

There is one in every crowd ... you know, the one with the tacky Christmas sweater or the one with the Santa hat!  We see them and yes, we smile!  How can you not?  Well, despite the lack of shopping malls around this lil' piece of the prairie, you can still find that one individual that likes to spread the Christmas Spirit!  Proud as punch, #5 roams the pasture at home at this time of year doing just that ... spreading Christmas Cheer!  Ho ho ho!  Or perhaps thats "Moo, moo, moo!"  

Winter Wonderland

The heavy fog and hoar frost continue and it has certainly transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland once again!  Hmm ... its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  

Those Lights

The lights have finally been lit ... and the Christmas spirit is alive in this household, especially with an upcoming Christmas concert in a few days ...

The Fog Zone ...

Our landscape might not be completely covered in snow like it was a few weeks ago but it is certainly covered in hoar frost and fog ... 

Ice Fishing ...

Well, ... pretend ice fishing!  Leave it to our boys to find a somewhat frozen puddle to pretend to ice fish!  By the time this ice fishing expedition was done, our boys were very soggy!!!

Celebrations ...

There are somethings in life worth driving thru a few miles of 'yucky' roads to get to the good roads!  

And when someone as special as our "Papa" ... aka Grandpa and Great-Grandpa is celebrating his 95th Birthday, you want to be there!  Happy 95th Papa Bear!  

We love you!  

A Compilation Of November's End and December's Start ...

So, first and foremost, yes, I have once again fallen of the blogging bandwagon!  I've really had a love-hate relationship with my computer this year, and although I always manage to document 'My little piece of the prairie' with images, I haven't been so great at  keeping my big ole' blog updated!  So, here is a compilation of images from the end of November and the first part of December.  In just a matter of a few weeks, we managed to enjoy subzero temperatures, more snow and -40C wind chills to a chinook wind that has removed the snow and brought on spring-like temperatures and spring-like mud!  

My Babe!

Meet our other sweet gal!  This is our Jazzy and she came home with us one year ago today!  Once a reserve dog, she landed herself in the *Pound!* Fortunately, luck was on her side and she was rescued before the pound could determine her fate!  Jazzy ended up being fostered by the most amazing and kind-hearted soul!  She took this very timid little spirit and truly turned her life around and eventually made it possible for us to adopt her and provide her with her furever home!  Although Jazzy loves her entire family, I must admit she is my 'shadow' but I also know that her Foster Mom holds a very special part of her heart as well!  

Yes, Miss Jazzy made our hound population 3 ... but who wouldn't rescue a beautiful gal with those big, sweet brown eyes?  They match her personality 100%

Our Hooter!

Look who I spotted while choring late this afternoon!  Yes, our resident Great Horned Owl actually stuck around long enough for me to actually grab a wee portrait shot of him/her!  Of course, only one portrait shot is allowed! 

Blue Antics Again

With a dash of freezing rain, snow flurries, and 2 minutes of sun ... my desire to head out to the great outdoors fizzled but I was fortunate enough to once again be entertained by the antics of our Blue Jay crew!