The Night Before ... The Night Before

The boys and I headed into town for our annual last minute Christmas shopping.  Each year the Town of Stettler and the local businesses offer 'The Night Before, The Night Before Christmas' promotions.  One such promotion is a ride on the Alberta Prairie Railway with food donations to the Food Bank.  The boys and I have been going for quite a few years and to this day, they still love taking a train ride!

After a few quick errands and trying to warm our feet back up after a COLD early morning, we headed for home with rain drops hitting the windshield!  Yes ... rain!  The Chinook Arch and warmer temperatures finally arrived!

After getting our cows fed, the boys helped me cut and haul firewood 

(yes ... I can swing a chainsaw!).  With that, I think we are ready to settle in for Christmas!  

Afternoon Glow

The Chinook has rolled in and beneath the arch of the clouds the sun gave a beautiful late-afternoon glow.  The snow is melting!!!  Yes, a bonus of living east of the Rockies ... we do enjoy some mild temps thanks to those beautiful chinooks!  It sounds like we will get to enjoy some above freezing temperatures for a few days!  

The Arch!

Across the western horizon and dipping down toward the south, was a beautiful band of stationary stratus clouds forming.  Perhaps a 'Chinook' is on its way!!!  Chinooks are winds created only in a few geographical areas around the world!  Such winds are known as 'snow eater' winds!!  And with the 30 km south wind scheduled for tomorrow and a +5C day on the way ... the weatherman listened to my 'turn up the heat' request!  Thank You Mr. Weatherman!  Haha!