Tag Archives: snow

This N’ That

weather

Spring NotNeed I say more?! Winter is back.

Just yesterday I was raking debris from the garden, and noticed a few lily of the valley shoots bravely poking through. Oh how fast things change.

Blizzard like conditions with a heavy snowfall warning. The moisture is welcome, as we have had a fireban already in this area. It’s really coming down out there, heavy wet sticky snow. Seems I got home just in time to snuggle in for the evening.

I am still resting up from last weekend’s show, when the temperatures hit a balmy 23C. Here are some more pictures from the art show including the musical portion. Yours truly, on piano Friday night, then Alan on piano Sunday accompanied my vocals. The conga player has managed to dodge the camera.

This was an excellent opportunity to test drive our potential as a musical duo. The prognosis is good. We both play piano, guitar and sing, so versatility will be abundant. Rehearsals begin next week. Playing it by ear, so to speak. Stay tuned.

Singing & PlayingSingingHibiscus & Me

Happy New Year!

Winter WonderlandHappy New Year! Lake Louise is a beautiful place.

Not an unhappy face could be seen in the crowd. Even when overcast, as it was while we were there, it is a winter wonderland. My brother and I cross country skied while my niece went snowboarding. Look at what I met on the ski trail around Lake Louise! Horse drawn sleighs, three teams in all. What a beautiful sight. I have to step aside while on my skis to let them pass.

Horses on Ski TrailHorse Drawn Sleigh

Waterfall FrozenIce Climber

 

 

 

 

 

Toward the end of the trail was this beautiful waterfall. Amazing how the water appears to have frozen midstream. The turquoise colour is from the minerals in the rock. If you’ve been to Lake Louise, or to many of the mountain lakes in this area in the summer, the water flows a beautiful turquoise emerald colour.

In the second photo, toward the lower left corner, you can see a guy who is climbing this waterfall. Two skiers we met, who claimed to be climbers said they would never attempt such a feat. It certainly drew plenty of attention from onlookers passing by.
Ice CastleIce Queen

Adding to the truly magical atmosphere was this ice castle on the lake in front of the Chateau. Two rinks, one for skating, and the other for hockey accommodated everyone. Of course our day ended in Banff with a soak in the mineral springs, followed by a lovely dinner.

What a fantastic way to start the new year! Wishing all of you the very best for 2008! Happy New Year!!!

Artful Cheer

Snow FleursArtful cheer is what sustains me as the nights grow longer, and mornings are dark. I think to myself, only another month, and light will begin to increase. I hold my breath, waiting for movement; expansion.

The monotony has been broken by a snowfall. Sun is out now. Ice crystals cascade glimmering from the branches.

Caroler CostumeIf you see this hat and these boots somewhere in the next little while, you may be at a Christmas market, or out shopping and being serenaded by Carollers, of which I am one.

We go out in quartets, spreading Christmas cheer with song. I made my hat, and the boots were a thrift shop find! We were at the Spruce Meadows Christmas Market last Friday night. A beautiful venue, with lots of interesting goodies. Had a bite to eat there, and left with coffee and cream fudge for the ride home.

“The Artist’s Way”, by Julia Cameron, speaks of the artist’s date. The purpose is to fill the well, the inner well we create from. This is something you do on your own, providing you with the opportunity to take out, pamper and listen to your inner artist.

I am heading to the Glenbow Museum for my artist date, to see the Emily Carr exhibit. Stay tuned for a review. Perfect inspiration, as some large canvasses(3 feet by 4 feet) are awaiting paint here, and I am planning a landscape series.

If time permits I will stop at a couple of other galleries. My mission is also to find a venue to sell some of my work as well. It needs to be out there and needs to be seen!

Snow Shadows

Snowy Monday

Snowy Monday

Snowy Rosehips

Woke yesterday to softly falling snow, which picked up momentum throughout the day. The two nights before that had left me restless, with diablo style winds, which seem to penetrate the darkest shadow places. Here is what a mystery writer had to say about these sorts of winds:

 

“Those hot dry winds that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands’ necks. Anything can happen.” ~Raymond Chandler, “Red Wind”

We are in for more winds tonight, as another chinook blows in. Sensor light on the front porch is flickering, sure sign the winds are picking up as I write this. The warmer weather will be welcome. After twelve Arctic winters the novelty of cold weather has certainly warn off.

I have spent two days laying about and sleeping. The effects of the time change were short lived as far as I could tell, yet today when I happened to check the clock it turned out to be earlier than I thought. Today I have been painting all day. Resting has proved it’s value. Throwing caution to the wind, I allowed the art take priority over chores, working on several paintings. Now signed, I declare this one, Both Sides Now 16 X 20, acrylic on canvas finished.

Both Sides Now Cloud Painting