Changes

Since my last visit to the farm there has been some noticeable changes going on out here.  Where this Cat is sitting used to be my garden....OH OH! This is what I first noticed so I stood back and assessed the entire situation. My garden has been moved closer to the water pump, I like that idea and it's huge, this man does not know the meaning of the word moderation. Behind the Cat, that's where the landing strip is going...don't ask ... hmmm  now I'm curious where the garage, which is going to store my future Harley, will go, I'll have to ask that question tomorrow... not going there tonight. His garage...it's not a garage, it's a shop which holds a semi truck, a holiday trailer and a few other things, the second story has a fridge, a freezer, a washer and dryer and God only knows what else.

I figure it's true, the only difference between a man and boys is the price and size of their toys.

A Good Cause

Tonight I finally got around to dropping off some gently used articles of clothing into this bin. I believe that the Diabetes Association is a mighty good cause to donate to. When my mother passed away in lieu of flowers it was requested that donations be made to this Association. Whenever I stop off and donate things here I always think of my Mom.

Bug Eyed Goldfish

Ummm, really what does one say about a fish such as this? I burst out laughing when I seen it, I took a closer look and what an interesting fish, huge fluffy cheeks and all. This fish has a name, he's named after the supervisor where I'm working at and it works, totally works. The supervisor is just as funny as this fish looks! 

I am working alongside an amazing bunch of people, I am blessed and extremely fortunate to be able to gain the experiences I am and the bonus is that the laughter is abundant.  Life is good, I'd imagine even for this bug eyed goldfish.

Canadian Geese

Today flying overhead were some of our Canadian geese coming home. I love the sounds of the geese as they announce their return home...this is a sure sign that our spring is now officially here, finally!

The Drive Home

What an awesome day. My first day at practicum turned out to be a wonderful experience and although I have so much to learn, I feel that I'm well on my way. The staff and clients were extremely welcoming and there is something in the air which I can't quite name just yet but have a strong feeling it is spirituality. 

There is a lot of peace and serenity working in the country and on the drive home even though the traffic was heavy and I was crawling I was able to look around and not mind the snails pace so much, I got to enjoy the scenery and snap my shot of the day which is a bonus. Now for my circadian rhythm to begin functioning on a "regular" level I know that this next two months will fly by.

Elyssa's Wardrobe

Today I stopped off to visit with my son and daughter-in-law. Naturally being an upcoming first time gramma I had to check out the nursery. I was amazed, they have enough clothes for my little princess that she won't have to wear the same outfit twice! She even has a shoe collection already, too cute! 

Baby is due May 5th, the countdown is on and I'm so excited!

From Books to Catering

Yup, today I was back helping cater a function for the Local 720 Ironworkers. They have constructed a beautiful new hall and had their official grand opening today. The menu was geared more towards finger foods, as you can see there were meat, cheese and fruit trays, we had meatballs with dips, lasagna (which isn't a finger food but what the heck they're the customers), and the cake was unreal. What I enjoyed most about today was seeing my former boss, she's a very dear friend and we always share some great laughs when we play work together!

Blessed Are The Children

Today I had the pleasure of spending the better part of my day with my great nieces and great nephew. It's absolutely amazing how these three siblings get along, the play together, help one another and the little guy even helped me with laundry and putting away groceries. 

After dinner tonight we went out for a wall down to the ravine, I'd never been down there before and it's about a ten minute walk from my home.  It's a fantastic place with bike trails, a creek running though it and to be able  to connect with nature so close to home... who would have thought! I have discovered a new place to head down to for some fantastic shots! Today has been one of those days where I know how blessed I am, tired but blessed.

Happiness

Happiness comes to each of us in various forms, today a large part of my happiness was due to writing my last two finals which means I am officially done with my classroom studies... for now. Tonight I was out at the mall wondering around aimlessly, I forget what I used to do before all of the essays and homework. Something prompted me to go into this one particular store and this is where I found my jade happiness rock. Funny how things like this happen.

Something I want to always remember as Fredrick Keong so eloquently put it:

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." Amen to that!

Where is your happiness coming from right now in this very moment? Me... I don't have to get up until 8:30am if I so choose not to! :-)

A Time To Be Born...

Today I attended a service for my daughters Nonno (Grandfather) to pay my last respects. It was sad. As I was pulling up to my home I noticed the flowers are beginning to open up a wee bit, they are coming to life and I appreciated seeing this.It was then I thought of one of the readings at the service:

To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
A time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal ...
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to lose and a time to seek;
a time to rend and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.

My condolences to my beautiful daughter and the family and friends of Ferdenando, such a fine man who will be missed. 

A Students Domain

Oh I just can't wait to be able to clean up this mess! I sat back tonight and looked, I mean really looked at what I've accumulated over this past three years of being a student, funny thing is that I NEED it all. Well that might be a wee bit of an exaggeration but here goes, time to take inventory...

• The exercise bike on the right makes a fantastic place to store books, soon enough the books will be put away and the bike will get used once again. (It best get used, all this sitting ... ummm I'll stop there!)

• The plant by the window, poor thing got neglected. I just moved it a few weeks ago to this spot so that it could get some light and it's thanking me with new buds already.

• The wicker stand, oh man did that come in handy for storage. 

• The new printer beside the desk, well that's still new. It was on sale and I like to have a back up.. wouldn't you being a student? PLUS I'm sure I'll use it in university when (if) I get there.

• Two computers, naturally, what if one crashes and I'm stuck without a computer for a night, heaven forbid! 

I can list each and everything in this photo and justify it all 'til the cows come home BUT I'll tell you one thing, I can't wait until Thursday to clean it all up and make it look as though this area is never used! I can't believe I'm posting this mess but what the heck, this is my reality for a few more days.

I Look at You and I See Me

After my first final today I went out with a good friend to take in some of this fantastic weather we've been having. It's a good thing my friend knows me and my photos, I spotted this crazy photo opportunity as I was talking to her and told her "Don't move" as I reached in my purse and grabbed my camera. 

The only dull moments in my life are the moments I choose to be dull.

Chapters

For a bit of a study break today I went with my niece for a stroll down Whyte Avenue. We stopped off at Chapters book store to find her some new reading material, this girl loves to read... unless it's textbooks. I think that I might be having some sort of an influence on her, I'm the same way. But what must be done must be done. 

First of four finals for me in in the morning, Abnormal psyc... ready or not here I come!

Willpower

Today I wanted to make lasagna and realized that I had no tomato sauce, now what does this have to do with this cake you might wonder... well it was another beautiful day and I was getting sick of sitting at my computer, in other words it was a great excuse to leave the house. I was going to go downtown where I purchase my tomato sauce at the Italian Centre Shop and I googled the market for the hours. I found that there is another Italian Center on the South Side of Edmonton not too far from where I live, how cool is that! 

While we were there naturally we (my niece and myself) had to check out what was smelling so delicious. We followed our noses to the bakery and oh my goodness, it was pastry and bread heaven. It was so tempting to buy one of the cakes, but our willpower said no so we settled on a photo of the cake and a loaf of fresh bread. I might regret this decision when it's four in the morning and I'm still at my computer but what the heck, life is like this sometimes!

Hull Block

This was then...

This is today 

Today was a rather interesting day. First thing this morning I met up with a few of my peers to study, after a bit of studying we decided it was time for lunch. I didn't know exactly where this one Thai restaurant was but I knew the general area, so we had to walk a bit. It was a lovely day for a walk with the temperature hovering around +20c. (That feels so good to be able to add the + sign!)

While on our walk this building caught my attention. In doing some research my good friend Google has informed me that Hull Block was built in 1914 at a cost of $35,000, can you just imagine! The building has remained pretty much the same over the years, except for the main floor of the building. For more than 40 years, the main floor was home to pharmacies. The resurgence of Chinatown in the 1990s brought new life to the building with Chinese tenants occupying the main floor. 

A bit of Edmonton's history... have a wonderful weekend everyone... as I study all weekend for my upcoming finals!

Edmonton Queen Riverboat

On my way home from class today I took a detour to find a subject to photo. I was in the mood for taking photos before I came home to continue with these seemingly never ending studies. This photo is of the Edmonton Queen Riverboat. A bit about the Riverboat, compliments of Google:

"The Edmonton Queen Riverboat is a unique attraction in the heart of downtown Edmonton. The Edmonton Queen Riverboat offers a unique experience, a relaxing atmosphere, and one of the most picturesque views of our beautiful river valley and city. The perfect setting for all your events, whether that be a romantic dinner for two, a family-friendly cruise or a class field trip. Sailing four days a week we have a cruise for everyone."

I've also noticed that they have special seafood dinners, now that I am interested in! Maybe for my birthday next month, if I don't forget about it by then. I'm saving all of my memory capacity for the final exams next week!

Yummmmy

Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la la.... oops wrong season! It's officially BBQ season and man was it good! My nephew cooked up these delicious rabbit  (oops that was yesterday), beef steaks. I haven't had a steak this delicious in forever it seems like... one problem though, I'm so full I just want to curl up and chill, but noooo I have to study if I am going to succeed with my educational venture.

City Rabbit

Today when I went out for a break from class there was this huge rabbit just sitting there. I started to take photos from a distance, then slowly got closer, then closer and finally I was only a few feet from him and got this shot. It was then that my friend asked what I would do if the rabbit leaped forward and bit me, I realized that maybe I shouldn't get much closer, actually I backed off then. I'm surprised that there's so much white in this rabbit, the rabbit out at the farm sure had a lot of brown on him. I wonder if the city rabbits are too confused to know to turn color when they're supposed to... just a late night thought after typing out tons of study notes.

Gramma's In School

While shopping the other day I came across this cute T Shirt. Naturally I had to buy it for my granddaughter, Elyssa, who will be making her entrance into this world sometime in the very near future. Tonight as I sit and type, and type, and type some more... (study notes for my finals) I thought of this shirt. I had to take a photo and post it, in order to live up to what it says I'm going to have to continue with my studies. Sandy (my daughter-in-law), I love you and I don't know how you ever got through university but if you ever need an awesome recipe, call me!  :-)

TAG, you might be IT

Late last night I was tagged by Rick over at  the 365 Photo Project, the way this works is that because I was tagged... wait I'll be back,  I have to go back to Ricks site and reread just how this works! 

Okay, I think that I got this, I'm going to cite Rick here "So I hafta look in my first picture folder and pick the 10th picture and tell the story behind it, and then tag 5 other people (ok, that'll be the really fun part !)." 

 

I had a bit of a problem, my computer was just wiped clean and I had to reinstall EVERYTHING, my photos are backed up on a flash drive so I opened the P365 folder and here is the 10th photo. The story behind my Smurfs is that I hadn't seen a Smurf in forever (a very long time), so I thought it might make a cute photo of the day when I shot it (yup I shot a Smurf). I never did post this photo but it's my 10th photo and now I get to show you all my Smurf photo. Cute little blues things eh?  

 

Now the five whom I am choosing to tag (and I hope you play along) are:

Si at  simons photographic project 365

Davine at 53buddah's and me 

POD at thuccotash 365 blogspot

Judy at yellowstone dreaming 

Donna at the barefoot photographer 

 

Hope you all have a fun time with this! Have a great day.  

 

 

Play

I had the most amazing day today! I got to play, really play. I was all wrapped up in studies and getting myself all wound up over my finals and I knew that I had booked in a speaker series meeting through AWPA, the Aboriginal Woman's Professional Association. Grudgingly I drove down to the college and was I ever in for a treat. We focused on ourselves, we danced, we colored, we made a self portrait and I connected, not only with myself but with other wonderful women. Through having some fun I came to a realization, I have put my faith in God to bring me this far in life, why am I fearful now? What is there to fear when God is right beside my side guiding the way? Keep the faith, do the necessary studies and all will be well in my world.

Rick, a fellow blogger, had the most amazing photo on his blog yesterday, I asked him to email it to me and he obliged, thank you Rick. I found a very appropriate saying for his photo which goes like this: "Faith is daring to go beyond what the eyes can see."  I am going to keep the faith and fear no more, or at least try not to get myself all worked up. Now off to burn the midnight oil, I can keep the faith but I must still do the work!

I am Blessed

This morning I went out for my practicum interview and I love where I will be doing my practicum at. I get to take a drive and be in the country every working day for two glorious months! Now am I blessed or what? I won't have to pay for parking, I am hoping to be able to spend some time outdoors surrounded by nature and the people I will be working with are fantastic. What more could a girl ask for? Well maybe a dog or my own home but all in good time.

Crazy Making

This is crazy making weather, yesterday it was up to 16c, no snow and absolutely beautiful. Tonight it's about -5c and snowing like crazy. Will this snow ever give up? Enough already! My spring fever is so confused... I tell ya, it's crazy making!

Where'd Everyone Go?

I was snapping photos today on my drive home and it wasn't until I was going through all of my photos from today that I noticed something odd, there's nobody in this photo. This picture is taken in the downtown core near the courthouse, I don't think that I've ever seen the streets so bare. This leaves me wondering where'd everyone go? Was I missing something today? Oh well, if I did no big deal, what I don't know doesn't hurt me.

Downtown at Night

Driving home tonight from a course I'm taking for personal growth, I drove by a building on Jasper Ave., a building I've seen time and time again but tonight it took on an entirely different look. Maybe it was the night light, maybe it was my mood, I'm not sure. 

The building is older, it says on the front of it Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce but I couldn't find out any information on it tonight. I just like the looks of the building. I thought it would be so cool if all of the buildings downtown looked like this but they don't. Everything in the name of progress has changed. As life changes so do our surroundings, sometimes by choice and sometimes not. 

Warm Welcome

On the trek back from the farm I had to stop off at my step-fathers, I had to pick up my laptop which I forgot there yesterday. I was shocked to get back to the farm and realize I didn't have my laptop, that's like leaving home half dressed! All was well though, my niece had her laptop which saved the evening! 

When I pulled up at my step-dads today the neighbors dog (which lives at my step-dads) greeted me warmly,  I wasn't even out of my car and here was Goldie saying hello. She's such a good dog, well until she chases the trucks to the end of the road or until I want to leave and she's trying to get into my little car... but ya, all in all she's a good dog.

Happy Easter

Well it proved to be a challenging job but here's the Easter Bunny as promised. Wishing you all a blessed Easter Sunday, I'm off to spend my day with family and am looking forward to this special day.

Down to the River

My outing today took me down the the river, I wanted to play with reflection shots and this is one of my favorites of the many photos I shot. This is how our spring is looking, there's still ice in the rivers but with any luck this ice and snow will soon turn into water which will flow freely down the river, and you bet I'll be back to this spot to take more photos sometime this summer.  

A Drive In The Country

Today we took a drive to one of the towns about an hour from the farm, I was in search of an Easter basket and there's a WalMart in Whitecourt... no that's not the only reason we went to Whitecourt, but it's the reason I tagged along. I love the drive, we spotted at least 5 deer, unfortunately not one of them sat still long enough to take a photo of. Naturally I wanted to shoot them, too bad they didn't realize it was with my camera and not a gun.

This photo was taken about 15 minutes from Whitecourt coming into town from the old highway. I found the scenery refreshing, a welcomed break from the concrete of the city.

The Fort

Today I embarked on a journey, one which took away from the rat race if city life. I headed north to take solace in the country for 3 glorious days. As I was passing through Fort Assiniboine I didn't even have to pull over to take my photo, this town is a one horse town with one general store, a post office, one hotel and this museum... oh how could I forget to mention the Legion? I'm going to guess the population might be 800 including the farmers, that could be high, but hey I didn't slow down to count. The building here is the museum, I've never gone to the museum but who knows maybe one of these days when I'm passing through it just might be open. 

Well wouldn't you know it, I just googled this museum and here's what I learned tonight: "Fort Assiniboine is registered as the second-oldest fort in Alberta. The site features in historical records dating back to the 18th century. The museum commemorates the area's fur trade and displays numerous local artifacts. Admission by donation."  I bet that there's some awesome photos waiting to be taken in this museum!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone! I'm going to see if I can catch the Easter bunny on film... umm on my memory card...  this weekend, you just never know!