Wishing I Was There...

My husband has family visiting from out of country but he had to travel south to see them. Unfortunately I couldn't get away due to work.  He sent me these photos this morning of the trip they made to Waterton Lakes National Park....without me!  Ugh.....

#WatertonLakesNationalPark  

#mountainscenery  #weekendgetaway

Year 2013 in Reflection

Late winter (January/February) saw us move residence.  We now had a bare field in front and behind us giving us unobstructed views of sunrises to the northeast.  It was lovely until construction both in front and in back disrupted the views and the peace.  However, to my delight, a new family park began construction across the road.  Behind us, new housing developments.  A perfect excuse to get out of the house to explore!

As beautiful as winter can be, I yearn for colour and the sweet promise of spring so off to the greenhouses I went.  In the above photos:  Muttart Conservatory saw the blooming of Putrella Amorphphallus Titanum in April. Also in bloom was a daffodil garden comprising most of an entire pyramid and many other spectacular spring flowers.  I had to bring some of that intoxicating beauty home with floral arrangements.  

Nearby, as spring warmed the earth and our hearts, resident Canada Geese nested amongst the reeds at a local pond.  They were quite camera shy, would you believe it? 

When summer finally arrived (it was a late spring in 2013) I took advantage of the opportunities to be found including but not limited to riding segways at the river valley, watching the Dragon boat races, visiting gardens, watching the July 1 fireworks, attending the CariWest Festival Parade, visiting the Lois Hole Wetlands and berry picking.  A visit to the lake for a day with family was time well spent.

The garden adored the heat.

Then September rolled in and the warm weather persisted to our delight!  We made a trek to Jasper National Park (including the Columbia Ice Fields), Banff National Park and Waterton National Park where we spent time with our moms, a couple of the kids and their boyfriend/girlfriends.  We had a fabulous time!!  I miss the mountains so this was the best way to say hello to autumn and goodbye to summer.  See Waterton National Park, Where Have the Columbia Icefields Gone, and Rocky Mountain Highs.

The Festival of Trees took place over the last weekend in November.  Above is a small sampling of the beauty we enjoyed.  I've volunteered there previously and really miss doing so.  Working in retail at this time of year kind of zaps the energy so I just enjoyed visiting at leisure.  I dragged hubby along and we joined a couple of our sons and our daughter, with their respective companions, for a lovely evening of festive gaiety.  See Festival of Trees.

The beginning of December Devonian Botanic Gardens held their annual Luminaria event on what turned out to the coldest weekend so far!  Bundled up though, it wasn't too bad that evening.  You can visit my post here.

Candlelight Christmas with the McDades at John Walter Museum.

Above collage photos were taken at the John Walter Museum.

This little hermit actually got out and explored a little and it was fun!  Enough about me, how was 2013 for you?

Wishing you a spectacular new year of joy, peace and the company of those you love.  May adventure find you ready and willing!  I'm looking forward to visiting all my

 blogger friends in the upcoming year to share in your 

garden joys and your adventures.  

We're all in this together, we may as well enjoy it!

All the best,

Shirley,

The Gardening Life

Mosaic Monday

 

Rocky Mountain Highs

It's hard to believe, but we've lived here 13 years without a visit to the majestic mountains of Jasper.  We found some time early this month and, honestly, I did not want to leave.  The following are photos taken three weeks ago during a trip to Jasper National Park, Alberta.

The cranberry white chocolate scone is scrumptious!!  You must also try their cheese loaf and an Italian loaf with bruschetta in it.  

The famous washroom walls of The Other Paw Bakery Cafe.  The last quote was that of Agatha Christie!  

We took the Jasper Tram up the side of a mountain and then hiked up a ways to get some stunning photos, including the panorama.

Above, the gorgeous Athabasca Falls and below, the Athabasca River.

Coming next, the Columbia Ice Fields.

I've joined the following memes with this post:

Weekend Reflections

Sky Watch Friday

Shadow Shot Sunday

Autumn is Reflection

Waterton National Park

If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before.

Mitchell Burgess, Northern Exposure, Thanksgiving, 1992

Sky Watch Friday in Waterton Lakes National Park

Is there anything more majestic than the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and British Columbia?  Today's Sky Watch Friday photos were taken in Waterton Lakes National Park in southwestern Alberta.  The southern-most portion of the park shares the US Border located in Glacier National Park.  These photos are of the Canadian side.

Where were you sky watching this week?

Mosiac Monday: Fall Colour Project

We spent Canadian Thanksgiving in southern Alberta visiting family, attending a wedding reception, and soaking up the beauty of the Rocky Mountains in Waterton Lakes National Park.  It was the best Thanksgiving that I can recall, sharing the holiday with precious loved ones.  Today I am celebrating the beauty of autumn, sharing some of my favourite autumn nature photos in this mosaic, and joining Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.