Happy New Year 2012

Gold Christmas Bauble

This year the Festival of Trees was held at the Chatham Armories. The evergreens were adorned with beautiful decorations. This golden bauble reminded me of all the retired teachers who volunteered to help make this a memorable event.

Ho Ho Ho

                                               Merry Christmas one and all!

Christmas Eve

                                          Mary and Joseph in my nativity scene.
                                          My father got these statues when he was on his travels in Peru.

White Christmas

                                          My Christmas tree this year was white, crystal, silver and gold.

Blue Christmas

                                                  Poinsettia tree at Christmas in Muskoka

Garden Custodian

                                           St Francis of Assisi feeds the birds that visit my pond.

Heart Wood

                                   We cut down a few mulberry trees and this stump reminded me of the story
                                   "The  Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein
                                    How old do you think it was?

Wooly Bear

Graffiti Alley

You’ve seen Rick Mercer ranting down the colourful alley ways of Toronto. Eileen and I worked our way from Kensington Market down to Grafifiti Alley south of Queen between Spadina to Portland.

Rainbow Overload

                                     This is my newest perennial. It is a tricolored cone flower.
                                      Buds yellow, blooms orange and finishes pink.

A Prayer for All Souls

Make a Wish

                                                 Apple Cinnamon morning surprise.

Garden Beacon

                                      A retirement gift that is well used and much appreciated.

Sail to the Wind

                                    This farm windmill is located at the Wallaceburg Museum.

Big Air!

                                                     Stunt rider at the Brigden Fair

Santa Claus Parade

                                                 Chatham Kent Santa Claus parade

Mississauga Mallard

Cone Flower

Garden Watchdog

                          This great dane watches over the garden and chases away the crows.

Wallaceburg Gem

                                             The Chatham Camera Club went to Wallaceburg
                                           for a photo walkabout and I came across this home.

Unpredictable Weather

Memories of the Boom Days

                                            Cobalt Ontario

Snacking on the Winter Stash

                                       This little red squirrel was very busy scurrying around
                                         gathering nuts and stopped to nibble on a hazelnut.

November Day

                                                    Farming is all done for another year.

One Last Bloom

                                              Dandelions coming up threw the fallen leaves.

Head and Shoulders Above the Rest

                   These sunflowers created a sea of yellow this summer along the Mull Side Road.
                                                  This particular flower dared to stand out!

Tecumseh Park fountain

                                                    One of Chatham's beloved landmarks.

Project Rust

                                                     This old truck has seen better days!

Old Bessie

Monument aux Frères éducateurs

This sculpture captivated me with it's strong presence. I later learned that it was

Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers. 

L'Envol' 2000 - by Jules Lasalle - Bronze & stone. 

Upper Town, Quebec City

Autumn Gatherer

                                       The air was a buzz with honey bees on the purple sage.

Broccoli of a different colour

                                                         Cristan Farms Clarkson, Ontario

Thinking about heading south

                                                JC Saddington Park, Port Credit, Ontario

Catherine's Pumpkin Patch

                                                                  Ready for carving

Doll's Eyes

Baneberry ---very poisonous~

A Walk in the Woods

The fall colours in and around Markdale Ontario is mostly yellows this year.
The leaves were falling around us quietly like a soft rain.

Watcher in the Woods

                                       The trees are watching you.
                              Living, breathing, and swaying in the breeze.

Reflecting the Bruce Trail

Hidden in the Woods

Birch Wood

                          The bark of a birch tree peels and grows back again.
                      For a tree with such thin skin it sure toughs out the winters

Still Life

                                       A fine collection of heirloom pieces.

The Mighty Oak

        Visiting Oakville Ontario and experiencing the it's brilliant fall foliage.

Luggage Cart

                                A bit of Cobalt Ontario's railroad past.

Northern Splendor

I experienced the beauty of Northern Ontario for the first time with my friend Lynda. Around every bend there was another lake skirted in a rainbow of colour!