Canadian Views

Our front yard

Bear's den right off the road

Blanket of frost

Sunrise

Ice Skating

(Emma)
We don't get much ice in the south, so we jumped on the opportunity to go ice skating while in Shoal Lake. Mary and Grace looked like they had been skating all their lives. Emma did great too-with no help! Me, well let's just say I won't be trying out for the Olympic Team! We all had a fabulous time.

Mary & Grace

Me & Emma

Emma's first hunt

(me and Emma in the blind)

I know I didn't mention it before, but the whole reason we go to Canada is for Mark to hunt. He really enjoys hunting waterfowl and we enjoy eating them. Two years ago we tried to take Emma (then almost 2) along on a hunt. Some ducks started coming in and Mark started blowing the duck call. Immediatly Emma shouted, "Ducks! Quack! Quack!" Needless to say, it wasn't a very productive hunt. LOL!

(Emma, me and Levi after the hunt)

This year was much better for Emma. She layed in the blind with me and was as quiet as could be. As soon as she heard Mark shoot she stuck her head out to see. She couldn't wait to hold the ducks. She's collecting feathers to make her kitty, Twilla, a bed. I think she's hooked on hunting.

Mary

Grace

Ukrainian History

This is our 7th year coming to Manitoba. I never knew until this year how rich the Ukrainian history is. In 1899 the first Slavic settlers came to this site. During the first pioneer decade, families lived here in "Buddas" while their homesteads were being identified. The Buddas on this site were reconstructed in 1978 based on the recollections of Michael Swistun.

the girls in front of the buddas

the inside of the budda

The mass grave site cairn is in memory of the first slavic settlers who were devasted by the loss of 42 children and 3 adults to scarlet fever in May 1899.

St. Michaels Ukrainian Catholic Church in Olha, Manitoba was built in 1904 by John & Peter Koltuski. It was the first to serve the huge Ukrainian settlement.

Last is the Marconni School built in 1922 and restored in 1991.

O Canada!

The girls and I met Mark in Manitoba, Canada on Oct 14. Since then our days have been filled. Here are some picture postcards from Canada. Enjoy!


I know, there's not a lot there in these pictures. That's the beauty of it and what I love about this part of Manitoba. You see miles and miles of cut barley, wheat and canola. When the sun hits just right on the fields, they shine like gold. It's gorgeous! The ducks and geese are flying everywhere-I love the goose honk. Some of the mallard drakes are still shabby, while others have already had their heads turn bright green. The air is crisp and cold and the sky seems to go forever. Where ever you look you see God's hand. Time seems to stand still here. Now if I could just get the clock to stop so that I would have more days to soak up the natural beauty of Canada.

Dining with friends

My dear friend Sandy's birthday was last week. What did I do for her? I went to her house, for her to cook dinner and have cake for me and my girls! LOL! That's exactly what happened. Sandy is the type person who would give you anything she has, but hates to be in the spotlight. She and Morgan had missed Grace's birthday (we didn't have a party this year) and wanted to do something for her. They made a delicious dinner and a fabulous chocolate cake. They even had the girls spend the night. It seems like we received the gift for Sandy's birthday instead of her!

More sewing

Here's what I've been making lately-more gifts. I would like to note that these 2 bags and all the other bags I've made lately have been sewn from fabric that was given to me by a local shop. The shop makes custom baby bedding, drapes, etc. They offer their "scraps" free to anyone who'll come pick them up. What a great way to recycle.

Sandy's Nature Journaling bag

Autumn's baby bag