Dec. 25: Merry Christmas

 

Between brunch and turkey, and waiting for family to arrive from Guelph,

I had a window of opportunity for a quick ski at Mooney's Bay.

This outstanding day was Mother Nature's beautiful Christmas gift!



Dec. 24: ... and more snow!

Going from P 8, toward Penguin Parking lot, there is a swamp on both sides of the road.

This photo is from the small swamp, on the left hand side.

The heavy snowfall left clumps of snow on even delicate branches.

Dec. 23; ...and skiing

 

Happiness is: Skiing with my friend, Nancy, on beautiful fresh powder!

Dec. 22: Snow!!!!!

 

By Saturday mornning, there was This Much snow, and still snowing!

This photo is taken at one of my favourite spots in Gatineau Park, in the middle of the Doldrums.

Welcone to a Winter Wonderland!

Only a blue sky was missing!

Dec. 21: Happy Winter Solstice!

 

The storm was forecast to start at 11PM on Thursday night.

This photo was taken at 6 Am the next morning.

I love that the flash 'stops' the snow flakes and lights them up!

Dec. 20; At the NAC

 

And then it was MY turn to be excited!
I'm a big fan of Measha Brueggergosman, and she was there as the guest conductor!

Aaron called her 'a Princess!'

Dec. 19: At the NAC

 

And Surprise, Surprise!  Who was at the NAC but The Big Man himself!

We had one very excited boy on our hands!

Dec. 18: Gingerbread

 

When my children were young, I remember making a yearly Gingerbread House 'from scratch'.

That was then; this is now!

And now, I found a kit to make a train, for a train-lovin' boy!

How great is that!

Dec. 17: Aaron on Dad's Piano

 

Whenever Aaaron comes to our home, he heads for the Piano, my Dad's piano.

Here, he was playing and singing, "Jingle Bells".

Dad would love to have seen this, to play and sing with him.



Dec. 16: Hike - Two Pictures

These two pictures were taken at the same place, two months apart.

Mid October, then mid December.

Of course I know that the seasons change, but I thought it was fun to see it so visually!



Dec. 15: Winter Hike

 

This is a shot of the creek running beside Keogans.

With the sun shining on the ice on the trees, it was breathtaking.

Dec. 14: Another Winter Hike

 

The Hearty Friday Hikers - Frances, Dianne, Judy and Cheryl, at Watson's Landing on Trail #1.

It was a glorious day, and I'm glad that we made the decision to go.

DEc. 13: Winter Hike

 

In the Gatineau Park, it is a Winter Wonderland!

Dec. 12: Winter HIke

 

 

Now a winter hike.

Judy and Rose Ann check out the swamp, just off trail # 7, near McKenzie King Estate.

Dec. 11: Ottawa HIke

 

This photo is taken on an NCC trail behind Linda's home.

I love the way the light and shade contrast, and shine on the trees.

Dec. 10: Skiing

 

These friends are all leaders with our 'Women on Skis' group. We were meeting to plan the upcoming winter activities, but first we had a hike in Linda's 'backyard', which borders onto NCC land.

Anita, Marg, Linda, Gloria, Pat, Pat & Lorna.

Dec. 9: Ottawa

 

Also, at the Museum of Nature, the Mammoth family looks great in the morning sunlight.

Dec. 8: Ottawa

 

Even construction can look attractive with the early morning sun shining on it.

This construction site is somewhere downtown, on Metcalfe.

Dec. 7: Ottawa

 

How cool is this!

The newly renovated Museum of Nature has a whale 'swimming' in the glass addition!

Dec. 7: Marty

 

This photo of Marty has a soft focus - oh, all right, it is a little blurry!

I forgot to turn the flash 'on', but I rather like the softness of the photo.

Marty is now nearly six months old, and a very cute little character!

Dec. 6: Aaron

 

What do you think ... a budding artist?

Dec. 5: Ottawa

 

This lovely willow tree is at Colonel Bye and Patterson Creek, on the canal.

I pass it many times a week - sometimes, walking, running, biking, skating, and driving.

It is one of my favourite trees in the city, and impressive in every season.





Dec. 4: Ottawa

 

Last Friday morning, I heard radio reports that a car had been driven into the canal,

 at about 2:00 AM.

By the time we walked past the spot the next morning, the car had been pulled out,

 but you can see the hole in the ice and the mess of the fence.

Apparently the driver ran away from the scene!

Dec. 3: Ottawa

 

Sometimes, after I download photos from my camera, and I look at them enlarged on the screen, an occasional picture takes my breath away. This is one of them, but I don't know why!

Perhaps it is the canal disappearing into the background, and the shadows!

Dec. 2: Ottawa

With the first brush of snow this year, Ottawa presents a new face.

This picture, taken from the Bank Street Bridge,

shows a promise of things to come!

Sometimes, we are so focused on walking, we forget to admire the beauty!

Dec. 1: Art

 

 

 

In early September, I had a wonderful camping trip with My Wonderful Girlfriends.

Under Dianne's excellent organizing and leadership, we camped on George Lake in Kilarney Park.

I had never been there before, and I was enchanted with the beauty.

This view is of Turtle Rock, just across the bay from our campsite.

 

Nov. 30: Art

 

On the same trip to Tanzania five years ago,

 Megan and I had the great fortune to visit Good Hope Orphanage.

I took many photos, but the one of this young man always haunted me.

I finally had the courage to try painting him and I am quite pleased with the result

Nov. 29: Art

 

My original reference photo was taken in Ngoro Ngoro Crater in Tanzania, five years ago.

I wanted to do something different from straight copying the original, so I made the time 'sunset'.

I hope they golds and yellows give the glow of dusk.