Bi Polar

The winter critters at the shopping center. In this display, penguins are at the North Pole. They are a long way from home! Father Christmas seems happy to see them!

The Hung Gingerbread Man

This little guy was made for our tree by my sister almost 20 years ago. We joke around that he is really hung, due to the noose around his neck!

Mantle

Perched upon our mantle are some little birds, including this cardinal. They found nesting places amongst the pine garland.

ABC Wednesday Letter V.

Here are a few V words that I found in Wikpedia to go with this photo of my green glass. The pattern on the glass is even made of a repeating 'v'.

VERBOMANIA - craze for words
VERRE - Fr. Meaning glass
VITREOUS - Of, or resembling glass
VERT- the name of a tincture roughly equivalent to the colour "green".

Warm and Cozy Memories.

Our old ginger tom, keeping warm in front of the fireplace. This is one from Christmas 2004. Six weeks later, he passed away.

Joy

A simple Christmas message in the window of a downtown store front. I wish you all much joy this Christmas season.

Which Way to Turn?

East or west, home is best. The sign on Route 7, also known as Lougheed Highway and 240th. The crest on top of the signs is the B.C. provincial flag.

Sitting

A clear crisp day in Maple Ridge. An early morning walker takes a moment to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Twinkley Trimmings on the Trees in Town

Today is ABC Wednesday featuring the letter 'T'.

Sorry this is a bit blurry, I should have used a tripod. But I still like the picture.

This is Memorial Peace Park on Saturday night, after the Christmas parade.

Lamp Light

Looking out the window by my front door.So far, this is the extent of my decorating. I have seen a few house with christmas trees up already!

Pointsettia Puss

Little cat helps with the christmas decorations!

Christmas Parade

Last night, Maple Ridge held its annual Christmas Parade. Despite to cold, there was a huge turn out. For about the past five years, it has started at 6pm. It feels so festive with all the christmas lights on in the town green.

The snow drifted down lightly making for a definite mood for the season.

This real estate agent float was a big hit with the gingerbread house. In the distance you can see the bandstand lit up.

DECEMBER THEME DAY: BRIDGES

City Daily Photo Blogs enjoys a theme day on the 1st of each month. Thes month is Bridges. This foot bridge crosses over Kanaka Creek.
Please take a while to check out these other blogs participating in Bridges.

Boston (MA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Inverness (IL), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Stockholm, Sweden - Setúbal, Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Hyde, UK - Manila, Philippines - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - London, England - Austin (TX), USA - Toulouse, France - Weston (FL), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Selma (AL), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - North Bay (ON), Canada - Arradon, France - Paderborn, Germany - Durban, South Africa - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Portland (OR), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wichita (Ks), USA - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Grenoble, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Arlington (VA), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Cheltenham, UK - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Saratoga Spgs. (NY), USA - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nashville (TN), USA - Toruń, Poland - New Orleans (LA), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Melbourne, Australia - Moscow, Russia - Trujillo, Peru - Château-Gontier, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Joplin (MO), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Baziège, France - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Detroit (MI), USA - Riga, Latvia - Nelson, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Dunedin (FL), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Radonvilliers, France - Turin, Italy - Montpellier, France - Kansas City (MO), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Wailea (HI), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Terrell (TX), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Budapest, Hungary - Montréal (QC), Canada - Sharon (CT), USA - Le Guilvinec, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - London, UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Orlando (FL), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Paris, France - Mainz, Germany - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Darmstadt, Germany - Naples (FL), USA - Torino, Italy - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - The Hague, Netherlands - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand

Charity

This fellow was working the Salvation Army Kettle yesterday outside the grocery store. I have seen him around town, he seems very friendly. So I plonked a handful of change from my ashtray into his kettle, introduced myself, shook his hand and asked if I could take his photo. He very cheerfully agreed. I don't know what this fellows story is, but I admire anyone willing to stand and do this work in the cold, as an act of charity. I emailed a copy to the Sally Ann office, so hopefully , he will get to see it!

The Sally Ann, as it is affectionately nick-named, takes in a lot of Maple Ridge homeless. When the weather gets as cool as it has been this past couple of weeks, there are a lot of grateful people take comfort in the charity this organization provides. They also have a soup kitchen three times a day and a mobile unit for food and hot drinks for street people. Often times, the people manning these kettles are former homeless folks, trying to do something to give back to the community.

(Matthew 25 : 35, 36, 40)'

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

They're Up Now!

Somebody must have heard me say that the downtown decorations were not up yet . Today we went into town and lo and behold, look what was up on the lamp posts!

I really like our old fashioned decorations, they are such a tradition. After all the years they have been used, they feel as familiar as the old angel I put on my tree every year.

One Year Anniversary

A year ago I posted my first photo on Maple Ridge Daily Photo. Thank you to all 7800 viewers who took the time to visit so often!
Also, a year ago, I went out to capture hundreds of photos of an early snowfall. It was -16c and I was out for hours with my camera, revelling in the magic of a clear snowy day. Today we are again hearing a forcast of snow, but so far we just have rain. In this photo from one year ago, the Christmas decorations were up on our Main street. No sign of them yet!

ABC Wednesday Something beginning with S

S is for Sky.
Some of the blogs are doing an ABC theme on Wednesday. Each weeks theme starts with a specific letter.

Winter's Promise

The word on the lips of the locals is "Aren't the mountains beautiful today?"

Last night's rain fell as snow upon the hills. This morning the clouds lifted to reveal this gorgeous view of the Golden Ears dusted with snow and draped in a veil of mist.

Sunset on North Allouette

It has been a very cool week. Lots of heavy frost and clear days. Today though its cloudy and dull with a prdiction of snow in the forecast. We will have to wait and see!

Shoes

Can you ever have too many teenagers in the house?
Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious.

Field Trip

We went into Vancouver today.

There was a little park where a bubble machine was hard at work. This granfather is enjoying the sunshine with this cute little guy.

Apples

We had apple crumble tonight, made with apples from one of Oliver's orchards.

Barney

Nearby horse stable in the sun after a morning of fog.

Mural

Recently, this mural appeared on the side of a local business. It has a partner on the other side of the building. These two huge paintings are a brand new like a face lift in the town center. What were once plain concrete block walls, are now colourful images of local scenery. I took this last week, today it's featured on the front page of the news paper.

Theme Day Blue

DAILY CITY PHOTOS HAS A THEME DAY ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH. THIS MONTHS TOPIC IS SOMETHING BLUE.

Blue bottles

in the window, catching the sun.

The Big Bad Boo

Halloween night and my nephew enjoys the scarey decorations. I did not edit the red eyes as they seem to embelish the scariness of the evening!

Greenleaf

Frost melts into beaded jewels of water.

Happy Birthday

Today my baby girl turns seventeen.

The years have flown by.

Smiley

It's almost that time!

Gerber

At a glance one may wonder, fried egg or flower?

Hydrangea

We had frost again this morning. Perhaps a forewarning of a harsh winter on the way? Unbelievably, this hydrangea is still flowering. I think I shall snip off the blooms to dry them.

Oh Pooh!

When I took this photo, I merely thought I was capturing a snail on a leaf. Once the image was uploaded onto my computer. I noticed there was also an abundance of snail feces in the picture. Have you ever noticed details in a photo that you hadn't noticed when shooting it.

Fall Leaves

I spotted this home on the corner of Dewdney and Laity. I just thought it looked so pretty with its carpet of fallen maple leaves. The town is on fire with the marvelous fall foliage.

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I have been away.

Thaw

On the roof of the car, frost melts in the morning sun.

The dusting of snow that we had on our mountains has melted away due to some nice sunny days.

The Ranch

A few minutes from our home is the Equestrian Center, where horses are boarded and trained. Riding lessons and show jumping also occur here against a backdrop of the Golden Ears Mountains. There is also a restraunt/pub on the premesis that makes a great hamburger and serves beer on tap.

Cat Woman

My daughter walks her cats. They are indoor cats unless they are leashed.

Morning Aster

The morning frost has melted on these asters, now glistening like dew.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

The clouds which dusted the mountains in their first snow yesterday, are almost gone. This morning arrived brilliantly with skies of blue. I hopped in the car and drove down the road for a better view of the mountains. Taken at the north end of 224th st., looking up towards the UBC Research Forest.

First Snow

This morning the clouds lifted for the first time in a few days. The air has had a cool snap to it. When I glance out of my kitchen window this morning, I was delighted to see the Golden Ears Mountains have received their first dusting of snow. They looked magnificent peeking out between the clouds and lit up by the sun. Our mountains are always a grand sight, but with a little snow upon their peaks, they are breathtaking.

This photo was taken from my winter files, as I did not have a chance to shoot this morning.

Ice Cream Shop

Despite the turn in the weather, Marina's Gelato on 224th street, continues to do a roaring business in Ice Cream sales. This grandfather is creating memories that will last this little girl a life time. When she is a grandparent herself, she will fondly recall the times her Grandpa took her to the ice cream parlor. I know I cherish my own such memories.
My favorite flavor is mint chocolate chip....What's your favorite flavour?

On and Off the Branches

A stroll through Kanaka Creek park reveals that although many leaves have fallen,many remain green and still on limb.

October City Daily Theme Day

The first of the month is always Theme day for City Daily Photo Blogs. For the month of October the theme is Cemeteries or tombstones.
This is the grave stone of Thomas Haney and his wife Annie, one of Maple Ridge's Pioneer families. They came to Maple Ridge in 1876 and in 1882, subdivided their land to create the town site of Port Haney, the original town core which is now known as Maple Ridge. Haney locals still refer to our town core as Haney.
Please feel free to visit these other City Daily Photo Sites which are also participating in the theme day.

St. Louis (MO), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Mainz, Germany - Hyde, UK - Arlington (VA), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Toulouse, France - Arradon, France - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Joplin (MO), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Seattle (WA), USA - Baziège, France - Baltimore (MD), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Anderson (SC), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Nashville (TN), USA - Tenerife, Spain - Manila, Philippines - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Jacksonville (FL), USA - River Falls (WI), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - Lubbock (TX), USA - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Moscow, Russia - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Minneapolis (MN), USA - New Orleans (LA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Toruń, Poland - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand - London, England - Paderborn, Germany - The Hague, Netherlands - Selma (AL), USA - Sunderland, UK - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Stavanger, Norway - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Weston (FL), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Forks (WA), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Wellington, New Zealand - Montpellier, France - Jackson (MS), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Evry, France - Saarbrücken, Germany - New York City (NY), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - North Bay (ON), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cypress (TX), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Paris, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Wichita (Ks), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Prague, Czech Republic - Zurich, Switzerland - Budapest, Hungary - Paris, France - Saigon, Vietnam - Grenoble, France - Zurich, Switzerland - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Toronto (ON), Canada -

Rainy Haney

Monsoon season has arrived in Maple Ridge. Locals affectionately nick name our town Rainy Haney. Time to get out the rain gear.

Web Drops

This spiders web, looked like something magical with these rain drops glistening on it like diamonds in gauze. If you look closely, each drop contains the reflected image of my camera.

Ferns Revisited

In yesterdays comments, 'Scenic British Columbia' suggested that the photo may be improved with some editing to brighten it up. When I had loaded it, I thought it looked a bit dull, but didn't have time to play with it. So here today is an improved version of yesterday's post. Go visit Scenic BC'S site if you would like to see more gorgeous photos of this very beautiful province, of which Maple Ridge is just a small part.

Ferns

Nature always prevails.

Any small crack where a tiny seed can wedge can become taken over by new growth.

These ferns are growing on the side of the wharf.

Up in the Air

Taken exactly one year ago. I wish I could be on that plane today so I could be closer to someone very special to me.

Vernal Equinox

Today is the first official day of Autumn.
The vernal equinox, which roughly translated means equal hours of daylight and darkness.
Following a relatively dry summer, September brings cooler nights. The results are very colourful. Suddenly the trees are filling with brilliant colours that just a couple of days ago were mostly green.

First Fall Finds

We are starting to feel a snap in the evening air and the first leaves are fluttering to the ground.

Jam

My least favorite type of jam. I much prefer strawberry to traffic jam.

Recently, Vancouver was voted #1 city in the world. Based on

A: geography and attractiveness

B: Safety & crime stats.

C: Infrastructure such as roads and public transport

Maple Ridge is part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. I was stuck in this traffic jam a while ago when this announcement came on the car radio. The DJ uttered the same words as myself..."Obviously the judges hadn't sat in rush hour traffic trying to get out of Pitt Meadows when there is an accident on the bridge!"