Holiday Train

Santa came to town last night aboard a Canadian Pacific Railway holiday train. He belted what I think was an old AC/DC tune. He got the crowd rocking! It was freezing cold but still a decent crowd turned out to this annual fundraiser for the food bank.

FROZEN FRASER RIVER

HI THERE, WELCOME BACK. Please take a seat, there is loads of room here on this nice bench! Are you keeping warm where you are? Are you all ready for Christmas? If you are one of those sickening people who finished Christmas shopping in July, then I dont want to know about it!

The Fraser is frozen. Not completely. It looks like a huge margarita. Sort of icey and slushy and crusty around the edges. Anyone have a big straw? The ice has actually broken up now and is flowing along on the current.
The ferry is back in operation, but only one is running usually two run at the same time. One in either direction. They are only operating in daylight hours, to be able to maneuver through the ice safely. So all those early morning commuters had to traverse the highway. The paper reported that this is the first time in seven years that there has been enough ice to shut down the ferry This is quite a novelty for us Lotus Land dwellers. Last spring when we were out in Edmonton, Alberta, their river was so frozen solid that cars were driving on it!

It is Skywatch Friday Again. See other Sky Watchers contributions by Clicking HERE.

For SKY WATCH FRIDAY... this blue sky makes a perfect backdrop to this Bald Eagle. For more photos of these birds taken Thursday, please check out my other blog by clicking here

Remembrance Day

A solomn observance took place in our town center in the pouring rain.

This is part of MY WORLD. To see other posts from MY WORLD TUESDAY you can visit here... http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Jack o Lantern

We carved our pumpkins today. This is an old photo, I will try to get some of our new pumpkins for Halloween night!

Sky Friday

OOOHHH! Those moody skies at sunset! Make for such heavenly drama.

For more heavenly photography, please go to the SKY WATCH FRIDAY BLOG by clicking this sentence.

Crane

Yesterdays sunset, taken from Haney Wharf. Standing in the same spot that yesterdays photo of River Road was taken.
In the center of the picture is a giant crane which is part of the construction of the new Golden Ears Bridge which will be completed next year.

River Road

This was the original main street in Maple Ridge. Back then, most travel in and out of town was done by boat.
These turn of the century builings are on River road, across from the wharf on the Fraser River.
The larger building is the Billy Miner Pub and beside it is a liquor store.
They were bathed in the glow of a spectacular sunset which I will post here soon.

Peak a boo.

Red maple before the mist shrouded peaks of the Golden Ears Mountains.

It's the Time of the Season

For beautiful colours.

Mighty Fraser

The Fraser River boarders along the south of Maple Ridge. This view looks North West, towards Port Coquitlam.

Albion from Langley

The Golden Ears Mountains act as a backdrop to the Albion Ferry Dock.

Corn

The corn is as high as an elephants eye!

Sunset Rainbow

My own personal leprechaun~ Found the end of the rainbow!

Yesterday we had a beautiful rainbow at sunset!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Aren't little girls the most precious creatures?

Maui in Maple Ridge?

This view of Alouette Lake reminds me of Lahina in Maui. This tall narrow mountain is very like the scenery in that tropical place.

Skywatch Friday

These boots were made for ....hanging on telephone lines?

I often see shoes flung

up on the overhead wires. These look like good workboots. Set off so nicely against a blue Maple Ridge sky.

ABC Wednesday Letter E

Abc Wednesday letter E.

E is for Education in Electric Drill Useage. Young nephew Emulates his older cousin and screws drywall onto the ceiling. He was Exstatic to be Entered into the manly world of tools and sweaty hard work!

ABC Wednesday - C

C is for Canoe, A popular Canadian water Craft.

This was taken at Allouette Lake in Golden Ears Provincial Park. A popular spot for Maple Ridgers on a hot summer day.

sun thru maples

Name sake of this town,

back lit by the sun!

Sky Friday

Treetops in the mountains of Manning Park. 200 KM from here.

ABC Wednesday - Y

Yellow Flower.

Peas in a Pod

June Theme Day - Corner Stores Around The World.

Well preserved... one of the original buildings in the heart of old Maple Ridge.

One from the archives I am afraid.

You are welcome to visit more City Daily Photo Theme Day Photos at the City Daily Photo site.

Missing Month.

Pardon my absence. We have been learning to live with the loss of my niece Kayla, who passed away on May 2nd. We will always hold her memory dear in our hearts and memories. And now, as cruel as it may be... Life goes on. Thank to all who sent their regards and emails.

On thin Ice

Who is that man behind the mask? I've got a sweaty jockstrap for the first one to correctly guess his identity!

OK,OK, I'll tell you.

It that ever so slightly studly. hubby of mine!

Keiths work has started up a team. They have been practicing for a couple of months. Keith played his first game a couple of nights ago. They scored only one goal to the other teams five. But its all in good fun. He looks so cute in his padded shorts and helmet!

Every time he has been skating, whether for training or for the game... he always comes home all frisky! But since this is a family blog, thats all I am going to say about that!

Big and Little

I saw these two gentlemen waiting at the bus stop this morning. I just couldn't resist snapping their photo! The fellow in the cowboy hat was about 6'4" and his counterpart was at least 18"shorter! They make a cute duo!

Tulips Again

Mt.Cheam watches over the fields of blooms. Tulips are a favorite in these parts. Most of this Valley was Diked and made useable by the Dutch settlers at the turn of the century.

Tulips

Today we went to the Tulips of the Valley Festival.

Skywatch Friday #4

Dead tree against the sky, on the beach at Bowen Island.

Taken on Tuesday while we were out on one of our day excursions. Bowen Island is not far from home and makes a nice little get away.

For more pictures from this trip click here to get to my other blog.

SILO

These silos are a common sight on area farms. Used for storage of grain. Also used by birds to sit and warm in the sun on top of the aluminium roof. Its a beautiful day in Maple Ridge today.

neon

Neon lights

at the bowling lane.

Veal Cutlet

AWWW! The little calves are so adorable. The calves on this farm are raised for veal. They are kept in these tiny "igloos", my name for the pens they are kept in.
The small size of their quarters prevents them from moving around too much. Hence, their muscles don't develop well, so their meat remains tender. I detest the thought of it and will not consume this product.

Haney Hawgs (EDITED)

EDITED DECEMBER 16,2008
After a couple of comments to this post I feel I must apologize for having misinformed my readers of the nature of this building.
I have not actually ever been in this building. I had always just thought it was a pub.
I stand corrected via a couple of commenters that it is in fact not a licenced establishment. My apologies if my assumption caused any inconvenience to anyone.
The old building itself, from what I have seen on the outside, is well maintained and quite attractive.

ORIGINAL POST
The local watering hole for the Maple Ridge Chapter of Hells Angels. Named Haney Hawgs for the old part of town which is called Haney.

Skywatch Friday #3

Sunset over Kamloops. This was taken last night as I travelled home from Alberta.

Sorry I did not post for two weeks! We have been busy with my neice who is in hospital.

For links to more Skywatch Friday, please visit Friday's post at Wiggers World by clicking on this text.

Sky Watch Friday #2

I am a little late, but here it is. My 2nd contribution. to Sky Watch Friday. Taken last Sunday, with this post in mind. The iron fence around the front of a church. The same church whose door I posted earlier this week. It would be nicer if there hadnt been telephone wires.

To see other SKY WATCH FRIDAY submissions, click on this text.

ABC Wednesday - K

K IS FOR KYLOE'S

A breed of long haired highland cattle.

K is for Kine. Plural for cows. This herd is in Maple Ridge. I dont know for certain that they are Kyloe, but they are definately kine.

April Theme Day - Water

The first day of each month is theme day. Todays theme is water. I took this photo this morning as I drove through the costal mountains on my way home from my parents home in Oliver BC. Sorry to be so late posting.

Please visit these other blogs who are also participating in theme day.

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Gordio, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

I am out of town, Yesterday I captured this curch side door in the city of Penticton.
'O, once in each man's life, at least, Good luck knocks at his door; And wit to seize the flitting guest Need never hunger more. But while the loitering idler waits Good luck beside his fire, The bold heart storms at fortune's gates, And conquers its desire. "
Lewis J. Bates

Sky Friday

Friday is sky day. There is a Friday photo theme for sky pictures. Based out of WIGGERS WORLD BLOG. I love photographing the everchanging skies, so this should be fun. i may not be able to contribute every week, but I will do my best.

This sunset was snapped through the windsheild as we arrived back in Maple Ridge after a day out of town.

Mind The Gap

Three years old and my niece keeps up with the pace. She's just so darned cute and is the youngest cousin on my husbands side of the family.

On the right in the brown leather jacket, is my son, the oldest child of his generation of cousins. There are18 years between them. Practically a generation gap.

ABC WEDNESDAY - J

J IS FOR JAPANESE

These paper cranes are an example of the ancient Japanese craft of origami.

There is an old Japanese legend that states if you fold a thousand paper cranes, you will get your wish.

Maple Ridge Kids

The Maple Ridge contingent at the RCMP youth Academy. My son is the tall one at the back. Just one of the five platoons who spent all their Spring Break at boot camp.

ABC WEDNESDAY - I

I IS FOR INCANDECENT.

This is the tiny little bulb in my desk lamp.

Sorry I am late with my entry.

Locking Antlers

On our way home from Edmonton, as we drove through the Rockies we were stopped by a herd of Elk meandering across the highway. These two were up on the hill at the side of the road. Its a bit dim beacause we were losing the light . This picture doesnt show off their huge size. Soon I will post one that does.

ABC Wednesday - H

H is for HUGS.

This is my niece Kayla. She is 17.

For two years she has been fighting cancer.

She has been told there is no further treatment for her.

We will all need lots of hugs in the next few months!

These young ladies were at the fair offering free hugs. It did make our day!

ROAD TRIP

Leaving Maple Ridge, I am Traveling through the Rockies and will be posting some of the images from my journey.

This beautiful shiny tanker will be filthy by the end of this long trip.