Two Loaves.

Homemade bread made by my son and daughter. My son must have moved his head as it is a little out of focus.

David displays his new tatoo. At least it is somewhere were is can be covered up!

BOARDERTOWN

Tucked at the base of our local mountains is this little movie set. It has been used for numerous movies and TV shows.
It was never actually occupied as far as I know. It was built for the film industry, which has become very popular here.

ABC Wednesday

Z IS FOR ZIP.

Yellow Oar.

Kayak on the North Alouette where it narrows down to a creek!

In the distance, at the base of the hill is an old western town movie set called Boardertown. Remember the TV show? Ill post a closer look at the town soon.

Older

Weather and aged, this old barn is one of Maple Ridges older buildings.

Sun at last.

Finally, a lovely afternoon of sunshine. A few clouds on the horizon made for a breath-taking sunset.

Ice Cream Castles.

The gloom persists. I love to photograph clouds. This was actually taken at White Rock, which is right at the sea, about an hours drive south-west of here.

Oh for a blue sky once more!

The last time we had nice weather here seems so long ago, so I am posting a photo from a walk back in early December. Since then we have had mostly rain or snow. I am aching for some sunshine! The next nice day we get will be spectacular because the mountains will be covered in snow and will be breathtaking. The nice winter days here are so beautiful that it is worth waiting through day after day of gloom.

ABC Wednesday

Y is for yew.

The Yew tree in our front yard is laden with berries.

We also have holly and hawthorn in berry. The birds have plenty to eat this winter.

Pink Snow

The mountains peeked from beneath the clouds and were glowing pink with the morning sunshine. Seen through the bare limbs of the weeping maple.

It's snowing again right now. I love it!

Falls

The falls on the upper north Allouete river.

Old Iron

Built by Empire Iron co in Vancouver BC. This is part of an old steam engine which sits up in the University of BC research forest, which sits in the foot hills of the Golden Ears Mountains. It use to be used to haul logs out of the woods. We went up there for a walk on New Years Day.

January Theme Day

The first of each month for Daily City Photo Bloggers is always a theme day. This month's theme is Best Photo of the Year.
This was a difficult choice to make. I picked this one because I loved the lighting and the textures. Please visit some of these other Daily City Photo blogs for more theme day photos. Click on any of the cities listed below to see what participants from all over the world consider their best photo of the year.
Paris, France - London, England - Hyde, UK - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Grenoble, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Riga, Latvia - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Manila, Philippines - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Weston (FL), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - New Orleans (LA), USA - Wichita (KS), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Francisco (CA), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Mainz, Germany - Melbourne, Australia - Portland (OR), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Toulouse, France - Naples (FL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Brussels, Belgium - Stayton (OR), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Toruń, Poland - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Baziège, France - Nashville (TN), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Prescott (AZ), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Evry, France - Trujillo, Peru - Arlington (VA), USA - Denpasar, Indonesia - American Fork (UT), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Coral Gables (FL), USA - Montpellier, France - Joplin (MO), USA - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Boston (MA), USA - Torun, Poland - New York City (NY), USA - Dunedin (FL), USA - Quincy (MA), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Chateaubriant, France - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Jackson (MS), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Budapest, Hungary - Austin (TX), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Cypress (TX), USA - Bicheno, Australia - Wrocław, Poland - Brookville (OH), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Cheltenham, UK - Wellington, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - London, UK - Haninge, Sweden - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Arradon, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Mumbai, India - Terrell (TX), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - Delta (CO), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Saigon, Vietnam - San Diego (CA), USA - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Belgrade, Serbia - Auckland, New Zealand - Seguin (TX), USA - Inverness (IL), USA - Oslo, Norway - Singapore, Singapore - Las Vegas (NV), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Torino, Italy - Susanville (CA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Memphis (Tennessee), USA

A very healthy, happy new year to all.

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.