Happy Holidays!

 Wishing everyone all the best in the holiday season.

"Mister Snowman" was spotted near Cherry Grove, Alberta on November 8, 2024.

A Beautiful Place out in the Country

Time stood still for a moment.  

Saint Stephen's Anglican Church out on the open Saskatchewan prairie.

Photographed at Tangleflags, Saskatchewan on November 11, 2024.

Daisy says "Hello!"

A few photos taken near the end of my gardening season this past fall...Daisy was still keen on helping out.  She's often a bright spot in my day. 

 

Beautiful winter weather down here at the moment so I hope to take her out for a ride around town in the next day or two...a day trip in the country would be even  better.  

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on September 26, 2024.

Long Shot near Prelate

Saints Peter and Paul Church can be seen for miles around in the prairie countryside near Prelate, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on October 26, 2024.

Bethesda Church

Was looking through archived photos and found this one of Bethesda Lutheran Church looking pretty as a picture in the snow.

Some church history here: Bethesda Lutheran near Milestone

Photographed near Milestone, Saskatchewan on January 26, 2022.

Smiley United Church

The church is in good condition and still in use.

As recently as seven weeks ago, a fowl supper organized by the church was attended by about one hundred people.  (Considering the population of Smiley is currently around twenty-five people, that's an excellent turnout, don't you think?) Good on 'em!  It's always good news to hear that a small town community is doing well.

Photographed in Smiley, Saskatchewan on December 10, 2017.

Little Yellow Church

This little yellow church is the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Parish of Saint John the Baptist in Bellis, Alberta.

Over the years I've been through Bellis on a number of occasions but this was the first time I'd seen the church building.  I'm sure you're asking, "how could you miss such a brightly coloured building in a small town?"  Well...

Up until this past summer the unpainted church was hidden behind a couple of huge old spruce trees, so when driving down the street it wasn't of any notice.  But when it was realised that the roots of the spruce trees were beginning to damage the foundation of the church, the trees were removed and the church was painted this very bright yellow.  

I hate to see the trees gone, but it's nice to see the little yellow church in all it's glory once again.  

Information courtesy of a Bellis local.  When in doubt, consult a local.

Photographed on November 8, 2024.

Love Valley

Welcome to Liebenthal, Saskatchewan...Love Valley.

Photographed on October 26, 2024.

Ox Cart

An ox pulling a red river cart welcomes you to Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan.

A commemoration to the Carlton Trail, the only passageway through the area in the early days of settlement.  Imagine going to pick up your groceries and dry goods in an ox cart!  Those were definitely different times.    

Photographed on November 7, 2024.

Snow at the Witch House

No trip to southwest Saskatchewan would be complete without a visit to the Witch House.  

It had been exactly a month since my last visit, and the views couldn't have been more unalike.  A month ago it looked like this: Sunrise at the Witch House

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on December 2, 2024.

Colourful

Pulling into Eastend, Saskatchewan from the west today I was greeted by this wonderfully colourful house.  Can you dig it?!    

Photographed on December 2, 2024.

Farm Dogs near Kahwin

A couple of farm dogs I've encountered on several occasions in the Kahwin area of Alberta.  Always happy to reconnect with canine friends...they really are something special. 

Glad they're still doing well, happy and healthy, out enjoying the scenery and doing dog stuff.  Just the way it should be.

Photographed on November 9, 2024.

Plymouth Truck

This antique Plymouth truck sits behind the old church in Flora, North Dakota.  I think it dates from the late-thirties or early-forties.  Handsome design never the less.  

Imagine picking up your first date in this beauty.

Old Church in Flora

An attractive, weathered old church in Flora, North Dakota. 

 

The quickest route to Flora from my home is nine hundred and ninety-nine kilometres.  But since I like to take the scenic route is was more like thirteen hundred plus kilometres.  Definitely worth the drive.

Photographed on September 16, 2023.

Late Fall

Near Boian, Alberta.

Photographed on November 9, 2024.

Sunrise at the Witch House

On this occasion my visit to the Witch House was an illuminating experience. 

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on November 2, 2024.

Not Forgotten on Remembrance Day

Bless him and all who have fought for our freedom. 

Photographed at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cemetery near Desjarlais, Alberta on November 9, 2024.

Remembrance Day

Poppies in honour of Remembrance Day.  

Photographed at the Sculpture Park in Burstall, Saskatchewan on October 27, 2024.

Emmanuel Anglican Church

A beautifully designed church in Holland, Manitoba.

It was built during 1893/94 with the spire being added in 1898.

I didn't see the interior first-hand but according to the Manitoba Historical Archives there are several plaques inside to commemorate local parishioners who served in a military capacity during World War I as well as Reverend Waddington Clarke who was a pastor around the turn of the century. 

It is now known as Holland Emmanuel Historical Church.

Photographed on September 19, 2023.

Day of the Dead

A day to honour loved ones who have passed along into the ether.  Enjoy this happy celebration of life and death.

Borschiw Cemetery near Haight, Saskatchewan.

September 17, 2021.

Saint Wolodymyr Cemetery near Cappon, Alberta.

November 7, 2021

Hanks Cemetery near Zahl, North Dakota.

June 22, 2023

Ukrainian Settlers Mass Grave near Olha, Manitoba.

July 27, 2022

Congregational Cemetery near Gros Ventre-Tothill, Alberta.

September 9, 2023

Sacred Heart Cemetery near Bow Island, Alberta.

May 29, 2019

Holy Ghost Ukrainian Cemetery near Ispas, Alberta.

February 23, 2020

Blessed Virgin Mary Church Cemetery near Rhodes, Manitoba.

July 24, 2022

Ostriem Cemetery near Leeds, North Dakota.

September 16, 2023

Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery near Prelate, Saskatchewan.

October 26, 2024

"Feliz Día de los Muertos"

Happy Hallowe'en

Happy Hallowe'en everyone!

Photographed on my balcony in Medicine Hat, Alberta on October 11, 2024.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

Blumenfeld Church was photographed near Prelate, Saskatchewan on 

October 26, 2024.

The Big Bad Wolf

This is Billy.  

He was out for an afternoon walk on the grounds of the Arborg Heritage Village with his dog-sitter on a lovely fall day.    

He instantly reminded me of "the big bad wolf" from Little Red Riding Hood  though my fear of being eaten alive quickly passed...he's a little wild-eyed but very friendly.  Billy was fourteen years old at the time.  Good ole boy.

Photographed in Arborg, Manitoba on October 18, 2022.

Arborg Heritage Village

Lots to see at the Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village in Arborg, Manitoba.  

A peek through the front window.

Brandson House and Chapil Barn.

My visit here was well past "tourist season" so I didn't get a chance to see the interiors of the buildings...still a nice visit on a beautiful fall day. 

Photographed on October 18, 2022.