Near Smoky Lake

An old hand-hewn log building near Smoky Lake, Alberta.

Looks like it may have been a barn on the lower level with a home on the top floor.

It was only four days until Christmas and I couldn't help but wonder how the holiday might have been celebrated here at the time: wake up and add logs to the fire, feed the cattle and milk the cow, the barn cat would like some of that fresh warm milk...she's a good mouser.  Maybe there were a few treats left by Saint Nicholas in the stockings hung by the stove for the kids.  Time for breakfast...fried eggs, toast grilled on the cast iron stove with homemade butter...fresh sausage from the neighbour down the road.  Be fun to go out and play in the snow while it's bright and sunny, make snow angels, build a snowman and then help mom with the baby while she gets Christmas dinner ready.  A prayer of thankfulness...turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes, whipped cream on pumpkin pie for dessert.  Twilight time...light a candle or two, leftovers to nibble on, dad tells a story while mom rocks the baby to sleep then early to bed after such a joyful day.  Different times.

Photographed on December 21, 2020.

Saint John in Cereal

Saint John the Baptist Anglican Church in Cereal, Alberta.

Photographed on December 1, 2021.

Parohia Ortodoxă Română Nașterea Fecioarei Maria

A walk through the grounds of the Romanian Orthodox Parish of the Birth of the Virgin Mary.  Enjoy!

The church is in the southwest corner of the grounds.

A peek inside.

The bell tower is tucked far into the bushes...

...and the bell is still mounted inside.

My Sunday afternoon visit to Saint Mary's was most enjoyable.  The grounds are surrounded on all four sides by a dense hedge of trees and bushes and,  once inside the lush greenery, it's a world unto its own.  

Photographed near Hairy Hill, Alberta on September 19, 2021.

Lodi

"Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again," plays in my head every time I see this school sign.  Thank you John Fogerty.

This is how the sign looked less than a week ago.

And this is how it looked about four and a half years ago. Not only is there a change of seasons but on the sign itself. 

Photographed near Hilda, Alberta on December 14, 2021 and June 11, 2017.

Charles School

Charles School still holds its own in the prairie landscape.

Don't let the snow in the ditch fool you...it was +15°C.

Photographed near Nemiscam, Alberta on November 28, 2021.

Pendant d'Oreille Cemetery

A pioneer cemetery in remote southeastern Alberta with the Sweet Grass Hills of Montana in the distance. 

Photographed near Pendant d'Oreille, Alberta on November 25, 2016.

Ainsley S.D. No. 4274

Ainsley School stands alone in a vast expanse of farmland.

Ainsley is sometimes written as "Ainslee."

Photographed near Eyre, Saskatchewan on November 5, 2021.

The Kraft Family Farm

Going out for a drive in the country you never know what you'll see around the next corner.  

This monument looks great all covered in frost.

A Century Family Farm Award for the Kraft Family who established their farm in 1906.

Photographed near Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan on December 13, 2021.

Hilldrop S.D. No. 1348

Hilldrop School was built in 1906 with lumber hauled in on horse drawn carts from Prince Albert, some thirty-five miles east...a four day round trip.  

The school opened later that same year under the tutelage of Miss Mary Bird...

...and after fifty-three years in operation closed in 1959.  Mrs. Alva Senum was the last teacher.  

In 1980 the school was restored during the Celebrate Saskatchewan provincial seventy-fifth anniversary and was later designated a Saskatchewan Heritage site in 1985.

Information courtesy of the Saskatchewan One Room School House Project website.

Photographed near Cameo, Saskatchewan on October 25, 2019.

Saint Mary's near Derwent

Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery near Derwent, Alberta.

Only on a few occasions have I seen a cemetery located near a body of water. Water always makes the scene a little more alluring, don't you think?

All of the grave markers are situated along the lower south side of the church grounds.

The church has recently received a fresh coat of paint.  (Thank you kind people.)

In the age old Catholic tradition, a large crucifix stands near the church.

Looks like the painters couldn't quite reach the bell tower.  Hopefully they'll get to it next year.

Photographed on September 22, 2021.