Christmas on The Prairie

My very dear cousin Gord sent me this pic of their stunning tree on their farm in Alberta. I couldn't resist posting it! Not a surprise he describes this set up as a circus act.... ha ha!

First Day of Winter

Well it sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas - since a week ago! Sammy got her first snowfall of the year last Monday... a whopping 40cm of it and then some! For the rest of the week we've been in an Arctic deep freeze, bringing record temperatures to the south coast we haven't seen in 40 years. The estimated windchill has plunged as low as -20 across the Lower Mainland by this weekend. Last night a Pacific frontal system met up with the Arctic air, creating blizzard conditions and we got another 10cm of snow by this morning. Our snowfall warning continues into tonight, with a break tomorrow and then more right until Christmas day.

...OK THEN! now that you've got our regional forecast, I'll update you on my poor little palm trees I'm so concerned about!! Although they are hardy to -20, these newly planted 2 footers are very fragile and I'm scared they won't make it this winter. No one expected the crazy temperatures to hit or I would have been more prepared. I called the nursery I bought them from and they told me to cover them and throw some Christmas lights or light bulb inside for warmth (which we aren't doing - Wayne just shakes his head and says it's all so ridiculous). So I dug out some wirey screen from the basement and grabbed a few blankets. I'm hoping for the best and here is what these poor guys look like now.


It's actually funny because when I look at these pictures, the snow really isn't all that bad. Unlike Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, the rest of Canada doesn't shut down during this type of weather. This winter for us has been unheard of so naturally everyone's talking about it. I spent 9 years growing up in Alberta and 9 years in Ottawa. After that you KNOW what harsh winters are like!! I just have to laugh now....being on the South Coast in the winter....that said, I DO admit this snowfall was quite impressive. Here are some scary pictures of our HARSH winter when all was said and done.

A Visit to Santa

This year Sam was excited to see Santa, unlike last year. Last week I took her for a 'visit only' to break the ice for our photos this week. The set-up they had was such a great concept. The photographer had a hidden mic which hooked up to Santa and he asked me questions about Sam that he'd relay to Santa - then Santa sounded like he knew everything. Of course Santa knows everything! From the banana tree in our front yard to her kitty Max, the Bounce Back Racer she's wanted for weeks and he commented on how she could swim like a fish! I swear the look on Sam's face afterwards was priceless...not completely stunned, but she knew there was something pretty cool about this guy. We talked about it on the way home in the car.

Ever since her first visit I've psyched her up for the big photo shoot. She was SO excited and looking forward to it, except she only wanted to stand beside him not sit on his lap. This was a big step from last year when she didn't even say one word to him. She had her bath and I did her hair and we put on the brand new shoes and tights I bought yesterday to go with her black velvet dress.
Right before her turn the family before us had a screaming child who was clearly terrified of the big red suited man in the beard. Once they left Sam had obviously taken that as a warning to her to be careful of this guy and suddenly she had nothing to do with him. The moment she was fighting to get away and held onto daddy I was so ticked at the whole thing. Her reaction was so opposite from her visit last week and I hate to say some screaming kid ruined it for us... but...maybe it did. Maybe it didn't. .... maybe it was just coincidence and she decided for herself she didn't want to do this after all.

regardless...

We didn't anticipate joining in on the picture, but this was the end result. Not bad, but I was disappointed. There's always next year.

Sick of the Sickies

Sam has had a chest cold since Remembrance Day and is finally almost done with it. Wayne's been in the same boat except his keeps coming back just when he thinks it's gone. I've had the same thing since 2 weeks ago and finally feeling well enough to get caught up on the housework that was left neglected. My chest still feels tight and my voice is almost back so I have to take it slow or I'll have a set-back. This season is notorious for colds and flu and I'm glad we're getting it over with now.