Sunset Ski

December 2021 - Xmas Ski

As the days are shorter and shorter my afternoon ski has turned into a sunset ski. But the advantage is the beautiful sunsets that I get to see as I ski in Leflay Trail. Here is a photo of my view today. As the sun rays came through the trees it was so peaceful and beautiful.

Forest Bathing

December Forest Walks

I was out for a walk on Leflay Trail and I looked up and thought the trees looked so magical. So I snapped this photo. It made me remember the Japanese term of forest bathing. I did feel relaxed as I walked through the snow and trees. Maybe it is a mindfulness practice of walking and taking in beauty of nature. 

The term emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”). The purpose was twofold: to offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and to inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country's forests.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/forest-bathing-nature-walk-health#:~:text=The%20term%20emerged%20in%20Japan,and%20protect%20the%20country's%20forests.

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2021

My 2021 Christmas card photo! I was slow sending out my cards and several of them are still sitting on my desk.....but never the less I am sharing this photo with you to wish you a Merry Christmas. We had a lovely little tree that dad and Trent had cut down right out of our yard.  It is always special to be able to grow your own tree. 

Art By Joan

Cedar Wax Wing

This is one of Mom's paintings. We were in Saskatoon to visit a family friend and this picture was hanging in the guest room. It was nice to see this artwork. I recognize this picture as I believe mom was very proud of this work. It is painted from a photo of a Cedar Wax Wing in the front yard eating cranberries. 

Take A Break

Regina, Saskatchewan

We had a trip to Regina as dad needed to go to the eye doctor to get new glasses. I use this opportunity to visit a coffee shop. That is one thing that I miss from my old life in Hong Kong. I use to visit my local coffee shop a few times a week. I love to order a latte.  Today I decided to also have a treat since it was cold and snowy outside. So here I am enjoying a little treat and a break. I am trying to write out my Christmas cards while I sit here. I can't believe it is already December and I have so many friends to contact. Time sure goes fast!

Winter Walks

December 2021

The Leflay Trail is now a snowy walk. It is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. I try to get out for a walk every day but sometimes I skip my day if the weather is not great. Sometimes it is really windy and cold and not the best day for walking. I usually try to complete a monthly walk challenge to walk 50km a month. I am not sure if I will be able to complete this challenge for December. 

Snowshoeing

December 13, 2021

Out for a snowshoe walk on the Leflay Trail. The snow has started falling and there is a good amount of snow on the trails. It was a beautiful day with sun and blue skies. I walked 4km and enjoyed -10c temps. 

Winter Walks

November 19, 2021

Out for a snowy walk while the temperature is still nice I found a heart rock! There were not be many more chances to find heart rocks as the snow continues to fall and cover the ground. This might be the last heart of 2021!

Remembrance Day

November 11, 2021 in Saltcoats

Back in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan and I attended the annual Remembrance Day celebration. A collection of town folk gathered in the cold weather at the Care Home and we marched together to the cenotaph. It was a quiet ceremony as the wind howled and the snow blowed. But it brought back memories of standing here with large crowds and older seniors dressed in their military uniforms. Now-a-days there are no longer any WW2 soldiers standing in uniform but it is still important to take the time to honour their sacrifice.

Sunsets at the beach

November 6, 2021

One of the great things about staying at Loreto, Baja is the sunsets. Each night we were treated to an amazing display of colors and reflections on the water.  I tried to capture the color but my photo doesn't do it justice. You will have to visit Loreto to experience the true beauty yourself...

Beach Time

November 2021

Just outside of La Paz we found this amazing beach.  We enjoyed a lunch of fish tacos and beers as we watched the beach activity.  The water is so blue and so clear. We could see fish swimming along in the water from where we sat at the restaurant. We were at: Beach Club El Tecolote and I would recommend a visit there if you are ever in La Paz.

Cactus

November 2021

Hiking along a trail we came across this cactus that was in full bloom.  I thought it was photo worthy.  I am amazed at all the variety of cactus here in the Baja. They seem to come all different shapes and sizes. 

Scuba Diving in the Baja

Mexican Adventure

Here we are about to board our boat and head out for a scuba adventure. This was a chance to see some big schools of jacks. October is the month when these big schools cruise through the Baja. 

To see a photo of a school of Jack fish check out this website:

https://peapix.com/bing/35097

We were in luck, we dropped down right into the middle of a school of Jack. It was incredible to see all these fish. They just moved apart and made space for us and then we were sounded by a wall of fish.  It as a surreal experience to be in the water surrounded by thousands of fish. 

Cabo Plamo

Hiking along the Sea of Cortez

We visited a marine park where we went on a beautiful hike along the Sea of Cortez. Then we went snorkelling and saw thousands of small feeder fish. The water visibility was amazing as we could see for thirty feet. There were pelicans diving near where we were snorkelling which made it exciting when swimming along.  

Mexico

Escape Winter

I was able to join my cousin on a 10 day adventure to Mexico. We went to the Baja California Sur. We rented a car and traveled around to check out a few different beach towns. I was a amazed by the cactus. I probably took over 100 photos of cactus. I could not believe how big some of them are. This is a great example of a large cactus. 

Last hike before the snow

Saltcoats, Saskatchewan

I try to go walking each day. I like to do the loop around Anderson Lake.  This takes me on a route around Saltcoats and allows me to log a 6km walk. I don't always manage to complete this walk everyday as I sometimes skip it if the weather is not nice.  However, on this afternoon it was great. It was cool with a light wind but the sun was shining. The snow will be arriving soon as fall seems to be over. 

Happy Halloween

October 2021

Here is a photo of dad all dressed up!  He is not actually in his halloween costume He is prepared to go into the attic to move some insulation around... but I was making fun of him and he agreed that this would make a great halloween costume.

Fall Rose

October 2021

While out hiking and walking through the grass I came across this wild rose flower. It had dried out and I thought it was worth a photo. It had lost it's colour but it still showed the shape of the rose and the peddles. 

Fall Hikes

Togo, Saskatchewan

Out for a fall hike on a Sunday afternoon. Enjoying the beautiful views along the river. The leaves were still holding on but quickly disappearing as winter nears. My aunt Barb and I enjoyed a quiet moment sitting in the sun. 

Puzzle Time

Evening Entertainment

Dad is putting in many hours to this puzzle. He refuses to watch TV in the evening so he sits at his puzzle table instead and works on his 1000 piece puzzle. It keeps him busy and about a week later he has finished the puzzle and he is looking for the next challenge. 

River Walk

Swift Current, Saskatchewan

Thanksgiving Weekend was spent in Swift Current for a visit with family. I went for a walk along the river and snapped this photo of the ducks swimming and feeding in the waterway. It was a beautiful fall day with warm temps. It was a nice spot to walk along and there were several people out walking along the river. 

Blue sky

Saskatchewan's Blue Sky

These old grain bins are on their last legs. I liked the colours of the grass and the blue sky.