Spring in the Kootenays

This is the last photo from my trip to Victoria, on the way back home, just at the summit of the Blueberry-Paulson. I had hoped to include the sign that notes the altitude of 1535 metres but missed it because of the clouds. As you can see, the road is bare and wet but there is plenty of snow on the side of the road.
And these are the best kind of winter conditions that Jimmy drives in all the time!











































I took these photos from my bedroom window last Sunday morning. Then I went outside and investigated - my tulips that have been bravely making their way into the world are all chewed. The crocuses are now blooming so I guess they aren't first choice for deer. This is the first year that my tulips have been chewed but last fall the "neighborhood dog", Brewster, died and I think that he may have been the reason that my tulips were not chewed before.
There is still plenty of snow in the front yard but as of Wednesday, none on the deck!

Keremeos

This was taken just outside of Keremeos, the orchards totally bare. I made it to the ferry in plenty of time for the 5PM ferry. Kevin was delighted that I could come to help him out and so was I.
Left his freezer filled with several meals. He had his staples removed on Thursday and will have another week off before he returns to work. The cats are really enjoying his time at home. He hasn't had this much time off since high school.

Kevin's appendectomy evolved into a Mom trip

This was the view as I came up over the top of the Anarchist summit, overlooking Osoyoos. The weather was much better than predicted.

Jimmy's birthday

Lor hosted Jimmy's birthday dinner.

Emily's birthday

Emily is now 11 and she wanted a rainbow birthday cake so I did my best. Dinner at my house!

One last Christmas

This is the lovely table set that Diarmid and Jenn sent from Australia. I wanted to see how lovely it looks so set the table, had Kevin pose with it, and yes Diarmid, we didn't use it that day. The set is of fine linen with Australian birds embroidered, just lovely. I'm already dreading the first stain!

More Christmas

After we had brunch in Nelson we went out to Salmo for dinner at Jimmy and Kim's house. There were 13 of us for dinner, quite the gang. On the left, Christa and Adele and above is a group shot when we were opening gifts, featuring Casey and both Shadow(Kim's dog the rotweiler) and Corby (Christa's - the boxer). In the background are Art(Emily's father, visiting from Grand Prairie, AB) and Kim's Mom Gail with her husband Jack. Apparently I lost one photo in the upload. These computers - if the operator isn't perfect, neither is the end result. I would like one that can read my mind - but then it would likely be down most of the time.

Christmas 2008

I decided that if I am going to actually add Christmas to this blog that I'd better get on with it! And then of course I forgot that the photos add in reverse order so this photo is of John Bell and Emily. John and Annie live at Ymir, a small village about 20 minutes south of Nelson. They brought their snowmobile in on Christmas Day because they wanted to share with the family. Colleen and Jason and Lucas were here from Calgary visiting next door and John gave rides on Christmas morning. Emily just loved it!

Mom had wanted Emily to have a Wii for Christmas. She must have known that the smile would be this big. I sure get stiff after a few games!

We didn't put up the tree this year. Kevin was skunked on his flight into Castlegar, was supposed to arrive on the 20th and the weather kept the flights from landing. He ended up driving up with a friend on the 22nd and by then we decided not to bother. He ended up driving back as well, missing 2 days work due to cancelled flights. I wonder if we have learned not to fly in and out of Castlegar at Christmas. It is just so great when it works!