Happy New Year!

Isaac and Eli sending out their greetings for a Happy New Year to everyone!

Wishing you ...

Happy Holidays! from the Winter family
Cathy, Ronnie, Isaac and Eli
(with special thanks to our photographer, Sandy T!)

looks yummy...

Don't these look like fun, tasty holiday cookies?
The perfect gift to welcome the new neighbors, right?

Until you read the label on the back -- do you see it?
Made in China! (not the local bakery!) and Best if Used by ....

I can't even type it, so you'll have to look again.

Note: I purchased these at the local grocery store in December 2008.
Sadly, we tossed them out rather than sharing with the neighbors.

Lake Louise

Beware of the thin ice, especially when you are skating!

Lake Louise is mostly frozen ... but not entirely!

Sisters

These two lovely ladies are indeed sisters who traveled all the way to Banff to help see my sister get married! Can you believe they have now been married two weeks?

Thank you Caroline & Christine for all that you did and continue to do!

Wildlife in Canada

Is it .... could it be .... have you seen any .... Bears in Canada?

No, no bears have been sighted. I did spy this bird perched on top of a neighboring car at Lake Louise.
How about a Moose? Did you see any moose in Canada?

No, no moose either. But isn't this bird a cutie? Wildlife is easy to find, if you know where to look. Yes, I found this bird in the same parking lot of the Chateau at Lake Louise. But is there any other wildlife to be seen?

Such as a fox? Anyone see any foxes? While on the road back into Calgary, I think I spied a fox -- but no photos to show for it.


Wildlife? I did spy another cute bird .... yes, also at the Chateau of Lake Louise .... Can anyone identify these cute birds for me?
Please?

Our first meal in Banff -- a short blustery walk led our group of 16 hungry souls to a small Italian restaurant. Imagine our dismay when one of the staff tried to turn us away! Fortunately, two others were already setting us up at adjoining tables, but not before some of our party left. Here is the "kids" table with my apologies to the "grown-ups" as I neglected to photograph their friendly table.

Fondue at the Grizzly House

Entering the Grizzly House on our third night in Banff. This is my first venture into a fondue restaurant, ever.


Imagine my surprise at the arrival of this raw meat, ready for me to cook.

We ordered the Hot Stones to "grill" our meat on, rather than cooking in the typical hot oil that fondue brings to mind.


Here are the first morsels of my meal -- notice there were SIX different sauces to dip the meat into. All were yummy.


For dessert, we had chocolate fondue and an assortment of fresh fruits to dip. My favorites were the strawberries!

I neglected to mention the appetizers -- either yummy cheese fondue with bread to dip, or a spicy broth/oil for veggie dipping. I thought I would prefer the cheese, but actually the spicy broth was quite tasty!

Some of our party -- at one table....
.... and at the other.

The other end of the first table -- They seem to be too busy eating to smile (except for James!)

A small job

Recognize our street sign? It is right in front of our home.
This view shows the little evidence that remains of the first Toilet-Paper decorating that our yard has received!


Here is a second view, showing that it really was a small job.
Or perhaps we frightened away the deed-doers before they finished the job?

Freshly fallen snow ...

Just an advertisement

Just a simple advertisement, but aren't the hands amazing?

Oysters

I've never had an oyster until this plate arrived to our table at the SaltLik.

Sadly they had all disappeared by the time I was hungry for a second.

The SaltLik gang, before the tasty oysters had arrived .... and been devoured.

Lake Louise in Alberta

Can you see the glacier creeping in under the clouds over the frozen Lake Louise, in Alberta province of Canada?


Here is another view of the lake, or rather of a stream feeding into the lake.

But this is my favorite view -- capturing another photographer enjoying the same view.

I promise, I did not just follow Mary around taking the same photos she took.


See, here's Annette at the same bridge, snapping the boys with the familiar view of Lake Louise and the glacier.

Going after the best shot

What is it that Sue-Ellen has spied?




Mary is following her. Could it be they both see something special?



Maybe it is this bridge over a frozen stream?


I see the moon and the moon sees me ... but my friends see something entirely different. Whatever it is -- I am sure this will be the Best Photograph they took on this cold day in Alberta, Canada.

Why else would anyone kneel in that cold snow?

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

A pleasant stroll, leading to the Chateau at Lake Louise, in the Alberta province of Canada.

A chilly pose with friends and family -- Smile, everyone!
midday, December 6, 2008

Snow!

My first snowball in Banff, Canada just steps outside our hotel.
morning, December 6, 2008