January! 2023

 And here we are a look at what January was like for us here. Remarkably we didn't have much snow. But you'll be pleased to hear it did arrive later!

The trouble with January is that we just don't go anywhere. I go to Waterloo, the shop and supermarket. So you will have to bear with me on the limited outing shots. But what is amazing is that the weather has been quite dramatic this month and it is only a month of pictures. 

Lily's Birthday cake 21!!!

Discovered a lurking cat. Yes that's Miss Bella and she knows she has been naughty and this is forbidden, sleeping on the washing!!!!

No snow but heated mats are ready

Fabulous moon in the sky

Leaves hanging on still!

I can't believe the no snow and leaves still hanging about and OMG green grass

Inexplicably someone has put a chair on the roof

But we did get rain in January and dampness and it felt like a Manx winter

With misty days and the towers disappearing into the cloud

I thought that my eyes were playing tricks on me but yes that is 3 mourning doves in a row!

Mate you are too big for that bird feeder (Blue Jay)

Little bit of snow coming down 

Amazing blue sky

This is nighttime and the snow reflecting the light and it feeling that it isn't dark. It is a glow and it always seems wonderful

But the snow has come now. On the left of the picture is the main road, that's four lanes of traffic! You can't even see the road

I liked the highlighting that the snow did on these limbs

Pretty house in the snow on Rusholme Street

I was trying to get the snow that was highlighted in the headlights. It was so pretty on my way home

That day light effect that the snow does at night!

And then I saw this street lamp capturing the snow as it fell

So lovely to have bright blue

These leaves really were rustling

On my favorite orange wall there is an old vine and still this has berries

This guy was on his phone skating...now I've seen it all. That really is supreme confidence

Normally you can see down the alley to a tower block but we had so much fog it was hidden....just blank

I love it when some one does a fab paint job on a building. They even did the stairs. Now that's fancy

On this damp morning the red squirel I see from my bathroom window was so wet. Poor thing

He was doing a thorough drying off

and I couldn't believe how the light just caught his fur and he was glowing in places

It was such a dull day. It was an amazing effect

and he kept going like a dog after the rain

This bird looks like it has something to say

and then I'm calling this a flock of American Goldfinches

Cutie pie on the fence. A Junco

Literally having a conversation

Another first, skating with the push chair

Archie and the box that doesn't fit him

It really doesn't mate

I absolutely love this effect of the light as the sun is rising hitting the tree tops. Which is the amber colour you can see 

Just such an amazing start to the day

Rush hour am and the light is making the trees glow

So pretty

and who doesn't love yard bombing

Just so much snow

This is just after snow has fallen. You can just see that the pine tree that now looks like it has gloved hands! and lost some snow. There was a great thwumph

But this American Goldfinch is not bothered

This is picture was me driving back home having gone out for cat litter of all things. The snow was thick and fast and we got in the end over 10inches. But the snow was doing my favorite of highlighting and I noticed the street lamp, looking like a street lamp skeleton. How cool is that! I didn't hang about, it was really coming down~

And so now I have to find the pavement and remove the snow

You can see the road a bit and I have cleared the path

Within seconds it was covered 

and the driveway too....

Ice carvers at work. Wow that looks hard work. Those blocks are massive and I saw one of the exceptionally large men moving one and he was struggling they must be super heavy

Had to go out the next day for flour...for pancakes, which is essential and I saw what they had carved with chain saws!!!

It's an angel I think! Takes some working out

And a an ode to Frozen.

My own ice!

This tree is loaded with berries, that is great for the birds

We still have snow but I am celebrating, we have done January!!!! Happy New Year 2023

December delivery

 It seems a bit backward talking about last year when we are enjoying a whole New Year but I have some December photos to share and so here we are December 2022. 

We had quite the variety of weather, that was the biggest story ending with a whallopper 23rd and 24th. It was a lot to deal with. We faired well compared to some and since then all our snow has gone, apart from the rare stubborn spot, we see green now. This is a strange thing for us and I suspect that by the end of January it will be a very different story.

For now it is green grass and murky white skies. And so a quick look back

Tree beginning its journey! This actually looks quite small...

It was a pleasant drive but slow return with the tree

But I so appreciated the blue sky day

A walk in the woods with the sun going down

and the leaves clinging on

Love this effect when the sunlight lights the tree tops. It is beautiful and uplifting

This office building I find intriguing with its squares of light and in the dusk those black trees are a great contrast

Our street view, ready for the Christmas Season

I noticed all those fruits from the Gingko are still there

The birds and squirrels will be most pleased

I like the different doors about the town and their wreaths

Rather nice and understated Christmas nod here

and this one is just fun

Waterloo square is ready too and the ice rink is up

we are in for the snow!

and it really did. The roads were a mess

And there is the splendid tree. It was our best ever tree in Canada!

Little library covered in snow!

Rather interesting cloud forming like smoke from a chimney stack. It is really highlighted by the setting sun. I also like the hint of pink clouds from the skies to the right

Then the ice storm came! It is super hard to really show this effectively. But everything became coated in ice. 

Trees and bushes take on a lacey look

Every single pine and any surface is totally coated

It can appear pretty but is lethal to drive in or even attempt walking. So all my pictures are taken from the safety of indoors

As you can imagine this weather can lead to power lines being brought down. We were lucky and didn't loose power

And the birds were happy for the new feeder

I enjoy seeing the skaters on the rink. Although I am not a skater! It does give a jolly feel

Then more snow

The roads are a complete mess and this is the 23rd of December. We are almost at total shut down. This is the main road through Waterloo uptown.

Near white out and the tower loom in the swirling snow

Its quite the scene. I love the orange in this picture, a pop of colour

Time for me to head home from the shop! The weather is the worst I have driven in!

But home again and the night sky is up lit by the snow! Seems like daytime out there

Mr and Mrs Cardinal stop by

and my Christmas tree outside looks particularly season appropriate

This is a nuthatch on the left and an American Robin on the right

This speedy guy in the snow is a Junco. He is on the right bit blurry but you get the idea

The cardinals really do bring some colour

More snow and winter early sunrise. This is a wet and heavy snow in time for Christmas. Luckily we have nowhere to be

Isaac and I head out for a snow show while the snow is here. We spot a bit of blue!

You can see that the snow came this way. But it left this weird effect, I thought rather like skeleton trees.

And a rather impressive sun set

The colours are lovely

Really a nice backdrop for the pine that manages to hold on in the back yard behind our house. He looses branches but is still there!

and into the City between Christmas and New Year. They have no snow

The famous CN Tower

Now I saw this and thought that looks like a person walking. I know their head is weird. But what can you see?

Bella's favorite place for the duration of the season.

Happy New Year and all the very best for 2023!