Where Has This Year Gone??

How on earth is it November 19th??

This year has absolutely flown by and I can't get over how full every day is and when I say full, I mean it in only the best way!

I will fully admit that I haven't been spending as much as I would like to with the big guy (aka Lightning - my horse), but the time we do spend together is so good for my soul....and his too I think. I snapped this photo as he was eating his dinner and as he does so, I lean on him like he's a big, furry pillow. He munches away and I get to breath in the horsey aroma that has intoxicated me since I was a child. So simple, yet soooo good.

Speaking of big guys, it wouldn't be November without a trip to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. My bestie's family shows there every year so I went in to see her daughter and uncle show on a Sunday afternoon. The day I was there her daughter showed a Clydesdale in a line class and she did a fantastic job. These gentle giants are truly magnificent creatures and Clydes will always be my first love of the equine world.

There's something magical about the first snow and as I stepped out my front door at the City Cottage on the sunny morning after ours in Guelph, I couldn't help but smile and revel in the beauty that surrounded me. 

The second photo above is the view from the end of the laneway at my Moms home (the Country House). The tamaracks are so beautiful with their rusty-burnt orange hue this time of year...I was out gathering greenery and couldn't help but snap this photo.

The greenery I was collecting was for these....I got a head start on the Winter/Christmas decor at the Country House by putting together the planter inserts at the front door. Every piece contained in the insert is from our property and I'm beyond happy with how well they turned out.

They're so full with a variety of textures, from the hydrangeas to the cone flowers to the 'fluffy weeds', I just love them!!

I wouldn't have been able to pull these together without the help of this guy.....

My Charlie Bear helps me with the outdoor decor every year and this year he was right beside me, ensuring only the best from a quality control perspective... I just love him to bits and with that face, how can you not?

I hope you've had a wonderful November too and can you believe that it'll be Christmas in 5 short weeks?? I better start my shopping!!!

RR

Get Outside!

I love the great outdoors and every opportunity I have to get outside, I take!

I received a Fit Bit as a gift for my last birthday and it's always such a good feeling when I feel it vibrating on my wrist, notifying me that I've walked my 10,000 steps for the day! A good gal pal and I have been walking around our beautiful city of Guelph (the photo above was taken on new years day at sunset) the past few months and it's so refreshing to get out into the fresh air, spend time with a great friend, learn new things about our city, take a tonne of photos and have the instant energy boost of getting active!

A park up the street is transformed into ice rinks by local residents every winter...

To walk by and hear the laughter, the crunch of skate blades cutting through the ice and to witness a community within a community come together like this brings a huge smile to my face!

And then there's winter at the Country House. This photo was taken a few weekends ago, mid snow storm! 

Charlie (and I) love the snow but as he gets older, the deeper accumulation poses a bit of a challenge for him. As you can see however, this does not hold him back... We get outside and walk every morning and evening, though this time of year, we tend to stick to the lane way when we're in the country.

This makes for much easier walking and he'll lay at the top of the lane and watch the cars and Mennonites go by... The odd bunny or deer may cross the lane too and of course he jumps up, barks like crazy but I think the wild animals know that they'll be just fine as this almost 12 year old guy doesn't move quite as quickly as he used to.

This guy..... any time spent with him means getting outside and getting active. 

Whether it's ground work in the outdoor arena or a walk through the woods to see the mares in the back field, being outside and in his company guarantees an inspiring, energizing and fun time!

I hope you have a chance to get outside this weekend and enjoy at that the great outdoors and physical activity has to offer!

RR

First Day Of Winter!

December 21st....The first day of winter.

Here, our grass is green and the temperature is going to be above zero here leading up to Christmas..... Winter who?

I really do enjoy winter....the crisp air, the fluffy snow, the brilliant blue sky when the sun shines.....

There's something about bundling up in cozy coats, fuzzy scarves, hats & mitts and setting off in the snow, breaking fresh tracks and enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer. 

There won't be a lot of writing in this post, but just photos to illustrate why I truly do enjoy Winter in all her beauty!

RR

My Happy Place - Part 2

I introduced you to Lake Louise (the ski resort) in one of my earlier posts this month...A very happy place for me indeed! Now, onto Part 2 of my time there....at the Chateau!

We packed up our skis and headed to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise  

The drive up to the resort was stunning...the sun was shining, the snow covered mountains, trees with branches laden with fluffy white snow....Winter at its best!

We arrived to the quintessential Lake view......I could have stood there for hours, taking it all in and just enjoying 'being'..

We walked around and had a chance to see the beautiful ice sculptures that had been done for the "Ice Magic Festival" and in honour of the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

We then went inside, found a table with a view in the bar/lounge, and said 'cheers' to an amazing day!

It was the kind of day that I didn't want to end...ever...but, as they say, all good things must come to an end. It was time to get on the road and wind our way through mountain ranges back to Calgary.

Talk about the perfect end to the perfect day....I could get used to this view! Sunset over the Rockies...

My trips out West always bring a kind of happiness and level of contentment that cannot be put into words..... I hope that you are able to travel,visit or even live in a place that allows you to experience these indescribable feelings too....We all deserve that level of bliss!

RR