Deceptively Destructive Beauty

Holidays continued.....

I made it to my parent's after the worst of the ice storm. The sun actually came out and every surface shone and shimmered like I have never seen before.

I then headed into town and this was the view just down the road.....I could have taken picture after picture. It was so incredibly beautiful!

After a day of running errands, it was home to put the finishing touches on the decor...We continued with the red and white theme again this year. The piece of art is from The Garage in Belmore as is quite a few of the other decor pieces. The plaid throw is from Acheson's in Harriston (they also have a location in Orangeville and it is one of my favorite Home Decor stores) and the snowflake runner is from Finishing Touches in Wingham.

Then...it was time to sit, relax and enjoy the tree.....

The next few photos show our Christmas Eve morning walk...it was absolutely gorgeous!

And this was sunset.....I could have sat out on the deck (if it hadn't been so chilly) and just soaked it all in!

Some other shots of nature's beauty....So beautiful, yet so very destructive!

The weather then began to warm a bit and the snow started falling....Charlie loved it and could have sat outdoors all day long!

We also had a visit from a Doe and her twin fawns.....they're getting so big!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday surrounded by those that mean the most to you!

I would also like to say a huge, "THANK YOU" to all the men and women who worked over the holidays, away from their family's, to get the power back on. This icy beauty caused destruction like we haven't seen in quite some time....My 9-5 job is with a Utility and I have never been more proud of the  people I work with then over this past week and a half. Thank you for all you do....

RR

It's beginning to look….

…a lot like Winter!!

I thought I would get out of the city for the weekend and go visit my parents. Who would have guessed that the next morning we'd wake up to this….

Charlie LOVES the snow (I do too) so needless to say he had a ball rolling and sliding his way around the property.

It was a heavier, wet snow that clung to the branches in all its glory…and was it ever beautiful! Talk about a perfect "Welcome to Winter".

These are trees in the back field that border the old horse pasture…the sun comes up directly behind them and their branches covered with the layer of snow were stunning!

This is the view of the front yard…the spruce trees looked like they were covered in white cotton batting.

This is the view down to the pond…..a few minutes after I took this picture a deer wandered through to add even more magic to such a gorgeous morning.

Winter perfection…one of our Maple trees looking absolutely picturesque! 

All this snow has really gotten me in the holiday mood! My Mom and I just got back from shopping at some local stores in Belmore (The Garage) and Teeswater (Gay Lea) and I can say that I have a great start to my Christmas shopping!

I'm also going to take some greenery back to the city with me and get started on my urns and wreaths.

 

I'm taking orders again this year for urn inserts, wreaths and swags. Pricing starts at $30 for swags, $40 for wreaths and $50 for urn inserts. They can be either live/real greens or faux greenery, whichever you prefer.

Also, if you live in the West GTA, KW Region or Southwestern Ontario Region and would like some assistance with your holiday decor (both inside and outside your home), please just send me an email and I would be glad to help! I offer everything from decor consult services, to sourcing to DIY projects. 

I can be contacted at rusticretrievals@gmail.com or send a message through the Rustic Retrievals FB page.

RR

**All photos are property of Ardis McDonald - Rustic Retrievals

Winter has returned!

As we continue to dig out from the most snow we've seen in a few years, I must say...I LOVE IT!

This is what winter should be...

As you can see, Charlie loves the snow too!!

I'm taking a break from shoveling and am having a look through the recent online issue of Lonny Mag. As I'm flipping through the pages, I have fallen in love with this Austrian Ski Lodge. I can just imagine coming back to this lodge after a day on the slopes, curling up on the couch under a fur blanket and enjoying a good book with a hot toddy! The heated year-round pool also looks super inviting to help ease aches and pains after a day of skiing (or, a day of shoveling as is the case here).

I hope you all are safe and warm. If you have the chance, get outside and enjoy this winter wonderland!

RR

Snow Bunny!

 

I love Winter!

The cold, crisp air...the fluffy snow... how beautiful the world looks under a blanket of snowflakes....It really is my favourite time of year!

Getting all bundled up, being the first person to break a trail in the new fallen snow, tobogganing, skating, skiing, snowshoeing...with so much to do outdoors, it makes coming back indoors to a warm fire and hot chocolate even that more special!

As I'm outside in the winter, I tend to also take quite a few photos.....You never have a the same day twice in the winter with storms coming and going and I really enjoy capturing as many of these moments as I can!

Our morning walk after the first real snowfall of Winter 2012....

 

The photos below are of winters gone by during visits to my parent's home.... Frosty mornings, 'powder puffs', walks through the forest....Such a wonderful time of year to be outdoors!

 

 

 

 

I have a very special place in my heart for the West....I love skiing and when you're skiing in a setting like this, you never want to leave the slopes! I also love skating...next time, I'm taking my skates along too!!

These are photos from my trip to Lake Louise and Banff a few years ago....

View from the chairlift at Lake Louise...

At the Fairmont Banff Springs
 

Lake Louise

Lake Louise

Fairmont Banff Springs....I am DEFINITELY packing my skates the next trip out!

Fairmont Banff Springs

View from the mountain down to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise....

View from the Fairmont Banff Springs

Another view from the Fairmont Banff Springs...

As you can see...there are so many wonderful and magical reasons to get outdoors this winter and enjoy nature in all it's beauty!!

RR

**All photos are property of Rustic Retrievals**

 

 

Busy, Busy, Busy...

The past few weeks have been super busy.....at times it just feels like there are not enough hours in the day!

 

Time is flying by, but I am making sure to live every minute....every moment....

 

These pictures are just a few of the moments of my life over the past few weeks...

 Sunset at Emma's Backporch in Burlington on Lake Ontario....Retirement party for my amazing boss....We're really going to miss him and I will be forever grateful to him for everything he taught me, the opportunities he afforded me...and for him just being the truly wonderful person he is!
 

 

 Charlie and my Dad...having a a very in depth conversation....note the crossed paws :)
 

 

I was looking through old pictures of Charlie...those big brown eyes....that pouty lower lip....he had my heart since the first time I laid eyes on him!
 

 

Sunset on my flight into Thunder Bay... 

 

 

 Clouds.......flying at sunset is my favorite time of day...

 

 

 Looks like cotton balls....

 

  

 My outdoor holiday decor....ready and waiting to be displayed....The leaves have been raked, outdoor furniture has been put away, the gardens have been tended to....bring on Winter!

 

 

 A cozy corner in my home.....this was taken as I was lounging on the couch, glass of wine in hand just enjoying being home and enjoying the coziness of Fall...

 

 

Candlelight makes everything better! Romantic, warm, cozy....perfect ambiance...




As I look back on the past few weeks...past few months in fact...this statement couldn't be more true but it also reminds me to not waste a second and really get out there and live!

RR

Burst of Winter...

After a long weekend out West in Calgary & Banff and almost a week of travelling in the East end of the province, I think it's safe to say that winter is still holding on. Just when I was starting to look forward to packing away the scarves, mitts and boots....winter is back with a vengeance!

Winter is one of my favorite seasons...I love waking up to a fresh snowfall covering the tree branches in it's white blanket...so I will admit, I am happy to see the snowflakes gently falling outside.

Few things in nature are more beautiful then a winter sky filled with clouds....



Evergreens......

Some day I will have a dinner party in the snow....some day....



As much as I like winter, I am still looking forward to the warmer months ahead....I will leave you with a few "summer" scenes, covered in snow!

 Hope you have the opportunity to get out and enjoy the beauty and inspiration of our Canadian winter....

RR