simple pleasures

 And this makes what was a grey day all worthwhile.  

On a clear day...

January 2021 and like most years most days are soggy, grey and cold.  That is until today where as far that you can see, blue sky and sunshine.  Cancel the indoors stuff and hit the road.

So even in these covid times a mini road trip was in order.   Ok, a drive to the beach with hopes of taking photos.  lol.  Of course within a few blocks of home road works  and traffic delays.  Similar elsewhere along our route.   Colorful street light banners were displayed.  All beach themed, seagulls, crabs and more.  I'd already made a note to get some photos further along the route when we stopped.  lol  We enjoyed the first views of the ocean waves and the shoreline while driving down the steep hill towards Marine Drive.  It's the route travelled many times since my childhood.  Also noted a beautiful sculpture of a cyclist (for the Tour de White Rock perhaps) Turning left on west beach it was evident that these are different times, shops changed and/or closed.  The old converted train station on the right and then the pier  and then the ROAD CLOSED sign.....no, say it isn't so!  And like most everything else these days, plans change we followed the detour sign and had to retrace our route.  This time we continued east instead of going back up that steep hill.   

We did see eagles. We saw the ocean. I saw sheep in a field.  We had some lunch out (in the car).   

As for the cameras in the back seat of the car, they had a good car ride.

We appreciated the change of scenery.   Sometime after January 31st when the road route is scheduled to reopen we'll try again with cameras in hand.

Gnomes, toadstools and a fresh cup of coffee.

 A new start for a new year, weaving with my Sampleit loom.   Lots to learn.

 A new to me yarn swift.   

stay safe everyone.

counting down the minutes......

 

It is time to close the last page in the book of 2020.   

The end!!!  

It has been a roller coaster ride.

To everyone, a sincere wish for many brighter days ahead!

it's Christmas Eve

 December 24th, 2020

and what a year it's been!!  

Our Christmas Day table is set for two this year.   It is different for sure.  Still, knowing that we're all keeping safe we will make do.  And planning for when we can be together.....wonderful!!!

Monday's snowfall lingers on the rooftops.   Very festive!  This was the view shortly before 8 am this morning.

Sully has been providing "joyful sounds"   since early this morning.  We waited till this afternoon

to put anything under the tree.  The present quality control dog is only too happy to inspect!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

and all good wishes for 2021!

star light, star bright

 Locally there is still a chance this evening to see Jupiter and Saturn ...should the rain stop and the skies clear.  But just in case......

As with most of 2020, Christmas too will be different.....it will be just the two of us.   We made a family decision that as we've worked so hard to maintain our little bubbles staying the course is the best option.

Yesterday we did a gift drop off to our daughter and grandsons.  No visiting,  just a quick hello to our daughter and then with a wave goodbye we retraced our route home.   Our grandsons would have been disappointed (very unhappy) that we didn't come in and spend time with them.   

I think the best explanation that I've heard was not wanting to be that person that caught covid and had to tell a health care worker that this happened because I did something dumb...... and putting more folks at risk.

Well that chance of seeing anything this evening, slim, it's now a winter wonderland outside.    Very large snowflakes falling.

"it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

Christmas is coming

 12 12 2020    and here we are......

always remember to be thankful for what you have (and don't have),

blessed for family and friends,

and hopeful  for better days ahead.

somewhere out there

My blog posting has certainly been dismal.  I'm still here.  We're doing ok on the home front making the best of the stay in your own household bubble......

December brings brightness with outdoor Christmas lights shining ( strata rules say not till December 1st).   As for a family gathering Christmas day, well that too likes like it will be different this year.  

We will make the best of it.

stay safe, warm and healthy.......

 

and here we are....

 

all about the numbers

Today, 07 07 2020  and it's our grandson's 12th birthday.   

and his brother turned 10 back in April.

This year of course birthday parties are not the norm.

Happy Father's Day

Dahlias to Dad.

Happy Father's Day!