Wordless Wednesday

Piano Recital

Our school had it's annual piano recital a few weeks ago.  The students from grade 4 and up as part of our music program all get piano lessons.  (Save for one student who absolutely detested it and was finally released!)  We have a great teacher who comes twice a week to teach piano and music.

As my class is the biggest room in the school, the piano is lugged in here and we all, along with the parents and other visitors, sit back and listen to what each student has to offer.   Having the recital gives students a chance to practice and polish their pieces, and to set goals and work towards them. This is also a great opportunity for them to perform to an audience; albeit small.

The recording is a second year student; I need to get the name of her piece.

hi

I have been unable to access my blog these last fews days.

There is a google problem.  Whatever it is, I am glad to see that other blogger sites have 'it' too.  My blog is blocked by the sonic wall filtering system.   I just saw that I am able to access through the reader dashboard, but... I am too lazy to update.  Take care.  I shall be back.

Why a picture of the arbor in summer? ... I will be back with a winter pic.  Snow is now up to the first slat -- needless to say, there should be no plants lost due to lack of snow cover.

There!  We have snow...and believe it or not, it is actually warmer out.  

Warm enough to venture on short walks:)  You have to stay on the beaten paths though.  Too much snow to go exploring. 

 Now would be time to get out the snowshoes and take advantage of the weather and snow before it goes.  I like to visit the marshy areas that are inaccessible in warmer weather.

There is more daylight now too with the days growing longer.  That certainly brightens the outlook.

Spruce Woods Sliding

Last Friday our Grades k-7 students went sliding at Spruce Woods Park.  The trip was much anticipated as last year's  trip was forfeited for skiing with the older students.  

We left after 9 and stayed until 4.  We were summoned home on account of a storm coming in and roads being closed.  Well, roads were fine and we missed the blizzard that blew itself out before we got back.

The park features the nicest sledding hill ever.  No lift taking you back up, but that is fine for those of us who see it as a form of much-needed exercise. 

We used an assortment of sleds, with a favourite being a huge home-made one! 

(always kindly loaned by Acadia)  That is the only one I am brave enough to go down with as the size and weight make for a smooth ride.  Yes -- there is the one bump that is never missed but that goes with the fun!

Of course, there is the trek back up again, which for me is the deciding factor on how often I actually slide down.

The scenery is spectacular! 

We picked what was going to be the warmest day so far.  Not quite true, but it was still in the warmer range, around -10 degrees C.  There was a bit of a wind which was especially felt at the top of the hill.  Great that it was on our backs coming back up again. 

The site also has a skating oval, hockey rink, and curling area, all in the great outdoors, free for all to enjoy.  The kids really enjoyed the oval. 

And whoever said curling required brooms! 

These little guys surely didn't have any. 

Call before hand and fires are lit in the cabins!  So much appreciated.  That means that we always have a place to change wet clothes and to warm up for another round of fun.  The cabins also housed our food supply for the day including hot chocolate and coffee.

  

Old newspapers can still be enjoyed!  2005!!  

Someone is kindly saving newspapers to light the cabin fires with.

As you can see by the pics, the skies were varied, from bright sunshine to overcast, 

changing throughout the day. 

 A fine way to spend a winter day indeed!

Canadian Folk Song

...performed by --

The Canadian Tenors!

Enjoy

Full Moon at Dawn

Waning gibbous -- 98% full.  Or so says my moon watching widget!

I saw this scene as I glanced out the back window this morning before school.  I had to run for my camera and try a few shots.  

Gorgeous view though bitterly cold.  I hope this spell snaps soon.  

If nothing else, it keeps us inside.  

I don't even find the energy to get out for a cup of coffee with friends and family these days. I just decided that I might, but no -- at 9:20 PM, people will not appreciate my company!

And no -- of course I do not go for walks!  

I must say I felt guilty an hour ago when I heard my parents come back from their's. 

This book was a much appreciated Christmas gift from one of my sisters.  It was my first read of the year and  made me search the library for other L. M. Montgomery books.  

I decided on the Emily series and was not disappointed.  It has been years since I read the books.  A great read though I picked them out of the school library.  I do not know of many juvenile literature authors that I enjoy and won't even review most.   

I would not recommend the video series if you enjoy the books.  They are nothing like the books which is a shame.  Hopefully someone will see the value in the series and remake it into a truer version.

The basket above was another thoughtful gift.  

It was immediately filled with the want-to-read pile that litters my bedside cabinet and drawers.

Now what will it be -- Elizabeth Gaskell (a late used bookstore find) or George Macdonald?

Wintery Grey Wednesday

The title should have read 'Wintery White', but I had to change it.  Things are really grey around here lately.  We are having such a classic winter.  Snow is constant, even if only a fine mist of it!  It should also have been 'wordless', but no -- I had to do a bit of writing!

How else would you know that this is a Hairy woodpecker and not a Downy woodpecker as I've pictured before?  They are almost identical but for the Hairy to be a lot bigger in size.

These are Bohemian Waxwings; my first sighted.  Or I might have seen them before and mistaken them for Cedar waxwings.  They cleared off the small crabs from our front lawn apple tree one morning this week.  The pictures were taken through a window.

On this picture you can clearly see (if you enlarge:) the yellow tail markings, grey belly, and the brownish red under-tail feather that are common field marks for identifying the Bohemian waxwing.

 Chickadees are always in abundance.

 The woodpecker again.

 These guys are hibernating for the winter.

And so are these ancient implements. 

They are still brought out and used for the potato seeding and harvest each year!

Back from our walk!