Summer Travels 2015 Part Three

The fountain at Bethel Heritage Park here in Winkler.

Beauty in a common weed - Milkweed.

And more beauty in a field of thistles.

Thistle seeds sparkle in delicate webs.

Golden bales of straw shine in the setting sun.

Pembina River meandering through the Pembina Valley.

Enjoying dinner with our oldest son & his wife at Carnaval BBQ in Winnipeg.

Summer Travels 2015 Part Two

On my travels, a beautiful sunset.

Have displayed several pictures of this stand of trees here in past posts & I continued to enjoy photographing them.

This colourful pot is right by my front door. It continues to put on a showy display.

Also in my front yard.

This was my garden in July. It produced very well now I have many jars of dilled beans to enjoy. Also have a variety of herbs in my freezer to add to soup during the winter.

This wave petunia is growing like a weed!

My shade garden.

Chickens at my son's farm.  They keep their family & mine supplied with fresh eggs.

A chicken I prepared on our "smoker." Not of of the above chickens!

Tree house built by Papa for the grandkids.

And I'll end with another beautiful sunset.

Summer Travels 2015 - Part One

Going to do a few posts about my travels this summer & some of the gorgeous gardens that I have visited.

 The above picture was taken at Stonewall, MB. in front of their City Hall.

 Also taken in Stonewall. Loved the odd shaped knobs on the tree trunk.

 This is at the English Gardens at Assiniboine  Park in Winnipeg.

 There were several varieties of roses in bloom.

This is my granddaughter's cat, Peaches, who just loved attention. However, she ran away & I found her several miles from home & brought her back & fed her & the next morning she was gone again. She hasn't been seen since then. She is missed!

In the middle of July, after several attempts, my sisters & myself got together to celebrate their birthdays. Such a fun time!

Grandeur Gardens is just a few short blocks from my house. So beautiful!

The horticultural society does an amazing job of planning the colour combinations & then the planting & caring for these lovely gardens. Thanks to them & all of their faithful volunteers for all the hard work!

Two Years

Two years.

Two years ago today - August 8th, 2013.

Seems like forever ago & seems like just yesterday. 

I remember that day so clearly.

I remember each minute, each hour, each word spoken, so clearly.

That day, so unreal now, a bad dream where the edges are blurred. 

How happy I was to have Barry & Zach join us for lunch that day.

Our hugs were so warm, loving, full of joy to see them.

My sister, Carolyn, from Brandon was out visiting for a few days. 

Grandson, Nick, had a sleep-over at our place, was at the lunch table too. 

We had coffee & cinnamon bus around 3. 

Great conversation, laughter.

Love.

Several hours later, our  lives were changed forever.
How do I put my thoughts & feelings into words?
There are no words to express my sorrow, my anguish, my sorrow that is too deep for tears.
Comfort comes from Above.
Comfort comes from words & hugs expressed by many family & friends.
And then I get ambushed by such deep feelings of grief.
Comfort comes from knowing that I will be reunited with Barry & Zach again.
Our life on earth is but a vapour.
I ask of the Lord - Please tell Barry & Zach that I love them & miss them so much.
I know that they are happy in Heaven & have whole bodies & are free of the toils of this earth.

 The above quote I have read over & over again.  So true.
There is a time for everything.
A time to remember, a time to reflect.

 A time to give thanks for my dear family members that surround me with their love. A time to be thankful for my husband whose life was spared that day.

I have so many questions that may never be answered here on earth.
My heart is so sad.
And tomorrow the journey continues.
I will look for spots of joy because I know they are all around me.
I am thankful for many things, so many things.
Thankful for life.
Thankful for strength for each day to carry on.
Thankful for Jesus & His love for me & that through this tragic event in our family, I can see & feel His caring for us even if I can't understand His plan.
His grace & His strength is enough.

Sunday Afternoon Adventures

 Albert & I enjoy Sunday afternoon drives in the country. This sunny August afternoon took us north-west of Miami in search of this wooden trestle bridge that I had read about on a friend's blog.

 The fields are showing strong signs of a harvest fast approaching. Such a beautiful sight of contrasting colour.

 The steel rails have been removed but the bridge in still in very good shape. We didn't follow the trail but it looked well-traveled.  Next time, we'll see where the trail goes.

 The timbers are standing tall & straight.

 Just such a beautiful summer's afternoon.

 Find this sign underneath the bridge. Will try to find some history about this.

Lots of timbers were used to make a strong & study structure. We continued our exploring in the area & followed various roads & enjoyed miles of ripening grain, beautiful farmyards & ended our afternoon with coffee & ice cream.