Oh! The good old hockey game,

Is the best game you can name;

And the best game you can name,

Is the good old Hockey game!

Watched an exciting game of hockey with Will (age 7) in goal. He was short enough to totally fit IN the net, but did stay out of it for most of the game. We said he won, although the verdict is still out.

Lots of December birthdays - first sister Debbie on December 23rd. A big dinner and cake, but I don't think she'd appreciate recording her age here, then December 28th saw Kate's 2nd Birthday - yes there are THREE candles on the cake - one for each year and one for good luck. Apparently only my family knows how to candle a cake, thus the explanation.

We all had a good time at the party, including Maria, whose unicorn riding skills improved drastically during the evening.

Today was my first "boxing day" sale shopping day. Oh, to have a truck to take back the deals. Had a lovely lunch at a new coffee house, a bit more shopping, then back home again for another great dinner. Diet time when I return home.

December 25th

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Still cute, but not always happy, little Kate voices her emotions.
Shaun made it to Hamilton airport last Friday. The family was happy to see him.

Tonight Santa will come and we are all awaiting anxiously. It is only 4 in the afternoon and little Will already has this cup and plate waiting by the fireplace ready to fill for Santa.

It has been a busy time - spent 5 days in Kettleby, then south east to Ancaster. Had pizza parties, birthday parties and lots and lots of shopping days. Survived the blizzard and the freezing rain and now the snow is drifting down and the full moon shining. Tomorrow is another full day with family sharing food, gifts and laughs. Looking forward to it.

December in Kettleby

It's winter in Kettleby! We're presently having a huge snowstorm so are staying warm and dry indoors and will shortly be baking our Christmas cookies. The slideshow shows the pictures I have taken in the past day, mostly of my new little niece Kate. Will write again soon.

Last night was book club and we had our annual Christmas ornament Chinese Auction. Everyone left happily with a new tree ornament. Our food looks more professional each meeting, with last night no exception.
The weather is warming. Now -7 C with a wind feels warm. I guess we needed that cold snap to put everything in perspective. Looking forward to the week ahead with dinners, gift exchanges - not looking forward to packing, but it must be done if I want to spend Christmas with family, which I do!

I know I haven't been keeping up with my blog too well lately - perhaps it's just "that time of year". I don't carry my camera around much now that the weather has turned to winter although when walking or driving I sometimes see such beautiful pictures I could kick myself for not having it. And this morning, while drinking my tea and watching my morning show - Breakfast Television - they interviewed a blogger. Somehow, she does this professionally but I didn't quite understand that part. If I could get paid for doing this I may do it more often! But, she did say blogs are updated about three times a week - three times a week!! So, feeling guilty, here I sit talking about a lot of nothing. I do notice when watching Vancouver wake up each morning that their sun rises much earlier than my sun rises, so thought I'd show you what 9:00 AM looks like here (above). Needless to say, it does eventually rise and now that the temperature is dipping down to the low 20's, high 30's on the minus side, the days are brilliantly filled with sunshine. We have been lucky weather-wise here (especially compared to the rest of the country) as this is our first cold snap and it is already December. Forecast is a warming trend with Monday hitting 1 degree celcius - right, we'll see. With Christmas nearing, my schedule is starting to get busy with luncheons, dinners, and get-togethers and by next Friday, I will be winging east to spend the festive season with my family. So now, I'm getting my house ready for its house-sitters, cleaning in places I haven't cleaned all year and spreading a few Xmas decorations around to help them feel at home.
I did attend the Whitehorse Choirs Concert at the Art Centre on Saturday. It was lovely as usual and this year they had a harpist. So celestial.

So I will leave you with a daytime picture (I never tire looking at the beauty) and get ready to meet Joan for lunch.

Bah ! ! ! Humbug ! ! !

I'm trying to get in the Christmas spirit, but am having too much fun being Scrooge!!! To see Scrooge, CLICK HERE

Not much happening here - the weather continues to be warm for this time of year. It was 2 degrees C today! I'm attending a Christmas concert on Saturday at the Art Centre. If that doesn't get me in the spirit, I don't know what will. I'm looking forward to it though. I usually attend the Christmas concert of the The Whitehorse Choir each year and thoroughly enjoy it.

Thanks to my friend Iris, I have another link for you. This has some great shots of the Yukon (as shown above) and you can download the pictures (and use as your wallpaper - which I did!). First click on the Yukon ad (or Australia, if you wish), then at the bottom of the page you will see "Gallery" and click into that, then at the bottom of that page you will see "Lifestyle Yukon" and click into that. (I guess you could also click into "Lifestyle Australia" if that is your preference, but why would it be?) Here is the link: CLICK HERE

So I'm suppose to be getting gifts together for Christmas and here I am watching a lonely raven on the lamp post. They never cease to amaze me. They are descending on my (birder) neighbour's yard, scaring away the magpies from the suet cage that fell onto the ground.
While watching the ravens and magpies, a swarm of birds flew in like a whirlwind, rested on the leafless aspen, and all few off again. On their second flight through, they dispersed amongst the multitude of feeders in the yard next door, staying only briefly before continuing on their way.

Perhaps I'll think Christmas tomorrow.

Watched Tasha and Dave this morning on Breakfast TV (Vancouver) - (where was Simi today???). They showed this fun little website and thought I'd share it with you. As I'm having one of those days when everything seems to go wrong, it made me sit back and smile. CLICK HERE . Enjoy!

North American Football

For all you "north american" football fans, I saw this clip on the news last night and was truly impressed. In case you didn't count, that was 15 laterals to win the game!

More visitors to the Yukon. In the early '70's, Bill, Bev and I worked together at the CP Air reservations office in downtown Toronto. That was at the time when working for an airline was fun, and I mean fun. We had free air travel all over the world whenever we wanted, hotels were deeply discounted to us and we were all young and full of spunk. Bev, now residing in YVR worked for the airlines for 31 years (!) and Bill, moved from Toronto to run the CP Air office in London England where he still resides. Well, after all this time, we finally reunited in the north (quite fitting for former CP Air employees as this is where Grant McConachie sold his Yukon Southern Air Transport to Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1941).
Quite fittingly, one of our first stops was to visit the largest weather vane in the world, at the Whitehorse airport. If you look closely, you can see Bill and Bev standing under the plane. This is an ex-Canadian Pacific DC-3 (CF-CPY) that has been converted into a weather vane. It only takes a 4 knot wind to move it on its pivot point. CP Air regularly ran this aircraft between Whitehorse, Dawson City and Inuvik in the old days.

We did a bit of touring, but being the middle of October, most of the attractions were closed. In fact, there was absolutely nothing opened in Carcross during our visit but the ride down and back was very pleasant, with of course stops at Emerald Lake and the Carcross Desert (the smallest desert in the world!). Above are the visitors at the SS Klondike Paddlewheeler which is one of the largest sternwheelers to ply the Yukon River and now has been restored and opened to the public (for tours during the summer only) as a National Historic Site by Parks Canada. Originally launched in 1937, it now sits along the Yukon River at the southern entrance to the city.

So we ate well (lots of salmon, thanks to Shaun) - (the candied smoked salmon was delicious as was the barbequed salmon), ate at local establishments, watched Coronation Street - (Bill, being from England and a year ahead in the story line didn't let too much slip , thank you for that Bill), shopped and caught up on about 30 years of separation.

It was so much fun having them visit and I hope they come again, perhaps in the summer months when most exhibits and buildings are not boarded up.

Seems we've been trying forever to get together for book club. Finally we just set a date and whoever could make it made it. As it turned out one member was in Vancouver, one in Red Deer and one out dancing. Even with our small group, we caught up on local news, ate wonderful appies, talked books and laughed a lot. Our next book will be Peony in Love by Lisa See - ordered and on its way to us.



Shaun made it back from his weekend in Vancouver - he attended the Vancouver International Film Festival to view his friend Adam Scorgie's film The Union: The Business Behind Getting High. This film was nominated for the CFB Best Canadian Documentary Award (although it didn't win) at viff and did win awards at the Winnipeg and Rhode Island International Film Festivals. He said it was an excellent movie, well done, interesting and well worth seeing. To find out more about this Canadian film click here for the viff's coverage of the movie or click here for the films promo (which is very interesting).

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day and with it comes the first skiff of snow, a couple of days early. The first skiff is usually October 11 (SR's Birthday, which is how I remember it). We needed it. The nights were getting very dark without the snow. Hope this doesn't discourage my next allotment of 2007 visitors, who I hope will come sometime within the next two weeks. I know Vancouverites don't like the snow, but I'm not sure about Londoners (England). Anyway, the temperature is lovely and the sun is shining today which is a change.

Just finished my week on the Cabbage Soup diet. I know it's a fad diet, but had to jump start my weight loss regime somehow - lost 6 pounds, so that is good. Was a little tired of cabbage soup by the end though. With all the company, I've had many late nights drinking beer and talking, drinking beer and talking, drinking beer and talking, thus my need to diet. So back to healthy eating (and just the odd beer).

For those that know Wally, he made it back to Ontario safe and sound. He had quite a trip, from Ontario to the Yukon, then south to Nelson, west to Vancouver/Victoria, then south to California and back to Ontario again, all by car with his dog.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I have much to be thankful for, luckily.

And Happy Birthday to SR, who turns 25 on Thursday!!! (Man, the time goes fast!) Many happy returns to you.

So we attempted to go to the show to see Russel Crowe playing a cowboy, but I guess that movie was only here for a week and as this is a new week, it is now gone. You have to be quick if you live in the north - you snooze, you lose. There were no other shows we wanted to see (there ARE only 4 to choose from), so we ate. Nancy made a lovely, delicious homemade pizza and we ate and chatted and ate and chatted. Luckily we are very adaptable, and although our plans were thwarted, we still had a good time!

And, just to keep you up to date, Man U beat Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday! Yeah!!!! That puts Man U in 2nd Place, 2 points behind Arsenal. (I'll make soccer fans of you yet).

My summer visitors may recognize this portion of the Alaska Highway (just before the turn north to Dawson City). Yes, that is snow on the mountains. It's that time of year, but the majestic beauty takes away any chill. I was a bit sceptical this morning when the rain was turning to snow, but it melted immediately. Thank heavens I don't live on the top of a mountain though.


My friend Jeaneil just moved into this new apartment beside Yukon College. Although it is still called the Athlete's Village (built to house the athletes of the Canada Winter Games 2007) it is now a senior's apartment. Chopping wood and hauling water became too difficult for her with her back problems, so she is a "towny" now.

Going to enjoy a pizza dinner then a movie tonight. Russell Crowe as a cowboy? Well, I always loved to watch Gene Autrey and Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, so hopefully I'll like this movie too.

And off he goes

Wally has now left the north. It always takes a bit of time for me to adjust to being alone in my house once again. Maybe I should get a dog! It was great seeing him again and just catching up. And great to have Chevy as a member of my household for a while. He was lucky, the leaves had started to change so all the scenery was punched with yellows and reds.

Fall is here - my favourite season. I no longer have to think about wearing shorts or jeans - it's definitely jeans. And don't you agree that autumn has that wonderful scent in the air and the leaves look spectacular in yellow, gold and crimson. As well, the northern lights will (hopefully) begin to brighten the nights. The only thing I don't like about fall is that the next season is winter - which, up here, is a bit toooooo long.

This picture is for Merv - we had a drink for you in the Kopper King and I took him to our old house on Alexander Street - now Duffy's Pet Shop, and walked him through our kitchen, living room (which now houses iguanas and snakes, birds and rabbits) and our bedrooms. Cheers!

I missed Michele's 50th Birthday party in Atlin- so if you're reading this Michele, hope it was a happy one. And hope your party was fun.

And for all you avid soccer fans - (that may only be me and my son) - Man U is sitting in 4th place with 11 points, tied with Liverpool (3rd place) and Chelsea (5th place).

Visit Continues

This was then.


This is now.

Nuge took Wally out and about - some sites of Whitehorse, down to Carcross and over to his house on Marsh Lake. I think Wally is now in love with the Yukon. Once again, the weather was perfect, 20 degrees c and not a cloud in the sky.

The top picture is Wally and Nuge at the beginning of our friendship in the late 1960's. The bottom picture is Wally and Nuge continuing our friendship in 2007. They were just leaving for their day's excursion on the Yukon. Funny how our bodies change, but it seems our minds never do. I'm so lucky to have friendships that transcend the years.

Wally visits the Yukon

He arrived! Driving from Whitby, Ontario to Yukon, Wally finally arrived with his dog Chevy. His stay will not be as long as I would like though, as he has to drive down to Nelson, over to Coquitlam and I think the Island, then down to California for a wedding on the 30th of this month. But right now he's here and we're talking up a storm. The first day was relaxation for him, sticking close to home, walking with the dog and viewing the pictures of his drive north. He did see a lot of wildlife on the highway too, which is always exciting - caribou, mountain goats, bison... It is so much fun to have my old high school buddy here!

Our Golf Dinner at my house tonight. Elaine still says if I put her picture on the blog she will not golf with me again, so don't tell her it's here. Debbie didn't make it into the photo on this blog as she had her eyes closed, or mouth opened in the pictures I took and I didn't think she would want her picture broadcast like that. We had a great dinner - cedar plank salmon, thanks to Teri and Dave's recipe, which turned out so good, there was very little left over. We are all old Yukoners and due to the music I played - Marty Waldman, Manfred Jansen, etc. we talked a lot about the old times here, travelling dirt roads, without electricity, wood stoves etc. It was fun reminiscing.
Wally phoned from Edmonton last night. He is 22 hours away. I expect he'll be here tomorrow night, tired from the drive and ready for a good meal and a comfortable bed. Can't wait.

Ahhhh, remember the '50's??? (Fewer and fewer of us do these days) Here is a little '50's china (literally) ornament that used to sit on our end tables in the living room. My sisters almost sold it at a garage sale - luckily no one liked it as much as I did. It still adorns my house today and brings back memories of a simpler time.

For anyone who has seen my sunflower growing in the planter on my deck, it finally is beginning to bloom. This is thanks to my next door neighbour the ornithologist, who feeds his birds sunflower seeds all winter. I had a number of them sprout in my yard this year.

Nancy and Debbie, hard at work finishing up the rails on Nancy's deck. I was the roving reporter and am glad to report that work was coming along fine until they requested the aid of Nancy's son, who still hadn't arrived at the time of this report. My job in all this is to roast a chicken for dinner, which I will soon get to.

Since my company has left, the air has had the touch of fall in it. Even those sunny days now require a light jacket. The leaves are turning and the northern lights are beginning to paint the sky at night.

I finally finished the last book in the Harry Potter series, but won't tell you how it ended - needless to say it was very exciting and action packed.

And the Premiership is now airing on Saturday mornings - my team, Manchester United, aren't doing as well as they should be, but to end on a high note, they did win their game today!

Still thinking of the trip

Am putting together my photo album today and came across this picture which actually contains ME! I was taking a picture of the gang on the banks of the Yukon River in Dawson City when a tourist asked me if I wanted him to take our picture, so for once, I am not on the end of a camera. If you want to see any more pictures, you have to come up to the Yukon, and I will gladly give you a bed and show you the pictures. For those who know Wally Paprocki, he is coming north in September to spend a few days. So, after just about 30 years, I am getting visitors.

The End

Had a great visit with the crew. Hope they did too. They did see a moose, a bear on the way home from Skagway and a bear while riding the rapids of the Tatshenshini. They visited Dawson City, toured a gold mine, watched Tex drink a shot with a toe in it, went to Alaska and even toured Whitehorse a bit. All in all, it was a very full 10 days. Will did say that he is thinking of moving to the Yukon, and David did say that when he starts working, he is saving money to come back. So one day it will be me and the boys! You're all welcome back, any time folks. I had fun too!

Muktuk Kennels

Finally, hours before the first group was to catch their plane south, we stopped into Cousin Frank's house where they saw 100+ dogs kennelled. Frank was in the puppy pen, where we spent our time during our visit.

Here is a 6 week old puppy chewing on Kayla's laces.

And here's Frank and Tex just before we left. It was a short visit, but fun.

August 20

August 20th was Kristin's 17th Birthday. She wanted to go wake-boarding on that day, and Shaun accommodated her on Schwatka Lake.

And we had her birthday dinner that night, complete with cake.

The Rest of Us

While they were on the Tat, the rest of us were doing our Whitehorse thing. Here is Will with a Wooley Mammoth. We visited the Beringia Centre and the Transportation Museum. Both were very interesting. (The washrooms in the Beringia Centre are the nicest I have seen in the whole world - worth the trip just to view them - not stalls, but individual little rooms - wow). Will enjoyed them both too and I'm sure he will be the only person in Grade 2 in Ancaster who knows what a Wooley Mammoth is and where Beringia is!

Later, we set Will out on the old Alaska Highway and he had to hitch-hike home -- not!

Riding the Tatshenshini River

Six of the 10 of us rode the Tat. Here they are looking all dry and happy. Then.......

from the stories and pictures that came home, there were many dunks in the icy cold water.


They all had a blast! They arrived home late at night, pumped on adrenaline.

Took the crew to Skagway Alaska these last few days. The weather was once again superb. Made many stops along the way. Here are part of the Eccles family viewing Emerald Lake. Also took in Caribou Crossing - lots and lots of taxidermied (stuffed) animals. Little Will was in heaven. A stop in Carcross Desert and then to Carcross to eat an ice cream cone, and walk the sands of Bennet Lake.
Made it to Skagway where we shopped till we dropped.

Took the White Pass & Yukon Route narrow gauge rail to the White Pass summit and back. The train trip was 3 hours long and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.
Most of the group is off to raft the Tatshenini River today. The rest of us are doing the Whitehorse thing. Only two more days then the Ontario crew are returning home. I'll be so lonely in my house all alone. Maybe some will catch the spirit of the north and not leave, like so many Yukoners did.