In western Canada winter is a bit milder the closer you are to the Pacific Ocean. Thanks to the warm Japan Current, southern British Columbia enjoys the mildest winter temperatures in Canada. B.C. is the only place in Canada where golf can be played year-round.
At latitude 48 degrees north the day with the least amount of daylight is the Winter Solstice, and the period between the first week in December and the first week in January is referred to as the “dark days of winter”. Last night temperatures plunged and winter storm warnings were broadcast. We woke up and looked out at forest laden with snow – branches so low to the ground that the trees looked like they were wearing bridal gowns.
Stunning:-)
Guess what. I made the classic error of being tired and clicking what I thought was the “save draft” link last night so I could complete this post today. Well, I clicked publish in error last night. DUH … I woke up and shrieked “oh no!”
The lion’s share of post is missing. :(
Well, it’s been -30 degree C with -46 degrees C wind chill factor (or -50 degrees F) winter in our city on the prairies this week. Very cold. Weekend should lighten up ..enough so that I can go grocery shopping without my hands falling off.
I do love snow, even though it prevents me from cycling lots. I will be offering some of our experiences on my blog tomorrow, in beautiful lush deep snow in the Rocky Mountains when we went snowshoeing last week at Lake Louise.
http://vimeo.com/9247640
Meanwhile above clip, gives a snippet of ….. iChinese New Year’s, Year of the Dragon starting by the end of this week. In Vancouver there is an annual fusion of Chinese New Year’s and Robbie Burns Day (Scottish poet) in a Chinese-Scottish fusion Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner and entertainment. Here’s clip of Chinese-Scottish fusion entertainment. Enjoy:
Hi there Jean. My relatives keep me well apprised of Alberta’s weather. I recall it very clearly and I’m so glad I don’t have to endure it any more. Thanks for the video link.
That is an insane amount of snow. I hope it comes my way to Colorado. We are going skiing this weekend!
Heli-skied there a couple of years ago!
My skiing days are far behind me. :)
Is that weird that most of my comments are moderated?
No. I moderate every moment on my blogs and they all have to wait until I’m done my other work :)
I am soooo relieved that nothing is wrong! : )
Also be aware that during this time of the year where I live the wild winter winds take down our powerlines frequently. That means I can’t get online and moderate comments. I just experienced an almost 2 day long blackout.
I’m so tired , she whined. :(
I’m from Texas and have only lived in Texas which = no snow! There have been a few occasions when it snowed lightly. There’s just something about snow that is refreshing and energizing. Maybe because it’s a rarity here. Enjoy it…and nice post – would have never known it wasn’t complete.
Thanks for the comment. Now I’ve had the time to consider the mission part I have decided it’s not essential. Snow means a lot of shoveling so emergency vehicles can get into our property if they need to and so we can get out. Snow means more kindling to spilt and firewood to buck and bring into the house so we can keep warm. Snow means we have to have barrels of water on hand as if and when power lines go down our deep well submersible pump cannot operate. That means no water for anything including flushing the toilet unless we carry it in from the stream, pond or creek. Snow means exhausting hard labor. So now that I conider what I would have typed if I hadn’t accidentally published this draft I realize it’s not essential at all.
Your picture is just stunning! Being a girl from the deep Southern US, I am not a snow baby. While I like it in photos…that’s about as close as I want to get!
Hi Ann,
I’s always good to see you. I haven’t had enough time online with all the power-outs to tell you that the ginger carros recipe I tried from your blog went over extremely well. I had tonnes of compliments that you deserved so I kept giving out your blog address to everyone at the potluck. BTW that’s not my picture but it sure looks exactly like we we saw outside our window.
These photos are gorgeous, and trees look like wearing wedding dresses…lovely. I can only imagine this cold..its 28 degrees C here in Brisbane, Queensland!
Hi Lilith,
Please read my last sentence in the comment immediately above. I’d love to get a new camera but every time it appears close to the top if the “need it – buy it list” it gets knocked out by something more important. Then I have to put it back on the “wish list”.
Though I don’t like snow much, I prefer the weather in Western Canada to weather anywhere else in North America. That’s not to say I wouldn’t accept a free vacation in some hot spot down south though.
I’m so glad you commented. I just visited your blog and we have some common interests so I’m now “following” yours.
Like you, we have had a relatively mild winter here on the prairies. But it was cold here last week – we can tell how cold by whether the Jeep will start on its own in the morning, or whether we have to plug it in for a bit!
We just had a terrible week last week. The snow, freezing rain and two power outages made a mockery of my caerful planning and scheduling. I’m so far behind I really don’t know where to start. Worse still, this week is full of medical and lab appointments. SHEESH … I need a vacation.
Sorry your week has been like that. I’m up for an MRI now. This medical stuff has rocks on it, I admire you so much for coping as you do.
I do hope all goes well with your own health issue. All of our best laid plans were derailed by either bad weather, medical problems or other frustrating unexpected interruptions. This is the first day of a new month and we hopeful that it will be a better one than the last one.