Chickadee Photo Art » Holidays / Traditions

David Thompson Highway – Alberta Vacation

Sharon — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:00:27 +0000

Perhaps you will decide to visit Alberta this summer and if you do a great road to travel is Highway 11 – the David Thompson Highway. There are many sights and attractions along this route. From Red Deer, this highway will take you to Rocky Mountain House, Nordegg and will end at the Saskatchewan Crossing where it meets the Icefields Highway. You can then go either direction to Banff and Lake Louise area or to Jasper. The Columbia Icefields are found here also. Today, a few photos from the Nordegg area along the David Thompson route. The enormity and beauty of the Canadian Rockies cannot be put into words and the colours of the mountain lakes are spectacular. We stayed at Aurum Lodge, an eco-friendly lodge overlooking Abraham lake – very peaceful and relaxing location away from the high tourist zones.

Below: Abraham Lake

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Seasons Greetings to All !

Sharon — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:00:36 +0000

To everyone who is visiting this site I want to wish you all the best for the holiday season. We celebrate Christmas at my house but there are many of you who likely celebrate different holiday traditions at this or other times of the year. However you choose to celebrate the holidays I wish you Happy Holidays! Today a few seasonal photos in the spirit of the season.

Above: This is Oliver posing nicely by the tree – my cousins beautiful and lovable dog.

Below: A Christmas Teddy by the tree.

Merry Christmas !

Sharon

Halloween

Sharon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:03:20 +0000

Pumpkins and gourds are a common part of the Halloween decor. Today, a few photos of these common fall squash. Gourds (below) come in a variety of shapes, colours and textures.

Below: Unsold pumpkins sit in a pile at a roadside stand in the Winkler area.

Let’s wish the children a safe and fun-filled Halloween.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

BOO !

Sharon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:00:28 +0000

Halloween is one of the oldest holidays, second only to Christmas. Most of us view Halloween as a time for putting on costumes, trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins and having theme parties. Some believe in ghosts, goblins and evil spirits that should be avoided.

Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday (All Hallows Eve) dating back over 2000 years. Halloween can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were based on superstition. The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed village roads at night and since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil spirits. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating. I recall having a lot of fun on Halloween, traveling blocks and blocks with friends in our neighbourhood calling out ” Halloween Apples” and in turn receiving more apples than candy as is today’s practice. In recent years, due to safety issues for children, communities often organize Halloween events where children do not need to go door to door. Sad commentary on today’s society I think. There are many websites with information on the history of All Hallows Eve.

Enjoy!

~Sharon