Cold but beautiful in Alberta country...we are warming up now by end of week but last Saturday when out on my bird count it was -30 oC or -22 degree Fahrenheit!

Initial meeting at the Fallis Store at 0900 to coordinate the count for our zone. A very cold day of -25oC to -30oC so needed to be prepared. Mostly driving, about 2 hours, but there were some areas of bush/lakeshore that can be covered on foot or snowshoes given the amount of snow we have had this winter. However a 25 minute walk with the dog was more than enough. We saw a pileated woodpecker, hordes of black capped chickadees, 3-5 bluejays, and odd magpie and raven.

In one day last month, October 25,  we got our first snow that stayed. Starting from drizzling rain to sleet and finally overnight a blanket of white. Finishing my outdoor task ended up planting bulbs: tulips. daffodils and garlic, wet and cold but done!!!

This past weekend was visiting family. actually a memorial due to an unexpected death , my brother in law Allin died tragically in an accident in the mountains last week.  doing what he was absolutely passionate about. Sadly, an avid hunter and outdoorsman,  he died of hypothermia during an expedition west of Nordegg on Tuesday, November 5, 2013...The family on both sides, gathered from all over North America.

The following photo

are from their farm,west of Calgary. looking towards the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

One is reminded of both the beauty and the power of nature.

Just wanted to wish all my Canadian blogging friends a Happy Thanksgiving! will catch you up soon on some of my fall activities, but in interim, here is lovely autumn bouquet with some of the canned spicy tomato and pepper sauce,

and some of the excess from my little back yard spots!

The trees in the river valley  are just starting to change color and with regret I still want o hold onto summer.

Today I rode the bike down Mill Creek ravine and

across the North Saskatchewan River,with the view of downtown Edmonton, note the motorboat and the tourist paddleboat.Met a friend at the Shaw Center and locked up the bike.

My flowers in the yard are in full bloom and a few veggies as well.

Apples, apples, apples...

As a member of a local fruit rescue group OFRE ( Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton ) https://www.facebook.com/groups/231894110159342/?fref=ts

Not only have been picking apples but pressing as well. A bicycle powered press! At the Devonian Gardens at the annual Fruit Growers Festival! We made fresh cider all day, gave out samples, sold some jelly, had many curious younger helpers and chatted with other growers.

My own activities have included peeling, dehydrating apples  and making some apple plum tarts. 

Guess we are back,,not moving!

Decisions are not easy...I love to write and share my photos and journeys, especially the adventures into Nunavut, the Canadian arctic, and have been here since 2004. If it is time to move on, then so be it!

Lots of love from Bonnie,   and my dogs...Dysis   and Nanuq!

My writing blog is Northern Musings 

or http://rlypayne.typepad.com/blog/

HAPPY CANADA DAY to all Canucks at home and those representing Canadians around the world!!!