Mt Cheam and tulip field

Mt Cheam and tulip field, originally uploaded by Rosedale Annie.

So Chilliwack-esque!

Through the field -- Kindergarten field trip

Through the field, originally uploaded by Rosedale Annie.

The cool thing about going to school in the country is that you can go on a field trip... to a field, or at least cut through one on the way to the farm you are going to visit. That's the ubiquitous Mount Cheam in the background. It watches over us all over East Chilliwack.

Goodbye to Sophie

Goodbye to Sophie, originally uploaded by Rosedale Annie.

Sophie was with us for 12 years, arriving as a stray kitten with a cranky attitude. She was always beautiful and always moody – didn’t much like other cats or most people. She had a kink in her tail that she hated to have touched and was also very averse to belly rubs. She wasn’t afraid to growl, scratch, or bite. But she and I developed a mutually trusting and affectionate relationship after a few years. She liked having her back, chin, head, and mouth stroked. She liked lying on me and purring. She was even friendly with the kids at times, and enjoyed sleeping on their beds. She sometimes liked to play friskily with toys. She had a love affair with Thomas the cat for the few years he was with us and also carried on secretly with Barney the dog (not realizing we were watching them out the window).

In our current configuration of cats she was the scapegoat, always being picked on, to the extent that she had a constant open wound on her shoulder. When we heard of an old lady who was looking for an old lady cat, we arranged a transfer. I hope she is happy there. I hear they’ve reached the purring and snuggling-on-laps stage after 10 days.

Hope you're happy in your retirement, Sophie dear!

Not so bleak January

Sea of dried cornstalks, originally uploaded by Rosedale Annie.

The weather has improved, which has cheered folks up considerably!

Bleak January

Bleak January, originally uploaded by Rosedale Annie.

Torrential rains after heavy snows make for waterlogged fields and damp basements in Chilliwack! Sad to see so many people adversely affected.

What George did today....

What George did today...., originally uploaded by Rosedale Annie.

What he does every day. While the rest of us returned to school and work after a lengthy and restful break, he kept the couch warm for us and awaited our return.

Gotta love it when even the trampoline's covered in snow!

Snow cutie, originally uploaded by Rosedale Annie.

We've had more snow in the past month than any time since the Blizzard of '96, which Molly doesn't remember and the others weren't born yet for, so the kids are amazed about how much snow we've been gettting, and enjoying it too, when we can tear them away from the new Wii that Christmas brought!

New Year's Eve -- Hope River looking west

New Year's Eve -- Hope River looking west, originally uploaded by Rosedale Annie.