Yuletide 2011- New Year 2012
To all who celebrate and join with friends and family at this time of year - we wish you a happy time. We are thankful to you all for sharing our interests. We are sad that we can't see you as 2011 turns into 2012 but wish you health, happiness and success for the coming year. We also hope we are better at staying in touch with you next year... was that a moose climbing a tree? a bear snuggled up by our roaring fire or a piggy flying by?
I wanted to play you some music by a singer we saw at Engadine Lodge this year and then when I listened to it with the YouTube video playing I realized that it might be quite relevant as a seasonal anthem... So here it is to open up the blog entry....
You'll have to click on this one to see it clearer... sorry about quality!
(L-R) Dan, Aliya, Bailey, Little-Me and John
Unfortunately I hadn't blogged on this blog for a blog of a time... and I now have more than 12 months to catch up on... My intention was to add 12 images one for each month but once I got going looking though our photo file (with John) we found we kept on pressing that upload button and now there are 12 for each of 12 months!
I know it can be tedious looking through family photos, even when they were taken by the best of photographers eh David, so if you can't stand it.... log out now! We can catch up in another way.
But if you like tedium stick with it if you can! It might just be fun...
We are all well and have had a good year after a difficult start. Losses can bring people together and we should be thankful for that. We shouldn't dwell on sadness, Evelyn wouldn't have wanted that so let's take a look at our year...
Dan has completed his course at The Vancouver Arts' Institute in Film and Editing.
The actors and crew - 'V' for Vendetta
Which you can find here
And Dan behind the camera
Dan and Bailey on holiday last Yule
He is now looking for work. And right at this minute is trying to find the cheapest way to upgrade his already amazing computer so that he can do colourist work on film from home while he looks for employment in the industry. Anyone got a high power machine they don't need or a grid they don't want? He will be living in Vancouver, and will have a sofa bed by the end of January and invites you to stop over.
Al continues to grow apace and I am now the smallest person in the family, which is what I wished for. But they have promised never to talk down to me.
Aliya loves poetry, this one is for her.
John proves daily (in winter) that it is possible to skate on a bike and I am improving my juggling skills. Soon John and I will be able to apply for an opening in Cirque du Soleil.
So read on... and find out what 2011 was like for us... and do comment or email to tell us what you have been up to yourselves.
With much love,
Millson x4
Wintery wonderland
Al and me cross-country skiing across the mint green waters of Lake Louise.
To clarify!
There is an ice sculpture competition at Lake Louise each year. The crystal ball IS made of ice, honest! How it was created is a question only the Creationists can answer.
Away Days
Contextural, the artists collective I belong to, had a weekend retreat in Canmore, in the middle of the snowy season... I gave a workshop on "machining in thin air" in the afternoon whilst some of the more outdoor types went x-country skiing at the Nordic Centre.
Contextural friends - at the winter sale, 2011. It was held at a member's home and the kitchen was well-used for snacks and a seasonal tipple. I made enough money to cover the cost of a stamp to Britain!
January 2011
Al's birthday... she was 14 and had 5 candles (artistic license).
We still find the many varied forms of water captivating.
Shark Lake, near Engadine - after a good descent on our x-country skis.
Meanders of Ice,
Elbow River
March
March
Happy birthday Daniel
Wildlife in our back garden
We had 3 baby skunks in the garden, and the powerful scent of 100 foxes in the house, for far too long.
But my oh my they were cute to look at.
Ancient cave painting... illustrating how black squirrels have long been an important part of Calgary wildlife.
A spectacular visitor to the garden, who polished off a fair few sparrows before leaving for warmer climes - Cooper's Hawk.
Nuthatch
Considering the number of times we have seen the Northern Flicker in our garden you would think we would have shots better than these of our favourite woodpecker, but no, this is the best I can do right now.
ADAD Residency 2011
Arlee and I dyed together (excuse the pun) at ACAD, below the drying racks of the wet studio.
Robin's Visit
Elbow Falls, Camera Workshop level 6.
Participants taking a sunny break for lunch during a Kreative Momentum workshop.
Robin during our visit to Elbow Falls
And the reason for the Union Jack flying in Canada is.....?
Thomas comes to Heritage Park, Calgary, once a year - with Annie and Clarabel of course.
Dangerous Wildlife - Waterton
Tree sniffing - Something Brits do whilst visiting Canada ... on Al's instruction... well you just have to once she tells you they smell like chocolate.
Al now Grade 6 Ballet
Can't believe Al has been dancing now for about 11 years!!!
The end of year Counterpointe Ballet Show. Al was in two dances.
Second from right, if you can't spot her yourself. Sorry for image quality but it was a bit dark in there.
After the ballet show an evening treat out....
Al was very happy to discover Gratitude Cafe in Kensington (Calgary) which serves Gluten free, Nut free and anything else free. Unfortunately it wasn't free.
John enjoyed? his first ever pirogue - Answer: Yes he did.
More Late Spring Hikes
Ptarmigan Cirque, Peter Lougheed Park, AB, Beautiful!!!!!
The scenery is so varied and we love the sheds of Alberta. Some of these ought to be protected sites. There is one woman who has taken it on to photograph so many of the barns and wooden structures before they disappear.
Summer Holiday
Spent time in Victoria for Canada Day and got ourselves on the Living flag and the front of the daily newspaper and John makes his debut on YouTube (though my sister says he shows some Mr. Bean-ish tendencies as he looks up to the fire stations mega-crane that was serving as mega-tripod for photography and stage for M.C.) Thanks Janice whoever you are....
Anyway that is us on the right corner of the far right point of the maple leaf, on the narrow band of white between red and white... you can see Al's hat (it is pink) in amongst the white.
Did I say we made the same newspaper, front page, but just above, Will and Kate...
John is standing to the front of the flag on the green, filming the event. Though not up the fireman's ladder! as you will see below...
Janice's video of John:-
We visited the Royal BC Museum - and were very impressed with the honest presentation of the despicable politics of this country... Al had learnt all about this in Social Studies at school but we were glad to be educated and see the degree of recognition of the past and reconciliation that has gone on and the attempts to improve the lot of First Nations people in Canada.
Then on to Sooke and Port Renfrew for a week of painting, reading, botany and photography.
Our summer holiday was spent on Vancouver Island and Saltspring and was just right for us... a bit of luxury, a lot of outdoor time, not too much driving in this vast country - and time to enjoy the culture, nature and light.
Why so many flags in Victoria BC - because it was Canada day and the little tugs (behind) were dancing (water ballet).
The most expensive afternoon tea in Canada, Empress Inn, Victoria. The chef came over to see us to make sure Al was getting a wonderful gluten free experience. We chatted and he explained that he used to work in Dubai and Oman!
Canada Day - the Parliament Building Victoria - 1898
Al inspecting a glacial pavement in Victoria city centre! It is best to do with your hands as you can actually feel the direction the ice moved.
Canada day fireworks as seen from our hotel window. For once John was right in paying a premium for the window view.
We searched out ancient trees ('First Growth') on Vancouver Island during out trip, exploring just the SW corner of the Island.
Us near the apiary Victoria.
That is a sea otter. Can you see it?
Luxury accommodation, to us - A yert in Port Renfrew, Vancouver Island
Woody World
Seems like this year was the year of the dog... I mean bark.
The tiny Rufus humming bird was a constant companion for Al, on Vancouver Island.
Beauty and the beast = not really, but... somewhat disconcerting.
Something right out of Dr Who... A fantastical dragon fly... and boy was it big.
John and I continue our good-humoured photograph challenge to each other.
Al and I cannot get out of the habit of just jumping right into the wadi water... I mean the pot holes at Sooke, no matter what the temperature. We were joined later by 2 ladies one of them truly was... naked by the end of the afternoon.
The sort of place that Willie Wonker would get his ideas for outrageous sweets... these blueberry flavoured wine gums.
Lots of visitors this year - We hope there will be more in 2012
Lots of visitors this year - We hope there will be more in 2012
After British Columbia back to Calgary and the rain... Friends arrived from England via their coach tour of BC and AB, for a week of Millson hospitality. And...
A picnic at Elbow Falls.
Here we are walking the Sunshine Meadows in spring-time, where we usually ski in the winter. But this is late spring and the flowers were wonderful - especially the Pasque Flower = Prairie Crocus (below) and Glacier lily
Engadine Lodge
After walking, that day, we took Angela for a birthday treat to Engadine and listened to some live music. Below is a video of Chloe Albert singing Into the Bright Lights...
We have also heard John Wort Hannam at Engadine, who you had the opportunity of watching earlier in the blog.
Moose can be relied upon to put in an appearance there (at Engadine) either at dusk or in the morning. But on Angela's birthday they timed it right, to appear in the interval between dinner and the show.
Moose can be relied upon to put in an appearance there (at Engadine) either at dusk or in the morning. But on Angela's birthday they timed it right, to appear in the interval between dinner and the show.
Another time at Engadine we saw wildlife in action...Attenborough eat your heart out... young male (left) making a challenge to 'White Socks' (and failing).
And Narla is always part of the attractions at Engadine. Quite a show cat.
Cat the dancer at Kat Danser's set
Check out Kat's music above.
Al and Kat
Saltspring Island
It was certainly the year we fell in love with SaltSpring Island, BC and have made several visits there since. Trying to see it in all seasons.
The beautiful harbour of Saltspring.
John took himself off to the top of Mount Erskine one evening.
At the heritage farm the farm buildings are preserved as a nod to the past. These logs were hand-cut to create these marvellous joints.
Blackberry bushes grow in profusion and they are so pretty.
Bald Eagle, Saltspring Island
Al encouraging John to take a dip in the icy waters off the island.
UK - for a few weeks in August
Some getting back to our roots.
Some walking the NW coastline
Sketching, eating, fossil hunting
Climbing and abseiling at Stourhead with friends.
Return to Canada and back to work.
I have bitten the bullet and begun facilitating : I don't know what else to call it... I arrange for visiting artists to come to Calgary and teach. This workshop was located at the Alberta College of Art and Design's fibre department and featured Michael Brennand-Wood. He was an excellent tutor and house guest! This year I am hoping to host Jason Pollen another renowned artists.
Second visit to Saltspring
Thanksgiving holiday - The Beaver boat plane loading up ready to take us over to Saltspring Island.
Daniel came over for this visit also flying in by boat plane, later.
Dan continues to develop his artistic side, with images like this. Did I say this is an enchanted wood?
Stone skimmers at Skipping Stone Beach, Saltspring Island.
Chrissie came over from Comox to stay too.
A family of Sea Otters came to bid us farewell at the end of a wonderful Thanksgiving weakend on Saltspring.
Halloween and Dan's Mid Semester Break
Helena Bonham-Carter eat your heart out.
Daniel on a short break from college... He has a camera in front of his face as usual...
Making the most of the sunny warm weather.
On going through our photos I discovered that if you want to find Al during a holiday you need to look at the water's edge. Upper Kananaskis Lake looking towards Mount Indefatigable - Alberta
This appealed to me.
Soon it turned cooler.
Al and I take shelter behind a perfectly placed boulder Tryst Lake, Kananaskis Provincial Park, BC. And suffered a hailstorm.
And shortly after that....John disarms a snowball bandit well known to the RCMP.
Early snow in Kananaskis Country (K-Country), Alberta. We were lucky enough to move in for our lunch after another party had left us their barbeque still lit... and warm.
Al's entry to the school photography competition - an amazing haw frost decorated the school's railings.
Al began her Duke of Edinburgh award with an overnight 'camp' in Kananaskis. Accommodation was in trappers' tents. These come fitted with heating stoves, beds and hard flooring... not quite what I call sleeping rough.
John's Work
John continues to go to exotic places to look at dirt (rocks). Flying to the far north, up rivers on speed boats... and so on, it's what you do for a living isn't it John?
Field work Athabasca River, Fort Mackay area, northern Alberta
Operations -20deg C, Grand Cache area, northern Alberta
It's all to ensure that you lot have gas(methane) for your hot water, gas(petrol) for your fuel guzzling cars and oil for everything else!
My work
The scene of a busy Kreative Momentum workshop. We welcome children who are sick and in need of a day off school.
My pleasure to hang some work in Canmore Hospital, waiting area and the adjacent treatment rooms.
I have also had work on show in the Epcor building - Theatre District of Calgary, Resolution and Framed on 5th Galleries. So I am very happy about these events.
Also I took part in ArtsPeak and made contacts for courses that I might give in the future.
I am now the Alberta Representative for the SDA - Surface Design Association, an international organization that is very active in my field. So lots to build on for the next year.
Also the arrival of Siri, shown left below, seems to have given our Wednesday sewing group and their workshops that I teach to members of the group, a real boost. I am now working on developing a good curriculum for 3-day (monthly) workshops for them beginning in January 2012.
I have also had work on show in the Epcor building - Theatre District of Calgary, Resolution and Framed on 5th Galleries. So I am very happy about these events.
Also I took part in ArtsPeak and made contacts for courses that I might give in the future.
I am now the Alberta Representative for the SDA - Surface Design Association, an international organization that is very active in my field. So lots to build on for the next year.
Also the arrival of Siri, shown left below, seems to have given our Wednesday sewing group and their workshops that I teach to members of the group, a real boost. I am now working on developing a good curriculum for 3-day (monthly) workshops for them beginning in January 2012.
Still more lovely sunny days out
After an artists' day out with the Wednesday sewing group I took the family, and a visitor from The Netherlands, to Okotoks... which does have an 'ancient and historic' centre after all. I thought you would like the architecture study - Angela.
A detail for you.
This is the sort of architecture we study these days. No saxon churches here. Queen Anne I believe.
We are still keeping an eye on the sorts of things that Deborah will have to be careful of, during her next trip to the land of the maples.
Here we go again - Calgary-Vancouver - Saltspring Air to Ganges
Nora and Karin in the enchanted woods on Saltspring
Did I say enchanted.....
woods?
Cue music from Close Encounters
This was the morning I was abducted by aliens outside Canadian Superstore. Just another Monday morning in an expat life. This is a sunrise with Sun Dog - caused by ice particles in the air - I think.
Usually sun dogs have a rainbow of light, to be seen on either side of the sun, with red light closest to the sun... But because this was a sunrise the red light is concentrated in a vertical line, straight up to the heavens... or am I wrong? We had better ask those Creationists again.
Preparations for Dan post post secondary
We have made several visits to Vancouver this year with Dan being at college there... he finished his course on December 22nd. John went over to sign contracts on Dan's behalf for the flat he will live in from January 9th, 2012 (As Dan doesn't yet have a job yet the 'realtors' won't accept a contract with him alone.... still not quite free of us then).
Dan's new home. (A sod house)
OK, I lied it is in fact on the 10th floor of the dark blue block visible in the distance... looking out to the city, yes it is surrounded by other high rises, but Dan tells me there IS a park nearby.
....and did I say enchanted?
