Snow-play!

Posted on by lindaskelton

The most I’ve every ‘sculpted’ with snow is a snowman, and mostly those happened by watching kids out the window while I prepared the cocoa and shortbread for the after-party!

ย –a rare snow day in the Arizona desert, way back when…

–a snowbear for Rachel on a special snowy day in Powell River!

–other snow people I have met on walks back in Powell River days…

But in this land of eternal winters (not really…) they think up bigger things to do with snow and ice…This week is Banff’s Snow Days festival and they’ve lured in top world-wide competitors to show us their skill.ย  We had the grandkids for the weekend so after we were done sledding out front of our house we headed to Banff to have a look-see. It was incredible!

The textured detail of this wolf is remarkable enough but when you stroll around the backside…you get a peek inside the mind of a wolf!

Contestants from Alaska created this version of a Homesteader…

 

 

 

And always there must be a bear…

And our little dear…

–LS

“See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.” Ex.31:2-5 NKJV

God’s image in man is seen still, in the sculpting of SNOW!

 

Gratefully Sky-gazing–tonic for a New Year

Posted on by lindaskelton

It sometimes takes a bit to dig out of the holidays and re-focus on what’s ahead.ย  Two things I’ve found to be of help–both are of God’s doing: His creation, and His Word.ย  To gaze upon each with a thankful heart changes everything.ย  Today I’m sky-gazing.

I sat with my notebook and my Bible in my lap alternately looking out the window, cat-napping, and reading,ย  intermingling whimpery prayers with a gloomy mix of lethargic thoughts…

Job’s beautiful depiction of our Mighty and Beautiful God leapt into my heart…

“God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.ย  He wraps the rain in this thick clouds, and the clouds do not burst with the weight.ย  He shrouds his throne with his clouds.ย  He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundaries for day and night…His Spirit made the heavens beautiful…”

‘These are some of the minor things he does, merely a whisper of his power.ย  Who can understand the thunder of his power?’

These words from Job followed on the heels of David’s prayer in Psalm 60:

“Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.ย 
With God’s help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes.”

What a fitting assurance for the prospects of this New Year!

Gaze long at the skies and the Word today and and be reminded of God’s presence and sustaining power for all that you face.

–LS

Job 26:7-10,13,14 NLT; Ps.60:11,12 NLT

Best Bits of 2017…

Posted on by lindaskelton

Christmas is past and the New Year’s coming on fast.

Thought I’d take a minute to look back and see where 2017 went!

Last year at this time we were officially commencing our first winter in Canmore…

We were braced for snow and cold and determined to use it to hone our cross-country skills…

MARCH brought Rachel to see our new nest before moving back to the Coast from her two-year venture in Alaska.

By APRIL I was more than ready for the snow to be done! But there was still time to tromp on frozen Lake MInnewanka and get some Grand shots of the Grandkids–

By MAY my flower hunger was acute but sweetly assuaged by the birth of grandbaby Jaxon back in Powell River where spring was already in gear…

And by the time I flew home, Alberta was fast catching up!

I guess I measure seasons in flowers. JULY brought the wood lily and the blue-eyed grasses…

And our sweet Alexis came for a visit with her mom and dad!

AUGUST brought her cousin, Jaxon with his folks

Then we were off to Yellowstone to camp with the rest of the grandkids

and witness the eclipse together beside amber waves of grain…

SUMMER 2017 will be remembered also for its unseasonably and delightfully hot temperatures

And just before frost hit in SEPTEMBER we discovered gardens in Banff we had somehow missed!

OCTOBER was perfect for a road trip…

to Prince George

and on to Powell River

to spend Thanksgiving with the girls and their men

Back home…

With NOVEMBER came snow in earnest and frozen lakes and beautiful sunrises…

And it brought us grandbaby Tiffany whom we have yet to meet in person.

And now that WINTER is officially here, well it’s time to ski again.

Though to be honest, I’d rather hole up indoors this time around.

And sometimes I need to remind myself of the reasons we’ve chosen to live in such a frigid place…

They are worth it!

And that’s where our year has gone! What about yours?

May God bless you as you recall all His mercies in the old year and look forward to all that is to come!

–LS

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage…
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

–Ps. 16:6;127:3 KJV