Lunch at Wabamun Lake

I met our 2 girls, Tracy, Michelle, their girls and Oreo for lunch at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park and spent the afternoon enjoying time with the girls. The park has three day use areas; they are beautiful and very large with access to the lake. Being a weekday I was surprised how many people were there making use of the area we choose. I treasure time with just “us girls”, the grandchildren are a delight and it gives us all a time to relax, take in the scenery and engage ourselves in “girl talk”.
The day use area is on Moonlight Bay and small part of the lake. The Park offers many activities, from walking, bird watching, swimming, boating etc. For more information click on the links below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabamun_Lake_Provincial_Park

http://www.travelwestvisual.com/TravelAlberta/Home/Pages/Heartland/DryVaAr/WabLa/ProP/ProP.htm

Tracy's girls, Brookln and Lindsey relaxing.

Brooklyn and Caitlin (Michelle's daughter).

Above and to the right, the day use area.

The day use area had 2 different playgrounds, the grandchildren had great fun playing on them.

A squirrel that played on the tree right by our table, drove Oreo nuts, she so wanted to chase it!

Tracy, Caitlin and Michelle.

Lindsey taking a break in the shade. It was a very nice warm day!

Hunting Resource Friends

Our gathering of HR friends was great; the weather could have been a little more cooperative though. Friday Vicky (HR handle doog3) and her husband (Rob) arrived first, travelling from the British Columbia coast area, then Andrew (HR handle) Elkhunter with his wonderful dog (Rascal) from Leduc, Alberta and last but not least Fred (HR handle Redgreen) from Medicine Hat, Alberta.
We spent the weekend relaxing renewing friendships with Andrew and Fred and meeting Vicky and hubby in person for the first time. After chatting in the HR Chat room it is so cool to meet face to face, share stories, tease one another, and become closer friends overall. Friday evening was cool but we did barbeque some of the delicious deer sausage Fred brought, shared some brews and stories,

Fred presented everyone with a very nice wall plaque, thanks Fred that was very thoughtful! Each plaque had a different animal, we choose the Bear.

We gathered around the fire pit after dinner, thankfully Rob and Vicky had bellows to help get the fire going as the wood was wet. We retired just before the huge rain storm began.
It rained pretty much all night but no one allowed the damp grey morning to spoil the day. Andrew and Fred had gotten up early and bought a few dozen donuts to go with morning coffee before Patsy (HR handle QueenNorth) was even out of bed! When the Queen finally got her butt out of bed and after walking the dogs, we set up the big BBQ in the shelter and transported food, dishes, etc., to the shelter and enjoyed a huge brunch of blueberry pancakes with real Maple Syrup, scrambled eggs and bacon prepared and cooked by our appointed chef Woody! Wow that was super bacon supplied by Andrew and Vicky. Woody almost burnt his beard when the BBQ had a grease flare up and no one caught it on film! We had food left over which we shared with a family staying at the park in a tent and Patsy loaned a couple of jackets to a couple of their children as their clothes had gotten wet the night before in their tent. Oh how we do not miss those days of tenting in the rain! We sat about visiting for awhile then Rob and Vicky went on a drive around the country side.
When they arrived back the weather was looking better, there was some talk of going fishing (it never happened though), somehow visiting just seemed more important. Rob and Vicky had bought more food and some special items for each one of us, thank you guys that was very special. We missed another good picture of Fred toasting a marshmallow on a toothpick with his lighter, dang we didn’t see him roasting it and popped it in his mouth just too quickly! It was roasted to perfection.
Our dinner Saturday evening consisted of tender savoury, super size 4H steaks from Andrew, huge tasty venison burgers from Vicky, corn on the cob from Fred, potato salad and chilli from Woody and Patsy, deserts by Vicky and us. We all had our cameras ready but no flare up fire tonight.

The sun was finally shinning as we sat around the fire pit enjoying the camaraderie of friends, warmth of the fire and admired the big yellow ball in the sky! Woody and Andrew got involved playing catch with a young fellow and his Grandma; Andrew lasted longer than Woody LOL. Rob and Vicky presented us with the bellows that we used again this evening, they had not used it in years but we were so happy they gifted it to us. We will make good use of it and thanks so much Rob and Vicky.

Sunday’s brunch of hash browns, sausage and scrambled eggs was again prepared by Chef Woody; Patsy was on KP duty for the weekend which worked well. Needless to say we had lots of left over food; everyone took home some deer sausage and some of the food they brought. The weekend passed very quickly and a unanimous decision was made to do it again next year and hopefully add a couple more days on to the weekend.

Don't you just love the look that Rascal is giving Andrew, "I love you aren't you going to share?"

Woody, Fred, Rob and Vicky, Friday evening enjoying some BBQed sasauge that Fred brought.,

Woody cooking Saturday brunch!

Fred, Andrew, Patsy, Vicky and Rob. You can tell it is a little cool we all have jackets on!

Saturday dinner, mushrooms, steak, venison burgers, corn on the cob and there was also, potato salad, chili and deserts. Sure glad we had the big BBQ

We invited Lloyd, one of the campers as we had so much food, for Saturday dinner. He and Fred spent some time visitng.

Hanging out in the shelter, Patsy, Fred and Vicky.

Woody caught Fred off guard and gave him his signature greeting!

Woody, Fred, Vicky, Andrew and Rascal, you can just see Cookie by Vicky's feet. Vicky arrived with dog treats for all the fur friends.

Rob and Andrew Saturday evening.

Until next year guys, thanks for coming and making it such a special time!

Family Get-Together at Imrie Park

This weekend was very special most of our family gathered for a weekend of visiting, playing, eating and relaxing. The weather was a little cool with some rain but it did not dampen anyone's spirit. Deb arrived Thursday afternoon from Kelowna, BC, then Myrna &Gordon, Tracy, Keith and family, Michelle, Chris and family Jen and Alex, Dani, on Friday, Lori and son Cody, Brenda and Garry on Saturday to round out our group. There were a few missing but this is the first time we have gathered almost everyone so it was an awesome happening.
Friday evening after settling in, we enjoyed the time catching up on news, sitting around the fire, eating and relaxing. Saturday everyone did their own thing for brunch, we visited, Gordon, Garry and Cody set up the Bean Bag Toss game during the afternoon and later Woody joined in and played a game with some of the kids. Bean Bag Toss is a fun game, not easy to score but a game young and old can play and easy to set up and store. We gathered for a huge dinner, everyone contributing their favorite dishes (nothing better than potluck) using the shelter to cook and gather in as the weather was a little unsettled. Later we gathered around the general fire pit sharing stories of our lives since last we met.



Hanging out roasting wieners and marshmallows.

















Jennifer, Alex and Danielle made a grand entrance with water guns ablazing, what a hoot and so like them! Note Alex is driving, steering wheel on the right side!

They got a few of the gang wet!

Alex, Jennifer's boyfriend, goofing around!

Myrna and Gordor, Mryna is my best friend, we have known each other since we were 9 years old! She is and always has been my sister.

A feast, nothing like sharing food with friends and family.

Lori and Michelle sharing some stories!

Keith, Tracy and Gordon in the forefront, Garry in the background.

Gordon and grandson Cody playing Bean Bag Toss.

Chris and Keith relaxing in the sun.

Danielle on kitchen duty!

Jennifer, yeah she is really chopping wood, good at it also!

The cousins, Tracy, Lori, Michelle, Brenda and Deb, these pretty much grew up together but it has a been a long time since they all together. Lori is being her goofy self.

Had to post this picture with Deb's dog, Zoey, after all she is an important part of the family eh!

The grandchilren, Cody, Myrna and Gordon's grandson, Lindsey, Jennifer, Brooklyn, Danielle and Caitlin!

Garry and Brenda, Jen in the background, sitting around the general fire pit.

Caught in the act!

Our grandson Christopher graduated June 30th and this dog is a gift from Jennifer, Brooklyn checking it out. It was a neat gift, everyone could sign the dog and/or write anything they wished!

Topher is Christopher's nickname!




It was a marvellous weekend, the time passed so quickly as it always does when friends and family gather. We plan on doing it again next year! Thanks to all for coming and helping to create such fantastic memories!

Stay safe, healthy and happy until we meet again!

Tribute to our Dad

Today would have been my Dad's 93rd birthday, he passed away June, 2005 and I will remember and honour him here today.

Dad and Mom's 50th Anniversary,

Dad and Mom with daughter's and husbands,

Dieter, Patsy, Judith and Klaus (Woody)

Below daughters and grandchildren in 1998.



Dad's 82nd Birhday, Daughter Judith, grandchilren and great grandchildren.

82nd Birthday with Judith and me!

Easter 2004. This is a great picture of Dad, showing the twinkle in his eye and his wonderful smile.






Dad loved animals.

Christmas 04.

The tribute to our Dad that I gave at his funeral.

Our Dad, what can I say! Son, Son-in-law, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, businessman and community worker, he had many roles in his life and handled them all with commitment, grace and much love. He was a very fair man, usually kind, gentle, steadfast and caring man. He earned respect and gave respect to most people he ever met in his long life. He cared for his wife, family and community with quiet strength and dedication. If I knew anything about this man that was our Dad, I knew I could always count on him to be there, follow through on commitments. I learned young in life that if Dad said yes or no to a question there was no convincing him with pleading, whining, or cajoling. I didn’t always agree with his responses but I grew to respect his decisions and it was so comforting to know that I could always count on him to be steadfast in his decisions.
Dad was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba June 7, 1916 and moved with his parents to Calgary, Alberta when he was a year old. He grew up in Calgary with his younger brother, Robert (Uncle Bob) as we knew him then eventually moved into the Edmonton area and out to Barrhead with his parents during the 1930’s. The depression was hard on his family as it was on everyone then. He took a part-time job on a farm to help out, this was a turning point in his life as it turned out that is where he met my Mom. He often talked about those days saying that is where he and Mom started working as a team and fell in love and they worked as a team from that day forward. They were only sixteen years old but he was hooked for life. He told us that Mom would come and stay at her Aunt Elsie’s on weekends, he would walk up the street to call on her with much trepidation because he found Aunt Elsie was in his words “a formidable figure of a women” and he was a little afraid Aunt Elsie would not let him in the door”. Obviously things went okay. Dad
They married August 7th, 1940 and continued their love affair for nearly 55 years. Dad served in the Air Force during the war and while in the forces he and Mom were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Judith and me. Returning when the war was over to purchase some farmland next to my Grandparents (Munstermans) next to the Pembina River in the Rossington area. He and Mom worked together on the farm for many years. Most winters Dad had to work out to support the farm, he suffered through floods and hail storms, those first few years were very tough. Dad finally decided he needed a full time job to support the family and farm so took a job in Barrhead as an Electrician (a trade he learned in the Services) at Don’s Electric and farmed on weekends and some weeknights to keep the farm going. My parents moved to Barrhead when I started Grade 1. Dad attended SAIT earning his Certificate of Refrigeration Mechanic and Radio Technician in 1954. Dad kept farming the land for a few years with some help from a good friend Jock Slaughter. I have many good memories of riding in the truck to the farm with him and Mom and of course I spent most of my time with my grandparents playing with cousins that would show up on the weekends while Dad and Mom did the work. I also have memories of having to work in the garden, pick berries, and pick debris off the fields after the land was flooded. Man did I hate those jobs! After a few years Dad decided that he and Mom couldn’t do both so he rented the farmland to a neighbor who in time purchased the farm.

Dad and Mom purchased Don’s Electric in 1955, they had worked together at Don’s Electric since 1950, renamed the business Betts’ Radio & T.V. later changing the name to AB Betts Refrigeration & T.V. Ltd. They worked together in that business until retirement in 1978. During the years Dad earned an Engineers Degree in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, a Certificate in Appliance Service and upgraded his Radio Technician Certificate. He and Mom built a new house in 1956 where he resided until Sept, 2001 (Mom passed away in 1995) when he decided that it was time to move into Hillcrest Lodge. This would allow more time for playing pool, golfing and bowling activities that he enjoyed. Dad belonged and worked for many community clubs, the Kinsmen Club, The Legion, The Chamber of Commerce just to name a few. He and Mom were also active in the United Church for a number of years. Dad always believed that you did not just join clubs you also committed yourself so always did his share of the work. He also supported the community as a whole with donations of time and money. He could be counted on to set up the sound system for the Hockey Games in the old arena and also the sound system for November 11th services for many years. Dad was always ready to help out his neighbor, friends or community in any way that he could. He led a very busy life!

I have so many good memories of my Dad it was hard to just pick out a few to share with you today. I leaned so much from my Dad, there is hardly a day that goes by that I do not find myself thinking you know I am lucky that Dad taught me this.

Dad, March 27, 2005, we love and miss you Dad but have many happy memories of our time shared together.

Patsy, Klaus (Woody) and family.

Onoway Heritage Days

Woody got up early this morning to head into Onoway and pick up a truck to haul the garbage to the dump for the park. When he arrived (around 7:00 am), the free pancake breakfast was in full swing and he ended up volunteering to help, scrambling eggs and mixing pancake batter. Onoway Fish and Game do the free breakfast as part of Heritage Days in Onoway an annual celebration. Last year they served around 300 breakfasts, pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausages. This year they ended up serving over 500 breakfasts. Woody had to go the store and buy more eggs as they were running out. A very large turn out considering the town has a population of just over 800 (2008 Stats). The breakfast is scheduled 7:00 am to 10:00 am and at 10:30, they closed the door. I has stayed home with our dogs, did some cleaning, never ending battle with wet dirty dogs coming in and out several times a day and while I was doing that, Dave came over to pay for his campsite and offered to take Oreo to play in the field, he even brought his Frisbee for Oreo to play with, of course Oreo said yes I will play with you!
Woody called at 10:50 am to say he was coming to pick me up so we could attend the parade, which started at 11:00 am. I had given up, thinking he was just not going make it back to pick me up, luckily I had just taken the dogs out, so I quickly got ready and was just putting on my shoes when Woody arrived. The parade was awesome for such a small town and lots of fun, very happy we went. Onoway Heritage Days goes on for 3 days, with many scheduled activities and events, including a slow pitch tournament, Mid Way, Band Concert, Street Market, Beer Gardens, Petting Zoo and other activities. This year they had a Special Salute to the Military, which we thought, was very appropriate. We ran into Michelle, Chris and Caitlin just as we were leaving the parking lot so stopped and had a very nice short visit with them. Michelle and Caitlin were supposed to be in the parade (The Onoway Elementary School float) but Caitlin was not feeling well enough for that. We headed back to the park, took the dogs out for a walk when we returned company arrived, so we sat outside for awhile until it got chilly and the rain clouds came, company left, we headed inside, had something to eat, I worked on the computer and Woody made a trip to the dump before he arrived back home Dave and Tina (campers here) came over for a visit, we all visited until dinner. During the evening, we watched TV.
If you are interested in learning more about Onoway, follow the link, Onoway is 4.3 miles (7 km) from Imrie Park.
http://www.albertafirst.com/profiles/statspack/20572.html

June 4 & 5th

Today is another cool cloudy day, no rain though; Woody mowed grass Thursday and accomplished more of the weed eating as well as other chores. I spent time working on the blog, cleaning out my email box and cleaning up our little home. I had planned to pick Caitlin up from school to visit with us as her Mom had a Staff Meeting to attend, after that, she would pick up Caitlin. Turned out that Caitlin was sick (poor girl) both Mom and Caitlin were stuck at home. During the evening we watched TV, I had enough of the computer, Woody chatted with some friends on HR for a time then settled in to watch TV with me.

June 5th turned out to be not a nice day at all weather wise, rainy and cold, it is 5:00 pm and the temperature is 41F 5C and of course damp. The rain we need as Alberta is almost in a drought condition so it is not all bad, just wish it would not get so cool when it rains. Okay enough whining about the weather eh!The group that had booked the campground cancelled and I did not expect any campers to show up at all this weekend with the rain and cool weather, (2 had booked yesterday) but a Motorhome just pulled in, now they must be true blue Albertans, weather be darned we will go anyway! Woody has just returned from town also, thought he would accomplish some errands as there is not much else he can do in this weather. A couple of more hardy campers turned up at the park after dinner, Dave and Tina and a young fellow who just wanted to spend the night. Spent the evening watching TV, and managed to walk the dogs between the rain showers.

New Deck

Last evening Woody built us a little deck by our front door, the ground is uneven with lots of sand and tree stumps so the deck is much better than the RV mat we had laid down, easier to keep clean and now no one is stumbling over the tree stumps, including us!
Today was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, Woody mowed grass at the park, lots of grass to mow and very slow going as the big field is very rough and he mowed some of the trails then built some new steps for the Wildlife Viewing shelter and installed them. We had visitors during the afternoon (Vic and Hazel) from Onoway Fish and Game. After dinner, the Onoway Fish and Game Youth Group came to the park to roast some wieners and do some projects. While the Youth Group were having their meeting and working on their projects the adults of the group visited with us, a very nice evening. It is great to see a group of young adults taking responsibility and completing projects with little adult supervision!

Quiet Day at Imrie Park

Wow the time is passing so fast, cannot believe it. It is a gorgeous day today, warm (68F 19C), sunny with a little breeze. Woody is at the gun range, mowing some grass and hanging up some new signage (his volunteer job). I am taking advantage of the time updating my blog, although I am debating with myself, maybe I should be outside enjoying the sunshine, suppose to cool off again tomorrow!

The park is empty, I have caught up on my paper work for us and the park and I feel that I am finally settling into life here. I really did not think it would be such an adjustment to come back home and settle in. Don’t get me wrong, I love being in the park and being close to family and friends, but little things like the cool weather, mosquitoes and the cost of laundry, groceries, etc., take some getting used too. It is funny when you live in the same province all of your life and just travel for a few weeks at a time it is no big deal but when you live somewhere else for 7 months and return it is really interesting how quickly one forgets the everyday little things in life. My reaction to the mosquito’s was “oh yeah forgot what a pain these beastly biting bugs can be”! That is not a big thing in the big picture of life it just amazed me that I was so totally surprised by seeing them, even though that while reorganizing some cupboards I had pulled out the bug spray and set it where it would be handy to grab when needed a couple of weeks ago. Ah well I shall go outside and enjoy the sunshine for awhile.
While outside I captured some pictures of our little dogs, the first pictures since Cookie (10 months old) got a major haircut and the first pictures of our new Lhasa Apso, Muffin who will 4 months old on June 8th.



Hard to see Muffin's face with her colouring, but she is cute. Our daughter Michelle commented on her colouring which is shades of brown, that women pay hundreds of dollars to dye their hair the shades of Muffin's natural coat. I hope to get better pictures that will show her beautiful brindle colouring.





Cookie and Muffin are becoming pals which is what we wanted to happen before Oreo goes to live with Caitlin.

Whatever one dog finds the other one wants, just like kids.

I think Muffin will be the leader, she is already stealing things from Cookie and as you can see wants to be first!

Basically Oreo, Cookie and Muffin get along very well and both little dogs try and keep up to Oreo!

Woody came home from the Gun Range, had a short break, some V8 juice and then headed to Timber Mart to .pick up lumber to rebuild the stairs at the Watchable Wild Life Shelter at the edge of Devil's Lake. The stairs are rotting away, not real safe anymore. The shelter is very nice really with benches and very large, one can watch ducks, etc. anytime of the day and see Deer and Moose if there early morning or late evening. He will also pick up some lumber to build us a small deck by the front door of our fifth wheel which will be easier to keep clean than our carpet. Onoway Fish and Game are treating us so well!

Now I am going to head outside and enjoy the sunshine with the dogs!