What a commute!

I find it so cool when I see snowmobiles in the parking lot at work. There are definately more cars than skidoos but when I see employees commuting this way I can't help but think it's a fun way to start, and end, your day. Just look how happy Johnson looks as he heads home for lunch!

Beautiful Blankets of Snow

Living in a basement apartment is a bit like living in a fishbowl.  My livingroom window is right beside the walkway, so whoever walks by can look right in. As a result I tend to keep my curtains closed a  lot of the time which means I sometimes have a surprise when I open  my door.

Saturday evening I had some friends over for dinner, so in the morning I had to dash over to the store to pick up a few things.  I was definely surprised by the sight that met me. There had been a snowfall the night before and everything was covered by the most beautiful blanket of snow I think I have ever seen. Needless to say I dashed back inside to grab my camera so I could take a few...okay several pictures. It's hard to believe how snow caan make an old delapedated fence look beautiful. Another thing that I find amazing is different snow can look depending on where you are.  Up here the snow is dryer and as a result very light and fluffy.  At night, or in the sunlight, the snow sparkles like little diamonds.

I'm sure that Cross Lake couldn't look prettier than it does with a fresh snowfall.  I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Where's my English/Cree Dictionary?

Since I have not been blessed with a gift for languages, I really wish there was such a thing as an English/Cree Dictionary. 

I am an ongoing source of entertainment for the men on staff at Northmart...3 in particular.  They love to get me to say something in Cree, telling me it means one thing when it means something entirely different...and always something "naughty".  They all think it is very funny, but the most  hilarious was the one I came up with all on my own; and quite innocently as well.

One weekend just before Christmas Raymond, who races a team of sled dogs, was spending the weekend training his dogs. When I  asked him what his plans for the weekend were, he told me that he was going mushing. Like most of you, I think of the word "mush" when someone mentions dog sleds and racing in the same sentence.  I thought I was just saying a cute little play on words, thinking of "dash away, dash away dash away all"...Cute right? Except that "mushaway" may be an actual verb, but not a made up one for "race away"...it's more like something that keeps you busy for most of your honeymoon. 

Could I come out with this comment in front of only one person? Of course not! this is ME we're talking about it; I had to say it in front of a roomful of men (no women) and the "3  Dirty Old Men" were amongst them.  This has become a favorite story amongst them and I'm sure will be retold many times after I've moved on. Thank God I can laugh at myself.

An Explosive New Year's Eve

There isn’t a lot in the way of entertainment up here so I like to try to organize little dinner parties.  They are a lot of fun but don’t help the waistline much.  For New Year’s Eve we planned a little progressive party and even though the size of our group shrank due to cancellations and illness we still had a fun evening.

Richard challenged us each to provide the best entertainment and food.  Sharon and Rolland are in town while Sharon is doing a relief assignment for our regular pharmacist.  They started us off with a delicious soup and salad and a fun lottery game.  Next was my place with a curry dish (which I sincerely hope Rolland survived) and a game of Taboo.

We finished off at Richard’s house for the grand finale, a spectacular bottomless lemon meringue pie (check out the presentation) and fireworks…like we could compete with that!  Although Richard would love to take credit for the fireworks they are actually put on by the band.  I took these pictures from the front of the store and I’m happy they turned out so well since one of the adjustment knobs snapped on my tripod from the cold.

 

Boxing Day

When we left the cabin on Boxing Day we headed into Thompson to check out the sales. Richard and Andrea missed it, but I saw a wolf cross a side road just outside of town. I couldn’t believe how huge it was.  Too bad I didn’t have my camera at the ready; live and learn.

As for the shopping the only thing I was looking for was some Native handicrafts, but those stores were closed.  There actually weren’t many great deals but I scored the best item…Ok, I feel like such a “Girl” saying this but man I am thrilled with my new pots and pans! The ones I’ve been using here are more like camping pots than actual cookware and I managed to find a fantastic set at about 70% off.  You know you’ve been roughing it a bit when you go crazy for cookware. 

I managed to snap this shot of the giant statue of miner, as we whizzed by on our way out of Thompson.  The pictures of the rapids and island are from the same spot outside Wibboden that the picture on my Newsletter was taken.

It was dusk by the time we crossed the dam at Jenpeg Generating station, but I think they still made interesting shots.

A Tranquil Christmas Retreat

This Christmas was a difficult one for me, as you can well imagine since it was my first one away from my two wonderful children.  So when Richard extended an invitation for me to join him and Andrea at a cabin he had rented I jumped at the opportunity.  It was definitely a lot nicer to spend it in the company of my new friends rather than sit at home a mope.

                                            

Christmas Eve, once the store was closed and everything wrapped up, we loaded up Richard’s SUV and headed off to Paint Lake, which is just South of Thompson.  Richard had his doubts that everything would fit but I put on my “packing Queen” crown and managed to squeeze it all in…even if the turkey did make the trip on my lap.

By the time we got there it was 11:30; by the time we unloaded, cooked and ate dinner it was 1:30; then we opened presents.  Needless to say Christmas day was a very laid back day.  I did keep my morning tradition of Eggs Benedict alive even if Andre and Sonia didn’t get to have any this time around…maybe next year.

We played games, cooked, ate, ate some more and Richard and I went for a wonderful walk and I managed to take a few pictures of this very beautiful area.  In the winter there is skating and a toboggan hill and although they don’t rent skidoos there were plenty around.

As you can see from the pictures, we had a great time; but the highlight for me was of course talking to my two fabulous kids!

I am so grateful to Richard for inviting me along and making Christmas 2010 one I will never forget.

Christmas Concert

Shortly before Christmas I had the opportunity to attend the local Christmas Concert which was held in one of schools here.  There were several performers from both Cross Lake and the neighbouring communities. The M.C. announced that there were many other performers that they had to turn away.

One of the girls from the store performed but unfortunately she did a couple duets and her partner’s mike seemed to be much louder.  I  say unfortunately because Roxy (the Northmart employee) had by far the most beautiful voice of anyone there.  She should be recording.  My other favorite acts were a dance troop who did a kind of hiphop/breakdance routine and a group of musicians who did a rendition of a song by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Watching these performers made me reminiscent of all the talented musicians, singers, dancers, and actors that I know from Ottawa, Toronto, and Guelph. I’m sure if they were to perform up here they would be very well received.  So kudos to my talented  friends both near and far!