Winter landscape pictures from Experimental Farm, Ottawa (4)

Few images of Winter landscape from Experimental Farm, Ottawa:

Winter landscape pictures from Experimental Farm, Ottawa (3)

Winter landscape pictures from Experimental Farm, Ottawa (2)

Here are some more images of Winter Scenery from Experimental Farm, Ottawa:

Winter landscape pictures from Experimental farm, Ottawa (1)

Taking pictures is one of my hobbies and last weekend  I went to one of my favorite place in Ottawa, the Experimental Farm with my friend Carmen to take some winter landscaping pictures.

A year after the accident

Today is the anniversary of my ski accident. It has been an incredible adventure, but I am so glad it is over! Few days ago I had a flash back of the whole year fighting with my injury at physio and hospitals when I met a woman who just had a similar leg injury in similar circumstances skiing. I felt for her because I knew what she felt and what she has ahead of her. At the same time I felt like I am finally at the finishing line of the marathon and very soon my physiotherapy will be over and I will be considered healed.
The only thing left after all this is a thought if I really want to go back to ski or not. All my orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists are telling me that I can and I am strong enough, but  the thought of falling and injuring myself is too overwhelming for me is still bigger than the pleasure that I am getting when skiing...

It seemed like diamonds were falling from the sky!

There is so much splendor in nature! It always take my breath away... 
The other day while driving I witnessed a magnificent winter scenery: at one particular moment I saw a tree line on the side of the road. The trees had coats of ice on them that sun was reflecting and the only thing I could see was the light sparkling all over the place. It seemed like diamonds were falling from the sky! It was truly amazing! I was expecting my drive to be torturous and very long but instead it became something special. All I wanted was to stay there and experience all the beauty nature had to offer at that very moment. I did not want it to end!

A snowman's family

During my daily walk today, I came across this wonderful snowman’s family. It is rather interesting to witness that kids recreate their family environment even when it is just for fun. This looks bright and cheerful!

Beautiful winter season

When traveling to Québec we got there so late that we had to check in this hotel in middle of the night. To my surprise the next morning while having breakfast this was the view from the restaurant window. Beautiful, isn't it!?

I love snow storm! Do you?

Finally we had a nice snow storm in Ottawa, I felt fortunate to be able to walk from my house to this park. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do.

Winter vs Summer

During holidays I visited my brother at his cottage and it was really nice to compare the summer scenery to the winter one. Here are few pictures:

How French-Canadians celebrated Christmas back in the day

In Québec, Canada where I am originally from we celebrate Christmas on December, 24th. Traditionally it's a religious and social occasion and it's a perfect time for large family to get together and celebrate. People would start preparing foods and presents weeks in advance. Back then, when the only transportation was horses, they would pack their sleigh with bunch of children from the whole neighborhood and whoever else wants to hop in the sleigh for a ride are welcomed, too - more the merrier! It was like a pilgrimage - they would ride through the whole rural area and the village to finally arrive to church by 11pm-12am for the mass (All the people would be dressed in their best garments including fur coats. Back in those days most people were poor, so this celebration was a very big deal for them). After they arrive they greet each other and by midnight the mass starts. It will not end before 1:30am.

After the mass everybody goes to different houses to have a huge celebration, which is called the "réveillon". It usually went on all night, so the actual Christmas Day was spent sleeping. Christmas marked the beginning of "le Temps de Fêtes", a holiday period of visiting and celebrating that ended on January 6 with "la Fête des Rois" (Epiphany). In large French-Canadian families, as many as 60 to 70 people might sit down to enjoy the food at the "le réveillon". Traditional foods would include "tourtière" (meat pie of pork and beef), "cipâte" (game meat and vegetable casserole), roast goose, and desserts such as "bûche de Noël" (traditional dessert served near Christmas) or "tarte au sucre" (sugar pie). I must mention here that it all goes with lots and lots of different kind of alcohol to make the celebration more exciting!

As one person would know how to play violin, the other - to sing, and the rest - to dance, you can imagine that it was a blast of fun and laughter.

Challenges of being injured in winter

The stress of having an injured leg during the winter time is very high. One of the challenges is to keep your driveway free of snow and ice. Every time there is a one or two inches of snow, you have to worry about who is going to remove it. Because I like to shovel snow and I find it more efficient to remove the snow myself, I did not renew my snow removal contract for the winter season of 2010-2012. I must say, It was a big mistake.
I had my ski accident on January 28, 2011. The following week it did not snow but a week a later we had a huge storm. The next morning after the storm I called few snow removal companies including the one that I usually hired. I requested them to give me an estimate for the end of the season and they told me that they cannot take my contract because they only do the full season. To make the story short, I ended up having to beg my neighbors and friends to shovel my driveway. It may seem like it is no big deal for a mobile person, but for someone who cannot walk it means that you cannot go out at all. You become completely isolated. Also, another problem was the ice building up on my house walk way. It was out of the question to walk on ice and risk falling. Therefore it was necessary to use ice salt. Once again, I had to rely on my generous neighbors and friends. Finally at the end of April it was over and I could journey anywhere without worrying of snow or ice.