Canmore weekend

In my opinion, there is no better way to enjoy winter in February than spending a weekend in the mountains.  Two friends and I did just that this past week, spending a weekend in Canmore to celebrate the retirement of our friend, Marlene.

It was everything you could want in a weekend retreat.  Beautiful accommodations overlooking snow-covered evergreens, a snowy toboggan hill and the Three Sisters Mountains.  Leisurely breakfasts of fruit, yogurt, granola, muffins, fruit bread, coffee and tea.  Brisk walks through snowy neighbourhoods, and even a glimpse of a coyote trotting down the sidewalk.  

Breakfast!

 

Toboggan hill outside our window

A bit of snow shoveling before heading for Banff

With lots of low cloud, the mountains were barely visible overlooking the streets of Banff

Watching fudge making outside The Fudgery

Another candy shop!

 

A stop for coffee at Evelyn's Coffee Bar

Bow River in Canmore

Cougar Creek in Canmore being rehabilitated after last spring's wicked flood

A huge pile of rocks has been brought in to reinforce the banks of Cougar Creek

A glimpse of the Three Sisters peaks as the clouds cleared on Sunday morning

A brisk Sunday morning walk

Such incredible beauty!

Louis Discovers the Great Outdoors

When I adopted Louis from the SPCA last December, they told me he had been left behind in an apartment when his owners moved, so I had no idea if he had ever spent anytime outside. But the past few weeks he has shown the typical curiosity of a cat in finding out what lies beyond the front (or back) door. And now that he's had a taste of the outdoors, there's no holding him back. A little snow isn't about to keep him inside.

The snow is a bit chilly but that doesn't stop him.

 

His first attempt at tree climbing: "Okay, now what?"

 

A quick bathroom break before heading back out.

 

 

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A night at the Full Moon Folk Club

There's a folk club that's been operating in Edmonton for more than 25 years, but for some reason I've never checked it out until this past Friday. I obviously didn't realize what I was missing.

The Full Moon Folk Club brings in local and international bands once or twice a month from September to April. We had front row seats to Friday's show featuring the Canadian folk group, Madison Violet, made up of singer-songwriters Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac. I've heard their music a few times on the radio but wasn't overly familiar with them. They're a great duo with lovely harmonies, plenty of guitar, as well as some fabulous violin, mandolin and harmonica.

The Full Moon Folk Club is held at St. Basil's Cultural Centre in Edmonton, just a short drive south of Whyte Avenue.

 

The Club is operated by a group of dedicated volunteers, and the ladies of the St. Basil's Ukrainian Catholic parish do their part by selling homemade Ukrainian fare like perogies and cabbage rolls to grateful folk club patrons. The next time I'm there, I won't eat supper before I go!

 

Great music and great food in a friendly, relaxed club setting. A great way to spend a Friday night!

 

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