Tuesday December 28, 2010-The first Xmas

Hello faithful reader.

Another Christmas has come and gone, but for us a small twist this year. Our daughter and her husband hosted their first Christmas dinner this year, and it went very well. A 25lb turkey was not really needed, but you live and learn right.
Dinner was fantastic, as were Erin's pasteries.

Thanks for listening.

DJB

Friday December 24, 2010-Old buildings and snow

Hello faithful reader.
Out for a photo drive the other day looking for my favorite subjects, old farms.
Nothing like an old building and snow.
Merry Christmas everyone, and thanks for listening

DJB

Monday November 29, 2010- Farm walk

Hello faithful reader.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of doing an informal digital camera demo for two Ladies with new Canon cameras.
After the lesson, we walked around the farm to try out their new found skills.

Here is one of mine form that walk.

Thanks for listening

DJB

Tuesday November 2, 2010-I have a son in law.

Hello faithful reader.

Well Saturday October 30, 2010 was a big day at our house. Our daughter was married. The ceremony was wonderful and the reception went off quite well.
Stress level is back to normal +1.

Thanks for listening

DJB

Saturday October 2, 2010- More Bluejays stuff

Hello faithful reader.

Been shooting more jays this week.

Enjoy

DJB

Thursday September 16th, 2010- Feathered friends

Hello faithful reader.

Its starting to get more like fall around the casa lately, but the birds in the backyard are still here.

The top flying shot had rear curtain sync flash to see what it would do with blur etc.

Thanks for listening

DJB

August 31, 2010- My big fat tomato

Hello faithful reader.

Back in the spring, a company from Ontario advertised a tomatoe plant that would grow 6-8 feet and produce 3 pound fruits.
So....... i bought a package. Three pre packed peat pots arrived and i started two of them. About 5-6 plants grew, and as they matured a bit transplanted them to various mediums, outdoor pots, the veggie garden etc.
None have grown to claim, one is 4' and a bit with average size fruits and one made it to 2 1/2 feet, planted in the veggie garden and has the biggest fruit. Not sure of the weight, but it measures 15" circumference. Looks big anyway.
None have ripened and i'm afraid they may not as fall is approaching and all of my regular tomatos are ripening.

The three peat packs were $15.00 and the shipping was $14.00. What a rip that was, but i figured as much.

Anyway, here is a picture of the big fruit.

Thanks for listening

DJB

Saturday July 24th, At the Cottage

Hello faithful reader.

Spend the better part of a week up in the North Bay area for a family wedding.

I was the photographer for it.

Prior to the actual day, we did an overnighter at the bother in law's cottage on Lake Nipissing.

He has done a lot of work on it over the past number of years and now looks great.

Nice scenery, quiet and wildlife is around, you just have to wait for it.

Thanks for listening.

DJB

Friday July 23, 2010- Lewis farm tradition

Hello faithful reader.

Last Thursday, on July 15th, the annual antique farm equipment demo was held at the Lewis farm in Markham Ontario. Most of the equipment used is horse drawn, and they had 4 teams here this year, as well as a few old tractors using bailers and also used to run thrashers etc.The equipment has been rounded up over the years and lovingly restored by this group, trying to keep the memories and times alive.

Another good crowd, hot and dusty, just the way us old farmers like it.

Speaking of old farmers, i have noticed a pattern over the past number of years. The younger guys try and work the equipment and the older boys tell how to do it right.:-)

Till next year. Thanks for listening.

DJB

Friday May 21, 2010-The Stouffville Crew

Hello faithful reader.

Well, and era is soon coming to a close/end what ever you want to say. The Newmarket yard that i am employed with, as a school bus driver, has lost all of its runs for next school year, in the latest round of contract bids. The era, well, the yard has been running for well past 40 years, i cannot seem to get an acurate number but I know it has been there since the late 70's.
Any way, our Safety Manager, the women who hired me in 2007, has touched a lot of drivers/trainers over the years, and as a tribute to this, we, the Stouffville drivers, put together a small thank you today at a local coffee shop. A nice flower arrangement, a partially inflated balloon, a symbol of our tires, no just kidding here, a gift certificate and a lovely photo, that i just happened to take.

Insert grin here.

A nice morning was enjoyed by our small group, I did not have to buy this time, and we all will miss the yard, the co workers and at least one manager. Insert smile face here. I spent 35 years with my previous company, expecting to retire with them, and when that did not happen, i expected to retire with First Student, and now.??

Thanks Dale, it will be a different school year with the company that took out routes, but you will always be there in our daily logs, er I mean our hearts.

Thanks for reading

DJB

Sunday May 9, 2010-Happy Mothers Day

Hello faithful reader.

Today is Mothers Day, and i want to wish all you mothers out there a great day. Mine has left the planet but not my memories.
Around this time our back yard Cardinals usually return and this year is no exception. We have a male and female for sure, maybe one other pair, not 100% sure just yet. The Blue jays have also returned and the squirrels, well they just never leave the peanut factory we have here.
A small amount of snow last night, but no biggy.

Thanks for listening.

DJB

Monday April 5, 2010

Hello faithful reader.

Well, spring has sprung, the grass has riz, we wonder were the birdies is.

Well at least the birds leave my Daffodil's a lone. The first half have bloomed, and they are all yellow except for this guy, the white and yellow one.

The second half looks like they will bloom in a few days with one more like this one.

Thanks for listening

DJB.

February 23, 2010- Snow gold Annual

Hello faithful reader.

Well last Saturday was our annual snow golf tournament. It was a week later than normal, but when the course designer has a paying gig, he has that right to take it.

As usually a lot of fun. A bigger than normal turnout this year. maybe the date suited more folk this year, or maybe more of them sobered up and remembered what day it was.

A lot of great food for the pot luck lunch, perogies, cabbage rolls, roast beef, wings, venison chili and salads. Plus cold beer.
After the same team had won the past 2-3 years, a new championship team was crown. They are seated in front of the group shot

Finally.

Enjoy the photos.

Thanks for listening

DJB

Thursday February 4, 2010-Haiti relief

Hello faithful reader.

Last Sunday, January 31st, Pause Awhile Equestrian Centre in Stouffville,
held a fund raiser for the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. The plan was to get interested riders to participate in a fun horse show, with raffles and a silent auction.

A number of interested riders showed up, as did a lot of nice prizes to be won or raffled, by not only parents of the riders, bit local businesses as well.

The show was a pretty simple thing, two divisions, a Princess division and a Queen Bee division. Classes included a spoon and egg, Simon say;s, musical ride and a Handy Hunter(make your own course of jumps). The raffles and auction went well, and the riders all had a lot of fun.

In all, over $7800 Canadian was raised and presented to Mr John Chang of the Red Cross. This is John in the centre of the picture above.

Well done every one. For only a week to prepare you all did great, and i had a blast taking the photos for you.

Thanks for listening'

DJB