“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Thursday 3 January 2013

Canadian crispness...It's Oh Sooooo Cold!


Party smile HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL... Party smile

I've been contemplating what my first post of 2013 should be and I've noted that quite a few bloggers have posted a review covering their past year. I've actually decided not to do this, basically because for most of last year I was constantly trying to catch my tail...so this year I want to keep ahead of things or at least to try!

If I started to write and collate my favourite posts, photographs and tales covered during 2012, I'd be here until March at least, deciding which to include and constantly editing. So with this in mind, I'm just carrying on full steam ahead in the hope that I'll make deadlines, timescales and generally be on top of things. 
Well that's the plan on day 2 of the New Year...wish me luck!

When the day dawns looking like this, then you know it's going to be special.
All the trees were wearing their Sunday best. I actually took this photo on Sunday.
This special tree below is the oldest Crow Pine Tree in the area.
I feel very priviledged to have him as my neighbour.
He stands much taller than anything else in the area.


There’s a special presence about our crow pine tree.
He stands out in a special way.  There’s its quality as an evergreen, that wonderful scent and the strong essence of strength that permeates the area that it occupies.
We were told that this mighty specimen was possibly over 150 years old when we bought the plot. 
I hope he doesn't mind us nestling under his impressive branches.
Did you know that the pine is generally noted as an antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, expectorant, demulcent and diuretic and is generally considered a warming agent.  The needles and bark have special affinities for the respiratory system making for its frequent use for congestion, coughs, lung infections where it helps to clear mucus and fight infections – it pairs wonderfully with Eucalyptus for all of that.  They have been used to ease tonsillitis and laryngitis.  And they also work well helping to flush the bladder and kidneys.
Also for skin related properties. The resin is the sap that seeps from wounds in the tree and is part of the tree’s defence against infections and is very antimicrobial and a strong disinfectant because of it. You can use it on skin wounds (chew it for gum disorders and tooth problems!) and its natural drawing action helps with cuts, splinters, boils, abscesses and insect bites. While the needles and bark can be used to make infused oil which is great for the skin – soothing, healing and greatly calming energetically.  
Nothing short of amazing!

 Let's hope our tree stands majestically for another 150 years...at least.


Now I would like to show you some photos of myself on the slopes participating in back flips, jumps and the slalom at neck breaking speeds but I've learnt an important lesson...
A very important lesson in fact.....never...I repeat...NEVER...apply mascara before you go skiing. 
Panda eyes indeed...in fact so bad that the mascara came down my face to meet my lippy!
Here's a photo taken from a distance. I must explain that it was night-time skiing and the temperature happened to be -19...oh yes and my hubby took the photo...(in a whispered voice...hence the chopping off of my feet)

But in fairness it was his first time taking a photo using my phone.

I'm happy to report that we are still having daily visits from 'Nutkin' and if I'm not early enough getting his goodies out there for him, then he comes to peer in through the French doors.
Cheeky I know, but when you look like this you can get away with anything in my book!

I can't tell you how many photos I have taken of him, but this one I think takes the biscuit or should that be the peanut!
 And finally after....umm...let me count....1, 2, 3...10...15...18 days I got to see a chickadee
Well a few chickadees actually.
If you would like to hear their song/call or see a video clip then click here

Scientific name: Poecile atricapillus
 I was so pleased to be able to capture these birds today, but they certainly can be challenging...
they are just so flighty! 
The last photo (bottom right) was outside the patio doors...actually encroaching on 'Nutkins' area. 
If you are wondering let me tell you...its official chickadees love sticky toffee pudding!
But then so does my hubby and he wasn't too happy when he realised that I'd thrown out a few...but it was all in a good cause.

I can't help thinking how on earth do these little birds survive...I mean have you seen how tiny and thin their little legs are? I think they should at least have some wee sockettes to keep them cosy?
Current temperature -19 which is due to drop to -24 tonight! Brrrr.....

 
By the way I had to rustle up a new batch of puds just to keep the peace. 


But then something else that tested us last night was that although we haven't lost the power since that traumatic time last week (when we lost it for 36 hours) we did lose the internet due to the plummeting temperatures.


It's amazing just how creative and inventive people can be when they are left to their own devices...oh and a bottle of red helps of course!

 This photo was taken when the New Year's Eve party went up a gear! https://secure.quebles.com/content/hotmail/emoticons/1511767.gif

I see that Melbourne has warmed up a little, whilst we've been away. 
Can anyone make any helpful suggestions as to how I'll go from - 24 (tonight's temperature here) to a +40 when we return!??!? Without bursting that is!

I'm just off to another little soirée ~ cheers everyone.
See you later...

17 comments:

  1. Great post, Nessie! I love looking at the "year in review" blogger posts, but I'm with you. I don't know how they narrow it down and I have enough trouble moving forward!

    You can't tell you have panda eyes in the skikitten photo. You look quite fetching and have most of your feeties!

    Loved all the articulate information on the pine! I had no idea! Your regal tree is just that, majestic! And great photos of Nutkin (trained now!) and the little chickadee, and the drunken lad face-in the drift, and the uber stylish Mr. Bottle!

    You're a hoot! Continued fun while you're there!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SKIKITTEN!!! LOL
      Oh my...you've made my year Darnell and we're only on day three! ;D
      Our pine tree ~ although we can hardly call him ours as he was here long before anyone here ~ does have a majestic presence.
      I remember being in a canoe on the lake one summer and I could see him from anywhere on the lake...keeping an eye on everything.

      I'm not so sure that Nutkin is trained and he certainly didn't like sharing his goodies with the birds this morning.
      There was quite an argument! Chocolate chip cookies appear to be worth fighting for!
      I read yesterday that chickadees can be trained to feed out of the hand and I'd love to try that, but at -25 last night and still -22 now I don't think I can venture my hands outside.
      I like my digits too much :D

      It was very kind of you to think that the drunken-lad-face-in-the-drift was a lad and not me??? LOL

      We're on the count-down to leaving here now, so I'm not a happy bunny (:-() so I'm trying not to think about it. We've had such a fantastic time here that I'd like it to continue but then that's just being too greedy I suppose.

      I hope you're New Year has started off well and will continue to become the best ever!
      I'll pop over to visit you soon. In the meantime have fun too :D

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  2. And here I am wondering how I am going to cope with the cold when I travel to Canada in January. I remember the biting cold well and fear I have become a real Wintertime "Nancy" over the past 12 years in the UK. Yes, it gets cold here and we feel it, but it can't hold a candle to Canadian cold. Brrr . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't dispair Marie because the temperature is going to rise next week. Hopefully it'll stay that way for your visit perhaps only being a reasonable -1 to -5 for you. ;D

      I know it feels bitterly cold but it's so different from the UK's cold. In the UK the cold is often accompanied by dampness and that's what I can't deal with.

      Here the cold is so dry and crisp. It's much better even though it's lower on the scale.

      I think the thing to remember is layers....layers and more layers all with a thermal base!
      Soak up as much warmth as you can before you head this way...in the meantime I'll be heading into +40 degrees!
      I can't think which I'd rather?!??!?!
      xoxo

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  3. What a marvelous way to start the year blogging, Neesie. Your varied photographs reflect breathtaking, sweet, and witty moments. May 2013 bring you more love, joy, and peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words Arnoldo,

      I've had such a fantastic special time here.
      I'm glad that you stopped by. ;D

      I wish the same for you and your family in this New Year.

      Let's hope that it will be the best one yet! :D

      Delete
  4. I'm so happy for you that you were able to make this trip! What a fantastic time it looks like you're having! Happy New Year and enjoy!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has been a very special holiday Kimmie and one I won't forget.
      Perfect Christmas and New Year location...like stepping into a Christmas card.
      Now we have to deal with leaving here from the minus temperatures to the near 40 degree heat!
      I think that's going to be a challenge and I'm not sure how we will cope...maybe we'll live in the pool initially for a few days? ;D

      Happy New Year to you too...I hope it's started well and continues to get better with each day! :D

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  5. Hello Neesie,
    Your photos are just gorgeous - what a holiday you are having - it just goes from one degree colder to another!! Plus, of course, lots of excitement in and around your cabin....
    Thank you for your comments on our blog - the floods are receeding now here in Britain, but there is a lot of fear amongst folk living in low lying areas. We do seem to have a delight in this land for building on flood plain!! Our dear friends who were flooded out have been so very blessed. God has, literally,found them an amazing apartment - loads of views over the sea, warmth, help on hand if they get into trouble - and all in a block which are normally for sale, although they are able to rent short term 'til their home is redone. I'm really pleased for them. Thanks for your thoughts. I trust others in the same situation have been similarly blessed with their temporary accommodation.
    Continue to have a great time away - but really not sure how you will indeed cope with the sudden surge of temperature when home!!
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Margaret,
      Well yesterday the temperature went up to a tropical -16 and at the moment its -10, so that's a help with our transition back to the Australian summer.
      We're at the stage of the holiday where we are trying to cram everything in that we want to do before leaving so it's full steam ahead.
      Just off to the hot tub (again) so I'll catch you later....

      I'm so happy to hear about your friends and their apartment. It feels good to know that they have had a kind helping hand after their trauma and I hope that everyone else that has been affected might have the same level of understanding and help giving to them. :D

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  6. Replies
    1. LOL...my work is done then ;D

      p.s. thanks for joining my followers...I see you there!
      I really appreciate it. :D

      Delete
  7. Love the chickadees. I've been enjoying them just outside my slider door. Interesting facts about the pine and all of it's medicinal purposes.

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    1. Hello Sherrie,
      I love those little chickadees too. I was just amazed how they survive in such extremely cold temperatures and we read that they actually drop their body temperature overnight like a mini hybernation in order to preserve energy and survive.
      Such tough little cookies really even with their little legs that look so tiny and frail.
      I hope your week has gone well and that your weekend will be even better. :D

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  8. How interesting to hear that you had Christmas here in Canada.....I'm wondering if you where anywhere near me??? Hmmmm...
    I love your pictures of the chickadees (which happen to be my all time favorite bird), i watch them every morning at the feeders on my front lawn.....chickadees hid their seeds in nocks and crannies and will go back to fetch them for up to 27 days i think...not sure what happens at day 28...do they forget??? LOL
    The weather has been crazy here....-30 with windchill temps, then rain, and today temps are up to +13..we even had a thunderstorm last night....
    well i think i have rambled on long enough....
    BTW.... everytime i see your name pop up...my brain reads; "Neesie MATTERS"....lol

    blessings,
    Cynthia♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Cynthia,
      We were in Quebec, but I'm not sure where you are? Where we close???
      How special to have the chickadees visit every day. We loved watching all the antics at the feeder too. Even when we were in the hot tub they were flying around our heads. :D

      Thanks for the fasinating facts about them. I think if they hid all that we put out on our feeders they'll be enough for them to hid goodies until next winter LOL.

      We're having crazy weather here too...drought, fires and floods! It makes you wonder what's going on doesn't it?

      I love your little comment on the end about 'Neesie Matters'! You've made my day and I've a huge smile on my face :D)))
      Bless you too ♥

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    2. I'm in Central/northern Ontario....i'm thinking somewhere around 500klms. maybe.....the scenery is very much like ours.

      Yesterday we had a thunderstorm has been followed by a blizzard and temps of -10...crazy weather everywhere it seems....i must say a snow storm is much better then drought, flood and definitely better then fire....ekkk!!! hope you fared well in it all...

      well back to my cup-a-tea and my chickadee watching....they are bobbing with the high winds, trying to get to the feeders....poor wee things.

      blessings,
      Cynthia♥

      p.s.... do have chickadees 'down under'?

      Delete

I get so excited to see you here and love to read your thoughts and comments.
I always try to answer each one personally (I think it's only polite)
...♥...I truly appreciate your precious time here so thank you ...♥...

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