2012 Our Year in Pictures

Where did this past year go?  We will try to show how we spent part of it in pictures.

January sunset from from our deck on Mayne Island.

I started this year laying tile in our new pantry... and will end the year laying tile in our snowbird home at Rancho del Lago, near Tucson, AZ.

I built my first cabinet... did most of it twice.  After getting it all done I couldn't pull out the drawers... so had to make them a little smaller.  Shirley loves it... No more long walk to the garage fridge and freezer.

The windows came in January... and this was the first of 36 which we installed.  Shirley and I installed all but about six of the biggest... we had Dan come and give us a hand for part of a day.

It took most of this year for us to get the exterior completely finished... all the siding, soffits and trim for the windows.  Before we left for Arizona in November we even had the exterior all painted.

Insulating the high ceilings was no small task... and Shirley helped install all the vapour barrier.

In March we did a week cruise in the Caribbean with Lorne and Gail Booth.

In the Cayman Islands there is a place called "Hell."  I hope that is as close to Hell I ever get to it... got that out of my system!

This is the other side of the same red barn in Hell.

Lorne and Gail posed at the Tortuga Rum shop... the Caymans are famous for their rum.

Our cruise departed and returned to New Orleans... where we spent four enjoyable days visiting the city where Hurricane Katrina left its mark.  Our hotel was in the French Quarter... not affected by the storm...  and we were there just after Mardi Gras. The city was still buzzing.

This monument showed the depth of water in various parts of the city,.. in some places 14 feet deep!

Many homes are being rebuilt... the people praying the new levies will keep them safe.

We loved the trolley system in New Orleans... very affordable and a fun way to see the city.

We took a day trip out of the city to Oak Alley, an old plantation estate house.  28 majestic oaks lined this walkway.

We also spent half a day at the World War II Museum. Lorne looks small beside Old Glory.

The predominant symbol... the Fleur-de-Lis was everywhere in the city.

We returned then to Tucson for a couple of weeks to golf and play pickleball.  A perfect way to escape the rain and keep warm.

I started most days playing pickleball...

and usually golfed 3-4 times a week.  More than a few golf balls hit this mighty Saguaro Cactus.

Back home again we had our work cut out finishing the exterior of the new addition.

Shirley would pre paint the cedar siding... and I would fit it into place.

We enjoyed Calgary during Stampede Week... I loved the tall buildings downtown.

This is the Bow... the newest and tallest in Cow Town.  It is the home of Encana.

We did a walk thru the livestock barns and saw some beautiful critters.

But the highlight of this trip was the Beach Boys concert.  They are still amazing!

When Shelby and family came home this past October we took a day trip to Saturna... a neighbour island to Mayne Island.  It was fun adventure.

Before we left for Arizona mid November we reached our goal... all the exterior cladding was completed and painted... except for a couple of places where I will do rock facing next year... like parts of the pantry and new bedroom closet.

When we get home again the interior finishing awaits us.  Shirley has most of the walls painted... but there are floors to lay and a staircase to the loft to build.  Will it ever end?  I doubt it.

This next year the original house will get repainted and in places new shingle siding too.

On our way south we spent several days in Walla Walla with Sher and family... Shelby and family also came over for Thanksgiving.  It was fun taking our family picture without a tripod on delayed exposure. Duct tape and a step ladder to the rescue.

"Christmas doesn't come from a store, 
maybe Christmas means a little bit more..." 
-Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

From our house to yours we wish you all the very best Christmas possible... and may 2013 be the best year yet for you.

May the Lord bless and keep you, ALWAYS.
May the Lord make His light shine upon you, ALWAYS.
And be gracious to you, ALWAYS.
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, ALWAYS...
And give you peace.

Fun and Games in Tucson

We were looking at real estate one afternoon.  While Paul was getting into the lock box I took this with my iPhone.... I especially liked the way the light and shadows interacted in this geometric pattern.  Cool eh?  

A family of seven javelinas came thru the Del Lago golf course at Vail... hard to get a closeup with an iPhone.  But it was really great to get as close I could.  Shirley said I was lucky...  they could have charged me... but I told her they let me take their picture for no charge.

Lorne, Dave and Ted golfed with me at Del Lago in Vail... very nice golf course.  And a brand new community here south east of Tucson.

Shirley took a few photos of me and Reilly playing pickle ball with Lorne and Lena.  I have played almost every morning for 2 hours or so.  Good exercise.

Tradition here is at the end of every game we touch our paddle handles with each other and say, "good game."

One of my most favourite golf courses is the Arizona National.   We were teamed with this couple for the round who are also wintering in Tucson.  You can click on the link to see last years flowers and birds on this great golf course.

These orange flowers... aloe saponaria are on several of the tee boxes.

This was the first cactus blossom this spring.

Last year when I play at Arizona National it was a month later... mid to end of April... and the cactus flowers were in abundance.

My good friend Lorne offered to take pictures of me several times... but when it is so bright outside one cannot see that your finger is over part of the lens.  I still love this shot!  There are lots of great valley views from Arizona National.  

On this Par Three hole we have to shoot over several cactus...

But not everyone gets their ball past this big Saguaro.

aloe saponaria