Being Mindful and Catching Up.

January 3rd I went for a walk along the quay and found this chubby robin out looking for brunch.

 His/her friend was also out for company.

 Try focusing on skinny Japanese weeping maple branches to feature the raindrops and find it an easy way to go crazy!

 The Orange Witch Hazel was just starting to open their blossoms.

 Roses still budding and blooming in January.

 Love the mist droplets on the spider's silk.

 A slightly different angle and you can see some around the base of the pods.

 Winter Viburnum blossoms.

 Moss and Lichens on rose branches.

 Almost in full bloom.

 January 13 and the blossoms are almost in full bloom.

 Love the curves of Henry Walker's stick tree.

 So pretty.

 Looking up thru the branches to the blue skies and clouds.

 And thru the palm trees.

 Moss on the branches of the trees at our entry way.

 Such a contrast in the colours of moss.

 Mid January view thru the lobby windows.

 You got mail! Some inspiration.

 Some more.

 Some stitching inspiration.

 and some more.

Got this sewing kit for half price, the Dritz LED threader is $10 on Amazon alone!

 I also got mail from Australia, I decided to order the two sets of acrylic templates from Sarah Fielke for the upcoming BOM.

 Four for Simple Folk and 30 for the Grasshopper.

 I redid my best nine for Instagram and my wonky stars pushed out two of my Down the Rabbit hole pictures.

 Finished my mini 3" stars for the swap.

 Here they are with my 9" stars plus a few extras that will stay home with me.  Now to label the envelops and pack them up and get them mailed.

 I received some stars from one of the gals and five from a friend on a side swap.

 Here they are with some of the stars I'm keeping.

 Makelight has an app that you can see how some of your pictures that are popular on Instagram show up as colour dots.

 Here are a few more interpretations.

 Another series you can check out.

 Here was my first year assessment.  Couldn't figure out where my pinks, turquoises and yellows went. So I tried again and kept getting the same results. 

 Then I tried again and had a different email account for the results and this is what came up.  But where is the Aqua and Yellow! This emphasizes the Saturated Colours.

 Click and this emphasizes the Brighter colours.

 This button would be for your favourite colour but I didn't click on the dot.

 Colours by time on your Instagram feed.

 Rainbow mode.

 I clicked for Popular Colours.

 I clicked on the Pink and it regrouped this way.

 I clicked on the Turquoise for favourite and it regrouped this way.

If you want to try this go to Makelight and make sure you view the video before you go to the link.

Icy Fraser River along with some wildlife and memories.

Friday evening the river looked very peaceful as the sun was starting to set.

 We've had a cold stretch and you can see the ice if forming on our water feature in the courtyard.

 Yesterday morning the sun was shining brightly, the ice formed on the rocks at the side, there is a little "brook" that joins the larger pool at the bottom.

 Spring is starting to show signs of arrival.

 Large chunks of ice forming to the west of my condo.

 The reflection of the sun made some lovely imagery.

 Looking across the river towards Surrey.

 Can you see the heart shaped piece of ice along the top edge of the large piece?

 Check out the guy on the tug, just a t-shirt and sweat pants!

 The wake from the tug made the ice dance for awhile.

 Crocuses blooming.

 Looking east along the river at multiple bridge crossings.

 Some tulips and lettuce growing under a glass dome in Rita's Garden.

 A closer look the the goodies under the dome.

 Roses sending out new shoots.

 Yellow witch hazel.

 Orange witch hazel

 What a gorgeous west coast day.

 Love this flowering bush.

 One of multiple palm trees along the quay.

 A great blue heron was grooming him/herself in the chill.

 Daffodils already in full bloom, they must catch a good deal of sun in that spot.

 Look at the rings of ice around the fountain.

 Gorgeous views along the river.

 Love this shot.

 He/she was still there on my return.

 Lovely shades of green and red.

 This guy/gal was eating some bird seed on the pillar I was leaning on while taking some more photos of the Great Blue Heron.

 Checking out the neighbourhood.

Back to preening again, the job never seems to be done.

 This morning I walked down to Angelina's for breakfast and spotted some loons swimming amongst the ice.

 On top of the Inn at the Quay Henry our resident Bald Eagle was visiting...look at the brave pigeons below on the eaves.

 The ice is not as dense as yesterday.

 Spotted a Robin, look how puffed up his feathers are.

 Some smaller loons, I think they are females.

 Gorgeous profile and colours.

 Two old crows, makes me think of a friend and myself.

 What were you doing 50 years ago tonight?  I was watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and celebrating my 10th birthday!  Have a great day and evening, I know I will.