Winter Wonderland in a Calgary Neighbourhood
Over Christmas last year my husband, our dog, and I were house and dog sitting for dear friends. We were fortunate enough to reside in the charming Renfrew neighbourhood. The area took on a magical appearance following a fresh blanket of snow, creating a picturesque setting for our white Christmas celebration. For my husband, our dog, and myself, it was a truly romantic way to spend the holidays, and we cherish the memories from our time in the Big House on the Hill.
Many shades of white
Every time I walked by this pale blue house I admired the wreaths decorating the fence. Note how the wood plans on the fence are offset.
The Snow Fairy
Claude McKay (1890-1948)
I
Throughout the afternoon I watched them there,
Snow-fairies falling, falling from the sky,
Whirling fantastic in the misty air,
Contending fierce for space supremacy.
And they flew down a mightier force at night,
As though in heaven there was revolt and riot,
And they, frail things had taken panic flight
Down to the calm earth seeking peace and quiet.
I went to bed and rose at early dawn
To see them huddled together in a heap,
Each merged into the other upon the lawn,
Worn out by the sharp struggle, fast asleep.
The sun shone brightly on them half the day,
By night they stealthily had stol’n away.
II
And suddenly my thoughts then turned to you
Who came to me upon a winter’s night,
When snow-sprites round my attic window flew,
Your hair disheveled, eyes aglow with light.
My heart was like the weather when you came,
The wanton winds were blowing loud and long;
But you, with joy and passion all aflame,
You danced and sang a lilting summer song.
I made room for you in my little bed,
Took covers from the closet fresh and warm,
A downful pillow for your scented head,
And lay down with you resting in my arm.
You went with Dawn. You left me ere the day,
The lonely actor of a dreamy play.
Another beautiful pale blue house with a charming picket fence along one side.
Another white picket fence beautifully decorated with a festive garland.
During our stay in Renfrew, I made it a point to take daily walks around the neighbourhood. With each stroll, I discovered a new appreciation for the area’s quiet charm. The weather would change from day to day, casting a different light on the streets and houses, revealing hidden gems that I had previously overlooked. The peaceful atmosphere was palpable, with few people crossing my path as I wandered through the streets.
This is the street we stayed at.
Fifty shades of white.
We spent the evenings having dinner together, and huddled up on the sofa with the dogs watching TV. It was quite special.
It’s hard to see, but this Christmas tree was loaded with silver tinsel. I would have loved to go inside to see it.
This blue house was next door to the one we stayed at. It’s stunningly beautiful, especially at night.
2024
