Monday, December 31, 2012

The Winter Challenge – First Impressions

As we are making our home in the beautiful Canadian Rocky mountains, here some first impressions.

 
What a change from the always rushing Bay Area to the serene nature of the Rockies, not to speak of daily temperatures.
When we were shivering at 18 degrees Celsius in California, we are now adjusting to minus 18 degrees Celsius...;-)

 
We are enjoying the Canadian way of living, and I watched my first Ice Hockey game live,

 
... there is always enough ice, if not cubed, for our drinks.

 
The landscape is stunning, the snow light and powdery, the temperatures prepare me for Antarctica and the light, especially the sunrises and sunsets are a photographers dream.


 
We tend to get noticed when driving around town, I guess we are not driving the right kind of car....yet

 
The dogs love the snow, I might have to put high marker flags on the dachshunds though,  if it keeps snowing ;-)


 

Here to new adventures and Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

December Conservation Tip




Tis' is the season where we frantically try to find the right presents for family, friends, coworkers and so on. Sometimes you just know the right gift, but more often you have no idea where to start.
Before you by the nth tie for your father in law, here an idea:

How about a gift adoption of his favorite wild animal? Lots of species out there need help and with a gift adoption you are not only giving a meaningful gift to the recipient but also to the animal you choose.



Here are a few organisations I have used in the past, many of them even offer accompanying plush animals, which makes it also a great gift for the young or young at heart:

World Wildlife Fund

Defenders of Wildlife

Polar Bears International

 



Looking for something for the more the humanitarian type and not so much an animal lover?
No problem either;

Give a goat, pig, chickens or even a donkey to families in need.

Heifer International has a great program with something for every budget.

Best of all, no crowded malls involved...;-)

In this spirit:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS