Beautiful, snowy weekend

We were out at Nordegg and Abraham Lake over the weekend for the Central Alberta Mountain Club Turkey Trek, and saw the wildest wind EVER.
It picked up spray from the lake and it's many white caps and threw it up to the road.
I had difficulty opening my van door at times.
I took advantage of the time out there to shoot Abraham and the surrounding scenery for an assignment I have.
Dinner was awesome, and I didn't have to clean up. That's the good part about staying back to cook. Shunda Creek Hostel has a chair outside made entirely of old skis.
Saturday night was gorgeous. There were so many things going on that might be merely nice by themselves that were absolutely magical together. One family at the hostel went outside for a fire in the pit. My two daughters went out in pajamas, touques, & coats; the snow was falling. Jim Taylor (from Rolyat Corp.) was out there with his son (a very tall geology student) and was playing the guitar out on the deck. All the little kids were dancing and running around throwing snowballs. The dancing, singing, snowballs and snow falling all around the fire made for a completely beautiful scene. Sometimes I wish I could hold and keep something like that. The memory will be one of my favourites.
It was such a coincidence that Jim was out there. He put on an Appreciative Inquiry workshop this morning that I was not sure I could make, but happily I did. What a great way of conducting life and business. Some of the concepts are familiar to me, and some are a new way of understanding and learning. For the most part the workshop concentrated on past experiences - the positive ones, and focusing on the positive aspects of dealing with other people and our businesses. From there we talked about our 'dream' situation, our goals. I enjoyed my 'interview partner' immensely. It was Harland from Telebyte, Small Business of the Year. Neat! I just photographed them near two weeks ago (See Wednesday's Red Deer Express for a look at the winner's photos), and I get to learn all about the beginnings of Telebyte, the excitement of getting the company going, and some of the things they do there.
This has been a great week.
Tuesday I dropped off the photos for the Business of the Year winners, and the next day got a phonecall from Don Sutherland, of Studon Electric and Control, just to thank me. What a class act. I remember Don quite well because when I went to shake his hand and congratulate him after he accepted his award, he said he needed a hug. He was just thrilled and happy. I have the best job on earth to be able to meet and work with people who each have so much goodness and joy in them.
Tomorrow is more creative, enjoyable fun. A mom & her two tiny, exceptionally cute, kids are coming for a session. A 10 month old girl, and a two year old boy with the most delicious eye lashes.