Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Photo Randy Vanderveen Grande Prairie, Alberta The Nativity Scene outside St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Grande Prairie, Alberta.As we remember the birth of our Saviour and transition into a new Year, I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed and happy 2015. Here is some recent work to end off the year. God bless.
Photo Randy Vanderveen Grande Prairie, Alberta 2014-12-15 A wagon stands silhouetted in front of a line of trees decorated for the Christmas season west of Grande Prairie. Light displays are a common sight along rural roads at this time of year and often the displays stand out because of the lack of competition from other sources of light like those in cities or towns.
Photo Randy Vanderveen Beaverlodge, Alberta 2014-12-18 The early morning light hits a barn and windmill on a farm north of Beaverlodge, Alberta. The days will soon see a gain in daylight hours as we pass the winter solstice.
Photo Randy Vanderveen Beaverlodge, Alberta 2014-12-18 A pair of deer look up to ensure their safety. Most ungulates like deer and elk will raise their heads, or take turns when in a herd, on a regular basis while feeding to keep an eye out for predators.
Photo Randy Vanderveen Grande Prairie, Alberta 2014-12-15 Thick hoar frost provides a softer look to the landscape. The Peace Country has been blanketed with hoar frost thanks to high dew points and cold temperatures.
Photo Randy Vanderveen Peace River, Alberta 2014-12-16 The mighty Peace River continues its flow through the frost and snow-covered valley and town bearing its name in late December.
Photo Randy Vanderveen LaGlace, Alberta 2014-12-18 A small tractor hauling a wagon slowly makes its way across the snow-covered field at a farm south of LaGlace. Tractors, of any size, are indispensable tools for farmers and ranchers across Canada.
Photo Randy Vanderveen Shaftesbury Landing, Alberta 2014-12-15 The Shaftesbury Tug sits high and dry boarded up for the winter while the ferry barge sits nearby at its crossing site along as the Peace River begins to freeze over. The long delay between when the ferries are pulled out and when the river freezes over and an ice bridge can be built means longer travel times for area residents. Those who live in the Tangent area and the LaCrete area are most affected by the much longer commutes.
Photo Randy Vanderveen Grande Prairie, Alberta 2014-12-15 The new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital rises along the banks of Bear Creek. The hospital still has a long way to go before its projected opening in 2017 and with Alberta's oil revenues dropping rapidly, perhaps there may be some changes to plans to cut costs as the work progresses.
Photo Randy Vanderveen Peace River, Alberta 2014-12-16 While designating a road in West Peace River, this sign could also serve as an indicator of a hopeful desire for the world to travel along in the New Year.
