Christmas in Renfrew County is always a special time of year. As we celebrate the Birth of Jesus for the 2009th time, may we be ever mindful of the implications and blessings bestowed upon mankind because of this wondrous event.

I discovered this wonderful creche scene in the flower bed at the home of Revel Stewart in Cobden, Ontario during a visit this past year. Revel is a well known Ottawa Valley Auctioneer. It was late afternoon and the angle of the sun was exactly right to illuminate this wonderful folk art scene!

I hope Christmas was a time of blessing for you and I wish you all the best for the coming year! God bless!

Winter arrived a bit later in Renfrew County this year than it has for the past couple of years. And so far we haven’t received as much snow as last year, which has been nice. A bit of snow really brightens things up at this time of year, as November can be so gray and dreary. We have a lovely view across Wilber Lake and can see the storms as they approach from the south or west. A snow squall is sneaking up on us and the Foymount Hills across the lake (now frozen) in this photo.

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How quickly the seasons change. The sun is setting about 4 minutes earlier each night as we sink deeper in to autumn with each passing day. Often our fields are cloaked in a gentle foggy mist upon arising each morning. There is a slight chill in the air when we draw the day to a close, pull the curtains and tuck in for the night. Eddie, our unicyclist, was quite indignant to find himself covered in cobwebs and dripping with dew on a recent September morn.

One of the highlights of the fall season in Renfrew County and the Ottawa Valley is the annual Rural Ramble through the Ottawa Valley. This year is the 15th anniversary for this event, which is being held this weekend, September 26 & 27, 2009, from 10:00 a.mm to 4:00 p.m.

Take a minute to visit the official rural ramble website for details at:

http://www.ottawavalley.travel/Things_to_Do/Rural_Ramble.html

If you would like to experience some of the highlights of Valley Living, you will find it a delightful experience to participate in this great valley tradition.