P is for...

... our Provincial holiday, called Family Day. Family Day was first held in Canada in the province of Alberta in 1990. In the provinces of Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia many people have a day off work and schools are generally closed on Family Day. It is supposed to reflect the values of family and home that were important to the pioneers who founded Alberta, and give workers the opportunity to spend more time with their families. One of the reasons for introducing Family Day was that there was a long period when there were no holidays from New Year's Day until Good Friday.

On Family Day, many people plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating on outdoor ice rinks, playing board games and taking part in craft activities. Some communities plan special public events, and art galleries and museums may have reduced price or free entry.

As the weather is usually very cold in February, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks. Other people use the long weekend as an opportunity for a short winter break or to travel to visit family members or friends.

We had our family dinner yesterday, so that left today open to meet with three very dear friends from Peace River days. Peace River is a small northern community so the friendships made during those years are lasting. We met at a quaint restaurant in the University area to enjoy tea and dessert.

This photo was taken en route to meet the patterns technique challenge. The colorful clinic building is across from the teaching hospital (University of Alberta). You can see the Butterdome reflected in the bottom right hand corner. Needless to say, I took a few photos of it, as well. It is so bright and unique and aptly named, though officially it is the Universiade Pavilion. .

Skies were clear, melting temperatures - a very fine day!