Author: Sandy Phillips

Southwest Manitoba girl who loves photographing abandoned homes and timeless treasures. I've always loved photography but have never had the time to really explore what's tucked away down those old country roads in the trees. Now I can't get enough. I also enjoy wildlife photography but shy away from it. And people, I would love to take photographs of people but I don't feel I would ever be able to catch their true beauty, I still have a lot to learn.
Posted on

HUMMINGBIRDS

We don’t typically feed the birds at our place because of the cats. I have also put out a hummingbird feeder in the front though as the cats don’t really hang out there and well, I highly doubt they’d catch one.

As a kid my first encounter with hummingbirds came when my grandparents bought their cottage at Lester Beach. My Grandfather hung a feeder outside the kitchen window and for the longest time everyone would gather around to watch them. In no time he added more feeders to keep up with them. I remember my Grandmother making syrup every Friday when we arrived.

In the past we’ve had some fancy feeders for the birds but I find that they are hard to clean and you have to do it often to get rid of that black mold that grows on the inside so this year I just bought a feeder from the dollar store. I typically chuck them out at the end of the summer. Anyways, we’ve had a lot of action at the feeder between the hummingbirds and the orioles.

This was earlier in the Spring as the birds started to arrive. This bird spent a lot of time resting in the tree between drinks. He also had to wait his turn as the oriole tried to find a way to drink out of the feeder as well. There was also the odd oriole fight over oranges.

Posted on

CRAFT SALE

Remember my Cricut? Well I’ve been making crafts and I attended my first craft sale the other day. My daughter organized my table, was an excellent seller and even took my custom orders.

Here is the video she made for tik tok.

Posted on

ORIOLES

Every year we have hummingbirds. One of the first years we were here we had orioles but they didn’t stay for long as I couldn’t find an oriole friendly feeder and I didn’t take the time to research what else they could eat. Somewhere I have a photo of the oriole hanging upside down off the feeder.

Well this year they are back! Lots of them. Instead of the grape jelly we went with oranges. Well they can eat one a day!

This photo was taken through our living room window.

Posted on

UNFORGETTABLE

I typically don’t go back to a house once I’ve had the chance to photograph it unless something has changed structurally.

I do go back and check on this one at least every year. I am so happy that I got to see if when I did when we were still able to enter it and I could get a better shot of the outside.

The mosquitos were awful outside so it was a quick visit.

Posted on

CRICUT

I did a thing! I bought a Cricut.

It’s way too cold to go outside and I don’t have Colton to drive around to hockey so, I thought why not.

Here is some of the stuff that I have made. And it’s all for sale!

These are $10.

Milestone circles. 4 inch acrylic. Can make them whatever color you want. $35 for the set.

Memorial Blocks. Includes the light. The backside of this one has a wedding photo of my Grandparents on it. $40

Lots of onsies.

This adorable shirt for a special one year old! I can make more if you’re interested.

And bibs! Lots of bibs.

So until the weather warms up, I’ll be at the kitchen table, crafting. Then I’ll be back out shooting.

Posted on

CONCEALED

Here is another house I photographed back in the late summer of 2020. It is another one that I cannot find any concrete history on so, I’m just going to leave it here and if that ever changes, I’ll re-write my post and share its story.

This home is well hidden. It was rented out for a time but once the last tenants moved it was quickly taken over by Mother Nature. I did not get close as the vegetation was quite high and I was alone. Better to be safe than sorry. I know that Cade’s aunt worries about me alone on these excurisons and the possibility of there being a well, so I err on the side of caution.

Posted on

A PLACE FOR HORSES

This place is right outside my door. Well, not really but its a stone’s throw.

Its been on my to-do list for a very long time and I just sorta took advantage of it being there and something I could get to at any time. So last spring I wandered over there and the current owners were there and said come any time. The only stipulation was that I close the gate and don’t let the horses out.

If you know me you know that I am afraid of dogs. And to me, horses are big dogs. So when I went I decided I would not go inside the gate if I didn’t have to.

It was windy as heck out but the clouds were amazing. To me the sky looks painted. Believe me when I say that there is not filter on this photograph, this is straight out of the camera. The sky is almost too good to be true.

I have tried to get more information on this property and cannot. And given that its been some time since I’ve been out and posted, I’ve given up on the idea that I will be able to solidify any further information so, I’m posting.

I can tell you that the property has been rumored to be owned by a couple of different families whose ancestors still live in the area. I can also tell you that the house was last occupied in 1920.

Posted on

OLD WOODEN WINDMILL

I was given permission to photograph this property this past summer. I made my way out in the fall. What a beautiful old farm yard this is.

The yard is beautifully kept and there were all sorts of interesting little buildings on the edge of the property, some tucked away in the trees and one overtaken by Mother Nature.

It is clear that the family of this old farmstead cares for this farm, which I am sure holds many memories for them, their children and grandchildren.

We found what I believe must have been the original home on the property.

This family immigrated to Canada in 1891 from England where they were wool cloth merchants. They arrived in Canada with five children.

Their son William married and had two boys of their own. He moved away from the original homestead of his parents and bought this farm. His son then farmed this land.

The home, small and quaint showed some signs of a time when it was still occupied. There was an old toaster on the counter along with an old plate.

And this old fridge

The one thing that really caught my attention on the farmstead was this old wooden windmill. I have come across many windmills in my travels but this one is something else.

It was in pretty good shape considering its age. I googled to see when these were used but was not able to find any further information on this. Can you imagine the wooden blades in a windstorm?

I am actually nervous about writing about this history because I don’t want to mess anything up.

It was definitely worth the trip. I very much enjoyed my walk around this old homestead and appreciate the welcome to photograph same from its current owner who loves this old farm dearly. He is also a photographer himself so there was that pressure as well, lol. He and his wife have so many beautiful memories to share about their childhood, their life on the farm and their life in general. I wouldn’t want to mess any of those memories up.

Posted on

MOOSE

This past Monday we headed to work like I have been for the last 8 years and Stacey, 18. We started out and spotted a large herd of deer as we were just heading out of Killarney. A few miles later we spotted a buck chasing 3 does through a field.

Carrying on we spotted two moose to the west and then a little further and we saw a bull moose just off a mile road. He typically stands right in the middle of the section where we can see him but can’t. So we made quick detour to have a closer look.

Please ignore my awful iPhone photography, lol.

He wasn’t very photogetic but he did pass right in front of the vehicle so I was able to get a photo of him from closer up.

I don’t travel to work with my camera although I often comment that I should. I was just saying how nice it would be to get a photo of a moose on one of these small hills with the sun rising in the background and here, on this morning, we spotted more wildlife than we ever had. Anyways, we travelled down the mile road with the intention of just crossing back up to the highway. Instead we came upon a large drift and ended up turning around. When we got back to where we found the bull, we found his entire family. 5 of them off in the trees trying to get away from the crazy women chasing them.

On the way home we spotted all the moose again but not the deer.

So the next morning I came prepared. And guess what, not one animal that morning, not even a deer. That afternoon we took a detour home and spotted one deer.

So the following morning I tried again and, we spotted the family. Same location. Momma and her two yearlings, one boy, one girl. The girl is braver than her brother. There was no sun rise or hill for them to pose on but there was fog and frost and a good vantage point off their mile road.

The young bull took off and got himself situated into the willows until his Mom caught up to him.

All you can see are his legs and his little rack.

I do plan on heading back on a weekend where I can situate myself and wait them out. Hopefully I can get them on a clear day and I can catch the little bull moving around and away from his Mom. I’d also like to see the other two in this group because I think one is likely a large bull or maybe another cow with her yearling.

Posted on

MEET THE SMOKE’S

This family will always be near and dear to my heart. Smokey was Cade’s unofficial partner for many years and the two of them had each other’s backs on many occasions. When Mrs Smoke was looking for someone to capture this beautiful bunch, I knew I wanted to try.

These two have 3 beautiful children, two of which are now all grown up. Their youngest shares his middle name with Cade. I still remember getting the middle of the night phone call to tell us that the newest little Smoke had arrived safe and sound.

I had a great afternoon with this bunch and I’m hopeful that I was able to capture them the way Mrs Smoke envisioned.

Posted on

1958 GMC

When Cade & Makenna found this truck I didn’t know that a visit to photograph it was going to lead to the stories we heard.

Purchased new and picked up in Ontario, this old truck was later passed down to the original farmer’s daughter and her new husband for their farm. It was used for many, many years and then parked.

Hoping to preserve as much of she could off the old truck she was once photographed in front of as a young girl, she took all the identifying markers off the truck as a keepsake.

Imagine her surprise when it showed up at her now permanent residence, a surprise from her husband. I envision their large, beautiful family all on the truck bed for what would be a glorious keepsake photo.

Thank you for letting me photographn this beauty and for sharing your stories with me. I always enjoy our visits.

Posted on

BLUE ROOF

I seen a photo of this house a few years ago and wondered if one day I would spot it given its in my territory. I was thrilled when a fellow bando friend posted a photo of it and shared its location with me.

Even better, its on land owned by a friend. So Cade took me out to check it out. I would have walked in closer but the thistles were waist high and thick. This was close enough for me, although the other side and a peak inside would be cool. Maybe in the fall.

Downfall, no history. Can’t have everything, right?

Posted on

ROADSIDE TREASURES

On the way home from a shoot last August, I found this along the way.

Why its taken me so long to blog, I do not know.

At the end of the day,difference because I cannot find any good history about this big, old beauty.

I never really know what I will find when I photograph an old property. I go and shoot everyything that catches my eye and sometimes I am lucky enough to make a connection to what I read. That is really why I keep doing this.

And sometimes I’ll be working on a history and find a connection to a property that I blogged months before. Its exciting to go back and add those interesting tidbits. Maybe, as I start to explore this area more, I’ll find something.

Regardless, I really liked this old house and the surrounding out buildings and I’m happy I took a detour home that day.

Posted on

JOHN & LENA, CARL & RETA AND SO ON

John, from Beauharnois Country, Quebec and Lena from Emerson, Manitoba married in Killarney on December 29, 1899 and raised 10 children together on this land which John acquired in 1898. John earned an income to support his family by farming and running a hardware store in Neelin. He was also a carpenter. Lena was known to be a stern mother who instilled good values and principals. John passed away in 1937 and Lena in 1973.

In November of 1923, newly married Reta & Carl made their home on this land where they lived and raised their family. In 1966 the semi-retired to Killarney. The frugal couple raised two children on this homestead. Reta & Carl were the second family to own this homestead.

Carl & Reta, determined to make a living and “owe no man nothing”, worked from dusk till dawn to make a living and raise their children. It is said that Reta would do the work of a man and did things such as driving fence posts with a maul as heavy as herself. She broke horses, milked cows and raised chickens. She would support her family by trading milk, butter, chicken and eggs for food. If her grocery bill was more than she had in cash or trade, Reta would put the unneeded items away until next time. Reta & John would not hold a charge account. They prospered and made a good life for themselves and their children.

Upon Carl and Reta’s retirement, their son Glenn stayed on the farm and raised Aberdeen Angus cattle. He then raised four children on his own on this farm with his wife whom he married in June of 1955.

In 1982 Glenn and his wife purchased a family restaurant in Killarney while living on the home farm which he purchased from his parents in 1974.

This is a beautiful homestead. The house and outbuildings are very nicely treed in and its not far from your basic needs like food and gas. The homestead is no longer owned by one of the two original families.

Posted on

BEING STRONG DOESN’T MEAN YOU WILL NEVER FALL DOWN

Back in June, 2018 (yes, 2018) I went out to this house. It was one of the first I got permission to photograph and I have gone back a few times since.

Back to that 2018 thing. I cannot believe that I have been doing this since 2018. Wow!

Anyways, here it is back then. The floor was giving out, the roof was caving in and the stairway was a mess. I did not step inside the home but I could get up to the windows and doors and see inside.

Today I went back. Mother Nature has had her way with this place.

Posted on

DEVIL’S GATE AND CAPOTE

Remember this place? And the guy with the gun?

Back in February I received an email through my blog from the Granddaughter of the Baleja family, the second last owner of this property.

I learned that there was a second movie filmed on this property by the name of Capote which came out to the public in 2005. I haven’t looked it up but I will, one day. I was told by the Granddaughter that when Capote was filmed, film crews laid limestone on the roads in the area to make it easier to get their equipment down the roads. This is why the road is made up of nice black dirt.

She also told me that her Grandfather bought the property in 1947 from a local man. A search of the name by both of us came up empty handed. I have made a request to my local library to see what sorts of material they might be able to borrow from another location for me.

There is apparently a drainage ditch near the house (which I did not notice) which was enchanced by the RM and the City of Winnipeg, I’m assuming and is called Z dike. The purpose of the dike was to protect Winnipeg from the infamous Flood of the Century.

The house is actually two houses. One of the houses was brought in by the movie company in 2015. The orginal house in the tangle of houses was moved from the other side of the road and you can see that there is an old yardsite there. The purpose of bringing the two houses together was to give the house a creepy appearance. The current owner advised the Granddaughter that the inside of the house had cable supports inside to support the joining of the homes and/or set.

And the barn. What a sight. This house, when I first seen photos of it, were taken by my Winnipeg Bando friend, Lee. She loves this old barn. Well, the structures on the roof were added by Grandfather Baleja as was the granary on the front.

The Granddaughter also shared with me that when the old house was moved across the road to create the movie set, the current owner from an old bible. I never did hear back from her to see if she received a photograph of an inscription that was in the bible.

Posted on

BUBBLE GUM SKY

Last night as I was trying to weasel into my bed with a book, Colton called me out to check out the sun. Glad he did. He figures he should get photo credits too!

Of course it dropped a lot faster than it usually seems to but that is only because I was struggling with finding the best setting for the shot.

Posted on

PELICAN TOWN

I have driven by these vehicles hundreds of times. The kids at the colony have asked me to stop and take some photos. So finally I did.

Given that they are right out in the open and have some buildings beside them and behind them, I didn’t think I’d get any decent shots. Sometimes the best photos come from the opportunities you doubt most.

When I posted these photos on my Instagram account, Cade had no idea where I had found these as he is usually with me when I venture out now because I’m scared to go alone.

I am happy that the kids talked me in to it because I think they turned out pretty good.

When I texted them to one of the kids to see if they could identify them, they knew right away.

Posted on

ST. PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH

I seen this little church online and thought I’d stop by on one of our roadtrips. There wasn’t a whole lot to see here and I couldn’t find any info on it. I do not know when it was built or when the last service was held here.

The new resident pigeons didn’t seem to mind me taking some photos.