FEBRUARY THOUGHTS

 

Summer is drifting along at the Red Cardinal nest...

 extremely hot and humid one day or heavy rain and flash flooding the next...

Salads are the usual fare, as it is too hot to cook..

We have increased our exercise and walking routines, getting ready for our trip to Europe before Easter.

What will probably be our last European adventure will feature Easter Music Festivals in three cities in Austria and Germany.

There will be three operas, several symphonies, and other concerts.

During the day we will see historic architecture and the art museums.

I have been looking back at a previous Art and Music tour we enjoyed in 2018.  Who knew that a pandemic would stop us in our tracks for quite a few years?  

There certainly are a lot of viruses around these days, and we will be taking masks (and wearing them!).  

`

I have added a few items to my wardrobe, particularly for the nine night events.  My first purchase was an ankle length sheer coat/dress:

 

This can be worn over a black dress or top and pants..

It doesn't photograph easily, but the design features old architectue and creamy roses, a bit like an old photograph.

I like its mysterious appearance...

We will be walking from the hotel to the opera and concert halls, so will I take my white sequin sneakers with the satin bows??

Will there be April Showers in Germany?  Would black boots  be smarter?

Time will tell...

Back into Book Club for 2025, I have just finished 'Migrations' by Charlotte McConaghy.  I enjoyed the beautiful, evocative writing of this surreal story about the challenges we face in preserving and world, especially our wildlife.  The Arctic tern is followed on its migrations across the globe.

I am now reading 'The Dutch House', a family saga by Ann Patchett.  It is the first of her novels I have read, and I love the setting in Philadelphia and New York.  It brings back memories of our visits to these two beautiful cities, back in the early 2000s.

Sadly, three women I loved and admired, all around my age, have recently passed away after tragic ill health.  It has been a bit confronting to realise how quickly things can change in our later years, and to make the most of what we have.

Grateful for our good health, and working hard on our diets and health checks, we celebrated St. Valentine's Day yesterday with dinner at a local tavern.  And an exchange of pretty cards.

Mr. Red Cardinal sent me a little Valentine when we first met at the office, all those years ago.  It was an intriguing way to get my attention, and I guess it worked.....

Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you.

Stay well and be safe.

XXXXX

JANUARY JOURNEY

 

Hello from sunny Australia, land of the tall gum trees...

and where we like to watch the Golden Globes just to make sure these ladies turn up:

Australia's own Nicole Kidman, resplendent in shimmering silver..

and Cate Blanchett, sparkling in gold..

In fact, there was a lot of gold, which has become the neutral of the day..

Elegance in light gold...

Loved the drama and the draping in this one..

A Dior, 50s vibe in very dark gold...

Loved Demi Moore's very sculptural gown, metallic but difficult to work out the colour..

Angelina Jolie went the silver/gray route.  

Looking forward to seeing her movie as Maria Callas..

Cynthia Erivo in a most unusual Louis Vuitton which reminds me of Spanish Court gowns from 500 years ago...

When everyone is doing metallics and neutral, someone needs to push against the trend:

Emma Stone was stunning in strapless red, 

with an elegant tailored red satin belt:

I used to make myself belts like that... a very long time ago!

Her cute Pixie cut makes me feel better about the slightly too short hair cut I had today...

With all this gold going on, here is the gold bag I received for Christmas, and some Summer sandals I bought to blend with it...

After recent rains and a quick flood, our local creek is clean and sparkling once more..

ready for me to enjoy on my daily walk...

My favourite local horses send their regards.

I was going through old photos before Christmas, and found a rare one of myself riding a horse, aged about 14:

I am with my cousin, at their farm.  How long ago it was, and how fearless I was back then!

Have a great week

XXXX

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Christmas Eve was beautiful...

a very large crowd filled our church, overflowing onto the lawns outside.

We enjoyed the Carol singing, so fervent and heartfelt.

Old friends were greeted, and glad tidings abounded...

As always, the Manger was there for all to see...

Now that our children have fled the nest, 

only two gifts sit by the tree..

Mr. Red Cardinal gave me a stunning, small gold handbag.

It will no doubt find itself having quite a busy social life in the New Year...

We visited our older son, and his four children later on Christmas morning, and had a wonderful few hours watching the little ones opening and playing with gifts.  Our first grandson, formerly known as Little Aussie, was there playing his guitar.  How they do grow up!!

I made Little Miss 2 a pink 'ballerina' skirt.

She thought it was delightful, and wore it for hours...

Mimosas: Champagne and Orange Juice, a family favourite...

In the evening, we watched the King's Christmas Message, as well as the Royal Family at Church at Sandringham..

They all looked happy and well, after a difficult year for some..

Christmas Green was the popular fashion choice.

I though Catherine, Princess of Wales, looked absolutely beautiful.

How wonderful that she appears to have recovered from her illness.

Our weather continues to alternate a few very hot days, with a period of heavy storms and rain, often with flash flooding.

But we are in the sub-tropical Northern part of Australia.

Our vast land also has the Australian Alps, where this week it snowed at Charlotte Pass.  We visited there in November 2023...

and saw Australia's highest peak, Mt. Kosciusko, capped with snow in mid-Summer.

Because we recently had a little Wallaby visit us at night, I thought you might like to see one in a very different environment:

Google image

Yes, even in Australia we have animals which survive in the snow.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year from the Red Cardinal Blog.

xxxx