Monday, February 18, 2013

WINGING AWAY


It's official!
We are off to Canada in the Northern Spring, to see our darling daughter and her family...




This is how it looks about now ..


and the last time the Cardinals went together, in winter:



This time we plan something different:








Daffodils, tulips, and lots of other pretty flowers we can't grow here...

 and best of all, two small boys, 
our grandsons the Petit Garcon and the Little Bebe.

Might take this just in case of Spring showers ..

Leopard print brolly - $8, Coles!

 Lovely rain here today is heaven for the garden:


Mr C and I agreed: such damp and cool weather required

Banana bread ...

Veal paprika and dumplings ...

 (Good thing I went to the gym today).

 Have a great week!

 xxxx


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24 comments:

  1. Jane and Lance HattattFebruary 18, 2013 at 1:57 AM

    Hello Patricia:
    Oh, what excitement! It will surely be lovely to see Canada in the spring and, of course, the thought of your two small grandchildren must be so wonderful.We are sure that you can hardly wait!

    The leopard print umbrella will certainly be very stylish, but we trust that it will not be needed! Still, the sun will be shining in your heart, whatever the weather may bring!

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 18, 2013 at 2:33 AM

      Spring is the only season I have not seen in Canada, so yes, much excitement already! Meeting the new baby is of course the top priority - he is growing fast.
      Will go equipped for April showers, May flowers, and whatever else is on offer!

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  2. RosemaryFebruary 18, 2013 at 3:17 AM

    Dear Patricia - I shall really look forward to your posts as a result of your forthcoming visit to Canada. You must be really excited at the prospect of seeing the two grandsons, and especially meeting the new baby for the first time.
    Lots of exciting times ahead for the Cardinals.

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 18, 2013 at 2:06 PM

      Dear Rosemary, looking forward to posting from Canada, as I did on my 2011 visit. Step 1, purchasing our fares, has been accomplished, with lots of little steps to follow before we take off. I will enjoy every bit of it!

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  3. JaniceFebruary 18, 2013 at 3:19 AM

    This sounds wonderful Patricia. I am so pleased you are going to see the new baby too. There is something very special about organising a big trip after you have been ill, and the baby will make it even more special. I'm already looking forward to your posts from Canada. Jx

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 18, 2013 at 2:08 PM

      I can't wait to cuddle the little one, Janice, and have told him by skype not to grow too much before we get there! Still some time til we leave of course - the snow needs to melt first. xx

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  4. Sulky KittenFebruary 18, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    That's a lovely trip to look forward to! It will be wonderful for you to see your little grandchildren. Skype is great, but actual cuddles are much better.

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 18, 2013 at 2:10 PM

      Lots to do before we go, but so much to look forward to! Cuddling the little ones is tops, but seeing Montreal for the first time will also be great.

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  5. metteFebruary 18, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    How exciting! How long do you plan to stay in Canada? When are you leaving?
    Oh, this will be so special to you grandparents, seeing the latest baby for the first time : )!

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 18, 2013 at 2:12 PM

      Yes, much excitement Mette. It will be some time before we go; after the snow melts and the flowers begin to pop up, which is probably the same time it happens in Finland? I made my announcement now so I can chat about preparations along the way. Can't decide what sort of coat I need to take; the weather can be variable at change of seasons.

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  6. sandaFebruary 18, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    Great news that you'll be visiting your daughter and her family in Canada I can only imagine the excitement of seeing the new grandbaby the first time. Can't wait to hear what all your preparations for the trip will involve.

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 19, 2013 at 3:30 AM

      Thank you Sanda, it is wonderful to have this great adventure coming up in the near future. Maybe this time I will see the elusive red cardinal?

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  7. PatriciaFebruary 19, 2013 at 3:36 AM

    Very exciting indeed, Valerie! Average temperatures in Ottawa when we are there should be 7 to 20C, so much like our winter here. I have a faux leather jacket, hip length, which might work ok. I also own a very heavy fur-trimmed winter coat which lives in Canada, as there seems no point in ever bringing it to Australia!

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  8. DarlaFebruary 19, 2013 at 7:17 AM

    You must be really looking forward to your trip. There is really nothing quite like grandchildren. The spring flowers there will just be a bonus.

    Darla

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 19, 2013 at 9:36 PM

      So true, Darla, the flowers will be the beautiful background, and the babies will be the Stars!!

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  9. KathyFebruary 19, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    What a marvellous trip to look forward to, Patricia. Babies grow so fast, so it's lovely you will see him before he turns into another Petit Garcon. When he does, I suppose his brother will be the Grand Garcon. :-)

    As for clothes, layers are best in northern springs, as the weather can vary so wildly, sometime in the same day.

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 19, 2013 at 9:38 PM

      Ha, I had been thinking about the naming business. Grand Garcon it will probably be. I'll re-name them when I see them and check out their progress :) Layering sounds good. There will be a Christening to attend, and I want to look chic!

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  10. Fifi February 19, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    Patricia that is exciting news, especially being able to spend lots of time with your family. Spring in the Northern Hemisphere is beautiful, so I am certain you will have a brilliant time xxx

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 19, 2013 at 9:38 PM

      I sure hope so Fifi, a brilliant time sound Perfect!!xxx

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  11. The Silver BunnyFebruary 20, 2013 at 2:07 AM

    Hi, Patricia, so happy to see you're going to Canada (and jealous too, I love it there !). I couldn't understand the words "Northern Spring" at first ... as I might have told you before, it's only now that I read blogs that I realize the enormous difference that living in the Northern and the Southern hemispheres makes. Sometimes it's almost like being on two different planets. Every season is beautiful in Canada but I'm sure you will enjoy that Spring. One last thing : I've told you before : you have to stop it with those delicious cosy cooking photos, you make me drool and I don't go to the gym (though I sure should !). Lots of love from the North. S.B.XXXXX

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    1. PatriciaFebruary 20, 2013 at 3:31 AM

      Hi Bunny, there is a lot we learn from blogging, isn't there? Maybe we are more aware of your seasons because we follow so much European and American culture. At school we learnt 'Oh to be in England, now that April's there', and similar verses. And we see white Christmas in countless movies while our Christmas is in the heat of summer. Fun to think you might be drooling at the cooking - I had to put the cake in the freezer to make myself stay away from it!!
      love from P. xxxx

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  12. Debra TurnerFebruary 20, 2013 at 3:46 PM

    HI Patricia,

    I so enjoy your lovely photos!

    PS: I was able to do something you ask me to do in today's post ... plus give you a nod on my blog ... and hopefully send some readers your way. They shouldn't miss these eye-candy photos.

    Debbie

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  13. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    Yummy looking food, and the snow pictures are wonderful, we haven't had any this year but the snowdrops are out and the tulips are pushing up so spring is just around the corner.

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  14. JudithFebruary 24, 2013 at 1:09 AM

    Ohhh! A trip to visit the family - lucky you!!! You must be over the moon, such exciting plans ahead to be made...J

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