Monday, October 28, 2013

PUMPKINS AND PINK RIBBONS


While you in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying the beauty of golden leaves a'falling,
I whipped out my folding paper Halloween pumpkin, my fake autumnal leaves, baby pumpkins and a scarecrow from darling daughter ... thank you Canadian themed ephemera...

and got on with Pink Ribbon Day:


Mr C bought me this tiny sparkly angel, who holds a sweet pink ribbon emblem, at St Joseph's Oratory in Montreal last May:



Bought this pink pen - another small donation to the Breast Cancer Research cause..I have much to be thankful for, in the development over the past 20 years of better methods of diagnosis and treatment..

For me, 18 months on, and still going well..



A pink rose blossomed on my deck today, with perfect timing.


The other night I put on this dalmation print dress, and took my sparkly clutch to the Opera...

but first we devoured these at the Theatre cafe :


I know, I know: and I did two walks today...

We were celebrating the 200th Birthday of Guiseppe Verdi, 


at the Opera Queensland production of Otello..
It was quite wonderful!
Dramatic, intense, tragic - every superlative you could throw at this modern incarnation of the original Shakespearean tale..
Frank Porretta as Otello and Cheryl Barker as Desdemona brought the audience to rapt silence as their tragedy unfolded..

What made this really different was the setting - on an aircraft carrier, somewhere in the Middle East, in contemporary naval uniforms -
which all worked wonderfully well.
The story and the music are timeless.
Happy 200th, Verdi!




My father will turn 93 this week..


We kicked off the week of festivities with afternoon coffee at this French-themed eatery -


Dad and his favourite Cappuccino.  


Got my special copy of Hello!

Isn't this photo lovely:


Could be the best 'royal smiling baby' photo ever recorded..


and this is what I did with the Star Wars material - one library bag!

Have a great week

XXXX




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35 comments:

  1. The Silver BunnyOctober 28, 2013 at 4:18 AM

    Lots of kisses to your Dad on his birthday ! I love the photo of the Oratory; I remember how huge it looked to me the first time I saw it; didn't old Céline get married in there ? Hope your little angel keeps you well and safe for years and years to come ! xx

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 4:31 AM

      Dad will love kisses from Paris! I also thought the Oratory was huge, out of all proportion, in fact. Not sure about Celine, I thought she might have been married at the pretty Notre Dame Cathedral in the City Square - not far from the oratory. I'll ask Canada! Mr C smiled when he saw I wore the angel today :) Thank you for your good wishes. xx

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  2. DarlaOctober 28, 2013 at 4:33 AM

    Happy Birthday to your Dad, glad he is still enjoying his favorite coffee. You must have looked stunning on your night out to the opera. Tickled to see you decorated a bit for Halloween.

    Darla

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 4:36 AM

      Ha, it was fun to do a bit of Halloween decor in the entry - quite startled a friend of Mr C who arrived this morning! I'll pass on the birthday wishes to Dad, who will enjoy his birthday all week. He is so funny, I had to keep telling him he is turning 93, and he was surprised every time :)

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  3. valerietilsten59.blogspot.comOctober 28, 2013 at 5:31 AM

    You are getting started for halloween these next few days coming.
    I love your dress and clutch bag Patricia.. You have certainly been busy.
    Otello.. I always feel so sad when i read it.

    The modern version sounds super.
    Happy Birthday to your dad Patricia..what a wonderful age.. He loves his days out with you. The new cafe looks a nice place.
    nice post.. most enjoyable.
    hugs val xx

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 5:21 PM

      Just a touch of halloween, with my bits from Canada...Otello is a very sad story, but it was beautifully sung and staged, and the audience were rapt. Dad will enjoy his birthday week, and he is amazed that he has lived into his 90s. Hugs to you too, xx

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  4. Sulky KittenOctober 28, 2013 at 6:18 AM

    Birthday wishes to your dad! I LOVE the look of that dress and clutch - very glamtastic.

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 5:22 PM

      Thank you Sulky - I feel very stylish in that silky dress! Will probably wear it to a Melbourne Cup lunch next week...

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  5. RosemaryOctober 28, 2013 at 6:42 AM

    How wonderful to still have your father with you at 93 years old - a very big happy birthday to him.
    I love your little angel, and how very smart you must have looked for the Opera in your dalmatian dress. Did you know that the dalmatian dog received its name from Dalmatia, Croatia. I learned that whilst we were just visiting there.
    That is a really lovely picture of the baby smiling up at his mum, and your eldest grandson is going to be thrilled with that library bag.

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 5:27 PM

      Dad will love all the birthday wishes, even if he can't understand what a blog is. I did know about the name coming from Dalmatia in Croatia, but did a quick Google to learn more. It is quite an ancient breed with a good history of being helpful to man. The breed was developed in England since the early 19th century. Proud to wear their pattern on my dress!

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  6. kristieinbcOctober 28, 2013 at 6:55 AM

    Happy birthday to your father! It sounds like you have had a terrific week, with everything from operas to Halloween decorations. And those desserts - oh my! I'm sure your grandson will love the library bag.

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 5:28 PM

      We did have a busy week Kristie, and rather too many diet 'variations'. We are off to Sydney soon, which will also be a challenge. Walking a lot these days :) I have high hopes for a big win with the library bag...

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  7. JaniceOctober 28, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    What a lovely newsy post. The night at the opera sounds great, and those treats look spectacular. I hope your dad really enjoyed his birthday....and the library bag is brilliant. I feel as if I have caught up with your news. Jx

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 5:29 PM

      Hi Janice, lots happening round here currently, and yes, that is about all the news that is allowed to go 'public'...Dad's birthday is actually Friday, so the fun continues. xx

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  8. Jenny WoolfOctober 28, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    What a fabulous opera outfit - and the opera sounds as if it was fascinating too. I used not to enjoy opera but now it really appeals to me.... strange how things can change. Mind you the cost means that I don't go very often! :)

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 5:31 PM

      We usually only do one opera per year Jenny, and I choose the one with the most appeal from the yearly offerings. As you say, cost is a factor, even though we got a good deal with the seats this time. I'm glad we enjoyed our one fancy night!

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  9. caitlinsgrandmaOctober 28, 2013 at 4:49 PM

    Happy birthday to Mr B. You will have to remind him who I am. Speak soon! Joy

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    1. PatriciaOctober 28, 2013 at 5:35 PM

      Love the new moniker, Joy. I will pass on all the wishes to Dad, but unfortunately he doesn't usually remember who I am, other than 'family' and forgets most of his children's life details. He forgets our names now, and needs reminding. It doesn't bother him, as long as he gets to go out for coffee, so we have to try to not let it bother us either.

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  10. KhammanyOctober 28, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    I'd love a night at the opera in that dress! And how strange for me to think of Halloween occurring any other way except on a cold rainy fall night but now realize that's not how you'd experience it at all. Love the way blogging has opened my eyes to thing I never thought about before!

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    1. PatriciaOctober 29, 2013 at 3:00 AM

      I have experienced one Halloween in Canada, and it was indeed cold; I was wearing a very heavy coat. But here, it is usually a balmy summer night, which works well for the children dressed as fairies, ghosts and goblins, who come treat-or-treating. I love learning things from blogs too.

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  11. Red Rose AlleyOctober 28, 2013 at 8:04 PM

    Patricia,
    I love your dalmation print dress and clutch! It's lovely, and something I would wear myself. That coffee looks so good at the French eatery that you went to. A big Happy Birthday to your Father - wow, 93 years old! I hope his day is special and filled with lots of love.

    ~Sheri

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    1. PatriciaOctober 29, 2013 at 3:01 AM

      Glad you like my dress Sheri - I really like it too! Dad will have a couple of parties this week, and he will love all the attention. He is inordinately fond of coffee and cake - and why not at his age? xx

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  12. BerylOctober 28, 2013 at 10:55 PM

    So much good stuff in this post - first a paper honeycomb pumpkin, I love honeycomb decorations. Lovely treats and dress for a night out at the opera - and Othello would be such a terrific theme for an opera. (Wonder if it will be done in either Tulsa or Los Angeles soon?) And a birthday celebration or your dad, too. And who wouldn't be pleased with that great Star Wars Book bag? Too fun!

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    1. PatriciaOctober 29, 2013 at 3:04 AM

      Hi Beryl, welcome back, we missed you! I love honeycomb decorations too; they remind me of Christmas when I was a child. I'll send the new production of Otello over to you :)
      Lots going on here - it is the start of the Silly Season...

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  13. KathyOctober 29, 2013 at 5:46 AM

    A lovely post, Patricia. Most importantly a very happy birthday to your Dad. 93 is a wonderful age and I'm glad he enjoyed his birthday cappuchino.

    You must have looked stunning at the opera in that dress. I bet your wardrobe is stuffed full of wonderful dresses.

    I don't do Halloween, I'm afraid - no trick-or-treaters on a Welsh hill-top, thank goodness. :-)

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    1. PatriciaOctober 29, 2013 at 7:23 PM

      I wish, Perpetua! These days I have only six dresses currently in rotation. Many were donated and one or two await alterations. Hope to make a few more because they are nice and cool through summer.
      I'm not planning to actually do halloween this year, so will leave front of house in darkness and door shut. So many kids come here I have found it quite exhausting in the past.

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  14. metteOctober 29, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    Sending my Birthday Greetings to your Dad!
    So much interesting in your post. Where do you find the time for experiencing it all!
    Indeed, a lovely picture of the young family!

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    1. PatriciaOctober 29, 2013 at 7:25 PM

      Thank you Mette, sending many greetings to Dad. As for time, I do try to live a Big Life :) Always up for an adventure, and I'm not really very good at housework...

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  15. sandaOctober 29, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    You must have looked stunning in your beautiful dress at the opera, and the desserts, wow! Happy birthday to your dad this week. Such wonderful news for you on the health front. Have a great week!

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    1. PatriciaOctober 29, 2013 at 7:28 PM

      Thank you Sanda. So many lovely greetings to Dad, who is quite incredulous about being 93! In earlier times, he was convinced he'd die at 56, because that is when his father passed.
      I'm looking forward to taking the dalmatian dress out to lunch next week, with a matching head-piece...

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  16. Shane PollardOctober 30, 2013 at 2:58 AM

    Hello dear Patricia

    CONGRATULATIONS and love to your dear father on turning 93 and I'm so impressed he still loves his cappuccino - good for him!!!

    Your little pink ribbon angel is quite divine and looks beautiful pinned to your lovely pink linen dress!
    Well done on 18months Patricia, I have several friends here the same - I admire you all so much.

    I can just see you at the opera in your dalmation dress with your little clutch - so very chic and stylish!!!!!!!!!
    Sounded like a marvellous performance - I always went to the orchestra and the opera but my night vision is not good now - a shame.
    I must get myself organised and go to the daytime sessions - it's not the same though!

    Oh blow - I was looking forward to getting together - I hope you can come next year. My oldest friend lives in Brisbane so I could just see you there one day too. Sadly she has just lost her darling husband.

    Keep in touch
    love
    Shane xox


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    1. PatriciaOctober 30, 2013 at 10:13 PM

      Thank you for your lovely comments Shane. I was looking forward to seeing you, and that darling little cafe you wrote about on your blog. Maybe next time you are in Brisbane? So sad about your friend. love P. xox

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  17. VallypeeOctober 31, 2013 at 12:45 AM

    I love your eclectic posts, Patricia. A list of beautiful observations and titbits! The opera must have been magnificent! Verdi's music is soul stirring at all times.

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    1. PatriciaOctober 31, 2013 at 1:08 AM

      Hi Val in the Netherlands! Glad you enjoyed my chaotic week. Verdi is wonderful, isn't he? I love singing his Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves with my choir.

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  18. PatriciaOctober 31, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    I really enjoyed your post Patricia with lots of lovely news. Catching up on my reading so belated happy birthday to your Dad.
    Patricia x

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