Friday, December 20, 2013

IT'S BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS


Busy and happy times at the Red Cardinal nest, as Christmas draws near.
I went to the Concert Hall for the Spirit of Christmas extravaganza -
the Qld Symphony, the massed combined choirs, and stars from the Musical and Operatic stage gave their all!
My favourites were the superb renderings of the Australian Carol, Silver Stars, and the beautiful O Holy Night.
I will be singing Silver Stars with my church choir on Christmas Eve.



I rolled out this old quilt made countless years ago - wish I still had that stitching energy ...


My friend V gave me these hand-made tree ornaments - thanks V!
There has been rather a lot of meeting, eating, and exchanges of Christmas greetings...


M gave me this Lenox tree candy dish, which she found in Macy's, New York.
Now destined for the Christmas table in a few days..


I've been making little Christmas cakes, one for Dad...


who hosted his family at the Old Folkes Home Christmas lunch today ..


The food was Olde Worlde, but that is what people in their 90s like at Christmas..


He loved his presents, and had managed to buy and write on six cards for his six children.  Well done, 93-year-old..




I'm working on the piece of white linen bought in Sydney last month.


A Kay Unger, New York design, Vogue pattern V1360.
It is designed for a stretch fabric, but I like to challenge myself..


I cut my normal size neck, centre panel, and armholes, but took it out to the biggest size at the sides.  I have lined the linen with bemsilk, and will do the side seams last, pinning in for a loose, cool fit, in the woven rather than stretch fabric.  
The Plan is to wear on Christmas Day - which will be Hot!!!





Specially for overseas readers, here is the lovely and much-loved Silver Stars, Australian Christmas Carol.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the Season

XXX





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19 comments:

  1. VallypeeDecember 21, 2013 at 12:03 AM

    What a lovely post, Patricia! I adore the little cakes! So very cute...and our dress looks as if it's going to be beautiful. As for that quilt, wow! I've nevr made anything like that but would love to have a go...when I've finished my Masters :) Happy Christmas!

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    1. PatriciaDecember 21, 2013 at 12:22 AM

      Thank you Val, and I am enjoying your book! Oh the joys of finishing a degree - there's nothing to compare :-) We have a rogues gallery on one wall of all five of us in the graduation garbs of most recent efforts- all grinning like Cheshire Cats. Happy Christmas, Val.

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  2. valerietilsten59.blogspot.comDecember 21, 2013 at 12:56 AM

    A great post Patricia,
    love your quilt..you have put it to good use on your chair.
    Those christmas cakes are so simple.. I love them
    Your dad looks really happy, what a great age, and he is still writing and enjoying christmas.
    Thank you for all your super post during this year.. always great to read your news from down under.
    wishing you a very happy and blessed christmas Patricia...
    thanks for all the friendship..
    val x x x xx x

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    1. PatriciaDecember 21, 2013 at 1:31 AM

      Thank you Val, it is bits and pieces of all the Christmas activity around our nest. Dad was a bit confused but happy with the nice lunch and presents. Thank you for your kind words and it is a privilege to share a friendship from the other side of the world. Wishing you peace and blessings, and special time with your family this Christmas. xxxxx

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  3. PatriciaDecember 21, 2013 at 1:59 AM

    Hi Val, I was just looking for your email address when you popped through - Spooky..... We could have a race to see who is first to finish a linen dress - nah, too hot! I think I'll do my green linen next, it's the only fabric to wear in this humidity! Yes, fingers crossed for bearably which in my case is under 30 deg C, please!

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  4. RosemaryDecember 21, 2013 at 2:17 AM

    Dear Patricia - it is difficult to imagine Christmas in the heat, but white linen sounds the perfect solution.
    You must be so proud of your father, he looks a lovely gentleman.
    I looked at all your words and photos whilst playing Silver Stars - a lovely carol.
    Cant leave without mentioning the wonderful quilt - what a treasure and future heirloom you have created.
    Happy christmas dear Patricia to you and all your family, and thank you for your friendship throughout the year.

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    1. PatriciaDecember 21, 2013 at 2:32 AM

      Dear Rosemary, thank you, and yes, we are proud of Dad. We have been told he is quite a 'pet' at the home, because he is more mobile than most and can speak well enough, but he says really cute, funny and surprising things which quite charm everybody! I had not thought of the quilt as a heirloom, but now I might consider to whom it will be passed... Best wishes to you and your family also, and I hope Christmas is quite lovely for you. It has been a privilege to become friends across the world, and I thank you too.

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  5. Jenny WoolfDecember 21, 2013 at 4:24 AM

    Ah, lovely Christmassy things! And that quilt is beautiful. I could never have done anything like it at any time of my life! :) Have a wonderful 25th!

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    1. PatriciaDecember 21, 2013 at 2:39 PM

      Thank you Jenny, glad you like the old quilt - I was a fast stitcher back in the day! I wish you all the joys of Christmas, and hope it is perfect for you and your family :-)

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  6. KathyDecember 21, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    Such a lovely carol to listen to as I enjoyed your kaleidoscope of Christmas preparations and decorations, Patricia. Like rosemary I find it hard to image Christmas in such heat, but white linen sounds just right for your celebrations. Your quilt is gorgeous and anyone lucky enough to inherit it would treasure it forever.

    Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year, my Australian friend.

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    1. PatriciaDecember 21, 2013 at 2:45 PM

      Dear Perpetua, glad you enjoyed the carol. It comes from a book of five written about 50 years ago, and they have become firm seasonal favourites at Australian carol services or concerts. The heat thing is funny, because thanks to art, literature and media generally, we are completely familiar with the concept of cold and snow at Christmas! We just don't have it here ... Wishing you and your family all the joys of Christmas and a bright and happy New Year. It has been a pleasure to share friendship in the land of blog and thank you for teaching me to upload from YouTube (you may have unleased a bit of a monster :)

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  7. kristieinbcDecember 21, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    Thank you for sharing the Australian carol. I had never heard it before - it's beautiful, and so is your dress. Although I must admit it's hard for me to wrap my Northern Hemisphere mind around wearing a sleeveless dress for Christmas. :-)

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  8. PatriciaDecember 21, 2013 at 2:48 PM

    Thanks Kristie, one day I would like to see a white Christmas, but for now a cool white dress with sparkly earrings (and a tinsel halo when singing in the church choir!) is about as close as we get. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!

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  9. Min TarpyDecember 21, 2013 at 4:25 PM

    I love Christmas posts. I have written one too. It makes preparation for Christmas more exciting.
    www.minsbeautyequipment.com

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    1. PatriciaDecember 21, 2013 at 4:33 PM

      Thank you, I'm enjoying everyone's Christmas posts too. Merry Christmas from the Red Cardinal!

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  10. HelvaDecember 22, 2013 at 1:52 AM

    Dear Patricia, Thank you so much for 'The Silver Stars' - I learned it in England when I was at Teacher Training College in 1964, and have never forgotten it.. Then, some years ago, a Welsh Ladies Choir from Geelong (!) visited us here in mid-Wales and 2 of the (+ one husband) stayed with us, and I mentioned the carol, and after they returned to Oz they sent me a copy of the book. I then used 'The Silver Stars' and one of the other carols at our church Carol Service as choir items, and they were much appreciated. It's been lovely to be reunited with an old favourite. Thank you for your fascinating posts - I visit via Perpetua (a good friend in 'real' as opposed to 'virtual' life!) - I ought to be blogging myself, as she's set me up all ready to do so!! Have a wonderful - if sweltering - Christmas. Blessings to you all.

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  11. PatriciaDecember 22, 2013 at 3:01 AM

    Hello Helva, and thank you for your exciting comment. What a lovely story, and I had no idea the Silver Stars might be sung
    .. over in Wales! My mother had one of the original books, and I now treasure it. Fun for me to know you visit via Perpetua - one looks at the stats, and lots of people visit me, I know not how they find me! Look forward to when you start your blog, and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas.

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  12. DarlaDecember 22, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    Happy Holidays! I really like the Christmas tree plate. That pattern is quite popular here and has been for years I think. Your white linen dress is going to be beautiful and feel just right for your weather.

    Darla

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    1. PatriciaDecember 22, 2013 at 12:43 PM

      Happy Holidays Darla! It is nice to have an American plate for Christmas day - I'll think of my blog-friends from over there! White dress is now finished!! It will be 33 deg C here today - sigh....

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