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| Banner I made in the 1980s by machine applique. |
I had no idea where it would lead when I discovered blogs and started my own, almost three years ago. I would have been astonished indeed to know that my stats now show over 36,000 page views in that time!
But much more precious and special is that blogging has led to lovely friendships with like-minded blogging friends all over the world.
It has been a privilege to meet you and to share a little bit of my life, while learning much from you all. The comments are of course where all the action takes place, and I love the interaction.
More importantly, it has taught me more about myself, and given me extra self-confidence. I never anticipated that people I have never met could be so caring, and also that I would find that I care very much for them too.
I know many people read and do not comment; it is not everybody's cup of tea. I am honoured that you drop in!
No, I'm not going anywhere, but I am here to wish you all a peaceful, joyous and very special Christmas.
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| Google Images |
I'd like to share with you this Australian Nativity painting, by Aboriginal artist Duwun Lee...
and one more Australian carol -
The choir from Eltham East Primary school, sing Christmas Day, a carol describing the celebration of Christmas in this hot brown land:
I'm going to cool off -
It really is very hot this year.
Merry Christmas to you all!
XXXX
A Happy Christmas to You too!
ReplyDeleteI´m glad to read that you enjoy blogging.
You live in an exotic place, are exotic yourself and share pictures, occasions and happenings, which are all new and exciting to see and read about.
You travel between different continents, which gives yet another perspective to your blog.
I too enjoy the friendships I managed to create during my regular blogging years. I so wish to keep up the contact and will visit your blog, as it has been one of the few I have visited regularly : ).
Oh, Mette, thank you, that is a lovely comment. I love the idea of being exotic! Yes, please, do keep visiting, and I'll try to keep up my end of the bargain :) Happy Christmas in that beautiful snow in Finland!
DeleteI especially enjoy the aboriginal art that you show us from time to time. This piece is quite appealing. I enjoyed the music in both this and your previous post as well.
ReplyDeleteHope it isn't too hot on Christmas Day for you. Of course I have a hard time thinking "too hot" at this time of year. I'll have to put my imagination to work... as I sit in front of the fire.
Darla
Hi Darla, I am glad you like the artwork, which I found appealing also, after a bit of a search about. If it all becomes too hot on Christmas afternoon, some of us have been known to insert feet into a bucket of cold water to cool off. Not that I would do such an unladylike thing myself .... he he
DeleteHappy Christmas Patricia - will you cool off in a pool?
ReplyDeleteIt has been really lovely getting to know you during this year.
People who do not blog and make world wide friendship do not have a clue what they are missing.
Enjoy and look forward to connecting with you again after the festivities.
We do have a swimming pool in our back garden, Rosemary. I am not fond of it, because it is very deep and I am very short and can't really swim. (I know, I was never taught as a child). But if desperate I might get in on the edge, as the forecast is for about 35 deg C on Wednesday. We'll have little Aussie here, and he loves the pool! Happy Christmas!
DeleteYou are so right, blogging has changed so many peoples' lives I think, and it's one of the nicest things to come out of the internet. , I will look forward to reading more of your posts in 2014.
ReplyDeleteGlad you agree Jenny, it adds an extra dimension which is really nice. Look forward to more of your great writing and posting in 2014 too!
DeleteIt will be a 'warm' one this year, Patricia! Christmas in our little spot on the globe is always so different to our blogging friends across the pond. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and I look forward to following your blog for many, many more years ... J
ReplyDeleteJudith, it certainly will be. As I prepare for our visitors, the fridge is groaning already with all the seasonal efforts to keep everything cool. I hope you are getting lots of wear from that pretty rose party dress you made the other week!
DeleteHello from a few suburbs away. The downstairs fridge is on and filling up. Let's not even discuss the lack of space in the fridge in the kitchen. The grandchildren have arrived from Peru on Saturday and are still dealing with jetlag. The 2 year old had a 2-year-old meltdown in my backyard at 6 am. Her brother (7) was sweeping the driveway with the large red industrial broom SHE wanted to use. The green kitchen broom was NOT acceptable! Of course. Luckily I had pre-warned my neighbours about jet lagged children. I wonder why you and I did not follow through with the swimming lessons we started years ago? Husbands, children, now grandchildren and life in general intervened I guess. Go for the "quick fix" perhaps and get a floatation vest at the January Sales!? The water in your deep pool will be Much Cooler than the water in the shallower pools that are as warm as a cup of tea at this time of year. Enjoy your Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI had swimming lessons???? Well that's a good example of repressed memory syndrome - I hate anything that messes your hair and makes the mascara run, so no wonder... How do you get grandchildren to sweep driveways, she ponders. You should start a blog, Caitlinsgrandma! Merry Christmas!
DeleteHi Patricia
ReplyDeleteWishing you lots of blessings over the festive season. Blogging certainly brings wonderful joy into our lives and I felt I was really meant to follow your blog when I noticed your You tube clip had Cootamundra Christmas on it . Would you believe I am actually from Cootamundra and now reside in Canberra. But I will always be a country girl at heart. Just another one of those moments in blogging you feel you are meant to stumble across. Christmas Wishes to you and your family. Shell - A Darlings Nest
Hi Shell, Christmas blessings to you too. I have been through Cootamundra a few times - it is a great name for a town! Glad you liked the clip, and once a country girl always a country girl at heart, I find. Merry Christmas!
DeleteA special Christmas wish to you and your family, Patricia. It has been a pleasure finding and reading your blog. You have so many interesting posts about activities/events in your part of the world and I have learned much about art and music from you mkeep up the good work! I too appreciate all the good things that come from blogging.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sanda - blogging really is a win/win situation, isn't it... I learn much from your blog, too. Merry Christmas!
DeleteWishing you a very happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Greenthumb!
DeleteMerry Christmas to you Trish! So lovely connecting again and keeping in touch blogging. I love the Aboriginal Nativity artwork... Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Michelle, and glad you like the Nativity. Happy blogging for 2014, and lovely catching up with you recently. xx
DeleteIts been a pleasure to read your comments Patricia.. you are always so kind.. I love reading your posts.. and like you say, none of us have ever met. but I feel I have known you for so long. Blogging is now very much part of my world.. I am glad i didnt give up. looking forward to more great posts..
ReplyDeletewishing you a joyous christmas.. love your nativity sewn hanging, and the Aboriginal nativity work.. beautiful.
big hugs Patricia. another year is at an end.
lots to look forward to in 2014..
God bless..val x x x x x x
Dear Val, thank you for your kind comments, and it is lovely to be your Australian friend. I hope the little red bird is enjoying life in Portugal! I am also soooo glad you did not stop blogging as yours is an absolutely favourite, full of life, happiness, nature and all good things. It is a privilege to be in touch with you. Let us look forward to good times in 2014, Hugs and God Bless to you, xxxxx
DeleteThanks, Patricia. Wishing you a very merry Christmas too, as you try to keep cool in your lovely white linen dress. I'm so very glad I found your blog which has given me wonderful insights into your life in very different surroundings from mine. This blogging lark is so rewarding. :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad I found yours too Perpetua, we seem to have a lot in common (could be our similar ages!) and I love learning about your interesting life in three different houses. 'Blogging lark' - that is a good phrase, I might steal it :) Merry Christmas!
DeleteI really enjoy your blog, especially seeing the beautiful things you make and the interesting place where you live. I love blogging and I'm so glad to have started my own blog. This week is my first anniversary. I wish you and your family a lovely, peaceful holiday. Take care and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer, it has been a delight to have found your blog recently, and I love that you come from New Mexico, my favourite state in the USA! Happy anniversary and Happy Christmas and holidays to you and your cute little bears.
DeletePatricia it's been a true pleasure sharing our interests together and I thank you for being one of my special blogging g friends. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and happy 2014.
ReplyDeletePatricia xx
Thank you, from one Patricia to another! Love your blog, and wish you and your family all the joys of Christmas, and a happy New Year! xx
DeleteUn très joyeux Noël à vous et votre famille ! Best greetings from France to you, my delightful digital friend !xxx
ReplyDeleteMerci! Dear Silver Bunny and merry Christmas to you and a great year in 2014. Xxx
DeleteDear Patricia,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely song, sung so beautifully! Love your photos and note too, but that's as usual. I should just cut and paste to save myself the effort of typing. :)
Merry Christmas my global and blogging friend,
Debra
xox
Thank you Debra and have a wonderful Christmas Day over there too!
DeletePatricia,
ReplyDeleteThe Australian Nativity painting is so pretty and very unique. I like the different pictures of it, but in the end it all means the same.......that the precious child was born and He fills us with peace every day. I'm so glad to have met you in blogland.
Merry Christmas, Patricia.
Love,
~Sheri
Hi Sheri glad you like this original nativity! Merry Christmas and so glad you found my blog ... Xox
DeleteHi Val, merry Christmas; hope you are enjoying your day. We are having afternoon rest time with little Aussie! Xx
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of Queensland yesterday - my dearest and oldest friend lives in Brisbane - sadly she lost her husband two months ago so my thoughts kept going back to her all day.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is an amazing forum - I never thought in a million years I could ever feel I 'know' someone whom I've not met in person... but on occasions we do 'spill the beans' and share more about ourselves and facets of our lives!
Patricia, I've enjoyed our visits to and fro and yes there is a special kinship as we come from the same little corner of the world and have similar backgrounds and ancestry - it's a comfortable friendship this kiwi/aussie thing - not too much explaining needed!
We have a unique camaraderie - Anzacs and our rivalry on the rugby field and cricket pitch is legendary!
I'm looking forward to another year of reading your fabulous posts - visiting amazing art exhibitions, the opera, trips with your Dad, hearing the latest on the Canadian family and of course seeing the wonderful fashion items you whip up with gay abandon!
I'm so envious of this talent of yours.
I have a passion for textiles and for years I enjoyed buying beautiful fabrics and spending hours perusing the pattern books - Vogue was a fave!
Sadly I've lost the touch but I still enjoy creating and sewing little bits and bobs for my grandies.
I'm taking it easy over the next few days after endless hours on my feet over the last week! I hope you are doing the same!
Thank you for your valued friendship this year.
Wishing you and your family health and happiness
love
Shane XOX
Dear Shane, thank you for your beautiful comment, and you are so right, the distance between our two countries is minor indeed, and a comfortable friendship comes naturally. It is a privilege to know that you enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy yours, and your exceptional talents. While I can do a bit of dressmaking, with some hits and some misses, I cannot but admire from afar your gift at making beautiful things from sweet ephemera, not to mention the fabulous photography. Don't stop blogging!! I love it all! Thank you for your friendship too, and wishing you all the best of everything for the New Year of 2014. love P xoxox
ReplyDelete