HAPPY NEW YEAR

Did you have an enjoyable Christmas?

It's been Hot, and Humid, here in the land down-under...

We have feasted, and travelled around visiting family...

from the oldest: my Dad, 94, and loving his gift of a magazine about Holden cars - [he used to buy a new one every year, way back in the day...]

to the young - Little Aussie with his very own camera from we proud Grandparents.. he has wanted this for a long time.

He's been practising, on any camera we will let him near,

and within the hour was in command, issuing directions to 11 adults and several other children for group photos, individual shots, his new toys, selfies.

Quickly he learnt to delete the unwanted, and soon he had Uncle W connecting the cable to the television and was checking his enlarged images.

Best $38 I ever spent...

He was also thrilled with his bird-in-a-cage, virtual pet.

It sings a few tunes, chirps merrily, and will repeat your commands.

That went down a treat, and

this Grannie is still smiling ...

Mr C gave me the highly desirable Absolutely Beautiful Things, by Anna Spiro.

I read it every night; the text is lovely, but the photos of Anna's divine decor are the best inspiration: I study them over and over.

Ready for my January re-arrange, after the Christmas stuff goes back under the stairs for another eleven months...

Mr C also gave me this bright happy, light cotton, casual beach dress..

which shouts "It is too hot for anything that is not thin, loose, cool, natural fibre and tropical in a Queensland Summer"

I gave him a shirt which says much the same thing..

Meanwhile, over in Canada, our other five-year-old grandson has become the world's leading exponent of exactitude in colouring:

He sent us individual cards - for Grannie and Gramps!

These trees have had quite a workout, several meals a day,

and will be looking forward to being packed away under the stairs for a rest..

We played Settlers of Catan (any fans out there?)

I like to win ... and thanks to the Largest Army, I did, he he

Suddenly, after months of torrid dry heat, the day after Christmas it rained.

For several days.

With more to come.

Our lorikeets were found in the morning, head under wing, wondering what it all meant..

Even the cockatoo looked a bit concerned..

The roses are loving it.  

In five days this bush has become covered in buds and blooms.

Yellow cosmos are having a party..

Well, that's it for 2014.  Thank you for reading my blog;

my stats tell me lots of people come by, and I love that you do.

If you comment, I like it even more, and try to reply to everyone who drops in.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year, and health and peace for 2015.

XXXX