Sunday, December 14, 2014

TIS THE SEASON


Greetings!
A Christmas parcel arrived from Canada, covered with all these stamps:
Hello to Her Majesty...


When I send parcels to Canada,
 Australia Post prints a boring white sticker to go on it, with no stamps.
Just saying...


A few storms, a bit of rain, and the Red Cardinal Garden of Neglect threw up a gorgeous white gladioli...


I hunted through the old books, and found The Christmas Book, c. 1980s,
and well-loved by our children.
Baby Jesus has a particular 80s baby look about him.
It is time to read it to a new generation of little people...


We went to Flannerys and bought lots of sulphite-free dried fruits,


soaked it overnight in good old Bundy Rum, like a good Queenslander should,



and poured more rum over the finished cakes.

The house smelt quite frankly delicious throughout the afternoon...



I spent a good part of the weekend making a cool Christmas outfit,
a floaty long white skirt, and a cool blue top:


The pretty skirt fabric, $12 metre at Spotlight, cool cotton voile with frills, pintucks and ric-rac:


 No pattern was used; I made a 5 inch yolk to fit my hips, with elastic waist casing, and gathered the 2 metre length of fabric to fit.
Easy Peasy.

The top, from a length of old cobalt blue lace, over a piece of lining fabric,
was made from my TNT pattern, which I know will be quick and will fit.



I added angel and snowflake pins found in Vancouver between flights, a few years ago.



 Only twelve days to Christmas, and lots of carol singing for moi, this week..


How are your Christmas preparations going?

Don't work too hard.

XXXX


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40 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 14, 2014 at 3:50 AM

    Your Christmas tree is adorable, mine is a Spartan old thing. The plethora of stamps is fab!

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    1. PatriciaDecember 14, 2014 at 8:11 PM

      Christmas tree bows its thanks. I'm super impressed by plethora of stamps - all that licking!!

      Delete
  2. RosemaryDecember 14, 2014 at 6:10 AM

    Good job we do not have aromas on the computer, my mouth is already watering at the sight of your cakes.
    You will look the belle of the ball at Christmas - what a lovely combination the blue and white makes.
    The post from Canada and Australia must cost you all a small fortune.

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    1. PatriciaDecember 14, 2014 at 8:13 PM

      I wore the blue and white to sing in a concert today - it went over well at the Old Folks Home..
      Postage is shockingly expensive, and usually costs me more than the gift is worth - but you can't put a value on family connectedness.

      Delete
  3. Michelle RidgwayDecember 14, 2014 at 4:15 PM

    Beautifully festive over at your place Trish. Our copy of your Christmas story now lives with Dear Daughter. LOVE all your lovely Christmas decos and I am sure I can smell that baking from here. You will look very cool and stylish in your pretty Christmas outfit.

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    1. PatriciaDecember 14, 2014 at 8:14 PM

      Why am I not surprised you have the same Christmas story book, Michelle. I think I'll take mine over to Canada next time. Hot again today, so I'm on the mark with the cool Christmas gear.

      Delete
  4. LindaDecember 14, 2014 at 6:51 PM

    Hi Patricia!
    Everything looking very festive round your house...
    enjoy your week ahead..
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    Replies
    1. PatriciaDecember 14, 2014 at 8:15 PM

      Hi Linda, I love to have that festive feel in our house - just for a few weeks each year. Then when I put it all away, I re-organise the furniture, the pictures, everything!

      Delete
    2. LindaDecember 15, 2014 at 1:11 PM

      Absolutely!
      Me too Patricia!

      Delete
  5. Sarah LizDecember 15, 2014 at 12:04 AM

    Everything is very Christmassy at your house - looking good, and what a lovely cake.

    I love your little outfit - nice to look at, and easy to wear. Just right for what will be a very busy day for you, I am sure. And very wearable afterwards, as well.

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    1. PatriciaDecember 15, 2014 at 12:20 AM

      Very Christmassy indeed around here - some folks register shock when they walk in - he he
      The blue/white is very easy, and great in the heat. Tested it today and it is good to sing in.

      Delete
  6. Amy at love made my homeDecember 15, 2014 at 1:38 AM

    It looks as though you are all set for Christmas!! Lovely decorations you have! Our letters and parcels tend to just have a big sticker too, but I ask for them to have stamps instead! Your parcel is a lot of fun with all of those stamps for sure!! xx

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    1. PatriciaDecember 16, 2014 at 3:00 PM

      Lots of Christmas action round here, Amy. Those stamps make be think of Andy Warhol paintings - I expect HM would not be amused! xx

      Delete
  7. kristieinbcDecember 15, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    You're making good progress for Christmas, Patricia! That children's book looks vaguely familiar. I think we used to have it when my boys were little. I'm not sure how your parcel arrived with all those stamps. We have those boring white labels here in Canada as well. :-)

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    1. PatriciaDecember 16, 2014 at 3:01 PM

      Aha, Kristie, another recognition of the Christmas book, evidently a hit from the 80s. That is interesting about the stamps - maybe the sticker machine was not working at the local Post Office!

      Delete
  8. metteDecember 15, 2014 at 11:49 AM

    Yes indeed, It is the season, but I am not at all tuned for it, though we have all the facilities for it, the darkness, the snow, real Christmas trees..
    However, it please me to see that You feel Christmas - sy: ), full of energy!

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    1. PatriciaDecember 16, 2014 at 3:02 PM

      With all the Christmas facilities provided by nature, you don't really have to do anything Mette. The atmosphere with real Christmas trees must be gorgeous. Yes, I am quite energetic about it all, but am monitoring myself because I don't want to run out of steam by next week.

      Delete
  9. Katharine ADecember 16, 2014 at 5:08 AM

    It's looking nice & Christmassy at yours. My kids are intrigued as to Christmas in Australia. We always asscoiate it with cold & wintry weather here in the UK. It's great that you can run up a dress with no pattern. Inspired me to get my sewing machine out.

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    1. PatriciaDecember 16, 2014 at 3:05 PM

      Yes, even after a lifetime of hot summer Christmas, I still think in terms of snow scenes at Christmas time. The power of cultural influences. Christmas day in Australia often includes swimming at the beach or in a pool, and most people eat salad with the Christmas meats.

      Delete
  10. Rustic Vintage CountryDecember 16, 2014 at 6:35 AM

    I do like the look of that cake! Those two blue baubles are beautiful. Suzy xo

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    1. PatriciaDecember 16, 2014 at 3:05 PM

      Time to put frosting over those cakes, Suzy.
      I love the blue baubles, which DD bought me in Europe a few years ago. Very precious to me. xo

      Delete
  11. Red Rose AlleyDecember 16, 2014 at 5:44 PM

    That rum fruit cake looks delightful, Patricia. I can smell it from here. I really like all your blue ornaments. I just noticed that I have many purple ornaments, which I will post with my tree. Oh my gosh, that old Christmas book is a treasure. Did I ever tell you that I love children's books the most? It's so nice to see you are enjoying the Christmas season, my dear friend. I'm right along there with you.

    love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. PatriciaDecember 17, 2014 at 2:01 AM

      I think we all love the children's books, even as we ourselves become older. They bring such strong and special memories of our own childhood. The Christmas season is always a pleasure - all we need is a bit of snow to cool down our torrid summer heat!

      Delete
  12. Roses, Lace and BrocanteDecember 17, 2014 at 12:33 AM

    Oh Patricia your Christmas cake sounds and looks yummy - my husband the yachtie would love the rum flavour!
    A very pretty Christmas skirt - I've always loved pintucks too. You're such a good dressmaker...I haven't made anything for myself for so long now.
    A very festive post!
    Only eight more sleeps!
    Shane x

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    1. PatriciaDecember 17, 2014 at 2:03 AM

      Ah, another pintuck fancier. Isn't it great we can now purchase fabric with the tucking already done for us. Dressmaking is my relaxation these days, especially as I have had to give up some other things I used to do. Christmas cake with Bundy rum - a Queensland specialty! x

      Delete
  13. DarlaDecember 17, 2014 at 6:08 AM

    Your holiday outfit is so pretty. It looks both ice like for our winter and cool enough for yours. Bet that cake does smell wonderful.

    Darla

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    1. PatriciaDecember 18, 2014 at 7:56 PM

      Your worked me out, Darla: ice white and cool blue!
      Even in the heat, cake with rum is an excellent choice - maybe with champagne instead of mulled wine...

      Delete
  14. valerietilsten59.blogspot.comDecember 17, 2014 at 6:26 AM

    Love your choice of outfit Patricia. It looks lovely. As always very professional.
    Your christmas cake sure looks good. I can smell it from here.
    I take christmas at a slow pace ..always have.
    I have everything organised.
    Will have to bake some more mince pies..
    Wishing you and your family a wonderful time together..
    A happy christmas.. and thank you for your support with my blog and posting.. great friendship through blogging.
    love val xxx

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    1. PatriciaDecember 18, 2014 at 7:58 PM

      Thank you Val, the blue and white sends its regards :)
      I am impressed you have everything organised already - I am only beginning on the food preparations. I'll bet your mince pies are delectable! Happy Christmas, and thank you for your friendship. love P. xx

      Delete
  15. Jenny WoolfDecember 17, 2014 at 12:28 PM

    Oh, that cake looks fab!
    I love getting parcels covered in stamps. I agree - it makes them feel so special.Maybe it's because I used to collect stamps as a kid.

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    1. PatriciaDecember 18, 2014 at 8:00 PM

      Hi Jenny, I love the parcel with the stamps, and am keeping it under the Christmas tree to admire, even though I know there are Christmas wrapped gifts inside! It makes me think of Andy Warhol's series portraits!

      Delete
  16. Debra TurnerDecember 17, 2014 at 6:16 PM

    Love the dress, Patricia. And, the cake and Christmas decorations!!

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    1. PatriciaDecember 18, 2014 at 8:01 PM

      Hi Debra and thank you. Hope your Christmas prep goes well, and you have a beautiful season.

      Delete
  17. BlightyDecember 18, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    Love your Christmas book, the animals are so sweet. Love the sound of cake plus rum. How clever to make an outfit and without a pattern. Am in total awe. I find sewing a button on too much. My Christmas preps are all done: gave the dog a bath. Anymore preps would be overkill. xx

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    1. PatriciaDecember 18, 2014 at 8:03 PM

      Blighty, Merry Christmas. I have copied the book for circulation to grandchildren (so I can keep the original to myself, greedily). So funny re the dog - I do hope you added little doggie reindeer ears, the perfect Christmas touch! xx

      Delete
  18. KathyDecember 18, 2014 at 11:53 AM

    I love your cool Christmas outfit, Patricia, but still find it hard to imagine celebrating Christmas in 40C+ heat, when over here we're busy wrapping up warmly. :-) Very few Christmas preparations happening here as we'll be visiting family who will take very good care of us. Normally I'm busy baking goodies to take with us, but not with only one useable hand. Sigh....

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    1. PatriciaDecember 18, 2014 at 8:05 PM

      Anything to keep cool, Perpetua. You'd think we would be used to it, but alas, No - we express surprise and dismay re the heat, Every Year!! I'm so sorry your hand is still out of action, and can appreciate the frustration you must feel at Christmas time. Wrap up warmly and wear some of those gorgeous socks you knit.

      Delete
  19. PatriciaDecember 18, 2014 at 7:51 PM

    Thank you Val for your Christmas wishes - and the same to you! Don't like the sound of busiest week ever, makes Christmas prep rather difficult... Well done re the lights on the balcony; we have a few of those too. Hope you have a wonderful holiday, and maybe some sewing time? xx

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  20. VallypeeDecember 21, 2014 at 10:33 AM

    My goodness you have been busy, Patricia. How lovely to go to the ballet too! I don't know how you find the time to do so much, I really don't. You must hardly ever sleep :) Have a wonderful and magical Christmas!

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    1. PatriciaDecember 21, 2014 at 7:40 PM

      I love my sleep - I just don't do much housework, ha ha
      You have a perfectly wonderful Christmas too, Val. I am wondering, does the harbour ever freeze? That would be interesting..

      Delete

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