Friday, February 13, 2015

HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY


Hello,
I visited the Brisbane Flower Markets this week.
Look at the sea of red roses, destined for Valentine's Day.


I don't know why, but I have never been to the flower market before, despite always knowing it was there.
It was freezing cold in the refrigerated rooms!


Here are some flowers for you, my readers, on
St Valentine's Day, 2015..






I brought home some pale pink, champagne coloured roses for the dining room:


and placed some potted pink blooms on the coffee table:


On a whim, I decided to continue the theme and make a little patchwork heart pillow...


Just for fun..


We took my Dad for a drive to the mountains last week.
He has become so frail lately, but enjoyed seeing the view from the car.
Not so long ago, he would have jumped out for a better look...

However, there is no lack of enthusiasm for going out into the country -
 he loves it.


I have some exciting news:
I've been to the travel agent, and we have chosen our flights for our next trip to Canada, later this year.


It will be wonderful to see the beautiful spring flowers,
and perhaps see the elusive red cardinal?


But, best of all, we will see our dear daughter, and these two little grandsons..
who are growing like weeds...



Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day, 
with love from the Red Cardinal

XXXX


31 comments:

  1. I'm delighted to hear you have a trip to Canada planned. Spring should be beautiful there and of course seeing the grandchildren is a wonderful treat no matter what season.

    Enjoyed all the roses.

    Darla

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    1. Thank you Darla. I loved the Spring so much last time, and am so excited to be seeing it again. The baby has turned into a little boy now :)

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  2. I'm delighted to hear you have a trip to Canada planned. Spring should be beautiful there and of course seeing the grandchildren is a wonderful treat no matter what season.

    Enjoyed all the roses.

    Darla

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  3. Oh, goodness - is it Valentine's Day??! Err...must dash... PS Wonderful flower pictures and that view is stunning.

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    1. Hope you made it to the shoppes in time, Mike!

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  4. Trish, thank you so much for all the flowers you sent us this Valentine's weekend! So happy for you to get to fly north to see those precious grandchildren. (and the daughter). They are adorable. Hope you have a special Valentine's Day.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the flowers Linda Kay. btw, I have a Texan name too, Trish Ann, bestowed by our Texan friends :)
      Having a nice Valentine's here, and just made the annual heart shape cake.

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  5. Hello Patricia,

    Wholesale flower markets are wonderful places. They are full of life at hours of the day when normal people are fast asleep and they are full of fragrance and colour. A real jolt to the senses.

    And, what a display was on offer at the Brisbane Market. It must have been extremely difficult to make a choice but the flowers you show look beautiful.

    How exciting to be travelling to Canada. It will be wonderful to see your grandchildren. Now you will be counting the days!

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    1. Hellow Jane and Lance, yes indeed, the market was amazing. I wanted to buy everything I saw! I am sure to go back soon.
      Already I am counting the weeks 'til Canada, and before you know it counting days. My bags are half full already of items to take over to the little family.

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  6. Happy Valentine's Day to you, Patricia! Thank you for sharing those beautiful flowers. All the best for your trip to Canada!

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    1. Thank you Jennifer, and I hope you have a lovely day too. It was fun to see all those cool climate flowers in the cold rooms, after our very hot summer where a bloom lasts one day if you are lucky!

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  7. Such beautiful flowers! I love the cushion that you made as well, that is so pretty. I hope that you have a wonderful time on your Canadian travels, very exciting for you to be making plans! xx

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    1. Hello Amy, as a crafter, you would know, sometimes it is fun to make something quick and spontaneous, and that is how the cushion came about. I'm sure we will find a few places to locate it. Making plans for a trip is always fun, even one with only one destination! xx

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  8. The sea of red roses made my day. I hope your dad enjoyed the drive in the mountains, and what a spectacular view from the car.

    Happy Valentine's Day to one of my favorite ladies in blog land.

    love, ~Sheri

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    1. Dear Sheri, you would have loved those red roses. Yes, Dad loves the mountain views, and it was one of those clear days when I would have loved to have a better camera to do it justice.
      Happy Valentine's Day to you across the sea! xxx

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  9. That carpet of red roses is just stunning and I love the pillow which you made, I have zilch talents!

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    1. I have never seen so many roses all at once, Tabitha, and the effect on the senses was indeed stunning. Pillow says thank you, and is enjoying its one day of fame. Probably will be tucked away and forgotten next week... xx

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  10. Have a lovely Valentine's Day Patricia - wonderful to know that you will be off to Canada visiting the family soon - I bet neither you nor they can hardly wait.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary, and I hope you enjoy a beautiful Valentine's day today. I am thrilled to be planning another trip to see the little family in Ottawa - as well as a northern Springtime. I hope the lilacs and crabapple trees are as spectacular as they were in 2013.

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  11. Happy Valentine's Day, Tricia! You have outdone yourself with such beautiful flowers and countryside! Cute red cardinal and the sweet grandkids. I also adore the heart pillow! Enjoy the day with Mr. C.

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    1. Have a lovely V. day too, Debra. The red cardinal is on the front of my daughter's house, just a reminder where we are headed. Mr C was impressed that I whipped up the heart pillow when he wasn't looking!

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  12. What gorgeous flowers and that view is glorious. No wonder your Dad still loves to be taken to see it. I'm so glad you're making plans to visit Canada again soon. It must be very hard to have those lovely grandsons growing up half a world away.

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    1. We are so lucky the mountain, with tourist cafes, shops, and lovely views, is about 20 minutes from Dad's care facility. It is fairly easy to find something of interest to him, and for us too.
      Meantime, plans for Canada move apace, and I am very excited. I work it that we go before my annual check-up; just to ensure we have already gone if they find any nasties!

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  13. Hi,
    so sorry for being late in wishing you and your blog a Happy Valentine´s Day.
    The amount of flowers is amazing. Tell me, are flowers ( cut ) expensive in Australia, the area you live in?
    You are so kind in taking care of your father, going to places he likes. A hug!
    I try to save and buy flowers seldom, as they last such a short time.
    But if a special occasion, i might splurge.
    It must be difficult, yet exciting to wait for the flight to Canada. I have gathered that you try to meet your daughter at least once a year. Is there any chance of her family moving to Australia?

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  14. Hi Mette, yes, the flowers are quite expensive in our area because they are flown in from southern states or other countries. They also don't last long in our summer. Special occasions only! Dad no longer recognises me as his child, and often thinks I am a paid carer, which is a bit sad. However, it is a pleasure to take him out and he is easily pleased. :)
    You are right, we have tried to see our daughter yearly up until now, but in fact it will be two years since our last trip when we arrive. Too long! It would be nice if they came here to live, but I would be very surprised. The children are being raised and educated as Canadians, with the cutest little accents.

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  15. love love love those pale pink roses....fly my pretty!!

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    1. Pale pink is my favourite!
      I will fly indeed - across the Pacific, over to the land of the Red Cardinals :)

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  16. Happy Valentine to you too! I wish I had seen that wonderful carpet of red roses. I am rather envious of your trip to Canada, and I'm glad you'll be seeing your family again! it must be hard to be away from them.

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    1. The carpet of roses was a once-in-a-lifetime treat, Jenny. Loved it!
      It is two years since we saw our daughter face to face, the longest time yet, so yes, I am looking forward to it very much.

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  17. Happy Valentine to you too! I wish I had seen that wonderful carpet of red roses. I am rather envious of your trip to Canada, and I'm glad you'll be seeing your family again! it must be hard to be away from them.

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