Monday, April 20, 2015

AUTUMN THOUGHTS


My mother used to say a pink sky at sunset means a cool morning to follow...


Hope so - thanks Mum!




My antique pansies are showing some delicious Autumn tones..


and we have thousands of these orange berries on a tree  
some call Sheena's Gold - I am not sure if that is its real name.
It has blue flowers also.


In a triumph of hope over experience, I bought some potted tulips at Coles.
Tulips are not something grown in the tropics, but I am undeterred.
After they flower, I will plant them in the 'cold' garden at the back of the house.
It gets only morning sun, and is cool enough to occasionally produce a daffodil, much to my delight.
Why not tulips?


Little Aussie came to visit yesterday.
He is getting So Tall, and is such fun to be with. 
 We love that he loves visiting us...


Aussie remains crazy for Star Wars, so we watched part of the original trilogy..
Naturally, we played lego...


But, now we really know he is growing up -
the first thing he put together was 'A resort!'



I took these pictures of Lilacs in Canada in 2013..


Isn't it beautiful?
And the scent is divine...


Long-term readers know I sing with the Choir for Ladies of a Certain Age..
Last week we rehearsed the old war-time song: We'll Gather Lilacs:
sweet and sentimental, but so retro, it has to be back in vogue...


Won't be long now, and I'll be gathering lilacs in the Spring again too...

Have a lovely week.

XXXX







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30 comments:

  1. valerietilsten59.blogspot.comApril 20, 2015 at 4:17 AM

    A lovely post Patricia.
    We'll gather lilacs in the spring.. i love that song.
    The photos of the lilacs in Canada are stunning.. I would love to see them here..must find out if they can support the heat.
    Little Aussie, has really grown. Amazing how the time passes.
    wishing you a happy Monday..
    Val xx

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    1. PatriciaApril 20, 2015 at 4:21 AM

      Thank you Val. I don't think lilacs like the heat very much - I have never seen them in Queensland! I'm glad you know that song too - it is really nice to sing. Happy Monday Val xx

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  2. RosemaryApril 20, 2015 at 6:36 AM

    My mother's quote was 'red sky at night shepherds delight - red sky in the morning shepherds warning'.
    Soon you will be jetting off across the world again, and I am sure you will find that not only the lilac blossom is waiting there for your arrival!

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    1. PatriciaApril 20, 2015 at 3:15 PM

      Ah yes, I have heard that quote too, Rosemary. I wonder how old they are, these words of wisdom handed down.
      Yes, soon we are off for the northern spring, and much excitement awaits!

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  3. HelvaApril 20, 2015 at 8:02 AM

    'We'll gather Lilacs' is one of the songs from Ivor Novello's musical 'Perchance to Dream', if I remember rightly, and I saw it, with Ivor himself in the leading rôle, in about 1947 when I was 8, at the King's Theatre in Southsea (Hampshire) - and got his autograph and those of most of the cast. Sadly the autograph book has disappeared over the course of many moves, but I remember the occasion vividly!
    Love your flowers - good luck with the tulips.

    All good wishes from mid-Wales, Helva

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    1. PatriciaApril 20, 2015 at 3:13 PM

      What a wonderful memory to have, Helva. Yes, 'Perchance to Dream' is noted on my sheet music, but with my scant knowledge of Ivor Novello, I never knew he also performed on the stage as well. Fantastic that you not only saw him, but got his autograph too. Thank you for your comment, and best wishes to you.

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  4. DarlaApril 20, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    Catching up with you. Those are the prettiest pansies. I am happy to see Little Aussie visiting. I'm sure you had a really good time with him. Like your pink sweater and new hat in the previous post as well.

    Darla

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    1. PatriciaApril 20, 2015 at 3:18 PM

      Hi Darla, the Antique pansies are very appealing; I hope they manage to stay alive when we leave them to fend for themselves for a few weeks. Aussie is such fun now he is older, and communicates really well. It is a cool morning, and the pink sweater is about to have its first expedition today!

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  5. Red Rose AlleyApril 20, 2015 at 10:09 AM

    I don't think I've seen any lilac bushes as pretty as these, Patricia. I didn't realize how sweet they are, and the shape of them - they are like pretty clusters of purple flowers. Oh, and I love the scent too. It's so nice that you got to visit with Aussie on Sunday. And those pink and purple skies are beautiful. When I am leaving my neighborhood (they are still building so there are big open spaces), I see these pink skies and they just amaze me every time.

    Enjoy your week, Patricia......and your Autumn. :~)

    ~Sheri

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    1. PatriciaApril 20, 2015 at 3:19 PM

      Sheri, the lilacs are breath-taking if you have never seen them before! They made my daily walk so wonderful - I could walk all day! Enjoying the Autumn very much - and then we switch to Spring. What fun :) x

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  6. Linda KayApril 20, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    I really do miss the lilacs that bloomed in our yard in Illinois. The fragrance was wonderful. Looks like you had fun with Little Aussie.

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    1. PatriciaApril 20, 2015 at 3:21 PM

      Hi Linda Kay, yes, I can imagine there would be lilacs in Illinois being a much colder climate. As you say, the fragrance is wonderful and I remember it so well. Always fun with the grandson :)

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  7. Michelle RidgwayApril 20, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    A lovely post Trish. Star Wars and Lego are big at our place too. I loved seeing the Lilacs in their natural setting. I have never seen them before only in a pretty vase. Aren't your antique pansies beautiful xx

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    1. PatriciaApril 20, 2015 at 3:22 PM

      It is flower season round here, Michelle. I am excited by the antique pansies, and want to find more of them. We know we will never see lilacs in bloom anywhere in Brisbane :)
      xx

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  8. MassimoApril 21, 2015 at 12:03 AM

    Hallo Patricia,
    there is autumn, while here the spring is now magic ! we leave in a beautiful world. I love the red sky .. we say in Italy: red sky in the evening, nice morning the day after ... saluti

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    1. PatriciaApril 21, 2015 at 3:39 AM

      Hi Massimo, I'm sure spring is indeed magic in beautiful Italy. And you also have a saying about the red sky at evening - things the same the world over! Saluti

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  9. kristieinbcApril 21, 2015 at 3:42 AM

    My mom's expression is similar to Rosemary's mom's. "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning."

    I'm currently in Chicago visiting my brother and have seen several red cardinals. I thought of you right away, Patricia!

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  10. PatriciaApril 21, 2015 at 4:16 AM

    Another mother who knows her red skies, Kristie. It is all very reassuring, somehow :)
    Exciting the red cardinals are about. Now if you could just tell them to go further east, follow the Great Lakes up to Ottawa, and I'll meet them there...

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  11. Jennifer HaysApril 21, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    I just love lilacs. That is a very impressive bush! I hope it's getting cooler there now. I think the pink sky must be a promising sign!

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    1. PatriciaApril 22, 2015 at 12:52 AM

      I hope I can find that impressive lilac once again, Jennifer. Yes, it became cooler here yesterday, very suddenly, a cold winter day! What happened to our Fall? I think we all agree, pink skies are special :)

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  12. Debra TurnerApril 21, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    Oh well, Tricia, you'll just have to come here for the next six months where it's spring. Lovely lalics and pansies. Pansies remind me of my mother's next door neighbor, who all during my childhood planted purple, yellow and pink ones.

    I have never seen such a pink sky. It's lovely!

    Grandparents and grandchildren are good for one another! Enjoy! They grow up too fast!!

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    1. PatriciaApril 22, 2015 at 12:54 AM

      Looking forward to the lilacs and pansies, both gorgeous old-fashioned flowers. Grandchildren do grow up too fast - can't believe our two eldest grandsons are learning to read, write, and speak French!!

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  13. LindaApril 21, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    Lovely photos, Patricia!
    I think the Lilacs will be here for you....
    It is darn cold again!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. PatriciaApril 22, 2015 at 12:55 AM

      Cold again, hmmmm. Guess I can bring my nice navy cashmere coat? Maybe my cord jeans, too. Cheers Linda xx

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  14. KathyApril 23, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    Those are the prettiest pansies i think I've ever seen, Patricia. I must look for some over here. I too love lilac and am happy for you that you'll be in Canada for lilac time. As for the red skies saying, the version I grew up with was 'Red sky at morning, shepherd's warning, red sky at night, shepherd's delight.' There's truth behind it too. :)

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    1. PatriciaApril 24, 2015 at 3:04 AM

      Thank you Perpetua, the Antique pansies are really pretty. I will be looking for more of them. I think I have heard your complete version of the red sky saying, and it seems most of us have heard some variation on the theme.

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  15. PatriciaApril 24, 2015 at 3:05 AM

    Thank you Valerie. Suitcases came out today...
    Now you mention it, little Aussie shows a lot of creative flair - you could be right!

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  16. Jenny WoolfApril 25, 2015 at 3:04 PM

    We say "Red sky at night, shepherd's delight, red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning." The idea being that shepherds prefer the weather to be nice since they are out in it all day! I think your antique pansies are absolutely beautiful. And how strange to think of Little Aussie starting to seem tall, I have been following his doings at your place since he was just a tot!

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    1. PatriciaApril 25, 2015 at 4:46 PM

      Ah, I have heard that quote too, Jenny. There are many variations on this theme, aren't there. Antique pansies say thank you, and as for Little Aussie, he has no business growing up. I want him to remain a tot forever!

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  17. Obat VimaxMay 17, 2015 at 9:52 AM

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    ReplyDelete

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