Monday, December 7, 2015

A BUSY SEASON


As I just remarked to Mr Red Cardinal, if I don't write another blog post soon, I might just become one of those bloggers who disappear one fine day -
without intending to....


It has been a little bit hectic around here, what with birthdays and Christmas, choir practice and performances, and a crack in the swimming pool.
I know, First World problem...

I made my cheaters Yule log for Mr C's study group.
Purchase a chocolate Swiss roll, cover in chocolate frosting and shards of Cadbury Flake.  Decorate as desired with red berries, greenery, and a Red Bird.


My birthday treat was a Symphony concert featuring a thrilling performance by Violinist Maxim Vengerov of the Sibelius Violin Concerto.  
And the Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique to round out the evening.
Wonderful!


Totally spoiling me, Mr C also gave me a new orchid to add to the collection,


a new lipstick and some nice chunky pretend pearls.


DD in Canada sent me some Monet socks, which are soft and pretty.
And some Eiffel Tower paper clips and a little book of Canadian birds.

Daughter has been busy too - another birthday in her house, as the Big Brother turned six.  He requested a Zombie party...


Unfazed, my talented girl produced a cake,



and some healthy, though gruesome, snacks.
Wish I'd been there too.


But I was having fun back here in Oz, when our other grandson, Little Aussie came for a few days.
As is his wont, he likes to play with my little Christmas village and its illuminated houses..


He insisted I turn off all our house lights -


utilised my Nativity scene, and announced that he had made:


Bethlehem!



The Sewing Sisters gang had a Christmas lunch.
I love this pin-cushion action by the busy bee, D.
I have already entered many pins into the big one.
The little tiny one is perfect for small projects when on the move...


V made this glamorous pink soap, all by herself.
I have no idea how you do that, but it smells Divine.


Secret Santa gave me the sweetest little white jug.  
I love it.  Thank you.


It has been very hot, which is tiring and makes my feet swell.
But the house looks festive and bright, and I might eventually finish the Christmas shopping.


I have been shocked to see the awful floods in the U.K.  
Those poor people, thousands of houses under water.
Thinking of you, Mother England, as my old father always thought of you.

Stay well, and keep Calm for Christmas.

XXXX





29 comments:

  1. Good to see you, Trish....and lovely photos this morning.

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    1. Thank you Linda Kay, and I hope you are enjoying the season over there!

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  2. Lovely post. I can see your girl definitely got your creative talents....cool party, cake and healthy snacks. Your house does look lovely and festive. Stay cool and calm Trish xxx

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    1. Thank you Michelle, isn't is lovely to see our girls doing the creative thing, just like us? I like to sit and gaze at the tree - under the air-con, he he.
      xx

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  3. Well it was lovely to hear from you! I am glad that you didn't disappear, I would have missed you! Good to see all the lovely things you have been up to. Happy Birthday! xx

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    1. Hello dear Amy, glad I didn't disappear too. Sometimes things get just way too busy around here, with things that don't belong to Blogland :)
      Thank you for your kind wishes. xx

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  4. Yes, it has been quite terrible in NW England, as Storm Desmond passes through ... it never ceases to amaze me how people rally round and help each other out when something terrible happens like this.

    I love the look of the food at the Zombie party - bet everyone had fun.

    Happy Birthday.

    ALL the best Jan

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    1. Storm Desmond looks really fierce - not the way I think of England at all, all fairy rain and gentleness.
      I want that Zombie health food too - have to get DD to make it for me!

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  5. Hi Val, doing my bit for the Christmas decor. Unfortunately, that does not tend to include Christmas cooking, or even getting the gifts organised in good time. Off to do that this week. Thank you for the birthday wishes. I should really stop having birthdays ...

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  6. Belated Happy Birthday to all of those associated with or in the family of the Red Bird. We have lots of birthdays just after Christmas. My eldest son is the 29th Dec but he should really have been the beginning of February.
    Cumbria received 3 months worth of rain in 24 hours - it was strange how isolated it was. My friend lives just across the water in southern Scotland and can see Cumbria but they did not receive the extensive rain. I can't imagine how awful it must be to see water coming under your door and seeing the ground floor fill with water destroying all you cherished belongings.
    Your daughter is very creative I would never have thought that slices of meat, bits of pepper, and cream cheese could look gruesome.

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    1. Ah, so you too have birthdays around Christmas, Rosemary. At this time of year, we tend to have two or three parcels en route to Canada all at once!
      How shocking for Cumbria - what an incredible dumping of rain. It reminds me of the great floods here in Brisbane nearly five years ago, when so many had that experience of seeing their homes go under the horrible brown water. So sad for all, and it takes years to recover.
      I don't know where our daughter gets it from - my culinary skills are slight at best :)

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  7. I love your daughers healthy snacks for older brother, and the look on his face. I think his cake was a hit.

    Ah, sweat little Aussie and his Bethlehem.

    Lovely chuncky pearl necklace and earrings. Mr. C is a keeper!

    I notice that althought you are in the middle of summer, your Christmas decorations too are covered in "snow." How that that tradition happen, one wonders. I don't think Mary and Joseph travelled through snow in Bethlehem. The weather most likely was very mild.

    Enjoy the festivities, Tricia,

    Your State-side friend,
    Debbie

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    1. When I was little I remember asking my mother about the snow around Christmas decor, etc. It seems to come from the European Christmas traditions, which feature snow because that is what they have at Christmas. There are a few attempts in Australia to do Australian themed cards, tree baubles etc, which are nice, but somehow the snow idea always wins out. It is just too beautiful to ignore! Of course, I purchased a can or two or spray snow, and when around having fun with it.
      That zombie cake must have been a hit :)

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  8. wow, you HAVE had a busy December so far, Patricia. Now, I noticed the chunky pearls, but I LOVE that pink rose box, it's so pretty. Children enjoy seeing all the lights at Christmas time, how sweet of Aussie for taking pleasure in the Christmas village and its illuminated houses. I've seen this Yule log on your blog before, and it looks so yummy.

    It's good to see you enjoying this wonderful Christmas season, Patricia.

    love, ~Sheri

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    1. Yes, so far, so busy, Sheri. The life of a choral singer is never dull at this time of year. The pink rose box was a gift a few years ago, and I love it too. Aussie has so much fun here, and I let him play with most items (having hidden a few delicate glass ornaments). I always love and enjoy every aspect of Christmas - but it can be tiring! love to you and yours, and enjoy the season Sheri.

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  9. A nice December for you. I am struck with admiration for these healthy zombie snacks. Even though I thought zombies weren't that healthy :D So imaginative and clever. And what a beautiful rose.

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    1. I was a bit taken aback by the zombie theme, but little boys are little boys I suppose. I don't think he really understands the zombie thing very much, just wants to be shocking! I liked the healthy snacks too - good trick. That is one of my favourite roses, and sadly it has found this summer too dry and suddenly has gone 'back to the briar' and begun to throw out little red flowers. It happens to us quite a lot in the hot weather :(

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  10. Patricia, I know just what you mean - I've hardly had time to enjoy my blog or anyone else's since I have been back. And now I am off to Adelaide for a few days...

    Happy Belated Birthday, and I am glad you are out and about enjoying yourself. We won't forget you, I am sure :)

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    1. Off to Adelaide - what a nice city to visit Sarah Liz. I hope the weather is nice for you.
      Thank you for your wishes - I enjoyed the birthday, and everything else last week. This week - I am tired :))

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  11. You have certainly been busy but all the activities sound like fun ones. That cake and the snacks are so clever. Kudos to your talented daughter.

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    1. Thanks Darla, we are always proud of our daughter's creations. She has a lot of fun with her two boys. Fortunately, things have slowed down a bit this week, so I can get on with the Christmas shopping!

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  12. You deserve a special award for showcasing all these lovely crafts, Patricia! I love the pin cushion! So clever! I've forgotten what it was like to be hot in December now. I'd love to revive that feeling! Have a lovely holiday!

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    1. Hello Val, You must fly south for Christmas some year, and have another hot December :)
      Isn't that pin cushion clever - some people are so witty!

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  13. Wow, you really celebrated your birthday in style Patricia! Loved seeing all the cakes and decorations - lots of creativity going on there. After all that excitement I hope you get some downtime before the onslaught of Christmas.

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    1. Hi Wendy, lots of fanciful creativity going on here, and not a lot of housework... Hope for some down time this week, must finish the Christmas shopping!

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  14. It's nice to see another blog post from you, Patricia! I've been negligent on my blog as well, and had the same thought as you. I better write a post or I might just disappear into the blogging ether. It looks like you had a wonderful birthday celebration!

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    1. Hello dear Kristie, sometimes life gets in the way of our blogging, it seems. With our multi-generational families, there is always a lot going on in the background - for both of us! I had a great birthday, as well as a lovely wedding anniversary this week. Enjoy the Christmas season.

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  15. Such fun catching up with you my Friend. I love your genius yule log short cut ideas - complete with cardinal is perfection. ;)

    You have one talented daughter, making such fun treats for the birthday boy. Really cool!

    And how sweet that your Aussie made Bethlehem. Just love that.

    Such beautiful decorations and goodies too. I totally understand about life getting busy and lapsing in the blogging world. No worries dear Friend. I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff this busy season. ;)

    Prayers sent to the U.K. too. xoxo

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    1. Thank you Carrie for your lovely comments. I am enjoying your Christmas preparations too, on your lovely blog. Enjoy the season! xox

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