Monday, March 28, 2016

TO PINK OR NOT TO PINK


The festival that is Easter has ended with a flourish at the Red Cardinal nest.


I made an eggstravaganza of an Easter cake for my sisters..

Yes, Reader, we have eaten half of it.  


Her Majesty looked cheerful in Easter yellow for church on Easter Sunday..


I went off to sing at church in my version of Style Arc pattern's Hedy Designer dress.
Cheap and cheerful, rayon fabric from Spotlight.
It is lovely and cool to wear - as it is still rather hot round hereabouts.


 I've packed away all the faux bunnies, eggs, chickens et al..


done a spot of rearranging..


Decided to denude the house of everything pink..


found some old silver and polished it up, plus applied some glass.

Old seventies wine carafe - those were the days


Removing the pink is harder than you'd think.
That is all I can say.


It has been an unusual Easter for us.
We have seen lots of family, happily.
There is also some ill-health about, which is sad and stressful.
We visited my father, who is deteriorating considerably.
I pray that his suffering will be soothed, whichever way God wishes.


There is really nothing else that one can do.


Have a beautiful week.

XXXX

41 comments:

  1. No pink? That wouldn't be a problem in my house. Don't ask me to go no blue though. My cupboards would be bare. Giggled to see that old glass wine carafe, I'm sure we had one. Maybe still have one packed away somewhere.

    Best to you and your loved ones Patricia

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    1. Aha, I suspected you were a blue girl through and through Darla :)
      So funny how the wine fashions change. We used to do the thing with the candles in the chianti bottles too.

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  2. Bless your dear ole dad, Particia.

    Love you silver, shells and glass vessels, and you made a lovely and very wearable dress. I can't wait to wear sandals. It was not warm enough here for sandals or a dress on Easter.

    The color pink, of course! You can always return the pink to your decor at a later date. Change is good too.

    I wasn't ambition enough to make a cake for Easter. I went simplier with a one pan banana pudding, which I brought over to a friend. So I didn't have to cook either yesterday. :)

    I don't know if everyone is like me. I tend to make cakes in summer. Stews and savory dishes; regular bread and corn bread in cold weather.

    Enjoy the fall, which is almost upon you.

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    1. Easter was early this year, so not quite time for sandals for you, or closed shoes for me!
      I like the sound of banana pudding - you'll have to give us the recipe some time... Mmmmm, corn bread..Yum :)

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    2. I'm happy to share the banana pudding recipe: http://thesavvvyshopper.blogspot.com/2013/05/banana-pudding.html.

      Sometimes a successful recipe becomes a blog entry on The Savvy Shopper, so when I want to make it again, I can look it up myself. :)

      Here's the corn bread recipe: http://thesavvvyshopper.blogspot.com/2013/03/hearty-split-pea-soup-and-cornbread-for.html.

      You know, I see a pattern to my recipes: one pan, easy. :)

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  3. Your cake is so pretty. I bet it was delicious too. I really love your dress. You look great wearing it and it came out beautifully! Well done. My prayers and positive thoughts are with your dad. I hope you have a good week, Patricia.

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    1. It was a marble cake, which seemed about right for Easter. I think we need to freeze the rest of us or we will have post-Easter weight to get rid of.
      Thank you for your thoughts for my Dad. Not an easy time for him. Have a happy week Jennifer.

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  4. Now what has made you change for mind about pink Patricia or is it that you just feel like a change?
    Your cake looks so delicious - I bet it was a great hit with everyone.
    I have been wondering about your father - it must be very distressing for you all at the moment.

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    1. In a word, India Hicks Designs. I have been looking at her tropical decor, so easy when we throw palm fronds into our green bin all the time! Somehow I think the pink will remain lurking around though, as I am so drawn to colour.
      It is difficult to know if my father's end stage dementia is also end of life, or not. We had a very confronting visit on Sunday, which is challenging. And part of life, too.

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  5. You only ate 1/2 of the cake? Get crackin'!
    Glad you enjoyed Easter...sad news about your Dad...take care...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. OK, will get crackin' on that cake, he he
      yes, not good times with Dad for Easter - he didn't know what the Easter egg was...
      Cheers to you too Linda.

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  6. Your Easter cake looks amazing!
    I am praying for your Dad, that he will have peace and comfort.

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    1. I always wanted to make a cake that looked like that - and now I have. Not very healthy, but delicious for a special feast. Thank you for your prayers. Peace is so important; it is hard to see him looking so distressed.

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  7. Hi Valerie, Great minds think alike, and I'm sure you will do something amazing with Hedy. I know many people go through the aged parent thing, but it can be heavy going. Thank you.

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  8. Life is such a mix of wonderful and difficult things. I'm sorry your dad has taken a turn for the worse. Your Easter cake looks wonderful. I'm not surprised so much has been eaten already!

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    1. So true Kristie, so true. One finds the joy in the little things. I always wanted to do a mad cake like that. Happy Easter in retrospect!

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  9. Oh Patricia, this post came at a strange time because you are going OUT with the Pink, and I am coming IN with the Pink. I'm really into this color lately, and just bought a comforter with Pink roses. This Easter cake looks amazing with all the goodies on top. Seeing your father age must be a hard thing for you, but you had him for so long. I lost my dad when I was only 28, so you can still enjoy this time with him. Thinking of you today and sending a big hug, Patricia.

    love, ~Sheri

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    1. I have managed to reduce the pink, but somehow I don't think it will all disappear :)
      Good for you, going with the prettiest colour of all.
      Oh, that is sad, losing your Dad at that young age. We know we are so fortunate to have our father at the age of 95!

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  10. Pink is a colour I enjoy in strict moderation, Patricia, preferably at the coral rather than sugar pink end of the spectrum. I love your muted silver and white ornaments.

    I too have been wondering how your father is. It must be very hard to have to deal with the personality and mood changes that so often accompany dementia as it worsens. We've seen this in our own family as my mother-in-law's younger sister has just had to go into residential care because her husband can no longer cope with her severe dementia.

    Thinking of you all. xx

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    1. So sorry to hear about your relative who had to go into care - I know how hard it is for the partner who tries to cope, while the situation gets more and more difficult. We have been beset by changes of staff at Dad's care facility, which has a big and negative impact on him. Consistency is everything when the memory is almost nil. Thank you for thinking of us.

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  11. The queen looks happy. Must have caught sight of your cake.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Ha, it is the Queen of Cakes!
      Welcome to my blog.

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  12. Hello, hello!
    One never knows what to find in your blog! So many pictures, news. Never a dull moment.
    The change of a season is the perfect time to rearrange ones home, wardrobe.
    Four times a year ( up here in the north ), to make a " new start ". We all need a new start every now and then.
    So sorry about your dad too.
    Thinking about you :)/m

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    1. Hello Mette, Yes, change of season does have that effect on us. I am trying hard to declutter, turn over a new leaf, and all of that. Daughter is coming to visit late in the year, must be prepared for them.
      Thank you re Dad; every week a new difficulty it seems. He did have a good day last Thursday, even went out for coffee. It certainly varies. :)

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  13. Oh that's sad news about your dear father and I know how it affects us.
    You're right about putting his care into the Lords hands.
    Easter looked and sounded just lovely in your house Patricia.
    A very smart Easter dress for Easter Sunday Mass and being in the choir is special at that time.
    I missed seeing the Queen - she look delightful in her Spring outfit - she is amazing!

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    1. Thank you Shane, it is a bit of turmoil these days re the old father. My head gets in a spin with it all.
      I loved my new Easter dress, easy to wear. Perhaps I need to go out to high tea now?
      Isn't the Queen amazing - looking forward to her birthday celebrations. I'd have loved to see the TV special but it hasn't been free to air here (yet)! x

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  14. Sorry to hear about your dad's failing health. It's a tough act to achieve during this time. I felt like I was leading a double life when my mom was ill. You chat with friends and go about your daily business, but then you visit them you're drawn into this completely other world. Keep strong Patricia, you know God will welcome him just at the right time.

    You look lovely in the new dress, and your Easter cake looks amazing. Have a wonderful week ... maybe a bit of our snow will help cool you down? And yes, that was a cardinal in my yard. I have a very sweet pair visiting my feeders, so I make sure there are always sunflower seeds there for them (their favourite).

    Wendy x

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    1. Thank you Wendy, I know the double life thing very well. We went through it with my late MIL too - very draining on all. Lucky you, a sweet cardinal, and what fun they eat sunflower seeds, the very same diet I feed our pretty lorikeets :) x

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  15. Beautiful Easter Cake! Sorry to hear about your dad.
    Hugs,
    Jody

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  16. What a beautiful cake! i wish you'd offered some to me :)

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    1. Hello Jenny, would gladly send a piece of the cake, but alas, we threw out the last of it, on the basis of expanding waistlines!

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  17. I am sorry though to hear about your dad, I hope things go as you would wish for him.

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    1. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Wondering how he will be this week :)

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  19. I love your posts for all the elegance that you surround yourself with, Patricia, but I am genuinely sad to hear about your dad. He's become quite a known figure through your blog here, and I had hoped he would go on forever, bless him. Wishing you all lots of strength in caring for him. xxx

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    1. Thank you Val, love the idea of elegance in the blog :)
      Thank you re Dad. It does rather seem he will go on forever, but in a different mode. We are struggling to adjust to the 'new Dad', but where there is life there is hope.

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  20. Sorry so late catching up my Friend. That Easter cake was a masterpiece! ;) And your dress was beautiful!!

    Sorry to hear about your Dad. Prayers and best wishes sent your way my Friend. Blessings to you All. xoxo

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    1. Hi Carrie B, I was in a bit of pink heaven for Easter, but No More! On with the tropical look.
      Appreciate your prayers and wishes, thank you. xox

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  21. Sometimes you just need a good old rearrange! That cake looked delish. You and yours are in my prayers as you know...hugs xxx

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    1. I'm still at it! Maybe it is a stress reliever??
      The swan is now under the glass cloche: I do amuse myself he he
      Thank you for your thoughs, hugs back to you xxx

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