It is 37C this afternoon, and I for one am embracing a snowy woodland theme for our Christmas tree. Whatever it takes to cool our fevered brows...
The Canadians brought me this superb blue jay tree decoration, and he looks like he has taken control of the situation:
Canadian grandsons one and two have been busy decorating the tree...
This Native American soft leather angel was found in Santa Fe, New Mexico back in 2006, and I love to bring her out each Christmas.
The boys have celebrated their birthdays here:
A Koala cake seemed mandatory..
along with that old Australian favourite, chocolate frog in a jelly pond:
That's Little Aussie lining up for his cool treat...
Canadian No 2, formerly known as the Little Bebe, has turned four and loves cars and machines of all kinds.
Our gifted daughter made both the cakes, as she does each year.
In other news, my lovely Choir for Ladies of a Certain Age, has disbanded, our last concerts being held a few days ago.
Our much-loved conductor has relocated internationally to pursue his career.
We were all sad.
There may have been a few tears...
Most of us will be joining new choirs in 2017.
Now what is going on with Blogger?
There appear to have been some changes made, or is it just me...
I don't see the point of seeing a list of all my draft posts when I go to the Dashboard. Much preferred to start the day with my Reading List, instead of having to fiddle around on my phone to find it.
It even takes me a while to find how to begin a new post.
Those of you who use Blogger, what do you think of it?
How are you going with your Christmas plans, decor, gifting, rehearsals...
Stay calm, and enjoy the ride.
XXXX
There may have been a few tears...
Most of us will be joining new choirs in 2017.
Now what is going on with Blogger?
There appear to have been some changes made, or is it just me...
I don't see the point of seeing a list of all my draft posts when I go to the Dashboard. Much preferred to start the day with my Reading List, instead of having to fiddle around on my phone to find it.
It even takes me a while to find how to begin a new post.
Those of you who use Blogger, what do you think of it?
 |
| 'Santa' by talented grandson, C1. |
How are you going with your Christmas plans, decor, gifting, rehearsals...
Stay calm, and enjoy the ride.
XXXX
Blogger has changed things...I am not sure that I love the new style but hey I can learn something new, so I must just press on.
ReplyDeleteWe have a chilly 2 degrees this morning and snow has carpeted the ground. Love the koala cake and your tree is looking very festive!
Sorry to hear that your choir has disbanded but as you mention there are other ones that you may join in the new year.
Take care Patricia
Yes, press on, that is the trick. I won't let them put me off! It is nice to think you have a carpet of snow, which makes everything look so beautiful. Hoping to catch some snow in Canada in late 2017. It was sad having our choir disband, but musical life goes on, and a new choir = new friends.
DeleteYour tree looks gorgeous, the squirrel and the blue jay are my favorites. The Koala cake so beautiful and certainly delicious, but then I see the chocolate frog in the jelly pond, never heard of it before but it must be fun and a treat for the grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Janneke
Hello Janneke, I am pleased the blue jay has fans already. The chocolate frogs are an old favourite confectionary in Australia, and putting them in jelly has been going on since I was a little girl.
DeleteNo, I find it a nuisance having to mess around to find my reading list. They never fix the things that are really wrong with Blogger, like the tendency to add lots of junky html to posts which eventually starts changing colours, sizes, layout, etc. Your daughter is very gifted and the cakes are wonderful. Frog in a pond, well, that's a good idea! never heard of it.
ReplyDeleteThe blue jay certainly dominates the tree! What a lovely ornament.
So true, Jenny, Blogger never work on the things that really bother us, or ask our opinion for that matter. I love seeing our daughter's cakes, some of them coming from an old Australian recipe book of children's cakes. I have a photo from over 30 years ago of the same koala cake!
DeleteLove your photos of your Christmas decorations and the cakes are lovely!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I don't like the blogger changes...they happened at the same time I had to get a new computer, so I have double troubles! :-)
Oh yes, double trouble for you Kay. I have not even moved on to Windows 10. I wish they would stop changing things every year, which probably makes me a Luddite, he he. Glad you enjoyed the pics and the cakes.
DeleteWow, December is busy in your family with birthdays and Christmas! I love your daughter's professionally decorated cakes. Lucky young boys! I bet they were delicious.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to get busy decorating on my side of the pond!
Cheers, my friend,
Debbie
Yes, very busy at this house Debbie. I love those cakes too. The koala fur is made from dessicated coconut mixed with cocoa powder, very effective. I'm sure the Christmas decorating is happening in New York as we speak!
DeleteA snowy woodland theme is a great idea, Patricia. May it cool you down every time you sit near the tree. :) I love that koala cake, how cute. I will have to bookmark this post and try making my own from your photo sometime. I hope you're having a good week so far.
ReplyDeleteIt does cool us down, Jennifer, possibly because the air-con is situated above the tree :)
DeleteThe cake is easy to make, just butter cakes cut into the shapes, and dessicated coconut mixed with cocoa powder. The snout is a chocolate cookie. Yes, good times here, despite the heat and I hope you are enjoying the festive season too.
Dislike blogger changes! Your tree looks beautiful and I love your special ornaments. Very cute cakes for your birthday boys. Sad about your choir....hope you enjoy your new group. Very talented young artist there xx
ReplyDeleteBah Humbug to the Blogger changes!
DeleteYes, it is sad when a group you love disbands, and we are all checking out various choirs around the city. We have some plans to meet for lunch now and then, to stay in touch. Boy C1 is Very Talented in the art department, maybe he will grow up and draw wonderfully like you Michelle. xx
I am enjoying the children's cakes all over again watching my children make them. Little Aussie's Dad is quite a talent at the birthday cakes too. It sounds like I'd better stop trying to blog on the phone.
ReplyDeleteOh Patricia...you must be so enjoying this visit!! ANd to celebrate 2 birthdays is very special...
ReplyDeleteLove your Blue Jay ornament...have you got a Cardinal??
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Oh, yes, I have many cardinals Linda. And quite a few of them came from Canada. Some years I do a small tree with nothing but red birds on it. Because there are children in the house I have restrained myself this year. Everything is child-proof!
DeleteMerry Christmas to you 🎄✨🎄
DeleteIt seems blogger is always changing things around. I wish they would leave well enough alone. It's hard to keep up, isn't it? Love your woodland tree, Patricia. You can really see the blue jay on it, so bright and pretty. That Koala cake is something else. I bet the boys really liked that. I smiled when I saw the Santa drawing that your grandson made. There is something so special about a child's drawing or painting - their imagination says it all.
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri
Hello Sheri, Yes, hard to keep up with Blogger, and I never understand their messages anyway. I am always relieved that I can still find the blog! Children's drawings are so heart-warming; I think I might ask him to draw me a Nativity. That should be lovely :)
DeleteWhat fun to see some of your celebrations. Amazing cakes. The chocolate frog in his jelly made me laugh. Fun to look at but not sure how that combo would taste. Hope you find a new choir group that you enjoy.
ReplyDeleteAh, jelly and a chocolate frog is very much a children's thing - I remember my mother making it for my birthday. The chocolate frogs are a traditional chocolate treat in Australia. I have been to a concert by another local choir, and they seem friendly and have a high standard. A new adventure!
DeleteBeautiful decorations and lots of fun going on at your house! Wonderful!! Hope all the birthdays were great fun, love the idea of the frog in the pond. As for blogger, no problem for me because I write posts on my laptop and read blogs via bloglovin, but I can see why it is irritating! Hope you get used to it and don't stop blogging!!
ReplyDeleteHello Amy, No I won't stop blogging until they make it impossible for me to understand...or they shut me out or something.
DeleteLots of fun in our house, very different from normal to have little voices echoing through the place. They are busy doing craft today. Excellent idea, should be encouraged.
I haven't heard of the frog in jelly treat - must be more a tradition in your part of the world. In South Australia, we had frog cakes, which I suppose is a similar idea! You must be having a wonderful time, even if it is rather warm! Stay cool and enjoy - the birds and tree looks lovely. And as for sewing, I think enjoying time with your family and grandchildren is much more important and special. Sewing will be there in January.
ReplyDeleteThose old Freddo frogs have been around a long time. My mother made the cake one for me on one birthday - so clever to have the jelly inserted on top of the cake.
DeleteLots of good things happening, and lots of air-conditioning going on up here in Brisbane.
A chocolate frog in a jelly pond should be everyone's favorite.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Absolutely! In Australia the old Freddo chocolate frog is used. Wonder if other countries have an equivalent? xo
Delete