Friday, December 2, 2016

HAPPY TIMES


Yes, the little Canadians and our DD have arrived for birthdays and Christmas.
Life in the Cardinal Nest is full of excitement and the happy sounds of children...


We have been decorating the tree...


playing in the pool..


visiting the Muttaburrasaurus at Queensland Museum...


and going to the zoo to meet Australian animals...


I had the best birthday, with the whole family here in our home for the first time in years..


went out for High Tea..


and partied at home.
Mr C gave me red roses...and they are still going well despite the heat..


New linen party dress..

Sewing Sisters Christmas lunch by Delightful D.
The Sewing Sisters met for Christmas lunch..


Secret Santa has been busy...


Our daughter is very happy that the Jacarandas are still in bloom in our local area.  We love their purple gorgeousness!



Absurdly high temperatures of 41c have been threatened forecast...

Thankfully, so far it has not happened.

However, we are all in summer gear, and our visiting daughter has adopted the casual Queensland uniform of lots of white, bare legs and sandals.
It really is the only way to cope...

Have a great weekend, and keep cool..

XXXX






23 comments:

  1. It looks like heaven, with every single thing necessary to make one happy! (maybe not the 41 temperatures, but then they might not happen I guess!) :)

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    1. Hello Jenny, our home is certainly in celebratory mood, festooned in Christmas and birthday colour, and the excited chattering of little children. And air-conditioning...

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  2. Oh I can just feel your happiness seeing this post!
    Enjoy your Canadian visitors!!!
    XO

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    1. Thank you Hostess. I love being out in public with the little boys and their cute accents, so different from the Australian voices in our city. They bring smiles wherever we go :)

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  3. What a beautiful party girl you look in your special dress - I can just imagine how overflowing with joy and love you must be feeling to have all of your family around you

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    1. Thank you Rosemary. My daughter called it a Marilyn dress - it definitely has a 50s vibe, I must agree. Our home certainly is different right now, with the happiness of small children evident everywhere. I even love the messy living room, acting as a temporary play room.

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  4. Just lovely, Patricia! I would give quite a lot to swap with you for a short while during the winter. I love the dress too! What a pleasure to have the little ones around. It gives you an excuse to play too :)

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    1. Hello Val, a quick swap would be nice, wouldn't it? I would like a few days where it is cold/wet, just to cool off! It is a different house here, toys everywhere, craft activities, story books...

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  5. I'm so happy for you that you are in the midst of this wonderful family time. I'm sure many happy memories are being added to daily. Thanks for touching in and letting us know you're having such a lovely time!

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    1. Lots of fun times Kristie. Usually I forget to take photos when things are happening - maybe by the time they leave I will be an expert...

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  6. Oh happy days my Friend! So happy everyone is there safe and sound. Looks like lots of fun and merriment all the way around! And I LOVE your party dress. So pretty!!
    Blessings on your weekend Trish - and all the fun yet ahead! :) xoxo

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    1. Thank you Carrie, it was a great relief to see them walk out at the airport - such a long, long trip for a Mum and two little boys. Party dress says hello :)
      xo

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  7. Happy Birthday! Glad you have been having great times!!

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    1. Thank you dear Amy - fun times are very welcome, after some hard times this past year. Little boy is smiling at me, as we speak :)

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  8. Thank you dear Val, pink rose dress sends its regards. It will be a firm favourite this Summer. Happy Sunday!

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  9. Trish, I enjoy reading about your summer Christmas! I love your festive, bright and cheery decorations. I am sure your daughter misses her homeland very much! I can't imagine what she thought of Canada when she first arrived.

    And like me you are a summer birthday gal, only on different hemispheres.:) Had you grown up in the USA or Canada, you would have celebrated your birthday, as well as Christmas in the winter.

    I'm glad you are creating memories with the entire family this year! Carry on and enjoy!

    Debbie

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    1. Hi Debbie, so you are a summer birthday gal too - cool champagne by a barbeque, or party at the beach??
      Our daughter is feeling the heat, it has been years since she was here at the height of Summer. But we are having fun, and using the air-con quite a lot. Yes, creating memories, and I can't wait for Christmas.

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  10. Hello Patricia,
    I found you through Amalia's blog and just wanted to say HI and peek into your world! Have a lovely day ahead!

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    1. Welcome to my blog Maya, and Hi to you too. Do you have a blog?

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  11. The Queensland Museum sounds interesting and fun. I'm glad you had all your family there for your Birthday, Patricia. The red roses are a perfect gift from your husband. Your new dress looks lovely on you. And I see you found a Cardinal pot holder, that's so cute.

    Wishing you wonderful days leading up to Christmas.

    love, ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you Sheri - and not only a pot holder, I have a matching towel :)
      Good wishes to you too, as you enjoy the festive decorating and festive times.

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  12. I'm so delighted for you. Having family together is so special. You look lovely in your new linen dress and those red roses from your true love are the frosting on the cake - so to speak.

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    1. Oh, I'll have to tell Mr Cardinal he gave me the frosting on the cake - he will love that!
      It is 37C here today, too hot even for a cool linen dress. I've been looking at snow scenes on Instagram...

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