CELEBRATIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS

This is our grand-puppy, HQ, joining in our early Christmas celebration...

HQ opens her own gifts - such a clever girl..

Little Aussie was here, with our two sons and daughters-in-law..

We had Chocolate Crackles - 

from the cake stand outside the Polling Station when we voted on Saturday.

Aussie arranged the Nativity, in his own personal style..

He says the glass cake stand with the angels is Heaven.

And why not?

Mr C decorated a cake.

It is possible it was also my birthday...

It is always good to be given some OPI..

The long hot Summer calls for much wearing of sandals, and pretty toenails.

So Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged.

Good for them.  They seem to be well-suited and will be very popular, I imagine.

Love a Royal wedding - but lots of pressure when your wedding dress will go down in history, constantly re-shown forever and a day.

I hope they are happy and can't wait to see her ring.

Bye for now

XXXX

CELEBRATIONS

Hello there

and Happy Anniversary to HM the Queen and Prince Phillip, who were married 70 years ago today.  Aged just 21, she was a picture in that beautiful lace, embroidered gown and veil.

Thinking of our visit to London in 2016, where we saw the Exhibition of her gowns, including the wedding dress.

It was exquisite:

Google image

Photography was forbidden inside the Palace, but this image is exactly what I saw.  The dress has darkened with age, but the embroidery is wonderful to see.
And I loved her satin slippers.

Still together after 70 years.
What a wonderful achievement for any couple.

And speaking of celebrations...
The small boy formerly known as the Little Bebe has turned Five.
Yes, my youngest grandson is definitely a Big Boy now.

Like all good Canadian boys, he is already learning to play ice hockey, and speaks fluent English and French.

Happy Birthday Young Man!

In a rare moment, the Cardinals went to a Charity Ball.
No longer having a 'gown', I wore my blue caftan...
and added my Queen's copy wattle brooch for a spot of sparkle.
It seemed to work.

Especially as the theme was 'Nautical'

Been years since I had a vodka drink, and thank goodness it was mainly lemonade...

Cute dessert featuring bright blue jelly.
And a pansy.

Do you watch Selling Houses Australia?
or its forerunners from the UK, Selling Houses and Selling Houses Abroad?

If not, turn away now, because this will be very boring.

The host Andrew Winter now lives in Australia, in fact at the Gold Coast, south of Brisbane.  And as well as his several TV shows, he does the speaker's circuit.

He is really very nice, and exactly the same in reality as he is in the show.
And he does a highly entertaining version of his career which had the audience rapt for over an hour.

No, I did not ask for an autograph.  Those days are gone...

Going well with your Christmas prep?

Fun combining it with travel plans, is it not?

Happy week

XXXX     

SILVER FERNS AND OTHER SHINY THINGS

Joachim Matthias Wendt [1830-1917]:  Silver Emu Egg Inkstand c. 1870

Hello

A few weeks ago we attended a function at a nearby regional Art Gallery.

On display was their new acquisition, something from Australia's Colonial history.. 

A Silver Inkstand built around the egg of an emu, a large, flightless Australian bird.

Born in Germany, and apprenticed to a watchmaker, Wendt become an accomplished silversmith.  He migrated to Adelaide in 1854 and set up a business which continues to this day.  He received many important commissions and specialised in pieces such as this, extravagant naturalistic creations featuring Australian flora and fauna.

Kangaroos and emus can be seen both within the egg and on the stand below, beneath silvery Australian tree-ferns.  

On top of the egg is one of our old favourites, the sulphur crested cockatoo:

Here are a few more examples of this genre, found on Google:

Emus often feature, as do the silvery fern trees.
I have always loved these old pieces, and they can be seen in most State Galleries around Australia.

We are enjoying a few days of unseasonal cool weather -
and I love it.

Thinking of snow...

and the odd maple leaf....

The agapanthus are doing fine, thank you.
This is the first time I have seen one which has branched off in this way -
so unusual..

and there has been a good flush of roses, thanks to recent rains.

If you are a crafty person, do you have a few UFO's (unfinished objects) about the house?

I commenced this red bird quilt about ten years ago, finished most of the blocks, put it aside and forgot it.

Found it during a burst of decluttering, put aside a few hours and have most of it joined, and a couple more blocks nearly finished.  Borders, wadding and binding, and it will become somebody's Christmas gift.

I have been singing with my new Ladies Choir, doing some performances for Aged Care homes and community groups.
It is so rewarding, and enjoyable to sing some good Christmas carols too.

Take care...

XXXX