Hello
Life is all go here at the Red Cardinal nest....
We have been weeding, pruning, chopping, and tidying the edges - because...
The Canadians are coming!
Here they are on a recent visit to Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm for a pancake lunch in the sugar bush (maple syrup plantation).
And where they enjoyed a two-horse open sleigh ride.
So how do you think they will like our heat?
It was 35c here today :)
Don't think we are not prepared.
We bought another set of snake repellents from Bunnings.
There are four of them placed around the garden, emitting a shrill vibrating signal every minute (and not all at the same time).
Apologies have been made to the neighbours.
Apologies have been made to the neighbours.
Little Aussie is very snake-aware, but the Canadians are not used to our harsh land, and are not so prepared for an encounter..
Mr Red Cardinal has sprung into action, taking several loads of prunings to the dump. Cleaning out the undergrowth is key.
The recent rains after the prolonged drought has seen rampant growth in everyone's gardens.
Sitting quietly in the early morning, waiting for me to put out the seed for the lorikeets, so they can steal it...
Peace rose has bloomed again - goody..
A misty early morning view - a few months ago it was all dead and horrid.
What a difference.
This year we are celebrating Beethoven's 250th anniversary - and what better way than to see live performances of as many of his nine symphonies as we can manage.
This year we are celebrating Beethoven's 250th anniversary - and what better way than to see live performances of as many of his nine symphonies as we can manage.
We began with the wonderful Australian Chamber Orchestra (augmented), who performed Symphony No.1 in C major, Op.21, Symphony No.2 in D major, Op.36 and Symphony No.3 in E-flat major, Op.55 "Eroica".
What a fabulous night. The ACO directed by Richard Tognetti is just stunning.
So far I have found and made reservations for Symphonies No. 5, 6 and 9 - and am working on the others.
It may involve a little travel, although sadly not to Vienna, which could fulfill the quota!
I have been having some water-colour painting lessons, after an absence of many years.
Behold my squirrel..
And be good.
XXXX
What a fabulous night. The ACO directed by Richard Tognetti is just stunning.
So far I have found and made reservations for Symphonies No. 5, 6 and 9 - and am working on the others.
It may involve a little travel, although sadly not to Vienna, which could fulfill the quota!
I have been having some water-colour painting lessons, after an absence of many years.
Behold my squirrel..
And be good.
XXXX
Sounds like they are due soon. So exciting to have them visit. Enjoy it all.
ReplyDeleteVery soon :)) So exciting, but fingers crossed the Corona does not spoil things for us all. We are taking them to the coast for a few days.
DeleteThere will be great excitement in your household when you and the Canadian part of the the family all get together again.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed with your painting talent and shall look forward to seeing more.
Enjoy the Beethoven Symphonies that you gave yet to attend. We too have just signed up to our local Music Society for four concerts which are looking forward to attending over the next couple of months.
Thank you Rosemary. I loved painting the squirrel, but as a student, I am following my teacher - and hoping to be able to go it alone eventually! Enjoy your four concerts, music is such a special pleasure for us all. We are counting the sleeps until the Canadians arrive :)
DeleteI love the squirrel painting. I'm sure the Canadians will appreciate the snake repellents. I know I would! I adore Beethoven. How wonderful to be so immersed in his music. His Piano Concerto No. 5 in E♭ major always moves me to tears. You can feel so much emotion in his music. Enjoy your visitors! Xx
ReplyDeleteHi Jen. Let's hope the snake devices work... I love that you also enjoy Beethoven, and, true story, I heard the No 5 concerto on the car radio today. Such a fantastic work. Glad you like my squirrel. xx
DeleteEnjoy your time with your Canadian family. I too have family in Canada and have entertained them here, it is wonderful to catch up with them. I am sure they will appreciate the snake repellants, didn't know about them. Which part are your Canadians from?
ReplyDeleteHello Rosie, and welcome to my blog. Our daughter lives in Ontario with her family - she married a Canadian man 20 years ago. Where are your family located? The snake repellents came from Bunnings, and although not guaranteed, are worth a try. We see a lot of Eastern brown snakes here.
DeletePatricia, sorry about the delay in replying. My Canadian family come from Mervin, SK and from Creston, BC. I am hoping we might get another visit from them as travel for us is becoming less appealing these days.
DeleteOh so glad they can come over for a visit! I'd be so interested in knowing a few snake aware practices. I'm ignorant too!
ReplyDeleteIt will be fun more about their trip over! What a change in weather for them.
Ha, snakes are tricky. All types have different habits and preferences. I could write a post about what I have learnt of the ones which live around here, but I don't think anyone would want to read it....especially with photos!
DeleteCan't wait for those little boys to visit with their Mum :))
How exciting for you all! Counting the sleeps I am sure! Enjoy your concerts. Your Peace rose is so beautiful. I love your squirrel.....well done you!! Watercolor...wow! This control freak here adores it but definitely can't do it lol! So glad you have gone back to it Trish....it is good for the soul xxx
ReplyDeleteYes, so exciting, a bit tense around here as we try to think of everything, ha ha. I love the squirrel too - just a lucky day I think. Some of my efforts are not so flash.. I think I like the watercolour because it goes a bit random and you never know what you will get. xxx
DeleteI always so enjoy visiting here darling! How exciting that the Canadians are visiting! One of life's true highlights!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of seeking out Beethoven's performance's! And your latest watercolor is wonderful! So many talents you have my dear!
Savor and enjoy the visit! Hugs from Southern California! xox
Thank you for visiting, dear Tamera. We are thrilled our family are coming over soon..we are taking time out from our usual activities to spend the time with them.
DeleteThank you for your kind remarks - I hope to improve. Off to my lesson today. Hugs. xox
I did not know you were an artist Patricia!!!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to do water colours...
Yours is fantastic!! and a squirrel! hahaha!!
Sure hope your Canadian Family can make the trip...
Scary business this virus...stay safe!!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Not really an artist, Linda! I used to dabble a bit when I was young, but it has been many years. Am trying to build up my supply of watercolours, and I am enjoying the lessons. So funny we did a squirrel when they are not seen in Australia. At this stage, the family are still coming from Canada, fingers crossed. Indeed a scary business, and we are being mindful what we touch, and are avoiding certain places at the moment. It is spreading rapidly in our city. Cheers, P.
DeleteGrowing every day here too!!😳
DeleteAnd....yes!! You are an artist!!
How wonderful you are going to see your family from Canada, Patricia. It sounds like you are busy cleaning and organizing. I will also have all the family over next weekend for a fundraiser we are attending. The sleigh ride looks so fun. Those white lorikeets are beautiful sitting in your tree, and the peace rose is so lovely. The colors DO look peaceful, don't they? I love the misty morning photo. It's so pretty, it looks like a post card. That's a nice water color of the squirrel. Please keep up with your lessons - you are talented with this.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with your family, Patricia.
~Sheri
Hi Sheri, I hope you have a lovely fundraiser this weekend with your family. Apparently the sleigh ride is only open from February to April - guess we have to time our next Canada trip :) Thank you for saying I am talented - I find it easy with a teacher telling me what to do! Hopefully I will learn to do it by myself eventually ...
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ReplyDeleteHello and blessings to you beautiful Trish! How exciting about your visitors! I would be exactly the same as them - very unaware of all things snake being from the same-ish northwoods as them. Lol It's wonderful how you're thinking of them. 😉
ReplyDeleteYour peace rose is gorgeous. And that misty morning photo looks like a painting! And speaking of painting - do your talents never end? That painting of the squirrel is so good! I think watercolors are so difficult to do well. Sending big hugs your way and wishing you a great week ahead. ❤️
Thank you Carrie, always lovely to hear from you. Our guests have now arrived and are enjoying life in our nest! Xx
DeleteThis is nostalgia. It reminds me of the feeling I had at my place. Though I don’t live there now, reading this has brought back whole lot of memories. We were surrounded by greenery, trees, flowers, birds and of course the crawling creatures. It was my responsibility to clear off extra growth in the garden to prevent snakes from nestling.
ReplyDeleteOh Patricia, let me say it first. I LOVE your squirrel. It's just beautiful! How lovely to have painting lessons. One day, maybe I can do that too. Enjoy your family's visit. As always, I love the different snippets of your world there. It would never occur to me to celebrate Beethoven's anniversary, even though I love his music. Wonderful that you do!
ReplyDeleteThe two-horse open sleigh ride seems to be a unique and wonderful experience. It would have been a great experience to witness the live performance of symphonies. In a Music class in Coimbatore, I happened to be a part of a symphony.
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