Christmas is coming, and much has been happening at the Red Cardinal nest.
It has been the wettest Spring in about 100 years...
and the garden loves it.
There have been some Christmas parties:
A gathering on the high deck of GoMA, overlooking the river and the city..
Lunch with the Sewing Sisters...
and a family Christmas party in the Red Cardinal garden when I also had a 'significant' birthday..
I am the eldest of six children, and it is so enjoyable when we all get together occasionally, and this was no exception.
By the magic of the internet, a pretty posy and baking recipe book from our daughter in Canada:
It has rained so much the creeks are up - under this torrent is a walking bridge on my daily route..
Lovely weather for ducks...
The tree is up..
and the little tiny pink tree...
Memories of our trips around the world..
I have some special news:
Following the Government easing of border restrictions, our older son has been able to relocate his family (including our tiny grandsons, the dear little twin boys) and move to Brisbane, where they are now in home quarantine.
We are eagerly looking forward to more special times with the little ones, especially at Christmas.
And are very thankful that this was achieved prior to the arrival of the new Covid variant, Omicron.
Are you engrossed in Christmas preparation?
Tell me everything...
XXXXX
I’m so Happy for you that your Son, his Wife and their little ones will now call Queensland home…. I hope home quarantine has passed quickly for them, and that they’ll get to see more of you once they are released from their quarantine requirements….and your Garden is just gorgeous…dx
ReplyDeleteThat is my hope too - to see more of those dear little guys. Garden says thank you, all due to rain and Mr Red Cardinal :)
DeleteThat's great news about your son and his family living closer, Patricia. All my children live in Calif, so we are not too far away, with my son living in the same town. Your tree is so pretty, and I especially like all the ones you brought home from your travels. They have special meaning and good memories for you. I'm glad you got enough rain to really fill the creek. Lunch with the sewing sisters sounds very nice, and I see some goodies there on the table. Love that mint green tea cup. Your small pink tree is delightful too. Francesca has a small tree in her room, and her and Jess have decorated it with everything PINK.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this special and wonderful Christmas season, Patricia.
~Sheri
Hi Sheri, Family is everything to us, isn't it? So good to see them as much as possible. I do love the Christmas season, with time to enjoy not only the company of good friends, but also the special foods and decorations. And nothing beats a PINK tree!!
DeleteHi Patricia. Happy Birthday! Lovely that your family are home, mine is coming in February Omicron permitting! Next Christmas is going to be one big celebration meanwhile our tree is up and I have made puddings and fruit mince both for this year and next. The cake is next on the list. I douse it regularly in brandy and it keeps very well!!
ReplyDeleteThe rain has certainly been amazing our gully flooded but cleared quickly thankfully. Cheers Lindsey
Hi Lindsey, Thank you, I had a great birthday. So pleased your family is also making it home to Qld. Your are so organised, I have bought the mixed fruit, but have gone no further. Brandy for the cake is essential! The creeks did clear up quickly, yes, so we had no trouble going to see our little twinnies :)
DeleteHow lovely that your son has come to live closer to you, Patricia. Amazing that you too have had so much rain. We have had the wettest autumn I can remember, and it's now exceedingly cold. Enjoy your build up to Christmas and I hope you can continue to enjoy some lovely celebrations!
ReplyDeleteIt often happens that similar weather events seem to happen at opposite sides of the earth. I hope you do not get a wet Christmas - that would not be pretty like snow. Let us hope Omicron doesn't spoil Christmas - like the rest of the world, Australians are looking forward to the festive season this year.
DeleteI hope it's a lovely one, Patricia!
DeleteHappy belated birthday! What a pretty Christmas tree and beautiful garden! Happy to hear the your family is closer together, and your son can also spend more time with his eldest as well! What happy news!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debra, I will stop having birthdays now :)
DeleteIt is really nice to know we have more family in the same city; I get quite excited about it. Our children have been great travellers, so it is nice to have them and some grandchildren nearby. It should be a really nice Christmas this year.
I am so happy for you that you Will have family closer to you. Your Christmas will be even better with grandchildren around. I love your Xmas tree too with the ornaments from your travels. I have always bought Xmas decorations from our overseas trips and it is a lovely day to remember past holidays. We have this week just moved into a retirement village so are still unpacking but I am hoping to get my Xmas tree up as it will make our new house feel like home but we are already feeling very happy here just need to be more organized. Hope you have a get Happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to revisit our travels with the Christmas tree each year, and great that you have also collected them. I hope you enjoy the retirement village: it is something we need to consider one of these days. A Christmas tree is essential! Best wishes.
DeleteWhat great news that your son and his family will be closer to you. You will very much enjoy visiting with them more often. Our tree has ornaments from our travels, too, and we reminisce together as we decorate it. The Canterbury crown ornament on your tree is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteRain here again, but more of a drizzle than a downpour, which is good. I'll be spending the day indoors baking.
We are thrilled the little family are here. Today they visited us for the first time and we could get out the old Duplo Lego etc to play. Such fun. A baking day sound really nice before Christmas.
DeleteWhat fabulous news of your son and his family moving to Brisbane!! I am so happy for you all! XOXO
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Tamera, grandchildren are so wonderful, as you know. Xx
DeleteHey there! Your photos are lovely, as always. Happy your son and family will be close to you!! And you are the oldest in your family. I am second oldest even if I look like the oldest!LOL!! Hope you had a great birthday and looking forward to Christmas with family and friends. xx
ReplyDeleteSecond oldest also counts as a senior in our family! Thank you for dropping by. It has been enormous fun the past few days getting to really know those little twin boys, and they are warming to us already :)
DeleteHi Trish!
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like December has started out so fun and filled with activities! I finally finished all of my decorating and most of my shopping and wrapping! Just a few more things to pick up. Looking forward to all the baking and movie watching. :)
What wonderful news about your son!! I pray you all have a very healthy and safe holiday season ahead. And happy belated birthday too! xoox
Thank you Carrie, it is so nice to have the little boys around. Well done you for having finished your shopping and wrapping! Wow. I am about to go shopping now for more of mine. We have two more events this weekend to celebrate our 50tj wedding anniversary 😍🌼🥂🎄
DeleteSo much happiness in your latest news dear! Huge congrats on your 50th anniversary - love the photos of your wedding day and the anniversary celebration, wow! A beautiful couple then and now!
ReplyDeleteGreat that the family have been able to move closer and you will spend more time with the twins after quarantine.
Enjoying viewing all your Christmas decor Trish.
Stay well and have loads of holiday fun.
Hugs, Mary