A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY

 Happy 96th Birthday to Her Majesty!

The Queen has had a life-long love of horses, and is pictured recently with her beloved Fell ponies..

How wonderful that she rode right up until late in 2021...

She was 94 in these pictures...

Quite amazing.

And here, as a little girl.

I thought it might be fun to look at some of her riding moments over her very long life...

As a young woman, wearing the headscarf which became her signature riding style...

With beloved consort, Prince Philip, who played polo but had to cease riding in his senior years.  He then became a very successful carriage driver.

In 1982, riding with US President Ronald Reagan at Windsor..

With daughter Princess Anne..

and granddaughter Princess Beatrice...

And here is the birthday girl in a beautiful photo released today.

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty.

EASTER

 I hope you enjoyed a pleasant Easter season..

I made a pink bear years ago, during the Great Teddy-bear phase of the 90s..

Perhaps she will find another home with our new granddaughter - but not yet!

Yellow Easter lilies from Mr Red Cardinal:

and naturally, chocolate was consumed...

We had lovely visits to family.  

Family is key, especially in these troubled times.

I spent a few hours making a baby blanket.

The lace bunny was given to be over 12 years ago, when our first grandchild was expected.

Five boys later, at last I can applique a couple of pink bunnies to the pink blanket.

They came in a string, like this:

You cut them apart, pull a little gathering thread, and up pops a bunny:

The skirt is double, and I tucked a bit of toy wadding in there to make a soft round body.  Then I hand stitched the head to the body and onto the blanket.

I still have two more from the set, for another project.

Do you sew for grandchildren?  I'd love to know..

During the Easter school holidays, local children do interesting things.

This basket of Rosemary was left beside the path in the park where I walk.

What a lovely gesture... Free Home-grown Rosemary.

I enjoy the pastel colours of Easter, so naturally was drawn to the Cambridge girls in their Easter finery, walking to St George's chapel on Easter Sunday.

What a pretty shade of blue.

Charlotte is about to turn seven.  I notice she is still in the 'uniform' she has been given since a toddler: sweet floral prints with a smocked bodice and dainty collar.

I can't help but wonder when she will rebel, and demand something different for special occasions??

Kate's blue clutch = Perfection..

  

Poor Ukraine continues to suffer.  

The world is helping as much as it dares, but where will it end?

May goodness triumph over evil, in their time of need.

Be safe, take care

XXXXX

GOOD FRIDAY

 Today is Good Friday

Andrea Mantegna [1431-1506], 'The Crucifixion', (1457-59) central part of a large altarpiece for the high altar of San Zeno, Verona, Italy.

Prayer at Time of Crisis:

Almighty and all-merciful God,
lover of the human race, healer of all our wounds,
in whom there is no shadow of death,
save us in this time of crisis;
grant wisdom and courage to our leaders;
watch over all medical people
as they tend the sick and work for a cure;
stir in us a sense of solidarity beyond all isolation;
if our doors are closed, let our hearts be open.
By the power of your love destroy the virus of fear,
that hope may never die
and the light of Easter, the triumph of life,
may shine upon us and the whole world.
Through Jesus Christ, the Lord risen from the dead,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
Holy Mary, health of the sick, pray for us.
St Joseph, guardian of us all, pray for us. 

(Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Brisbane)

Wishing all dear readers of the Red Cardinal blog a blessed, safe, and happy Easter

XXXXX

IT'S A GIRL!

 

Hello

We received the most beautiful Easter gift last week: the arrival of a tiny new granddaughter...

She is our sixth grandchild, and the first little girl.

We are thrilled to bits, and can't wait to spend time cuddling this precious little pink bundle...

 She is a sweet baby sister for the twin boys, who are now 19 months old, and full of fun and Young Aussie, our first grandson who is nearly a teen.  We have been spending time playing with them while their parents are at the hospital.  

Naturally, I enjoyed running through the shops buying a few little 'new baby' items, all pink :)

and look forward to going through my fabric stash of dainty little floral prints and making a small item or two....

Best of all, the little one is located here in Brisbane and we so look forward to precious times rocking and singing with her..

Precious tiny fingers..

Have a joyful and Happy Easter

XXXXX