Thursday, December 12, 2024

DECEMBER DOINGS


 Celebrations continue at the Red Cardinal nest, as we sail through the 'Most Wonderful Time of the Year', to quote the old song.

Yesterday was our Wedding Anniversary, and Mr. C surprised me with a potted Poinsettia plant, perfect for Christmas theming.
We went out for dinner and celebrated 53 years together... it seems an astonishing length of time, but we still feel young at heart and have lots of living to look forward to...
including a trip to Europe in 2025.



I had a birthday, not a milestone one, but happily enjoyed lunch with family or friends on not one, but three consecutive days.
Mr. C gave me this fun hand-held printer for instant photo prints to use in journaling.  I have always written travel diaries, often including sketches or small watercolours.  Now I can try something different, including a little photo with each day's diary notes.


Our son and his Irish wife recently took our small grandchildren to Ireland to meet their kinfolk.  They brought me these beautiful hand-crafted shamrock earrings, and sweet linen handkerchief.  Thank you so much...

Our lunch together was somewhat interrupted by a very heavy tropical storm, and to our amazement a flash flood occurred right outside the restaurant:


The water rose about knee deep in 20 minutes, such was the intensity of the rainfall.  The drains could not cope with the flow.  Several cars had to be quickly driven to higher ground.



Unsurprising, the two four-year-olds, wanted to go play in the water, bless them.  They had never seen a flood before.

This however, is out of the question.  The motto in Queensland is 'If it's flooded, forget it'... 

The rain stopped after about 40 minutes, and we were able to leave by the back entrance and walk back to our cars.
The staff were amazing, keeping everyone safe as the water surged into the restaurant whenever a car tried to drive past. 
I thanked them for the most exciting lunch I had had for quite some time...






Today I went into the city and the beautiful Brisbane Arcade, for lunch with my Sewing Sisters.  We have been meeting monthly for nearly 20 years to stitch and chat, seen each other through good times and bad, weddings, grandchildren, and loss of parents.

Old and good friends are so important.



Our dear friend D. brings a sweet tree and tiny Nativity to our Christmas lunch.  Always remember, the Reason for the Season...


There were Secret Santa gifts, cards, and special treats..


D. gave me the sweetest and most charming pink and bejewelled Fairy Christmas Owl.  Thank you so much, I love it!


Every year we remember our dear friend R. who made and gifted me the golden Angel hanging in our window.  She left us to join the Angels in Heaven just after Christmas seven years ago.  Never forgotten..

(Edited to add:  As requested by Kay G. below, here are two closeups of the golden Angel.  R. was a talented artist and enjoyed paper crafts.  The angel is collaged onto heavy card, and there are two fine wire wings over the paper lace ones.)







  Last year's Christmas Journal on the coffee table...
I have started another this year..


Le Giang, Vietnam. 'Majestic Mountains and Expansive Rivers'. Gemstone on acrylic.
 This work draws attention to illegal gem mining which ravages the landscape by open extraction mining.

The 11th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art has opened this month at GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art) in Brisbane.
I work as a volunteer guide here every two weeks.

These are two highlights.  The exhibition continues until April 2025.

Kawita Vatanajyankur, Thailand. 'Shuttle' from 'Performing Textiles'

Interested in labour exploitation and infringements on human rights, Kawita presents videos of herself performing as part of the act of labour of women in the textile and agricultural industries.  She passes back and forth as a shuttle, a spinning wheel, and as a knitting needle.  The bright pretty colours are disarming .. and then you realise what is going on...


 I think we have now finished all our end-of-year Christmas gatherings for our various clubs and organisations.
It is time for the Summer holidays, which go until the end of January.
And I really do need to finish the Christmas shopping for the family...

Hope you are all well, and that your preparations are more advanced than mine...

XXXXX











21 comments:

  1. Again, a lovely post, Trish. I’m very impressed with that little printer. I think I must see if we can get them here! I was a,so impressed by your flash flood but for a different reason. My goodness, that was fast and deep! No wonder they’re called ‘flash’. Your Christmas decorations are very pretty and quite unique. You must love putting them out each year and remembering where they come from. Have a lovely festive season with your family and I hope we’ll be in touch next year, if not before! 🎅🎄

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    1. Thank you Val. The printer works from an app on your phone, called Instax. We bought a Fuji one because it was the lowest price! There are other brands, possibly better. My photos come out a big lighter than I would like, but otherwise it is great. According to the news, the flood at this location came from a downfall of 70cm in 20 minutes. As we drove home, it was completely dry a few miles West of this location. Happy festive season to you and yours too.

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    2. Sorry that is 7 cm!

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  2. What a lovely post! Your December sounds as if it has been really wonderful so far. I think I might have been a little concerned as the waters continued to rise at the restaurant, but it's good that the staff were under control. You have had some lovely gifts, and have some exciting prospects too!

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    1. Thank you Jenny. Lots of happy gatherings here this month. I admit I was a bit worried that the storm might continue for several hours, which has been known to happen, although very rarely, and we would have had to try to get away. Yes, an Easter Music tour for us in 2025 :)

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  3. Oh, I love your posts so much! Happy Anniversary to you both! I can't believe that flooding! Oh my, that was a meal to remember! The little owl and the little ballerina, they both are just so gorgeous! (The angel that was made for you, perhaps you could go closer so we might see it better? I know I would love that one too, especially made for you by a dear friend who is no longer with you. x) Now, I am glad if you also keep journals that your still write on your blog too. I do appreciate you. LOVE your posts from Down Under!!

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    1. Aw, thank you Kay. I have added some photos of the angel to my post. The date on the back is 2014 so she is going well. I might try to make one myself. Mr. C has written his life story this year via Storyworth, doing 52 chapters following prompts. I don't have the dedication, so best I keep on blogging. Happy Christmas season.

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  4. What a lovely, newsy post, Trish. Your birthday celebrations sound varied, with even a flash flood to remember in the future. So glad everyone was safe. I can just imagine those little four-year-olds wanting to play in the water.
    As you begin your summer holidays and Christmas celebrations, I wish you much joy. And how fun to anticipate a trip to Europe in 2025!

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    1. Thank you Lorrie. I seem to have saved everything up but been too busy to post. Somehow I think we will all remember that flash flood event. They do happen regularly but usually 'somewhere else'. Kids will be kids won't they. They love the water. Wishing you joy as well, I know your Christmas will be a delight.

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  5. Hi Trish!
    Happy anniversary and Happy birthday dear Friend!! So glad you're celebrating it all in style....if not a bit of too much excitement with that flood. Yikes! The Irish gifts are so beautiful. I love how you journal lots - such wonderful memories you're leaving for all your loved ones to come too. Looks like it's getting quite decorated and beautiful for Christmas time. Blessings to you all! ❤️💚❤️💚

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    1. Hi Carrie, thank you. Everything happens at once for us, and got a bit overwhelming at times. I am giving journals a bit of priority now, because as you say, something to leave behind. It works well that shamrocks are green, perfect for Christmas theme outfits, lol. Blessings for the coming Christmas season. xxxx

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  6. Beat you to it :) our 54th wedding anniversary is coming up in the New Year. Well done!!

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    1. I love this! We are real stayers aren’t we. 😍

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  7. That is an abundance of rain, Patricia. So glad you got out of the restaurant safely. Happy Anniversary, and 53 years is very special. The shamrock earrings and handkerchief is a thoughtful gift. That pink owls is darling with all the jewels on it. And the golden angel is beautiful. I love your Christmas journal, and have been wanting to go through mine and just keep the most recent ones. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying this wonderful Christmas season, Patricia.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Hi Sheri, I love that you also do Christmas journals. This is my first attempt, but so far, so good. The rain is back, and very abundant it is. Hopefully, the sun will shine tomorrow. We have Christmas preparation to do!

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  8. So many wonderful things and now I really want cream tea.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Dear Amalia, the cream tea was so delicious, and pretty! Seasons Greetings to you. xo

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  9. Happy Anniversary to you and Mr. C, Trish! I love all your gifts and other pretties! What a storm. I'm glad you were inside and not on the road!

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    1. Thank you Debra. I'm glad we were not on the road too! In fact, since then I have nearly gotten caught in heavy storms twice. We have had another flood near our house too, but we are up high so ok. Happy Christmas to you!

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