Life has returned to normal at the Red Cardinal nest.
A light Autumn breeze and slightly cooler days are welcome.
Our roads have been cleared of flood debris, and the sun shines on our gardens.
Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, and as my name is the feminine version of the great saint's name, I enjoy marking the day.
In my local childhood church was a stained glass window with St. Patrick depicted very similarly to the one above. I was entranced by the vivid emerald green, and have loved the colour to this day.
Isn't it great to see the Princess of Wales out and about once more.
Gorgeous in green when she visited her Regiment, and look at her fascinating hair design: a version of a Celtic knot...
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It is wonderful to see her looking so healthy and happy after her year of treatment..
In fact, she looks better than she has for several years, I think...
And did I wheel out my shamrock earrings and take my shamrock handkerchief out for the day?
You know I did...
A royal bonus last week was Kate's appearance on Commonwealth Day, looking fantastic in a very cheery red coat and hat...
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I like a little pillbox hat, a fashion which has apparently returned into favour...
I had a blue one back in the day..
My lovely friend G surprised me with an invitation to join her for the first 2025 Maestro Concert of the Qld Symphony Orchestra.
The highlight for me was the guest artist, Canadian/American violinist James Ehnes.
He played Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto, Op.14, a work unfamiliar to me, and I loved it. Very romantic, and he really looked the part in his tail coat, and matinee idol good looks... It was brilliant!
Once again, I am sorting out my packing, filling lots of little pouches and bags with essentials, the only way I can keep order in the confines of my suitcase. I have bags for skin care (I use sample sizes when I can to keep it light), medical supplies (small amounts of essentials), electronic chargers, and a tiny sketch book, pencils & eraser. And so on. I am also taking my new Instax mini printer to illustrate my journal with a picture each day.
Munich: I look forward to exploring the Lenbachhaus art gallery, to enjoy the works of Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and the artists of the Blue Rider movement.
We will do walking tours of the historic centres of each city.
Have a good week
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I used to love the pill box hat, but I never thought they would become popular again, decades later. My grand daughters had never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteThe granddaughters made me smile. So much they have never known, makes us glad to have had a nice long life.
DeleteI'm glad things are back to normal at your place. I admired Princess Catherine in her two beautiful coats. She does look healthier than she did prior to her treatment.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy getting ready for your trip. I find that anticipation is a big part of the fun!
Back to normal is a good feeling. You are right, the anticipation is a great motivator!
DeleteHappy Belated St. Patrick's Day, Trish! I love your shamrock earrings and hope you have other times of the year to wear them. In fact, I think you should wear them for the month of March for St. Patrick's Day, alone. Just like birthdays, one day is not enough time for merriment!
ReplyDeleteMany years ago, friends and I attended the St. Patrick's Day parade and attended Mass at the Cathedral in Manhattan, but I think with the extra security of today, it wouldn't be as easy to do. Probably arriving extra early nowadays for security checks would take the fun out of attending. Necessary, but more of a hassle as avenues and streets get blocked off, so you have to factor in extra time.
What a good idea Debra. I will wear the shamrocks for March. I would love to have seen the St Patrick's Day parade in NY, having seen it occasionally on news footage. We have also attended Mass at St Patrick's, a long time ago, and I remember purchasing some trinkets at their gift shop in the back corner. It is sad to think that security checks are now necessary. We have attended Mass at Notre Dame in Paris also, and just walked in. I wonder how it would be these days.
DeleteHello dear Trish!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear the weather is behaving and now back to normal. I love that you got out your shamrock things for St. Patrick's - I LOVE those earrings! And the Princess is so stunning. I wish we dressed like that around here. Lol It would be so fun to wear hats and fascinators. I'm so excited for your trip for you. I pray everything will go safely and smoothly and that you will have the most amazing time. Can't wait to hear all about it! Blessings. xoxo
Hello dear Carrie, I love those earrings too, and that they came directly from Dublin. And I wish we dressed like a Princess around here too. It is very casual in Australia these days. Even at the Opera they wear jeans (but not me, lol). My friends and I like to dress up and wear a bit of jewellery for church, which is nice for us all. Thank you for your good wishes, and I too am saying a little prayer we will be safe and healthy on our way. I do not think I can blog until we come home. Blessings too. xoxo
ReplyDeleteKate looks lovely in her green, and I especially like that hair-do of hers. And she looks even prettier in Red. How special to bring out your shamrock earrings and handkerchief for St. Patrick's Day. I love that stained glass window on the Church when you were a child. I have to say that Emerald is not only beautiful, it's my Birthstone. : ) So glad things are back to normal from the severe weather you had, Patricia.
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring!
~Sheri
How lucky to have emerald as your birthstone! I love them better than topaz which is mine. Tomorrow I will wear the shamrock earrings again - why not keep up the wearing of the green for another Sunday? Back to normal now, and getting on with out packing :))
DeleteYour musical tour of Europe sounds so amazing my dear! I really love your idea of keeping a journal with sketches! what a great idea to travel with an instax mini printer! I will very much look forward to hearing all about your remarkable trip! Big hugs from Southern California! XOXO
ReplyDeleteHi Tamera, We are packing now, and the instax was the first thing that went in the bag! I am still organising the 'wardrobe' but remember all your good advice on this matter. Looking forward to posting all about it. xoxox
DeleteTrish, what a relief to be back to normal again after the floods. I missed your post when you published it, so didn’t wish you a Happy St Patrick’s day, but I love your little shamrock earrings. You are right about Kate. She looks much better now. I love the green coat and hat. Such a gorgeous colour. Your trip sounds exciting so I can’t wait to hear more about it!
ReplyDeleteHi Val, would you believe it, only three weeks since the cyclone and while there is no wind, it has been raining heavily and the creeks are rising again. The Council has not even finished cleaning up, and there is still a big gumtree lying in our creek. Never a dull moment here. Thank you re St. Patrick's, and I am wearing the shamrocks until the end of the month :)
DeleteOh, how I love when you point out fashion details for us! The hair done up like a Celtic knot is perfect, isn't it? Princess Catherine puts so much thought into everything. I love your shamrock earrings and handkerchief, love them! Your bag of make up reminds me of the time years ago when they first started the security measures of small amounts allowed in carry on bags. I was at London, Heathrow and my foundation bottle was just over the limit. The male agent told me this. A female agent was beside him. Now, I'm not sure if it was the look on my face or the fact that my plain face NEEDS makeup but the woman agent said, "I'm not taking this from her." Ha! Plain Kay wins the day. And take me with you to Salzburg!! It is the waltz that I love and you know it is my dream to go there.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, how I love the makeup story. I'm so glad you kept your foundation, that stuff costs the earth. Glad you enjoyed Princess Catherine, and her Celtic knot. I have started packing, and will be glad to leave our rains behind and perhaps waltz in Salzburg. I just read that exactly 60 years ago yesterday, April 1, 1965, was the premiere of The Sound of Music. Maybe we will see some reference to this when we arrive next week.
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