CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE RED CARDINAL

 

Greetings from the new Red Cardinal nest.  I hope you are all well, and I hope to get around all your blogs before Christmas.  We moved into our new home in November, and it is indeed very different from our previous and much-loved house, high on the hill with lovely views.

On arrival here, one of the first things I did was put up the Christmas tree, in the front room looking to the enclosed garden outside.

We now live on one level, bungalow style with no steps, a life-time first for me.  The garden area is smaller, but we still have a swimming pool, this time much closer to the house:

I have set up my sewing corner overlooking the pool, to get good light on my work.  However, only a bit of mending has happened to date...

We gave away a great deal of our accumulated possessions in order to downsize: months of donations to local charities, to friends, or sold online in a few cases.  I tried to keep all that I particularly love although find I now am missing a lot of items that need replacing.  

I soon found the very neutral palette of the new house uninspiring, so bought this fun pot with a cheeky parrot to brighten up the kitchen bench.

We just celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary, and this is our fourth home together.  After we sold our previous house, there were 2-3 weeks before we could settle purchase of the new place.  This made life very hectic for a while, as a lot of things we had planned to move ourselves to keep them safe, had to been sent to family and friends.  As well, our furniture was separated into containers in two separate locations.  Altogether we had items in nine different places (I am glad I have five siblings!).

We spent a few days a two different beach locations, and with our two Brisbane sons.

I find it difficult to get clear photos in this house, I think because all the windows have been tinted to protect from the sun.  There are many other things to get used to, but essentially the house fitted the brief for old age:  no steps, walking distance from the shops and churches, lots of friends living quite close, a study/workroom for each of us, plus two bedrooms.  We love a garden, and are planning to put our own stamp on what is here.  This garden was professionally done a couple of years ago in a very modern style with a lot of native grasses and succulents.  

I brought cuttings of some of my favourite flowers:

Little by little we will insert them around the house wherever the sun factor is appropriate.  We are having a heatwave, which always makes things tricky.  I have received two pink roses as birthday gifts, so am nurturing them.  Sadly, I was unsuccessful in all of my ten attempts to strike a new plant from the prolific pink rose at our old nest (pictured at the top of my blog page).

I think almost all our belongings have now rejoined us (although I can't find a few items).  The house is beginning to look like home, and we enjoy walking around the friendly neighbourhood.  I have found it difficult to settle, and I am not sure why.  It was a long a difficult operation over six months to get to where we are, so perhaps my body is just catching up.  Getting back into normal routines and activities is my aim, but it was impossible until over 100 boxes were unpacked and places found for everything.  

The grandkids love the pool, which is a great joy to us both!

In a few days it will be Christmas.  I have been to choir practice and will sing on Christmas Eve.  We will have family here on Christmas day and will celebrate our new Red Cardinal nest.

I hope you are enjoying the Season, and your Christmas prep is going well.

Love to all

XXXX