DECEMBER

Not a Red Cardinal, but Australia's answer, the Red and Green King Parrot, greeting me in the morning.
Perfect herald of Christmas...

December has arrived, and the last page of my Canadian 2018 calendar.

In a few days it will be a year since we last flew across to visit our daughter and her family in Ottawa.  How we wish we could go more frequently!

The snow came early this year - here is a rare sighting of our youngest grandson and his October snowman, mixed in with still-falling Autumn leaves.
Bless.

Little Aussie has been visiting, riding the dolphin (best inflatable toy we have ever had, has lasted about six years)....

and working on the Christmas Village, as is his wont..

This year he asked for the books to remain on the coffee table, and they became hills and valleys.  Our village now boasts two Town Squares...

and a variety of illuminations...

He then installed all the old Santas (age 20-40 years) on the fireplace..

Little Aussie has quite a flair for the arts, so it was with great excitement we attended his first stage play with his new Children's Drama Group..

He is the one in the dark blue shirt, a tourist in the hilarious farce 'Jet Lag Tours'.  His several lines were loud and clear, and we were naturally totally smitten with it all...

It is entirely possible that I had a birthday last week..
Mr C said it with roses, so beautifully pastel and fragrant..

Dear Daughter sent a sweet textured purse from Canada, with a representation of 'Lake and Mountain' by 'Group of Seven' Canadian painter Lawren Harris:

The original is held at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

The Sewing Sisters came over for a Christmas/Birthday lunch..

D gave me an adorable little butter dish - it will have a festive time at Christmas.

and J made the Best melt-in-the-mouth Cupcakes...
ever...

A few gifts have begun to assemble by The Tree..
How is your Christmas shopping coming along?

I have been singing at a few Christmas concerts with the Choir for Ladies of a Certain Age, and always find it a great lead-up to the Festive Season.

And that about brings us up to date with the Red Cardinal Nest..

Enjoy the Season

XXXX

THE VILLAGE, THE STABLE, AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

My tiny tiny people are singing carols in their tiny tiny village,

after building a couple of snowmen -

yes, Christmas is just around the corner, readers.

The Nativity scene is out

(camels from Dubai airport - Christmas lovers

are ever on the shopping alert).

The Tree is up and I had a lot of fun ornamenting it.

Actually it is an ongoing process,

I am considering replacing the star,

and the tinsel .... hmmm..

Maybe I can squeeze on a few more ornaments,

as the fantastic Faux Fuchsia says, More is More!!

Princess Mary is lovely, isn't she?

After being smitten by her cool white with stunning hat, yesterday,

I am totally won over again by today's bright and pretty dress:

Isn't that the most divine print? Gorgeous ..

Princess Charlene is looking much happier,

and the body language with Prince Albert is improving out of sight:

Look at them, leaning in towards each other,

he with a protective arm around,

both with gentle smiles.

Could there be an announcement on the way????