WINTEREY WESTERLYS

I believe our two minutes of genuine Winter have finally arrived...

we had frost on the lawn this week..

and the dreaded bitter Westerly Winds are a'blowin today.. brrrr

I went to church in boots, leather gloves, long scarf, heavy wool jacket -

and struggled to sing in the choir: I think my throat was tight with cold..

The Red Cardinal palms are doing battle with the winds..

Mr C and I had hot chocolate (with mini marshmallows) for lunch -

but that didn't fix us..

Despite the fact that we both wish to lose a pound or two in the next 49 days, it seemed nothing would do but:

Mr C said cake was Mandatory.

He is a Management Consultant and must be obeyed .... hmmm

49 days?

Venice:

Florence:

Rome:

and of course, Padua:

Anyone like to recommend a hotel in Paris, or Padua?

I'll check out all suggestions...

Mr C is chopping logs as we speak..

Could be a nice fire tonight...

Have a lovely week

XXXX

SPANISH BLACK

 

Hello from my sweet faced pansies.

I still have a few in bloom, but it is getting difficult these days,

what with the weather playing at Global Warming or some such:

Searing heat one day, hot wind, cold morning, rain, and that was just the past few days!

 

 

Black rose dress is finally finished.

Here she is with my new head-piece.

There is, after all, a rather important Race Meeting coming up in Australia next week.

 

 

I thought this dress was pretty.

I'll file that lace half-overlay idea away in the "to try sometime" basket.

 

 

Meantime, I am still working away on Vogue 8805.

I took fright when I reasoned that the loose linen weave would not stay firm without lining or an interfaced facing.  I don't want to line it (too hot over summer) and a facing would show.

The solution: iron-on stay tape by Vilene.

Thank you, lovely lady at Scaffs, Indooroopilly...

 

 

I took the tape right down the kimono sleeve seam, too.

It works a treat.

 

 

The purple orchid given to me by the Art Gallery is back in bloom.

I love it!

 

Today was my last day guiding the wonderful Portrait of Spain Exhibition.

 

 

I had a hot chocolate, in honour of this little still life.

That is a copper hot chocolate maker at the back, and large chocolate pieces at the front, bottom right on their wrapping paper.  Hooray for South America for sending chocolate out into the world in the 1500s.

I'll miss this fantastic walk through Spanish history, but as always, there are other excitements just around the corner.

 

 

 

Happy Halloween Everybody!

 

xxx

 

 

 

 

BRASS MONKEY COUNTRY

Snow had been falling early last week in the only region in Queensland known for the odd snowfall.

The Cardinals decided to fly off to Stanthorpe in the Granite Belt close to the southern border of the state.

Alas, no snow could be found, but the brass monkey in the main street looked a little cold.

It was satisfyingly bleak, cold and wet, and warm coats, scarves, hats and gloves were seen.  And that was just Mr Cardinal...

We enjoyed fresh seasonal produce ..

and found our way to the Chocolate Shop out in the bush and up in the hills.

Drank a lot of hot chocolate too ..

Quirky garden stuff - don't you love the funny tourist spots?

Discovered a lavender farm over the border in New South Wales:

Bought a pile of lavender goodies, jams and relish, candles and fragrance, natural soaps, chocolates .....

Can't keep a good shopaholic down!

Invigorated by this expedition, I finished the pyjamas for the Petite Garcon:

They are now winging their way across the Pacific, to our dear little grandson.

Hope he likes them!

and hope your week is going well ..

xx

.



MOTHER'S DAY - OF COURSE!

Mother's Day 2012 was very special to me.

My beautiful family all made contact and

showered me with love and special attention.

I Loved It!!!

Mr Cardinal gave me the pot of pink double chrysanthemums -

which will of course end up in the garden,

hopefully to bloom again next year.

A cute cupcake tea-cosy arrived from Canada,

and I am reliably informed it was chosen by the Petite Garcon himself

just for Grandma... cute little guy.

The icing on the cupcake was a delightful phone call from his mum,

our dear daughter.

Little Aussie and his Dad sent me these pretty heart soaps and my fave,

dark ginger chocolates.

It is possible some of this chocolate did not survive the day...

Mr Cardinal also gave me these:

Naughty Alice by Vivienne Westwood.

Hmmm - what is he thinking?

Mothers Day really got a go on when our local son and his wife arrived,

took over the kitchen, and turned out their famous Big Breakfast.

Eggs Benedict, salmon, bacon, brown mushrooms, spinach and rosti.

With toasted sourdough bread on the side.

Magnifique!

We have not eaten since...

And on a perfect Brisbane day in the Autumn sunshine,

a special group of friends walked for me,

 in the Annual Mother's Day Classic walk/run for Breast Cancer

Thank you everyone!

THINK PINK - CHOICES

This blog was designed to feature things which bring joy and beauty to my life;

It has taken me a while to figure out how to talk about something which is going on, and which is at first glance, anything but a source of joy, fun and happiness.

About eight weeks ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the left breast.

My first response was denial (not uncommon, cancer always happens to other people).

I met up with two lovely ladies from the Kim Walters Choices program,

who gave me information, reading material, a special cushion, and a fabric bag to hold drains.  Drains??  What is that all about??

My first choice was to have a wide excision day surgery, followed by radiation.

The wide excision had cancer in the margins.

I was spoilt by so many nice people, who sent prayers, flowers, cards, emails, and rang to check on me. 

 I did find joy and happy times in all this.

I returned 12 days later for further surgery, a wider excision and removal of a lymph node.  This time I was 24 hours in hospital.

While I recovered I made up this Liberty fabric, purchased in London 3 years ago.

At last the time seemed right for a pink floral loose shirt.

Today I saw my surgeon again, and to his surprise there was far more cancer in the second excision than he or his colleagues had anticipated.

It is DCIS, but very widespread.

Once again, I had to face Choices:

Go with radiation, but chances are much higher that it will escalate further in the next year.

Or have the entire breast removed.

That is what I chose.

My mastectomy will be this Friday afternoon.

The silver lining is that there is quite a good chance that I will not need to have radiation therapy, which I had dreaded, nor take strong and debilitating drugs.

Fingers crossed.

My diet is now focussed on careful avoidance of the carcinogenic,

and the consumption of appropriate amounts of high antioxident foods,

like these tasty products ....

Now, back to the fun things.

Her Majesty, looking gorgeous in pale pink last week.

I hope she is enjoying her Jubilee.

And I hope you have a good week too.