SPANISH

I have been thinking all things Spanish lately.

Particularly Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado,

an exhibition coming soon to our Qld. Art Gallery,

right here in little old Brisbane.

Source: Google Earth

This is the fabulous Prado (not to be confused with Prada) Museum in Madrid.

The exhibition will bring hundreds of masterpieces, dating from the Golden Age of the 1600s, the time of Diego Velazquez,

through to the twentieth century and Picasso.

Las Meninas, 1656, Diego Velazquez.  Source: Google Images

The Prado holds Las Meninas (Spanish for Maids of Honour), one of the world's most famous paintings.

Alas, it will not be travelling around the world to see us.

But many other famous and wonderful paintings will make the trek.

I have never been to Spain, but live in hope.

However I have enjoyed the Old Spanish influence in the culture of New Mexico and Texas.

The Alamo: San Antonio, Texas, an old Spanish Mission central to the Battle of the Alamo, 1836,

during the war of independence between Texas and Mexico.

The story is retold in the great old Hollywood movie, The Alamo, 1960,

starring John Wayne as Davy Crockett.

It was downright spooky inside there ...

The Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe, New Mexico, built 1610,

and the oldest continuously occupied public building in the USA.

This was the seat of government of the Spanish colony of New Mexico.

I loved Santa Fe, and bought lots of local crafts at the market along the colonades of the Palace.

The adobe buildings are so sculptural and organic.

Loved them!

My wonderful friend C crotcheted this beautiful pink shawl for me!

It is the softest cashmere, light as a feather, and perfect for these chilly nights.

And it could be said to look a bit Spanish, too.  Bonus...

Thank you, dear C!

Bought some new flannel sheets ...

Guess who's coming to stay for the weekend ..

And at a local Seriously Cheap Shop:

Some grannie will be playing Bubba cinos tomorrow :)))

Have a fun weekend everybody!

 xx

 

CHRISTMAS TREE - THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

The tree decorating is going Full Steam Ahead ...

Isn't this little Irish Angel adorable, with her shamrock wings?

Totally appropriate, Red Cardinals in the snow.

Grandmaman in Ottawa gave me this pretty ornament.

From San Antonio, Texas:  The Alamo!

Yes, it's a real place, and the remains of the old fort

from the battle in 1836 are there for all to see.

What can be more Texan than Cowboy Santa,

from Neiman Marcus, Dallas?

Or more Philadelphian than the Liberty Bell, complete with crack?

The Japanese take on things can be quirky -

funny little cloissonne snowman.

Everyone loves the exquisite blue glass baubles from the German Christmas markets.

Of course,

"We'll Always Have Paris"

Au Revoir, and

Have a Lovely Weekend.