Thursday 27 December 2012

An Unexpected Christmas






Hello dear friends
as you relax after all the
cooking and eating
talking and laughing
over Christmas...
I would love you to watch
this little video
performed by the children
of St Pauls Church
in Auckland, New Zealand
where I live.
enjoy!

Joyeux Noël
Shane 

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Christmas




Christmas Day has dawned
in the southern hemisphere.

It's not hot and sunny as I expected
but there is a gentle rain
making me think of
'new life'
as when our Christ child was born
in the stable in Bethleham!




Christmas Blessings to you all and
thank you for being a part of
my blogging journey this year.



Joyeux Noël

Shane 






Saturday 22 December 2012

Christmas Cards from afar....


Christmas cards from France



Hello dear friends!

Today I thought I would show you
some of the Christmas cards our
darling daughter has sent us
over the twelve years
she has been living in France.

The card above is this years one.




 It is difficult for her to find
Christmas cards in the country
town near her.

There are no boxed sets
so each year I send her a box of
'Save the Children'
cards in one of the parcels!



She made this little angel card
from a crossstitch she worked
it's one of my favourites!



"Magic at Midnight"




A very beautiful card
depicting the essence of

CHRISTMAS

I hope you've enjoyed seeing
a few of my precious cards.

Today

I'm linking to Claudia for
A Favorite Thing Saturday
Please pop over and have a look
at what other bloggers are sharing.



and

Mary for Masterpiece Monday
please drop by to join in the fun!





WELCOME 

to my new followers!

Thank you to everyone for visiting
my blog and leaving all your
very kind comments over the
past year.

Be kind to one another
Christmas Blessings


Joyeux Noël


Shane 







Wednesday 19 December 2012

Snowy images for Christmas...





I'm sure most of you know by now
I live on the other side of the world
in New Zealand.
You may be wondering why I am
posting these wintry images
when it is actually
Summer here!



As I am linking today's post
to Vee's Note Card Party
I thought some of these images
could make lovely
Christmas cards!
What do you think?



Summer scenes don't
seem very Christmassy
even in the southern hemisphere!



A snowcat maybe?!
If you're a bird lover
like me - the cat photo was taken
 in a different location to
the blackbird picture!



I love Bing Crosby's version
of this old Christmas song!




Today I'm linking to Vee's
December Note Card Party,
the last one for 2012.
Do pop over to see some
beautiful card images.
Thank you Vee for hosting
this friendly blog party!




Are you still sending
traditional Christmas cards
to friends far away, like I am?
Many of my friends don't bother any more.
I think that's sad.
I love keeping the old traditions alive
for our future generations to enjoy.

WELCOME
to my new followers
I will be over to visit you soon!


"Pohutukawa" 


Thank you dear friends for visiting
my blog - especially those of you
who are kind enough to leave
a comment to tell me you've been!


Be kind to one another


Joyeux Noël

Shane 





Monday 17 December 2012

A WOODEN CHRISTMAS TREE...




I photographed this
Christmas Tree
a couple of years ago








A very innovative design
made out of
tongue and groove
timber boards 





with beautiful baubles


and Christmas words



Christmas slippers
(mental note to me to make my granddaughters
a pair each for next Christmas!
Would any of you have a pattern or maybe
you can recommend where I may find one???)







Wishing you all a
stress free time
in the lead up to
the most wonderful
feast day
in the Church calendar.

Thinking of those poor families
affected by the school shootings
in Newtown, Connecticut.

Sending our love and prayers

on behalf of

New Zealand families.



Today I'm linking to
Mary of Mosaic Monday
Becky for Blissful Whites Wednesdays

Be kind to one another
Joyeux Noël
Shane 




Wednesday 12 December 2012

CHRISTMAS TABLE KIWI STYLE



Hello dear friends.
Today I thought I would share with
you a typical New Zealand
Christmas table!



As many of you already know
Christmas here is in Summer,
so it's quite different to
temperatures on your side of
the world.
Many of us opt to have our
Christmas lunch or dinner
outside - weather dependent.
Fingers crossed it will
be a hot and summery!




Our decorating reflects
Summer too
although many people still
prefer the traditional
red berries and holly leaves.


I'm a white and silver girl
at Christmas with touches
of red in tea light candles.


A summerhouse is the perfect
location for the table


This beautiful one was in
one of the gardens
I visited, see previous post



Thank you all for visiting
I hope you take some time
during the business of the next
two weeks to reflect on
the true meaning of
CHRISTMAS.

WELCOME
to my lovely new followers
take care of one another
Joyeux Noël

Shane 

Today I'm linking to
Becky at Timewashed and








Thursday 6 December 2012

Coatesville Gardens visit





Recently I had a lovely day out with
friends visiting the 
country gardens of
Coatesville.


We managed to see six or seven gardens
and the best by far was
'Woodbridge'
a garden of national significance.


It has been lovingly created over 21 years
with an artist's eye for colour and design.


A charming garden shed...


I love the title bestowed upon the
creator of this garden!


Some corrugated iron chooks
to keep Christine company!


...and some real ones too!


The woodland garden was so peaceful
and calming.
I felt the stress of city life disappear
 as I wandered along the pathways
enjoying the inspiring vistas.



Some pretty Alstromerias - I have to
have some of these in my new garden...


A favourite cranesbill of mine,
blue in the garden
has such a calming effect!

I'm pretty sure it's botanical name is
Geranium Pratense - Meadow Cranesbill.
Can someone enlighten me please?

Thank you dear friends for visiting
my blog and leaving a comment.
Most of you are American or Canadian
I thought you might appreciate a
little reminder of gardens in
Summer to carry you through
the depths of Winter!



I would love you to visit
Sandy at
she has created this special blog
to inspire us to make Christmas 2012
full of beauty!
Thank you dear Sandy.


WELCOME
to my new followers,
I'm so happy to meet you - thank you!

Take care dear friends and
be kind to one another!
Joyeux Noël

Shane






Tuesday 4 December 2012

Christmas came early for me....


Dear friends, I feel so lucky...
I was one of the winners of 
Marie's  divine 'French Christmas'
Giveaway!
Every time I've visited her blog
 I've been inspired by
her dreamy creations .




... but when her magical parcel arrived
it was much much more than I imagined.
I couldn't believe how beautifully
everything was presented...
the exquisite angels wings tied on
top of the parcel with ribbon...
this is Marie to a T
the detail is breathtaking.



Also tied to the parcel was such a sweet card
(French inspired - just what I love)
with a lovely message...


The lace detail on the top of the stocking
so beautifully finished with a pearl and rhinestone brooch.


Marie included one of her trademark
soldered embellishments too


it's so delicate


and this sweet wire heart
with a soldered 'Noel' tied with delicate lace


... and these lovely vintage tree decorations
all in silver and white
my favourite colours for Christmas.

Merci Marie
I feel very spoilt!!!


I'm linking to Becky at




WELCOME

to my new followers and thank you
you to everyone for popping in and
leaving such lovely  comments.

Take care and be kind to one another

hugs 
Shane



Joyeux Noel


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