Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life. Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
I usually run with a theme. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. As well as the ubiquitous store decorations many people decorate their houses and I see quite a lot which look like this.
I am not religious. Just the same, many of the Christmas decorations I see strike me as bordering on sacrilege and are a tribute to consumerism.
Out and about in my city I discovered some simple decorations that charmed me. I hope you will enjoy them too.
The first photos are from the suburb in which I grew up and are simply titled 'Yarralumla does Christmas'. It is one of our older suburbs and is green and leafy.
The red bows feature on many of the street trees. Street after street of them. I showed you some last year, and will probably show more next year too.
The final shots come from a house in my own suburb. I loved it, and made a special trip to take photographs early one morning.
Aren't they charming. Whatever you celebrate (or don't) I hope that the holiday season and year are packed with tidings of comfort and joy.
I adore the conifer gnomes! How clever!
ReplyDeleteOur neighborhood is very decorated for the holiday season, but it always is. I am going to have to start taking and sharing photos of one house in particular which is decorated above and beyond for every holiday
Anne in the kitchen: I feel just as you do about the gnomes. Clever - and fun. Some houses in my city go all out. When I visited one some years back its Christmas decorations owed a lot to Disney. The lights were spectacular though.
DeleteVery different to what I'm used to, but I like the simplicity of these decorations.
ReplyDeleteCaterina: I like the simplicity too. Some nearby suburbs are started to adopt the red ribbons as well...
DeleteSimplicity is best! There are many holidays in this time of year. I think the season should reflect the changing of the guard in nature, so to speak. Although, you might be six months early in that respect. ;)
ReplyDeleteIn recent years I've come to ADORE gnomes! They are playful and simple and my go-to holiday décor.
Hugs to you always and scritches to Captain Chain Yanker.
River Fairchild: Our Christmas and Easter decorations commonly reflect the seasons on your side of the world. Which I think is silly.
DeleteAren't the gnomes great??? Captain Yanker of Chains is currently asleep but I will give him your scritch when next he surfaces. And hugs to you too.
I love ribbons, fabulous. And the hats...................
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: They are both lovely aren't they?
DeleteI love the decorations. The gnomes are just too cute.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: I thought so too.
DeleteSome Christmas decorations are overboard by a hundred country miles! On TV the other day there was a segment about a woman who has spent $100,000.00 and more, on her Christmas decorations!!! Personally, that disgusted me.(It looked like it would take her the whole of next year to dismantle everything and put into storage. She has a shed for it all, apparently!)
ReplyDeleteMoney wasted...to my way of thinking...not only on all the decorations, but on the power costs as well. The money spent (wasted) could have been should have been, put to a far better use...assisting families in dire need, wondering where their next feed is coming from, for instance!
I'm not a "Grinch" or a "Scrooge" by any shape or form, but.....
Enjoy the coming week, EC...take care...cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: There is a very over the top celebration of Christmas held not far from us. It takes them months to assemble and there are thousands and thousands of lights. Visitors are encouraged to donate to a charity selected by the home owners but I can't help wondering whether they would get more if the home owners just donated the cost of staging the event.
DeleteAll true, but they are a delight to look at for those who can't decorate themselves for whatever reason. I don't travel to see these places, but I see them on TV.
DeleteRiver: We visited in person a few years ago - and the crowds were incredible. I suspect you would get a better view on television.
DeleteAre the red ribbons for anything specific other than Xmas? Or just a custom that has caught on?
ReplyDeleteMike: As far as I know they are just for Christmas.
DeleteYes, those gnomes are simply adorable. And a blogging friend reminded me that we can say, "Merry Everything"!! Happy Holidays to us all... :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Happy Everything works for me.
DeleteI like the simplicity of that neighborhood and the red bows. I can;t fathom what it is like to celebrate Christmas in summer, but I did like the ducks and the gnomes. The gnomes were SO cute. And the rust on that letter box had my heart going pitter patter. I decorate for ME, but not outside. My neighbors have really beautiful decorations, but I am not into that. Thanks for sharing decorations from areas in your city, dear EC. I agree with you on the commercialism, too, I fear.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard and Elizabeth: Not only is Christmas hot here is is often VERY hot. Not a good time to eat to excess. I am glad that you enjoyed the decorations I shared - and very happy that someone else liked their letter box.
DeleteI have no idea what it is about Christmas that breeds excess, but it does. In some it even seems to engender an obscene streak, a competitiveness that is completely contrary to the alleged meaning of the season. I am very happy that Miriam and I continue with our lives exactly as usual. I wouldn't have it any other way. In whatever way you choose to enjoy this time of the year, Sue, we both wish you the very best. I can think of no one who deserves it more.
ReplyDeleteDAvid M. Gascoigne: Thank you. It really is an obscene time of year isn't it? And the crisis lines will be running hot. Our holidays are very low key which suits us both - and the very best to you and Miriam. I hope your day and your year are packed with birds and natural wonders.
DeleteI really love the gnomes, with their very cool hats - and the ducks too. I wish I had a turquoise hat -it's my favourite colour...
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm a bit of a grinch when it comes to Christmas, and cannot wait for it to be over. The excessive commercialism and waste make me both sad and angry. I agree with Lee's comments above.
That said, I do wish you an enjoyable and happy end to 2021 - let's hope next year is less stressful!
Arohanui.
Alexia: I have said for many years that all I want for Christmas is Boxing Day, when the fuss is over. And no, I won't be hitting the sales. The gnomes warmed the cockles of my very grumpy heart. Arohanui is a lovely salutation. Thank you. And to you.
DeleteHere's to demand more homes for gnomes; and to wish you and those around you some lovely days to laugh and love, to enjoy and reflect, and ... to look forward
ReplyDeleteSean Jeating: That home has a lot of conifers, though many of the gnomes were in hiding. Perhaps they will appear in other people's yards - and improve them. The very best of the season to you and yours.
DeleteBrilliant what they did with the evergreens! Love it.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays, EC.
Marie Smith: Thank you - and to you.
DeleteThank you for this bit of joy in a fraught time. Love you. Aloha
ReplyDeleteCloudia: There is always joy if we look for it.
DeleteI love the Santa Hat shrubs! and the ducks carrying ornaments. the letterbox is interesting but a slot that wide here would have people stealing the mail.
ReplyDeleteWhat is that lovely yellow flower with the sunburst stamens in picture 3? It's familiar but I can't recall the name.
River: I cannot remember the name of that stunning yellow bloom. Which is irritating me. I wondered about that letter box too.
DeleteThose are all very charming! If i had shrubs, i'd love to try such a decoration.
ReplyDeleteMy selections will be over here.
messymimi: We have no suitable shrubs either, but I really enjoyed the use they put to theirs. As always I look forward to your selections.
DeleteHow cute and yes, a departure from the consumerism which plagues this season, thanks for sharing and a happy year ahead to you.
ReplyDeletee: A very welcome departure from consumerism. A very, very happy and healthy year to you and to Lukas.
DeleteThe elf? hats are just great and I like the ducks too.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: Gnomes rather than elves - but aren't they brilliant? The ducks are there all year, but I did like their nod to Christmas.
DeleteLoved the post!
ReplyDeleteashok: Thank you.
DeleteI am not religious too ! But it's part of my life and Christmas without tree, angels and balls and the whole decorations I couldn't miss. It's just like the Easterbunny and the eggs.
ReplyDeletehttps://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2021/12/sunday-selections_0453502217.html?m=1
Gattina: I largely grew up without religion. I hope that your Christmas is everything you could wish for. Off to check out your Sunday Selections now.
DeleteLovely post, I am religious brought up strict Catholic and love Christmas, especially midnight mass even in these times of covid. When we lived in the Barossa Valley in SA we used to tie red bows everywhere. x
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: I hope that you can get to midnight mass this year. I had never heard of anyone else decorating with red bows. Thank you.
DeleteTasteful and whimsical at the same time. SO much fun. And yes, it's beginning to look like...Summer! I am also not locked into Middle Eastern Myths, but I do respect the traditions and sweetness that can still exist at this time of year. Stay safe, and I hope there's a lot of happiness around your house.
ReplyDeleteBill: Thank you. Sweetness is welcome whatever the time of the year isn't it?
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteThe gnomes are great - that's a very clever idea! The red bows on the trees are lovely too. The ducks and baubles look at home in the flower beds.
I really enjoyed seeing these - people are very clever and creative.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I was (and am) really tickled by the gnomes. Having discovered the red bow tradition a few years ago I look forward to seeing it each and every year. And it never disappoints me.
DeleteHi EC - so wonderful to see ... I love the St John's Wort flower ... they are gorgeous in this case 'it is'! Those gnomes are quite delightful ... no wonder you went back at the crack of dawn to take photos ... they're wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe red bows too ... lovely to see the golden ducks with their gift of gold ... cheers - enjoy the lead up to your 'better day' - that of when we Box! Take care from a foggy Sunday - take care - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. I am not certain that this is St John's Wort - but if it isn't it is certainly a close relative. I do hope that the season brings joy with it for you.
DeleteThe gnomes are fabulous! So creative.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a lovely, peaceful, joyous festive season
kylie: Aren't they great? And so well executed. Thank you for your wishes. I am already planning my fruit salad treat...
DeleteMerry Christmas EC! I'm not very religious either... perhaps a bit spiritual, but not religious... although I was brought up Catholic. Love your pics! BTW, Jazz and Jewell are beautiful cats.
ReplyDeleteRian: Thank you. Jewel has crossed the bridge now, but Jazz is still with us - though his whiskers are turning white as he ages. All the very best of the season to you.
DeleteThank you so much for being you and bringing us such lovely plants and birds and critters when you do. These touches of Christmas babbles and such are sweet, especially all those red ribbons of love for all. We do celebrate various traditions each year which began from my childhood but each year I try to bring out a few other touches to awaken those spirts inside us all. May you and your family be blessed and take good care.
ReplyDelete21 Qits: Thank you. And thank you for giving us warmth and whimsy each and every time you post.
DeleteSo beautiful post
ReplyDeleteRajani Rehana: Thank you.
DeleteSecond attempt to post. :( Those bushy gnomes are delightfully witty, and must bring smiles to all passersby.
ReplyDeleteI also love the beribboned trees, they must love being dressed up for the season!
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Thank you. And thank you for persevering. I do love the gnome and they certain made me smile - as do the red ribbons. Each and every year.
DeleteIngenious idea to use the bushes to make Christmas Gnomes! We have a lot of those blow-up decorations in people's yards around here. You can always tell the places with children or grandchildren I'm thinking. The ribbons are a real pretty way to decorate. I also liked the yellow ducks, that beautiful yellow flower and the interesting letter box. Have a very happy holiday season and the very best of a New Year!
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you so much. A very, very Happy Holiday season to you and your family - and a healthy and happy New Year to follow.
DeleteThe shrub dwarfs are BRILLIANT! I'm laughing with sheer delight. And I love the Christmas ducks, too - so unusual and cute. Thanks for the smiles! :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: Aren't they? When I first saw them I was in a car and I KNEW I had to go back and see them more closely. When I got there a few mornings later I wasn't disappointed. My smiles were making my face ache. The ducks are great too. And I love that they just live beside the road - and not far away drivers have to slow down for their feathered relatives.
DeleteBellas imagenes navideñas. Te mando un abrazo y te deseo una feliz navidad y prospero año nuevo para ti y tu familia.
ReplyDeleteJ.P.Alexander: Thank you. I send the same wishes to you and your family.
DeleteLa verdad es, que la decoración navideña exterior deja mucho que desear, sobre todo la de la primera fotografía.
ReplyDeleteAquí lo habitual es, que los ayuntamientos se encargan de decorar con luces y motivos navideños las calles y plazas de las ciudades, y las casas las decoran interiormente los propietarios de las mismas, y no es habitual de decorar las fachadas de las casas.
Creyente o no, te deseo a ti y a los tuyos, mucha salud y unas felices fiestas.
Abrazos.
Manuel: Our local councils do a lot of decorating, but only in the commercial areas. Many homes do at least some decorating in their own yards - with variable success. Happy holidays to you and to yours.
DeleteThose are cute and look easy to make. Maybe next year I can do that outside. Except here they'd need to be rainproof. There are only a few mild decorations on my block this year, very muted. If its hot there, its pouring here, as usual, and we have a floodwatch out.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: They have needed to be waterproof here his year. The blow up decorations have been blown around (and some punctured) and the gnomes and the bows have endured wet and windy days. They stood up to them pretty well. I hope that your floods don't eventuate.
DeleteMerry Christmas!
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: Thank you. And to you and your family.
DeleteThe gnomes are totally enchanting! So simple and so creative too. Season's greetings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteNilanjana Bose: Aren't the gnomes wonderful? All the very best of the season to you and all those you love.
DeleteChristmas decor as consumerism, probably. I think it's why there are holiday sales. But then again, it's still a little fun to see these decorations. I really like the yellow ducks.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
lissa: Holiday sales are another tradition I avoid. I enjoyed these decorations though (well most of them) and smiled at the ducks.
DeleteSequencing the gnome of the Gnomes...I'll leave now.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
dinahmow: Don't leave on my behalf...
DeleteThose gnomes are fabulous!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a religious person but the greed and commercialism drives me batty, too!
Wishing you all the best for the holiday season and for 2022!!! *hugs*
Jemi Fraser: I am so glad that others loved the gnomes too - and the very best to you and yours. With hugs.
DeleteLove the decorations. Hope you and yours have a wonderful and joyous holiday weekend my friend.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Thank you so much. You too.
DeleteLove the dressed up conifers. and the ducks. thank you for sharing your great photos during the year. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and very best wishes for a very happy and healthy New Year.
ReplyDeleteAnna: Thank you. Aren't those gnomes lovely - and I do enjoy the ducks.
DeleteHere's to a healthy, happy, productive year for us all.
I love the shrubbery gnomes and the ducks carrying baubles! So creative. And yes, the commercialism of the season is getting more disturbing every year. I like the understated ribbons around the trees - incorporating nature into the celebrations.
ReplyDeleteI hope your week is going as well as possible, and that Mr. Jazz is still eating well.
jenny_o: Jazz is eating like a piggy grunter at the moment - including his tablets. Which is wonderful. I hope that Meredith is doing well. I do like these understated and NON commercial decorations a lot.
DeleteOhh, this was lovely. Just what I needed. Simple, yet beautiful and funny. The shrubbery gnomes are good - I saw the initials as the gnomes' names, maybe the family putting them up has fun imagining the names and personality of each gnome?
ReplyDeleteAre the ducks up all year, only with the subtle baubles matching them at Christmas time? They were nice.
I like the idea of bows in the trees - maybe I should try getting people in my village to do this instead of Americanized garish lights blinking and blinding.
The yellow flower is a beaut, I see why you could not just pass it by. We're growing ice flowers right now :D They are an endangered species ;)
Charlotte (MotherOwl): Thank you for visiting. As I said, I thought you would like these when I put them up, and I am glad I was right. I like the initials being the gnome's names - it adds a whole new dimension. The ducks are there all year - but I was really pleased to see the Christmas baubles they were carrying when I stopped to take a photo.
DeleteAnd a big yes to the trees with bows. Some other suburbs are joining in - and I would be happy to see it spread.
I do like ice flowers despite their fragility.
I absolutely love this post EC! I love the red ribbons, the beautiful flower, the hilarious gnomes, the ducks and the mailbox! I bought a pair of those ducks for a precious friend and they live in her front garden too, I'll have to let her know about the decorating idea. I'm intrigued by the mailbox. At first sight I thought it was a mangle but I have a couple of those (I have a collection of old things people used to use, they make me feel extra lucky to have a washing machine etc) and it doesn't look quite right. Do you know what it is?
ReplyDeleteKim: I have no idea what that mailbox was in a previous life. I wondered about a mangle, but also it also reminded me (don't ask me why) of the old treadle sewing machines. I am glad you enjoyed the post and hope you can encourage your friend to decorate her ducks. And yes, I remember swapping a bottle of cognac (which neither of us drink) for a washing machine years ago and thinking that we got the best end of that deal.
DeleteHaha. Love for gnome trees. Your posts bring me comfort and joy.
ReplyDeleteKeep faith, dear friend.
Rawknrobyn: Thank you - what a lovely thing to say. And the gnome trees brought me joy too.
DeleteThere are so many different styles of décor / decorations aren't there. I always enjoy looking around the neighbourhood and seeing the many different types.
ReplyDeleteI certainly enjoyed my look around your neighbourhood and seeing the selection of photographs. I think my favourites have to be the gnomes, they are wonderful.
Enjoy the rest of your week and my good wishes for a happy holiday season.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. The gnomes are my favourite decorations too - though the ducks made me smile as well. I hope your holiday season is wonderful.
DeleteWhat a grand idea of conifers with Christmas hats. Since Cmas in Australia is sunny without snow, making snow men (now called snow people to be politically correct 🙄🤦♀️) is impossible. I like that they made faces too and they look like gnomes as the trees are just the correct height. Yarralumba really has put out the Cmas spirit with the red bows, maybe an idea from "tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree!"
ReplyDeletekestrel: I have no idea where the red ribbon idea came from but love that so much of the community has adopted it. And the gnome trees are simply great aren't they?
DeleteDear EC, the gnome hats are charming. Like you, I find some of the decorations just an example of consumerism. I try to pick Christmas cards that are neither dependent on a belief in the Christmas nativity story nor too "cutesy." That's hard to do. I absolutely believe in what the feast symbolizes with regard to our humanity and our need for light and compassion. I'm trying to express that in the postings I'm doing--yesterday, today, and perhaps tomorrow. Take care. Let's both be gracious to ourselves. Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: You are right, it is hard to find a card that isn't cutesy and that celebrates the very best of the season. I find selecting sympathy cards equally hard. I do hope that both of us learn to be kind to ourselves - and make it a lifelong habit. Hugs to you.
DeleteThose Christmas gnomes are hilarious - gosh, I like them! As well as the ducks, how cute! Those are some very creative Christmas decorations, so much more entertaining than the usual stuff. The bows around the tree trunks are lovely as well.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: I am glad that others like the gnomes as much as I do. And the ducks, and the ribbons too.
DeleteBeautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! All photos you shared here amazing Dear friend. Especially colorful ribbons look great.
ReplyDeletebread&salt: Thank you so much.
DeleteI love the bows on the trees and those cut little gnome trees are just too cute and whimsical.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Hugs, Julia
Julia: Thank you. For some reason google sent your comment to spam but I have resurrected it. A very Happy Christmas to you and yours.
DeleteLove the leafy green red bow Christmas best! Happy day to you.
ReplyDeleteJC: The red ribbons are lovely aren't they. Most of the suburb is sporting them, and it is a really cheery sight.
DeleteThanks for these lovely images - you really have an eye for showing us the atmosphere, as well as just the photos. The red ribbons are just gorgeous, and love those hatted shrubs!! Wishing you and yours a peaceful and enjoyable festive season x
ReplyDeletekaren: Thank you so much - and to you and yours.
Delete