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. When this post goes live it will be Christmas Day here in Australia. Early, but definitely Christmas Day. So last week we went to the suburb in which I grew up, and took photos of how 'Yarralumla Does Christmas'. Most of the suburb is decorated this way, and I think it is charming.
It is also the suburb to which I go for a 'roo fix'. There were none to be seen that day, but a pair of black swans delighted us.
The crimson rosella beside the road fitted the suburbs colour scheme well.
The ducks are here all year round, and always make me smile.
Not only is Christmas celebrated in December, a number of other religions observe special times, in addition to secular celebrations. Whatever you celebrate or don't I hope that the day, and the year to come bring you 'tidings of comfort and joy'. And I hope you will also spare a thought for the many people for whom this is a difficult and lonely time of year.
I like the way the tree are decorated with beautiful red bows. It adds an air of festivity. I have a very large maple tree in front of my yard and I think that maybe next year, I'll tie a big red bow around it. I think it will bring big smiles on passer by. I'll probably forget all about it, when the time comes, lol...
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, joy, peace, contentment for the rest of the year and into the new year.
Hugs,
Julia
Julia: I like it too, and appreciated that trees both big and little were decorated the same way. Thank you for those all encompassing wishes. The same to you and yours.
DeleteThose swans can bend their necks in some amazing pretzels. I love the pictures, and the red ribbons. A very Merry Christmas to you and your hopefully recovered kitties. Blessings all around,
ReplyDeleteDJan: Swans necks are incredibly sinuous aren't they? Sadly Odie has had a set back. Fingers crossed he recovers completely. I hope that you and Smart Guy have a truly wonderful day - and year to come.
DeleteI like those red ribbons. Be well and full of loving gratitude, EC. You make blogland and the world much more special.
ReplyDeleteRawknrobyn: Humble thanks.
DeleteI think I pay more attention to solstice and equinox festivals as they seem more connected to the earth and are less commercial. I love all the red bows! To me, it speaks of community and ties, what any holiday should be about.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a peaceful day and crossing my fingers for the kitties. Hugs always.
River Fairchild: You are right about the community feel - and there doesn't seem to be any of the commercial 'oneupmanship' that is evident elsewhere.
DeleteBeautiful images of black swan and the festive knots on trees. Merry Christmas to you and wish you the best
ReplyDeleteroentare: Thank you. And to you and yours.
DeleteIt’s wonderful of you to think of and remind us to think of the many who are sad at Christmas. Not everyone finds it a happy time of year, some can’t wait for it to be over. I think as we get older and begin losing family members Christmas becomes a bitter sweet time, remembering what was and will never be again is not easy. I hope you have a happy healthy holiday season, best wishes to you❤️
ReplyDeleteLaurie: The happiest time of year is so very difficult for so many people. And the commercial aspects of Christmas rub that in. My heart aches for them. Thank you for your wishes. And to you.
DeleteHi EC - what a lovely area to grow up in .. i love those decorations ... pity about missing roos ... but I'm sure they'll be back soon. Whereas those swans do look like writhing snakes ... though I'd love to see one in real life ... cheers and have a happy and peaceful day tomorrow ...cheers and here's to you and yours - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: It was a lovely area to grow up in - and we revisit it often. Without doubt the roos where elsewhere that day, and very comfortable.
DeleteI hope your Christmas Day is packed with love and laughter.
The crimson rosella is a great looking bird. Love the colors. I want one!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
Mike: Crimson rosellas are lovely. We often have them visiting us, and welcome them.
DeleteLove the red bows around the trees. Happy Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: They are great aren't they, and seeing most of a suburb decked out in them is lovely.
DeleteBows are big for your area this year. I haven't seen one here. I've never seen a swan with its neck stretched out straight as the one in the photo. There doesn't seem to be a reason. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: The swan with its neck stretched out was having a good whole body stretch and flap. It soon settled down and continued grooming. I hope that you and R are having a lovely Christmas.
DeleteI have seen several red bows around here, some on trees, some on fences and gates, a few hung on front doors. There is one house just around the corner with wonderful Christmas images on the windows, but there is always a car parked close enough to make photos impossible. I haven't seen any tinsel on fences this year and no fairy lights. My son has his whole huge back porch area covered in tiny fairy lights and a couple of strings of larger bulbs around the barbecue area, all solar powered.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Some houses in my city go all out with the lights - hundreds of thousands of them. Many use them for charitable purposes - which is lovely. I love the thought of solar powered lights.
DeleteI did enjoy seeing your photographs, thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's just after 11pm here on Christmas Eve, and Eddie and I are all prepared for Christmas :)
Sending our good wishes to you for a Merry Christmas.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I hope you and Eddie have a truly lovely Christmas. Thank you.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteLovely festive photos. May I send you best wishes for Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. I hope that those who find Christmas difficult will also experience some peace.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Thank you for you good wishes, both for me and for those that find the holiday season difficult.
DeleteI read that there are hundreds of celebrations around the world this time of year!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have peace and joy in your life this week, EC.
Marie Smith: I have just rescued your comment from spam. Thank you so much for your lovely wishes - which I return to you and yours.
DeleteDear EC, the trees are so cheery in red bows, even the smallest in their nicely fitted red bows. Are they passed out to participants, or self supplied.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: I have often wondered that. I suspect that because the red ribbons are all the same colour red that there is a central area where people can collect their bows if they are interested in participating.
DeleteThe swans are lovely, and the ducks would make me smile, too.
ReplyDeleteMy selections are over here.
messymimi: Smiles are always welcome. As usual I look forward to seeing your selections.
DeleteI always think of the people who are alone. I'm fortunate to be invited to a friend's home for Christmas dinner. Merry Christmas, dear EC.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: I am so glad that you have that invitation and hope you have a WONDERFUL day.
DeleteI like the tree trunks with the red rabbins ! Wish you à wonderful Christmas day !https://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2022/12/sunday-selection.html?m=1
ReplyDeleteGattina: Thank you. We like this Christmas display too. I am thrilled that you are joining us again and will be over to your post very soon.
DeleteAh, the Holidays! I hope yours are good. And I want you to know how glad I am that we share these little bits of ourselves from so far away. -Bill
ReplyDeleteBill: Thank you. As our Christmas Day draws to a close, I hope yours is filled with love and joy.
DeleteHello Sue: I have noted with great interest those non-migratory ducks, a species new to me, and quite lovely. Black Swans are well-known, however, and never fail to delight me. Thanks for making another year special just by knowing you, and all the very best for 2023. David
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: It was early when I read your comment and the non migratory ducks had me thinking. And then I mentally slapped my face and smiled. Thank you so much for your beautiful comments and posts for the year. You are yet another reason to be grateful to the blogosphere.
DeleteI hope you have had a nice holiday. I love how nice the neighborhood looks.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: Thank you. It is not my neighbourhood but it looks great doesn't it?
DeleteI love the festive bows on the trees, and the sunshine and birds are a perfect antidote to our gloomy winter weather. Thank you, and Merry Christmas! :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: Thank you. I am happy to share our sunshine and our birds. And would happily send you some of our heat. Stay warm and cosy and enjoy the season.
DeleteUff. Obvioisly I took my thoughts for the deed. But now: Feel yourself virtually hugged, dear Sue. Thank you for all your kindness.
ReplyDeleteSean Jeating: Thank you. Your virtual hug is received and reciprocated.
DeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy New year, lovely photos, thanks for your support and will see you in 2023 ♥ The heat is full bore today...
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Thank you. Summer has arrived with a vengeance hasn't it?
DeleteYou are right about sparing thoughts for those who view this season as anything but cheery, I send hugs from the almost frozen South and wishes for a healthy new year along with my thanks for your continued interest and support.
ReplyDeletee: Thank you. Of course I am interested in you and Lukas. And echo your wishes in return.
DeleteMerry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteLovely series of photos
ashok: Thank you.
DeleteMerry Christmas!!! Always enjoy these beautiful photos!! Here's to a better 2023 for the world!
ReplyDelete1st Man: Thank you. And yes, I am definitely hoping for a better year for the world.
DeleteI wish you and yours a blessed Christmas time, joy, serenity and good health in the days to come.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): Thank you so much for these all encompassing good wishes.
DeleteDavid's 'non-migratory ducks' comment had me smiling too. I bought two just the same for a precious friend of mine and saw them gracing her garden when I visited on Christmas Day, they are very cute! Thanks so much for your interesting, thought-provoking and image-laden posts throughout the year
ReplyDeleteKim: Thank you. And those ducks ARE cute aren't they?
DeleteThe decorations on the trees are very restrained and beautiful Sue. Love the Rosella shot. it is not too hot here at present and no humidity that I cannot cope with at present but they tell me it will come!!! I am having a very relaxing time here and it is wonderful to be with my Australian family. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a peaceful and healthy 2023.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: Sadly the heat and the humidity will indeed come. I love that you are able to see your Australian family this year. It must have felt like a very long time since you have.
DeleteI like your tree decor, always have. Bright and cheery.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Bright, cheery and not commercial. Triple win in my eyes.
DeleteI love those red ribbons and the black swans. What a nice place to live.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: We love them both too.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours. Loved the bows on the trees. Happy New Year as well.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Thank you. Our Christmas was quite and peaceful. I hope yours was good too.
DeleteThank you for another wonderful year of sharing your world. It is a great pleasure to visit here. Your photos are like a nature show. My thoughts are constantly with those who are having a hard time, realizing it is difficult for many. Thank you for the reminder. You have a kind nature that is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: There are a lot of kind hearts and natures - and yours is one of them. Thank you.
DeleteI agree. When I come here, I feel refreshed.
DeleteYarralumla. What a lovely name. We have similar sounding names in Guyana too. Indigenous names.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and all your readers and families and friends a year filled with love and happiness.
neena mayiay (guyana gyal): It is a musical word isn't it - and a lovely suburb with places that feed my beauty loving soul. And thank you.
DeleteWishing you the best... Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteCatarina: Thank you - and to you and yours.
DeleteThe crimson rosetta is lovely. Will it replace my corella?
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: We love the rosellas too - and there is room for them and corellas in our garden and our heart.
DeleteIt saddens me that I was unable to wish you a Merry Christmas because I had no internet. I hope it was a good day, even if you didn't get to see any roos. LOVE the black swans, since they are only found in zoos in the states. Those wooden ducks had me laughing.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe, healthy, and joyous new year and a great 2023, dear friend.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth: It was a lovely day even without roos. I hope yours was equally lovely even without any internet - which I at least have grown to depend on.
DeleteI love the birds and bows theme you have on th is post!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy these post-Christmas hazy days ♥
kylie: I hadn't noticed the alliterative nature of this post until you pointed it out. You are right though...
DeleteI love the red bows. What a beautiful way to celebrate! The birds are also lovely. :) Hope your holidays were happy and healthy! ~Jess
ReplyDeleteDMS ~Jess: Thank you. Seeing a whole suburb decked out in these bows is an annual treat. I hope you have a wonderful (and productive) year ahead.
Delete