Patra's Other Place

I started out with Patra's Place, primarily dedicated to my linen collection and stitching projects. But I kept getting side-tracked, so I decided to create Patra's Other Place for anything not related to embroidery topics. So you now have a choice. If you are interested in me, read this. If you only want to see my linen and stitching, visit Patra's (original) Place! (Please note that by clicking on any of the photos, they will be enlarged to fill your computer screen.)

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Location: Melbourne, Vic., Australia

I was married to Ken for 43 years, but he died in October 2022. So I am now alone with two cats, eight hens, and a few finches and parrots in one aviary.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas in Melbourne.

December 25th was a memorable day in Melbourne for more reasons than one. The Reason For The Season was not smiling down on us on His birthday! A severe storm lashed our city and suburbs, causing family celebrations to be either cancelled or wiped out by rain, hail and wind The news reports said Eltham was the worst hit, but apart from our street turning into a raging torrent for an hour or so while the rain was pouring down, there wasn't much damage in our neighbourhood apart from foliage being ripped from trees and shrubs, and formerly pristine swimming pools turned into mud ponds within minutes.

Our local shopping centre fared badly. I went down there on Boxing Day to buy some milk and bread, and the shops were still mopping up mud from the floors, and throwing out stock that had been on the floors and completely ruined. Trains were cancelled due to part of the tracks being washed away.

Ken and I missed much of the action, as we spent the day down at Frankston at Ken's niece's home with his family. SIL collect MIL from the aged care hostel and took her down to Frankston. Ken and I had reservations about this, as their flat is upstairs and we were worried how MIL would cope. But with many willing hands to help her, she managed the stairs, and enjoyed the day with her family, although it got a bit noisy at times with the two excited little girls jumping around to show everyone their presents! But it was fun, the food was delicious, and everyone was pleased with their presents. I loved all my bits and pieces - here are some of them:

Ken and I had bought ourselves a video camera, and promised each other we wouldn't buy anything else, but when Ken saw this art set for $12 he couldn't resist buying it for me, even though it is marketed for kids!  When it comes to pencils, paints, pastels, etc. I'm just a big kid at heart, lol!


Two friends each bought me a coffee mug - one with owls and one with blue wrens.
A matchbox size pack of mints with a beautiful Japanese picture on front.  And a box shaped like a book, ie. you open it up and instead of a book it is a box with a black velvet lining.  Very pretty.
Hand stitched teacosy.  I was with a friend at a teacosy exhibition earlier this year, and when I exclaimed over this one, J. immediately said "I'll buy it for you for Xmas!" 
The cutest Cat book!

I also received other books, chocolates, fridge magnets, and other goodies including a gift voucher for an hour on a sailing ship! Ken got one too, so we are looking forward to doing that sometime in the near future.
Hope all my blog friends had a lovely Christmas, and my best wishes to you all for a happy, healthy and safe New Year.

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