Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Christmas Star .




Summer has returned . Blue skies and warm air. Wilf ploughs purposefully through piles of fallen leaves along the lane . I could swear he's delighted with the noise he makes . Walk finished , he finds himself a cosy spot under the cherry trees in the orchard and sleeps for two hours . The warm grass an old fellows royal throne . At lunchtime he stirs himself to bark at the post lady. '' You've got a parcel from Canada " she says standing at the gate .

Every year we used to have a Christmas card printed that highlighted something that had happened in the prior year. A new house , twelve months without breakages ( never happened ), every day family events involving the Cost Centres . Somehow, between here and Italy we fell out of the habit of doing this . We've now , at last , reinstated the annual tradition . Susan Black ( www.29blackstreet.blogspot.com ) , a very kind and talented artist in Nova Scotia has produced a Christmas scene of two shaggy Polish Lowland Sheepdogs sitting on a hill looking on wonderingly at the Christmas star .

In the background a patchwork of Umbrian mountains and fields . She's even included an olive branch in the bottom left hand corner as a happy memory of Italy . We're really delighted with the result . Funny, tender and festive . Christmas card closure .Who knows ? Next year the card may be of Madame Bay, the old farmers Christmas star, or graduation trips to the States. Perhaps it might even be of Wilf ?

35 comments:

  1. Beautiful card! And what a lovely tradition you and your family had, and how wonderful you are bringing it back. Wilf would look amazing on a Christmas card. He is so handsome and photogenic.

    Suka and K

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  2. The card is just wonderful. Its my hope that Wilfee has several more Christmases, it seems like he has the spirit most of the year round.

    Cheers and hugs,

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  3. Such a wonderful card. And a wonderful post!

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  4. The card is so lovely. Well it is clear from this blog that you will have never have a shortage of subject material for future cards.
    Sweet dreams on the warm grass Wilf.

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  5. Somehow this post makes me really happy .
    Roxie .

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  6. What an incredible card! Perfect symbol of what the season is all about!

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  7. The card is lovely. I adore the gorgeously rotund posteriors. Typical Pon! x

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  8. Dear Angus, would you be at all offended if I contacted Susan to see if I could buy a few copies of this wonderful card?

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  9. Lovely card - lovely foto of Wilfie! He his just so gorgeous - love him.
    From all of us in Southern Italy (full of olive trees...) happy days Susanne, Daisy and Foxiinno
    Bacetto sul nasino per il Wonderbear

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  10. It's gorgeous and has so much meaning!

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  11. Fabulous card but I also can't wait to see Wilf and Mme Bay next year!

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  12. Angus, what a wonderful tradition! There also could not be a more perfect card in every detail! Just as 'the boyz' have been, I know this card will become a family treasure!

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  13. Beautiful - we know you have lots of fab photos of Mr Wilf to grace christmas cards for years.

    Smooches
    Julie and Poppy Q
    xxx

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  14. It is truly a perfect Christmas card~you inspire all of us to do more....What a beautiful cover for a book..♥ Eileen and Maggie

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  15. The card is wonderful. You can't beat a Susan Black original.

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  16. It's just wonderful! I feel like I've just received my first Christmas card of the season!

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  17. i'm with petey.
    it's wonderful to see the boyz together again.
    and yes!!!
    next year wilfee for sure. he's not just soldiering on... he's marching on!
    what a beloved wee bear he is too.
    you might have to do a special madame bay card at easter maybe... in her "easter turban."
    love,
    tammy j

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  18. That card is it's own work of art! I'm so impressed. She did an absolutely beautiful job!

    A two hour nap under the cherry tree sounds rather nice in my book!

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  19. I love your card. She is quite an artist.

    I'm jealous of Wilf. I may come over there and nap with Wilf in the sun. Ah so cozy.

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  20. LOVE the card. I would frame it.

    Maybe leaping Jack Russells & the politicians also in the card next year

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  21. How perfectly wonderful! I love it. And I love Susan, too.

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  22. That is a beautiful card!! What wonderful sentiment! Fingers crossed that we see Wilf here for next Christmas, and a few after that. Keep on going Wilf!

    Love from your Canadian pals,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  23. A beautiful card, she has a gift. On my way over to her blog now.
    Hopeful that we will see Wilf on the card next year. :)

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  24. Timeless pondering PONS – such a wonderful image of peace and love.

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  25. Absolutely Wilf! When I saw the word "star", I started to cringe and my thoughts went immediately to your favourite: the old farmers mega wattage star.
    Thank goodness for the lovely card.

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  26. I vote Wilf for Christmas 2012. Simply beautiful card - am checking out her site. LOVE the image of Wilf crunchily marching through the leaves.

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  27. Your beautiful card is one of the most meaningful and touching I've ever seen...it could not be more perfect. And I agree, it would make for a lovely book cover!
    xo J~

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  28. What a magical card. Thanks for sharing it with us. Love transcends, and not just at Christmas.

    Jed & Abby

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  29. Thanks again Angus for such a thrilling project.
    love as always to Wilf from me, Missy D & Samuel

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  30. I hope you post a picture of your Christmas card this year.

    And that next year you have one created with Madame Bay holding or playing with Wilf and post that one too!

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  31. Susan IS amazing, isn't she!! I love her work and this card is a gorgeous example of her incredible talent and vision. A treasure for all who receive it, to be sure!

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  32. What a beautiful card! It reminds me of that photo of Wilf & Digby, looking into the olive tree before you left Italy. I can't remember what they were so taken with, but probably a squirrel of sorts :)

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