Friday, 6 December 2024

A Postcard A Day - Friday 6 December 2024 - Friday Smiles

 Hello lovely girls! Here we are again again to share some smiles. First off is my postcard for today:


It is a colourful painting from a series of Kabuki by Kunimasa (1823-1880). 

He was also known as Utagawa Kunisada II (Kunimasa III, Toyokuni IV). 
A memorial portrait of 1864.

Utagawa Kunisada II (歌川国定)(1823-1880) was a Japanese ukiyo-e printmaker, one of three to take the name "Utagawa Kunisada. " A pupil of Utagawa Kunisada I, he signed much of his early work "Baidō Kunimasa III.
He took the name Kunisada after marrying his master's eldest daughter in 1846. He changed his name once more following his master's death, to Toyokuni III. However, since there were three artists called Toyokuni before him, Kunisada II is now often known as Toyokuni IV. Kunisada II is renowned for his prints. His favourite subjects were pleasure-houses and tea ceremonies. These themes are sometimes found together in some of his prints, as geishas usually acted as chaperones at tea-houses.
(Taken from the website Digital Museum)

Fascinating.
The stamps are the run-of-the-mill Japanese stamps but nevertheless very pretty, especially the round one with the Lily of the valley flowers on it.

What has been happening here in Spain? 
Those of you who read my Tuesday blog will know that sadly, little Frankie died at the vets on the night between Friday and Saturday. Meningitis they reckon. I sort of expected it. She was having fits and was off her hind legs. Not good.

My friend Antonia's daughter is pregnant. They had a ginger cat that has always lived indoors. Now she can no longer do the litter tray, the poor cat has had to go outside to do his business, where there are several dogs and lots of feral cats. He was not happy. So you can imagine where this is going.... Yes, I have now got another cat. He is 8 years old and goes by the name of Roneo, which means purrer as the verb ronear means to purr. I might call him Doodoo RonRon or just abbreviate to Ronnie. 

I had seen some cute little hats to craft on the Internet. My plan was to make some and buy some Lindt chocolate balls to stuff into the hat as a little present to my friends. But, I couldn't find it again when I got round to doing them. Luckily Annie of A Stitch In Time came to the rescue with the website:

This is my first attempt:
I hadn't trimmed the top yet but you get the gist.

My cactus is flowering beautifully:
A feast for the eye!

Today (Thursday) Children in the Netherlands will be celebrating Sinterklaas. (Or Saint Nicholas in English) His arrival aboard a boat has been televised a few days ago.

Every town will organize his arrival:
Then he usually rides through the town on his white horse:

Of course he brings lots of presents. I will be celebrating Sinterklaas with friends today. Photos next week.

I have already got a present from Sinterklaas (from me to me, as you do). It's an Advent jigsaw calendar:
Every day I make one section of the jigsaw. In the photo I have four sections done:



I have a pile of presents to wrap, so I'm going to love you and leave you. Of course there will be some funnies at the end.

Enjoy your weekend and ... keep smiling!

Hugs,

Lisca











6 comments:

Iris Flavia said...

The Japanese culture sure is interesting. My parents were there for real and loved it.
(Maybe also because Grandma took care of me ;-)...)

Oh, no, Frankie died?! Just two hours ago my friend´s 19 year old cat, Max, passed away, too.
I am so sorry. But hello Ronnie.

The Windows-joke especially.

Have a happy T-Day, despite your loss...

Annie said...

Happy celebrations. I hope you have a lovely time.
Hugs,
Annie x

Cloudia said...

Gosh what a good post! So much here to enjoy. Blessings to your daughter and the cat!

My name is Erika. said...

Roneo reminds me of the cat Leo I had. I love an orange kitty. And I didn't know about Sinterklaas arriving by boat. That is cool. I also learned recently that it is traditional in Greece to decorate boats outside with lights, even boats not on the water. Have a wonderful weekend Lisca. hugs-Erika

Anonymous said...

Lovely photo of Ronnie. Great funnies - esp. Windows frozen & "breastie nestie"
Keren

Jackie said...

I am so sorry to hear about your Frankie! Cats are such a blessing. I work as a kitchen cabinet painter and on my last job the owner had a orange cat that was so sweet. He looked very similar to Ronnie! Hope you have a great week together!