Make you the world A bit better...

In our veranda we enjoy looking at our sun catcher with quote from Edward W. Bok that we purchased at the Bok Tower, highest point in Florida.

Just want to share it with you here:

Click to find it on my Pinterest in: QUOTES & WORDS OF WISDOM with info for ordering it from the Bok Tower Giftshop.

It is hanging to the right, next to another one from the Bok Tower.
Below my Hand Crocheted Fleur de Lys curtains...

A bit more close but still hard to actually catch it well, against the light!
Together with the Delftware houses we collected over the years from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines it looks great!

This is it, looking outside...

Wishing you a lovely day and thanks for your visit and comment!

Related links:
{Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida} | previous post about our visit to Bok Tower, HIGHEST point in Florida

{The Kiss of the Sun for Pardon} | previous post about the other sun catcher from Bok Tower
Mega Task Crocheting DONE | previous post where you can see the sun catcher
My 2nd Fleur de Lys Crocheted Curtain is Hanging | previous post by me
{1903 Ladies Home Journal by Edward Bok - The Mother of America & Dutch American Heritage Day} | previous post by me
{Edward Bok Quote} | previous post by me

Sentimental TREASURE from Mom...

While having the contractors creating 'dust' inside our home, I took it upon me to scan the final box of letters that Pieter found in the storage room under our front porch. TREASURES as those were Mom's letters from 1983 through 1988. Not only Mom's but also my Mother-in-law's and Pieter's brothers who no longer are with us.
We both treasure them so very much. But it was quite a task.
Yesterday I've completed the 1,187 scans by aligning and cropping them and filing by date. 

Pieter did read them before they got tossed out but I have not yet had the time!

One sentimental treasure from Mom, that got sent with her mail in 1985, I would like to share here.

Even though it is in Dutch, I found the English wording as well. It is below...

Drievoudig

is de gang des tijds:

dralend komt

de toekomst nader,

pijlsnel is vervlogen

het heden,

eeuwig stil staat het verleden.

Schiller

The future comes slowly, the 
present flies and the past stands still forever.
~  Friedrich Schiller on my Pinterest

Dreifach ist der Schritt der Zeit:
Zögernd kommt die Zukunft hergezogen,
pfeilschnell ist das jetzt entflogen,
ewig still steht die Vergangenheit.
~ Friedrich Schiller on my Pinterest

When I translate directly from the original German, it reads like this:
Triple is the step of time:
hesitantly the future comes up,
arrow fast the present is gone,
eternally still stands the past.

Love such sentiment!

And yes, our bathroom is DONE! So happy with it.

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{IT CAN BE DONE}

Former President Ronald Reagan's famous plaque 'IT CAN BE DONE' which he kept at his oval office desk...

I had kept The 1994 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book for quite some years and did actually scan this photo below:

Made in Italy, this Leather Office Plaque is so very special!

This gold lettering on cordovan leather plaque is still available at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute at their store, under office (click hyperlink in pink and than on shop by category...).

President Ronald Reagan meant a lot to me!

For 53 years we shared a birthday together and he died on my late husband's birthday in 2004.

When we came to this great country in 1983, it was Ronald Reagan who was President, till 1989.

We left for work in Italy soon after his 2nd term was over...

Love to share some of Ronald Reagan's quotes:

I know in my heart that man is good.

That what is right will always eventually triumph.

And there's purpose and worth to each and every life.

~  

You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.

We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to taketh first step into a thousand years of darkness. 

If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here.

We did all that could be done.

Thanks for your visit!

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{Life is Paradise, and we ALL are IN Paradise, but REFUSE to SEE it}

Hope you all are enjoying spring, even for those Europeans that are facing snow...

Because I'm still scanning my final albums, no time for posting, nor visiting blogs. 

Sorry for my absence but I have to complete this!

For that I share with you our beautiful Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon' and a great quote:

 "Life is paradise, and we are all in paradise, but we refuse to see it." −Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Yes indeed, Life is in many ways PARADISE!

Look at all those precious blossoms in spring.

ENJOY them and wishing you a lovely week.

Holy Week for my blogger friends in Greece.

Happy Spring! Ⓜ

Related post by me:
{Our Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'}

google.com/+MariettesBacktoBasics

{The Most Valued TEN-Letter Word... "FRIENDSHIP" - Maintain it}

We have come to the final Quote, now containing TEN Letters...

One that is very dear to all of us and does nurture our soul.

The Most Valued TEN-Letter Word... "FRIENDSHIP" - Maintain it

YES! Let us ALL cling to FRIENDSHIP and be an ANGEL to someone...

Just like this angel does on the silver alphabet letter F

the "F" is one to wear as a charm on a necklace or hung on a silver keychain (available at my online boutique as well) on a tote or handbag.

This Italian Giovanni Raspini 925/100 silver Alphabet Angel "F" is available for only USD 33.25 with FREE shipping within the USA

Alphabet letters are available at Spectrenoir ←just click.

Related links:

{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me

{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it} | previous post by me

{The Most Poisonous THREE-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it} | previous post by me

{The Most Used FOUR-Letter Word... "LOVE" - Value it} | previous post by me

{The Most Pleasing FIVE-Letter Word... "SMILE" - Keep it} | previous post by me

{The Most Spreading SIX-Letter Word... "RUMOR" - Ignore it} | previous post by me
{The Hardest Working SEVEN-Letter Word... "SUCCESS" - Achieve it} | previous post by me
{The Most Enviable EIGHT-Letter Word... "JEALOUSY" - Distance Yourself From it} | previous post by me
{The Most Powerful NINE-Letter Word... "KNOWLEDGE" - Acquire it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Most Powerful NINE-Letter Word... "KNOWLEDGE" - Acquire it}

We're almost at the finish of TEN...

This is a mighty one as we all can acquire it for as long as we live!

The Most Powerful NINE-Letter Word... "KNOWLEDGE" - Acquire it

This is indeed one of the very BEST!

Let's cling to the K of KNOWLEDGE, just like this angel does on the silver alphabet letter K

the "K" is one to wear as a charm on a necklace or hung on a silver keychain (available at my online boutique as well) on a tote or handbag.

Alphabet letters are available at Spectrenoir ←just click.

Related links:

{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me

{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it} | previous post by me

{The Most Poisonous THREE-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it} | previous post by me

{The Most Used FOUR-Letter Word... "LOVE" - Value it} | previous post by me

{The Most Pleasing FIVE-Letter Word... "SMILE" - Keep it} | previous post by me

{The Most Spreading SIX-Letter Word... "RUMOR" - Ignore it} | previous post by me
{The Hardest Working SEVEN-Letter Word... "SUCCESS" - Achieve it} | previous post by me
{The Most Enviable EIGHT-Letter Word... "JEALOUSY" - Distance Yourself From it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Most Enviable EIGHT-Letter Word... "JEALOUSY" - Distance Yourself From it}

There are a few more important quotes by letter number and this is one we ALL have dealt with at some time in our life...

The Most Enviable EIGHT-Letter Word... "JEALOUSY" - Distance Yourself From it

Only if we have a name, starting out with the letter J, this Giovanni Raspini 925 Silver Alphabet Angel standing on the "J" is one to wear as a charm on a necklace or hung on a silver keychain (available below) on a tote or handbag.

Indeed, great for spicing up your handbag!

Don't you LOVE this Giovanni Raspini Charms & Co 925/1000 Silver Key Ring in Medium from Italy?
You might have some silver charms already...

You can buy this Medium Key Ring for only USD 21 with FREE Worldwide Shipping...
Comes like this in its famous signature blue box.

Buy Now button, to purchase this Italian 925 Silver Key Ring
SORRY, ALL SOLD OUT...

It is also a great way for wearing on your belt loop with several charms.

Shown are the Giovanni Raspini 925 Silver Key Rings in Medium so you get an idea of their 30 mm diameter.

Other Alphabet Letters are available at Spectrenoir ←just click.

Related links:

{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me

{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it} | previous post by me

{The Most Poisonous THREE-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it} | previous post by me

{The Most Used FOUR-Letter Word... "LOVE" - Value it} | previous post by me

{The Most Pleasing FIVE-Letter Word... "SMILE" - Keep it} | previous post by me

{The Most Spreading SIX-Letter Word... "RUMOR" - Ignore it} | previous post by me
{The Hardest Working SEVEN-Letter Word... "SUCCESS" - Achieve it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Hardest Working SEVEN-Letter Word... "SUCCESS" - Achieve it}

As we are adding up letters, we have now come to: The Hardest Working SEVEN-Letter Word... "SUCCESS" - Achieve it.

That indeed requires hard work and perseverance for achieving SUCCESS in whatever endeavor.

Let's cling to it, just like this Angel is doing here to the silver charm S.

A nice addition to a handbag around a silver keychain or as a charm on a necklace.

Giovanni Raspini 925/1000 silver Alphabet letter 'S' is available for only USD 33.25 and free shipping within the USA!

There are also other silver alphabet angels available at Spectrenoir ← just click.

Related links:

{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me

{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it} | previous post by me

{The Most Poisonous THREE-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it} | previous post by me

{The Most Used FOUR-Letter Word... "LOVE" - Value it} | previous post by me

{The Most Pleasing FIVE-Letter Word... "SMILE" - Keep it} | previous post by me

{The Most Spreading SIX-Letter Word... "RUMOR" - Ignore it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Most Spreading SIX-Letter Word... "RUMOR" - Ignore it}

A great quote about some bad habits and sadly The Most Spreading SIX-Letter Word... "RUMOR" - Ignore it.

"RUMOR" - Ignore it

Try to look at the more Angelic part of life and let go of RUMOR as such.

Like seen here on this Italian silver Giovanni Raspini Charm, with alphabet letter "R" and Angel for wearing your Name's First Letter.

Other Alphabet letters are also available at Spectrenoir ←just click.

Related links:
{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me
{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it} | previous post by me
{The Most Poisonous THREE-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it} | previous post by me
{The Most Used FOUR-Letter Word... "LOVE" - Value it} | previous post by me
{The Most Pleasing FIVE-Letter Word... "SMILE" - Keep it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Most Pleasing FIVE-Letter Word... "SMILE" - Keep it}

Another great quote with international meaning: The Most Pleasing FIVE-Letter Word... "SMILE" - Keep it.

It sure has tremendous value and it is FREE for giving.

Yes, let us try to KEEP IT!

That sure does make any face more Angelic and Happy.

Like seen here on this Italian silver Giovanni Raspini Charm, with alphabet letter "S" and Angel for wearing your Name's First Letter.

This Italian Giovanni Raspini 925/100 silver Alphabet Angel "S" is available for only USD 33.25 with FREE shipping within the USA: 

Other letters are also available at Spectrenoir ←just click.

Related links:

{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me
{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it} | previous post by me
{The Most Poisonous THREE-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it} | previous post by me
{The Most Used FOUR-Letter Word... "LOVE" - Value it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Most Used FOUR-Letter Word... "LOVE" - Value it}

And here is maybe THE most important Word, in whatever language!

It happens to be in English The Most Used FOUR-Letter Word... "LOVE" - Value it

Yes, LOVE does bring out the most Angelic qualities of a human being and I dare to say, also in our pets as they sure know how to love unconditionally!

So let's cling to that like this Angel is straightening its back against the L... Would again make a lovely gift this silver charm.

This Italian Giovanni Raspini 925/100 silver Alphabet Angel "L" is available for only USD 33.25 with FREE shipping within the USA:


Other alphabet letters are also available at Spectrenoir ←just click.

Related links:
{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me
{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it} | previous post by me
{The Most Poisonous THREE-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Most Poisonous THREE-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it}

 Here is another quote about the Most Poisonous Three-Letter Word... "EGO" - Overcome it.

We better let go of this "EGO" and become a more lovable person!

That makes us a little more 'angelic'

Like seen here on this Italian silver Giovanni Raspini Charm, with alphabet letter "E" and Angel for wearing your Name's First Letter.

Buy this 925/1000 silver 'E' alphabet angel for only USD 33.25 and FREE shipping within the USA:


Other alphabet letters are available at Spectrenoir ←just click.

Related links:

{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me
{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" - Use it}

One more quote that is so valuable and even more so right after Valentine's Day we should remember this; year round. Also as a family or as a team with colleagues or in sports. 

Yes, keeping our Moral Compass pointing in the right direction is a healthy thing!

We better adhere to The Most Satisfying TWO-Letter Word... "WE" and Use it!

That makes us a little more 'angelic' when clinging to the "W"...

Like seen here on this Italian silver Giovanni Raspini Charm, with alphabet letter "W" and Angel

Alphabet letters are available at Spectrenoir ←just click.

Related link:

{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it} | previous post by me

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it}

We just start a period of the year where our Moral Compass could use some cleaning and attention...

Here a very inspirational quote:

The Most Selfish ONE-Letter Word... "I" - Avoid it

So very true in many ways!

We better let go of being Selfish!

Instead, we try for becoming a little more 'angelic' when clinging to the "I"...

Like seen here on this Italian silver Giovanni Raspini Charm, with alphabet letter "I" and Angel

Buy this 925/1000 silver 'I' alphabet angel for only USD 33.25 and FREE shipping within the USA:

Look for other available charms at Spectrenoir ←just click.

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{What Greater Gift than the Love of a Cat ~Charles Dickens}

Thank you all for your sweet comments!

Today, Sunday the 31st of January was a lovely sunny day and we did go for a walk.

Yes, my back is a little better, only around 4:00 AM, I wake up because it hurts but let's hope that it will soon quit on me.

In Horst, The Netherlands there was a Mass for Mom's 1st Anniversary in heaven.

Can't believe it is already a year now since she passed away on the 27th.

January 31, was actually the day she got cremated...

For today just another quote with a photo of Mama cat, Spicy who disappeared.

Guess she got kidnapped... It caused me to grieve for her as we only had her for 9 months!

We still have four of her babies living with her, one of the girls got hit by a car and died of internal injuries.

Our Spicy sitting so regal in a chair in our veranda.

She sure was a beauty with silky fur and oh so svelte!

~

Perfect quote for her:

'What greater gift than the love of a cat.' ~Charles Dickens

Wishing you all a good start into February!

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{Cheerfulness and Contentment are Great Beautifiers and are Famous Preservers of Good Looks ~Charles Dickens}

Since I'm having severe back pain (upper/center/left) there is no chance for doing much.

After the flu and a lingering bronchitis I worked really hard for having the house clean and laundry done and cooking a dinner for 12 for Pieter's Monday Night Club.

Guess that was too much; too soon.

As I already mentioned to +Grażyna Kuśnierczyk-Kamieńska in a comment, I did serve a Polish Red Cabbage for which I got lots of compliments. A Lowell Red Cabbage Salad from World Market.

Their sugar content is 0 and also their sodium content is very reasonable with only 13%.

Together with pork loin strips and red skin potatoes pre-cooked and stir fried, it made for a good winter meal.

A healthy salad from Costco and I did make Tiramisù for dessert with Dutch Douwe Egberts coffee.

Also today the 27th is the 1st Anniversary of Mom being in Heaven...

It is a very dreary and rainy day.

'Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of good looks.'

~Charles Dickens

Hope you all stay warm and well, wherever you are!

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{Architecture is Frozen Music ~Goethe}

LOVE Goethe's quote: ARCHITECTURE IS FROZEN MUSIC...

HUSBAND PIETER against the beautiful Architecture of Willemstad, Curaçao during one of our vacations.

Like music, this lifts up our spirit and memories are often music for the soul!

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{'A loving heart is the truest wisdom' ~Charles Dickens}

Because we are having a very hectic week, this time only a Quote inside a photo from some budding Exochorda 'Pearlbush' macrantha The Bride flowers...

'A loving heart is the truest wisdom' ~Charles Dickens

google.com/+MarietteVandenMunckhofVedder

{Fall is the Spring of Winter}

It is a good thing that around us, in nature and often in our own garden, little miracles happen.

That sure does soften the harsh outlook into this world at times of grief for so many...

Fall is the Spring of Winter ~ Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Der Herbst ist der Frühling des Winters (German translation)...
Our Citrus trees blooming on November 11!

Lots of highly fragrant flowers are opening up.
But on Saturday, November 14 we had around 34°F or 1°C and thus, Pieter did bring all our tender tropical pot plants into the greenhouse.

In a previous post I did show you already this Monarch Butterfly...

Such a lovely sight and what a delicious nectar source for the Monarch Butterfly!
I myself also LOVE honey collected from orange blossoms.

Indeed, Fall is the Spring of Winter!

Wishing the Monarch Butterfly good luck when it makes its journey south bound and may the Citrus Trees continue their blooming inside the greenhouse.

Blessings and Peace!

Related link:
{Monarch Butterfly - Danaus Plexippus} | previous post by me

google.com/+MariettesBacktoBasics

{The Kiss of the Sun for Pardon}

While at the Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida, we did buy another sweet gift at the giftshop.
This also resides in our veranda...

 Such a lovely quote by Dorothy Frances Gurney 1858 - 1932

The kiss of the sun
for pardon,
The song of the birds
for mirth,
One is nearer God's 
heart in a garden
Than anywhere else 
on earth.

Related link:
{Edward Bok Quote} | previous post by me

{Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida} | previous post by me
{1903 Ladies Home Journal by Edward Bok - The Mother of America & Dutch American Heritage Day} | previous post by me with more information about Edward Bok