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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

{Muscovy Duck in Miami, Florida}

Already in a previous post on October 24, I did mention about our recent vacation to Florida. We always book at the +Hyatt Place Orlando/ Universal, and at the Hyatt House in Miami which is like a complete home away from home. My 4 hour drive from Hyatt Place in Orlando, the one where they had drained the pool for the 2 days we were there, to the Hyatt House in Miami was not a pleasant one. I hit a severe tropical storm and it was very exhausting to stay on the Turnpike with such heavy rain... Arriving with a headache, I opted for a walk around our hotel. Look what we encountered...
This very heavy and strange looking water fowl... A Muscovy Duck as it turned out!
They are from South America, you can find more about them via link below post.
The Hyatt House Miami Airport is at the Blue Lagoon, a kind of lake that extends from behind the hotel.
Here Pieter is at the parking lot and behind him is a kind of canal that ends into the Blue Lagoon...
This is me sitting on the guard rail behind the hotel, overlooking the canal.
I was so exhausted from driving through this tropical rain.
A walk and fresh air, after the rain had stopped, did me some good!
This Muscovy duck was standing there and staring at me... guess it was begging.
They are huge!
Have you ever seen this type of duck with a head full of red warts?

Related links:
{Do YOU Like HIGH HEELED Platform Shoes?} | previous post by me about our Florida vacation where the pool was drained at the Hyatt Place...
Muscovy Duck | More information about this black and heavy duck from South America

Sunday, November 3, 2013

{Antique French 19th Century 950/1000 Silver & Crystal Muffineer, Sugar Shaker, Caster Sifter}

French Antiques are often of a unique beauty. So is this 19th Century 950/1000 Silver & Crystal Muffineer, Sugar Shaker, Caster Sifter. Use it for sifting powdered sugar over your pancakes, waffles or other desserts. Also great for using as Cinnamon Shaker!
Voilà!
A very rare beauty and in PERFECT CONDITION!
Only ONE availabe for sale at my Zen Cart powered boutique on line Mariette's Back to Basics: Antique French 19th Century 950/1000 Silver & Crystal Muffineer.
This Muffineer is quite tall with its full 13 cm or 5.1 inch in height.
The rich antique patina on the solid pure silver I leave for the new owner to be removed.
PERFECT CONDITION; no dents, no chips or whatsoever!
A unique piece and it will look great on your Dessert, Brunch or Tea Buffet.
Again I have used it with our large Gardenia flowers and the beautiful hand crocheted lace table topper done by Susan from Ava Grace's Closet's Mama.
A most treasured Gift from Blogger Friend!
Showing you where the French Goddess Minerva head is being punched.
It is sideways...
Next photo you will see it better...
A perfect French Minerva is visible here.
French Minerva means it is 1st standard silver, showing the Goddess Minerva with a number 1 (which I have circled red) beside her forehead.
This number 1 denotes a silver content of 950/1000 or almost PURE silver and higher than the usual 925 sterling silver content!
Signature Antiquite - Les Poinçons (link to above screen shot)
Sorry Sold out...
My private collection of Silver Muffineer and Sugar Sifter Spoons with WAFFLE
see link below post
Muffineer used for this romantic dessert with Strawberry Rose Petal Cream...
Do you use powdered sugar often?

Related links:
{1862 Christofle Sugar Sifter Spoon 'Filet Violon'} | previous post by me showing Silver Muffineer
Christies Danish Silver Muffineer | Christie's Auction of Danish Silver Muffineer 1919-1927
English Heavy Silver Sugar Shaker or Castor | Example of Silver Muffineer
French cristal argent massif saupoudreuse | French 19th Century Crystal and Solid Silver Muffineer
Saupoudreuse en cristal taille et argent | French cut Crystal and Silver Muffineer

Friday, November 1, 2013

{My Teacher, Mentor, BOSS & Husband over 44+ Years}

On September 9, it was exactly 44 years ago that in The Netherlands the 1st and ONLY practical Training College for Mushroom Growing in the world, had its official Grand Opening by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery, a branch of the Dutch Government. My husband Pieter founded it and he was the Principal and one of the active Teachers for decades until he became Vice President Training & Development for Campbell Soup Company in charge of their Mushroom Division in the USA, Canada and Australia.
Here he is: my Teacher; Mentor; Boss and would-be Husband over a period of 44+ Years
  • Sitting in his Dutch office for an interview, shortly before departing to the USA.
  • His office door was always WIDE open and anyone was welcome with questions or whatsoever. 
  • That was his unique policy.
  • I only knew him as Mr. Vedder... my best ever Teacher, Mentor and BOSS.
  • Only years later, I learned his first name, which we never used back then; always addressing him as Mr. Vedder and not Pieter.
  • Here at the Grand Opening with Government Officials.
  • Front row at table, to the left is my husband Pieter; smoking his cigarette of course!
  • Center is the Chairman of the Foundation and his wife. 
  • Far right you see 5 year old daughter Lizzy, with her adoptive Mom beside her.
  • Little did we know at that time, that together with Pieter, as my then husband, we would work together, paying for her education at the Royal Academy of Arts and Design in Den Bosch, The Netherlands.

Pictured here at the Grand Opening's Reception, are from left to right:
  • Thé Vedder, Pieter's eldest brother who passed away on August 18, 2012.
  • Pieter himself and seated next to him is their Mother, who passed away in 1989.
  • The lady behind the table is Pieter's secretary Dora who also passed away.
That secretary worked only part time, as she just lost her husband due to cancer, after their 6th child was born. Pieter never wanted to replace her with a full time secretary as she needed this job. So when I finished my Secretarial education, I let my Boss know about it and he had me fill in the afternoons. Together we managed very well.

  • Unfortunately, Pieter's Dad died of cancer; 2 years prior to this Grand Opening... For sure he looked down from heaven being very proud of his youngest! It is a pity that I never got to know Pieter's Dad...
Here Pieter is to the left, smoking his usual cigarette, as did his friend Alex De Zalay from France, who translated Pieter's Mushroom book into the French language publication: Culture Moderne des Champignons by P.J.C. Vedder

  • This is just ONE of EIGHT official languages in which his book is published!
  • It is called 'THE MUSHROOM BIBLE'...
This was the practical Training College in Horst, The Netherlands in 1974. Complete with commercial growing rooms for production of fresh first quality mushrooms.
  • The formal training was for 2 years and other courses were given for one year and also short courses in both German and English besides courses in Dutch.
  • Upon graduation, Pieter would always take his students abroad, to visit one of the large mushroom plants in the U.K., Denmark, Switzerland or Italy.
  • This is me, weighing the fresh production of the day...
  • I've done a lot of lifting and had very strong upper arms back then.
  • This is me in a self made dress in rayon. 
  • It was an employee outing to the Open Air Museum in Arnhem, The Netherlands.
  • Yes, in the 70s I did wear mini!
  • This is me on a Sunday, planning the work week ahead for all of my harvesters.
  • Calling in my part timers and granting days off etc.
  • Being in charge of harvesting, and first quality, I had to come on Sundays and on each weekday half an hour prior to the rest. 
  • In the afternoons I would conduct secretarial duties after my 'weight lifting' task of weighing the product for sending it off to the auction.
  • My BOSS always had a certain sympathy for me but only after 14 years, did it blossom into REAL LOVE... We finally did get married and started our life together in the USA.
  • This was used on a brochure for Open Days in September to let the people see how mushrooms grow and how they get harvested. 
  • Later I did write my book about Mushroom Harvesting...
  • Me with my 'Smily' sweater...
  • Talking about Mushroom Quality Criteria

Related links:
Pieter J.C. Vedder | LinkedIn profile
Cultivo Moderno del CHAMPIÑON P.J.C. Vedder | still in publication the Spanish version of Pieter's book.
{Our Daughter Liz} | previous post by me
{Angels engraved on lucky calendar coin of 1969} | previous post by me incl. our wedding
{What YOU should LOOK for when Buying Fresh Mushrooms} | previous post by me about my book publication and info
{Dieng Plateau Indonesia - Where We Worked} | previous post by me about the BIGGEST mushroom plant in the world
{HELP ME FIND ITALIAN ARTIST M. SOTGIU mother of Luigi Tramarollo} | previous post by me showing where in Italy at the biggest mushroom plant we worked and showing Pieter's Italian and English book
{2013 Fiat 500 versus Fiat 500 Topolino} | previous post by me showing my car (Dad's) parked at work in Italy


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