{Elvira my 1st and only Goddaughter}

Okay, back to the subject Goddaughter... here is my 1st and only Goddaughter, Elvira, of whom I am very fond and proud! She is the daughter of my almost life-long friend Ellie. We did pass our Ruby friendship-anniversary a couple of years ago. That is loyalty at its very best; through thick and thin and without borders!

Above you see little Elvira, biding us farewell with her Mom Ellie, prior to our departure for Georgia/USA... at my Dad's garden in The Netherlands.
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We did come to Elvira's First Communion on May 4th of 1989, all the way from Cornuda, province of Treviso in Italy. 
For one year we only lived 12 hours driving away... Instead of having to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

I'd made her a beautiful handkerchief with crocheted lace edging in pink.
Will show you my hand crocheted items in a later post...

Elvira meanwhile has developed into a charming and energetic Maître d' who is welcoming you at the romantic restaurant of René Brienen, Brienen aan de Maas, on the river Meuse in Middle Limburg, The Netherlands. Indeed, the word charming in the text of this former ferrymen's café, converted into a delicious up-to-date restaurant with lovely neo-retro dining rooms and terrace facing the river, is referring to Elvira! She also successfully finished her study of vinology at the wine academy, so she can help you out as a sommelier, for making decisions at table!

We were lucky to have her as our personal guide, with our American friends touring Maastricht the old capital of my birth Province Limburg, in The Netherlands, and birthplace of the EURO. Elvira, lived and worked there, so she knew its gastronomical highlights thoroughly.

Here we are for a break at the Kruisherenhotel in Maastricht. From left: Pieter; friends Johnny and Hannah; Ellie (Elvira's Mom); Elvira; Mathieu (her Dad) and me...

We were very lucky for having the perfect weather on October 10 of 2005. This picture is taken at one of the Vrijthof square's terraces. In his younger days, Pieter used to conduct courses there at Restaurant Grandcafé Momus about Mushroom Growing. Our Georgia lawyer friend Johnny, and his wife Hannah, did enjoy this day in Maastricht but I must admit that it barely scratches all of the Burgundian culture...

In 2009, early March, we were able to visit Elvira and Bob in their lovely apartment. They do (did) live in the center of Venray, Limburg in The Netherlands. Plans are in the making for building or buying a home and having their wedding* subsequently. That of course would be another reason for us to cross the Atlantic Ocean!
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*Editor's note: that very wedding took place on September 2 and 3 of 2011...
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A baby is due in August of 2012...
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And they did move into their new home; lots of milestones reached.

These two lovebirds were ready to move into their new nest. They live near the romantic river Meuse, that offers tranquil scenic boat trips, near the Interstate and near the beautiful forests of the river Meuse valley. In the Burgundian province of Limburg, things sound more French then elsewhere!

Both of us have been looking forward to the day that these two love-birds would have their big day and we certainly were part of it on September 2 + 3, of 2011! Will show photos soon...

Wishing you lots of love and the best of luck for accomplishing all of your dreams!

♥

Your far away, but nearby Godmother.

PS: Talking about The Netherlands; Limburg is by far the best piece of the cake!