{J BAR D Farm in Dublin, Georgia}

On the road to our dear friends, we pass by an impressive gate; that of the J BAR D Farm in Dublin, GA.

On July 31, I did stop to make these photos to share with my readers.

Stepping a bit back...

A view to the left over the vast farm area

And again to the right

Just across the road were hay bales, just harvested.
As well as dramatic clouds on this summer day.
Hope you enjoyed these rural images from our State of Georgia


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{Some Laurens County, GA Slave Houses from the 1980s}

When we came to the United States as immigrants, on August 29, of 1983 we of course started to explore the area in rural Georgia where we were living. Right here in Laurens County, Georgia we could still make some photos of former so called 'Slave Houses'. We were quite surprised to find them. I did come across these as I was scanning old slides during the heavy rains and the flooding in husband Pieter's work shop. February it was Black History Month so this is appropriate for showing them here today.

Husband Pieter took this photo in Laurens County, Georgia.

Probably in 1985 and yes, this was before the digital camera era...

Guess these are no longer around, which is a pity as it was part of history.

This one looks quite patched up...

It must have been raining a lot too, considering the water to the bottom right in this photo...

Do any of you recall those slave houses?

PS There are some comments on my FB Page (just click this link) by local readers and they  refer to them as being also tenant houses. Sure, I did NOT grow up here in this State. Any info is welcome! 

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{Via col Vento Dublin, GA - Oktoberfest and my Dirndls}

Saturday evening we met with our best friends for a special Oktoberfest. Lady Chef Maria from our Italian-Coffee and Wine Bar: Via col Vento - Dublin, GA did treat us to authentic German fare. By the way, Via col Vento means 'Gone With the Wind' in Italian. Maria is the Lady Chef of Ristorante da Maria at +Dublin Farm "Come Home To The Country" 

So out came the Dirndls for wearing again. How I still miss my Salzburger Dirndl with roses... You will see those photos below. Scroll down and have a look.

My authentic German Dirndl what I wore on Saturday.

Husband Pieter in his outfit...

Both of us did pose in front of our Canary Island Palm, with of course one of our felines always in the picture!

It was a great evening - sorry I did  not take any photos.

Previously our best friends in Dublin have hosted several bi-annual Oktoberfest for some 300 people.

Here is Pieter's brother Toon to the left, with his Wilhelmien.

Both of them are no longer alive but we have fond memories of 2002.

How I wish I still had my Salzburger Dirndl... it had roses on it!

This is in the Eifel, Germany in 1971.

Here I wear the Salzburger Dirndl too, overlooking the River Meuse in Kessel, The Netherlands.

Do you also have a Dirndl or any outfit for going to the Oktoberfest?

In Munich it was this year the 176th Oktoberfest but I learned that it is being celebrated now the world over. Even Down Under!

Mariette on Google+

{16 Crocheted Christmas Ornaments I made for the City Hall's Tree}

Just came across this picture of the 16 different crocheted lace Christmas ornaments that I'd made for our Dublin, Georgia City Hall. Since on Saturday, November 19 of 1994 I was having my Christmas Sale, like the day before, I was unable to bring them to the City Hall for hanging them on the tree... My Dublin Mama did pick them up and did it for me. As she did often, helping me out. If you want to learn how to crochet you are welcome at Learn from Mariette.

From Magic Crochet, December 1985

Crochet patten is easy to make...

This is our City Hall with some Christmas decoration around its columns. 

Just on a regular day...

Yes, I am living now in the NEW WORLD...

Our County only got established in 1807.

Quite a change from the OLD WORLD with its rich history!
This is actually a large mural in down town.

Mariette on Google+

{Post # 148 and my blog is 1 year old today!}

Today marks a very special day as on November 23 of last year I did launch my very first blog-post about Romancing the Home.

At that time I was very sick, in excruciating pain and could not even get to my PC... Only a second blog-post I launched on December 13, showing: {Fragrant Paperwhite Narcissus flowers in early December}. Together with a reply to +Johanna Gehrlein  from +Silber-und-Rosen-Shop about her question.

By the end of the year I was walking on crutches...

On January 9 of this year I was in the hospital being almost totally paralyzed with very high fever that they couldn't knock down at first. 

It was on January 11, that I cried in my hospital bed; on the birthday of my still born sister 'Mariet' who would have been almost 13 months older than I am. 

I told her that I was NOT yet ready to see her in heaven...

After four days in the hospital they put me on Prednisone and the pain went away.

Again I could MOVE! What a joy.
Being diagnosed with a very rare auto immune disease, I was now on the mend!
♥

For my sister Mariet, trying to live for her as well, I've added 'TE' behind my name.
♥♥

That's the story behind my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics. 

Anyway, most people here in the US had difficulties pronouncing Mariet, so this works well.

So there came my next blog on March 21, about dear Friend Johanna Gehrlein's: {Splendid book about Silver Rose Flatware}. That is about my passion: Silver Rose Flatware.

Only since April 4, I know my statistics as I was way behind with everything and slowly did catch up on my daily life's routine.

Not bad for only seven-and-a-half month of data:
6,544 Visits
34,859 Pageviews

6,544 Visits came from 74 countries/territories

It just so happened that recently, country # 73 is Georgia! Living in Georgia/USA this is special.
The First Lady of Georgia is Dutch born Sandra Roelofs.
So this is a double-Dutch connection...

Related links:

{My Angel Sister & Mariette's Back to Basics Explained} | previous post by me

Mariette on Google+