About Me

My photo
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
Showing posts with label Mushroom Editorial Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mushroom Editorial Review. Show all posts

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Written Compliments and Book Reviews for my Pieter — II

Reading such compliments and/or book reviews is uplifting!
Great book! My admiration for your work.
Truly a fantastic guide to growing mushrooms.
Best book on mushroom growing
Hi Pieter 
Hope all is well with you,
Just ordered your book on Amazon & looking forward to the read. Your original was always considered the bible for mushroom growing and I often refer to it. It is a well thumbed version from early nineties. Keep things lit!
Mike
Pieter,
Stay safe and enjoy life.
Best wishes and will always be grateful for your help and advice.
Mel
Thanks for the times you came to Greenwood Mushroom farm to teach.
Pieter's reply: 
Done so with enthusiasm and love for the job!
"Your BIRTH IS BLESSING To All. 
All our Blessings for your Good Health!"
From Peru:
Mr Pieter is a hero to all those who once started this cultivation. Next to your words printed in that book, it is a huge help.
Thank you very much for everything—I am organizing and I will see how I manage to get updated to the 2020 book.
I will leave the country next month.
Thank you very much for everything.
Vocational school Horst, at the time, is that right?
My reply: Yes, I worked at the CCO for over 14 years before we immigrated together.
I remember that, we worked there regularly at the time. We were young then... time has flown by.
Nice words. You have indeed meant a lot to the mushroom industry and still do! Enjoy it and stay healthy!
Best book on mushroom growing
Congratulations on your latest addition of Modern Mushroom growing 2020. Your first addition was a great asset to the farm. Your many contributions to the mushroom industry are really appreciated.
You have watered to blossom, many who needed the most.
And now it's our turn, 
Watering of blessings,
For your GOOD HEALTH.
Pieter's reply: 
Thank you so very much; it is greatly appreciated!
I met Mr. Jans and Mr. Vedder while working at Highline Mushrooms in Canada. 
These are two very excellent teachers. I learned much about caring for mushrooms and much more about caring for people. I left the mushroom industry about two decades ago but their kind of kind leadership cannot be forgotten. 
Thanks Pieter, 
For giving us the opportunity to learn so much about mushroom growing.
In the early 80s I was one of the students of the CCO. I have learned there so much. 
Lessons which help me still today.
I'm proud and honored that I was privileged to go there.
Pieter's reply:
Have done so with lots of passion and in Dutch, German and English for the short courses and ending with only English... Most is being bundled now in our books so not all is lost!
"Pieter, thank you for transitioning the growing of mushrooms with your science but practical approach."
Pieter's reply:
Thank you and it is not about how much I know but how to transfer that knowledge in an understandable way and with lots of personal practical experience...
Guess I was born to be a teacher!
I'm glad and honored that I can count Pieter to the masters, from which I learned so much. It was not only mushroom but also for your daily life, helping me to move away from my mind's barriers.
Thank you Pieter, for all what you did for me and the Mushroom community.
Well worthy Pieter, a great addition for any of 'us'...
Pieter's reply:
Hope it will help many mushroom growers all over the world! The basics never change, even for those that grow in less modern facilities.
I'm certain it will and never a more true statement in our business Pieter that often missed. You reiterate this so well throughout all stages in your book and now great to have the 2020 edition after referencing you verbally over the years.
Mr Vedder was my teacher in 1967 – 1968. Since then I was growing mushrooms till 2 years ago. So the basic knowledge for mushroom growing was all that time with me.
Mushroom growing is a very interesting and exciting culture.
Pieter's reply:
That is great to hear from a former student, from the era before the Training Centre was officially opened on September 9, 1969. Yes, today was an anniversary... Your English also stands out!
Hope you continue to do well in whatever you do.
Oh so good to hear from you Dr. Vedder, some of my best memories of work – was working for Campbell's and growing mushrooms, and my time spent in Georgia at your operation.
I still have your book and frequently pick it up to peruse. 
Do you live near the old operation? Hope you and your family are well and if you ever make it back to PA – be sure to look me up at Golden Oaks. 
Oh yes, Bobcat – I'm pretty sure I ran into one before bounded back into the woods, when I first moved back to this area. Thank you.

If you scroll down on this blog, under labels: Mushroom Editorial Review you will find more posts with meaningful compliments!

As both of us always said:
It is not important what YOU say about YOURSELF — BUT WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT YOU...

Related link:
1978 - P.J.C. Vedder's Modern Mushroom Growing Book Published in English | previous post by me and showing ALL LANGUAGES of Pieter's book — also the Spanish version from first image...
September 9, 1969 Grand Opening practical Mushroom Training Center in Horst | previous post by me about founder and principal teacher Pieter...
Visiting Castle Gardens Arcen with Friend Ellie | previous post by me telling audience where Pieter used to live

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Written Compliments and Book Reviews for my Pieter — I

 It sure is nice to get some written compliments from former students and/or book reviews!
Despite all odds, you took pain to pen the guidance. Greatest Consultant, far greater in Humanity.
May GOD shower my Good deeds on you.
Both of us have no PAY MASTER
Very good Article in this Pandemic, I live by the rules which I learned at the Mushroom school CCO in Horst, Netherlands. It was the best school I ever visited, here it was where I learned not only about Mushrooms. But also how the environment where we live in works, including pests and diseases and how to deal with it.
Wanna thank you for the wise lesson you taught us there in Horst at the CCO. Also I can only recommend everybody to read your books. They are really great!
Pieter's reply: 
Thanks for your meaningful comment and indeed in whatever I've taught, I tried to do the very best to explain the matter and no–nonsense. Sure, I also am a strong believer in the natural antagonsim!
I've already read it, it's the best book in the world!!
Pieter's reply: 
Thank you! It often gets called the 'Mushroom Bible'...
Sir just now I get the copy of modern mushroom growing 2020 hope that this would be a great guide for my mushroom growing life. I will refer through this and making improvements in growing, if there is any doubts in this I will go through with you sir. 
Thank you for making this 'bundle of great experience'.
Thank you Amazon for this wonderful Bhagwad Geeta for mushroom growers
Dr Vedder is a world class mushroom grower and trainer. I was so happy to see that Amazon was able to get me this wonderful bible for mushroom growers,
Hi Mariette, I am Ravi Balraj, who was in Pond's India. We always remember your excellent training skills.
I still have my notebook where I had jotted down your valuable advices on mushroom growing. And clearing our doubts. Even to this day, those were the days I learnt the maximum on mushroom growing.
You have contributed much more than your books for the mushroom world.
We all reference your books for anything on mushroom growing & many growers will continue to do so.
You are the best teacher
I am to know that you got gift from Pond's India. Pieter, known for his practical knowledge and his wonder book, I possess.
Great love and regard for both of you.
May God bless both of you.
Please send photo of Pond's gift, I want to have a look.
My reply: In good daylight I will but we better first polish the silver...
Be patient!
Never be weak thinking that you be alone but always stick to thinking
That you alone are enough...!!
Congratulations sir.
Happy 94th birthday
Pieter Vedder sir Grand Father of mushrooms
Pieter's reply: Thank you and yes, being the Grandfather of Mushroom Growing sounds right...
I am such a big fan of yours sir that I cannot tell you.
Pieter's reply: 
Thank you and it is always good to hear that I've meant something to others. May our book still help many for making a living in mushrooms! Did it with all my heart and soul...
After Fred Atkins, Mr Vedder sir you took the mushroom industry to a greater height. 
Pieter's reply: 
Thank you and I owe a lot to Mr. Fred Atkins and I counted him among my very special friends: Fred Atkins' book Mushroom Growing To-Day helped Pieter Solve Yellow Mold & False Truffle Problem ←click link
This birthday message comes 
Deep from within my heart
For everything that you do
And all the wisdom you impart.
I'm ever so grateful
To have somebody like you
Who can educate me
As wonderfully as you do.
Happy birthday to you (2023)
Review on Good Reads:
★★★★★ Loved it, so much wealth of knowledge
Thanks for this profound book you wrote for us. It's a real enchiridion; I'll keep it with my treasure books so I can always have a quick view of questions, difficulties, or discussions. Thank you so much for the lessons which I could learn from you.
Thanks for the profound book you wrote. I'll use it as an enchiridion to skill up my knowledge. Thank you for all the lessons you taught me.
Pieter's reply:
That is the main reason why we wrote and self–published our book. To share our knowledge with others. Hoping you use our handbook often!
Hi Mr. Vedder, I would like to wish You a Merry Christmas, and thank you for all your knowledge, and sharing it by books, videos, audios, etc. 
I have been working since 2005 in mushrooms when I was at the university, and the only one book available was yours.
Since that time starting as an entrepeneur, until now as a mushroom farm owner, it has been so helpful as an engineer in mushroom production, communication with workers, organization, etc. all your help and your wife's too.
I really want to thank you for all development and knowledge in mushroom farm, for all of us, that learn everyday from you!!!
Merry Christmass!!!
Hello Mr. Vedder,
Once upon a time I had the privilege of being taught by you to become a good mushroom grower in the late 70's and early 80's. I have been working in this world for about 25 years. First 8 years as a manager of the tunnel company and then 15 years on my own mushroom farm.
So your knowledge transfer has really helped me. I would like to thank you for that and I look back on a nice period where you taught us the trade in a skillful and humorous way.
We spoke again at the Mushroom Days in Grubbenvorst after you went to the USA.
By chance I came across your name on the internet, hence this message.
Hope all is well with you?
From Limburg I greet you.
Former pupil Jan
As you say, not every farmer can invest huge capital on high–tech equipment. We need to help the farmer to have good yield with less money.
Pieter's reply:
That is so true, even nowadays and that's why I still explain the BASICS in our book! Also both of us have always done our consulting work, based on QUALITY which is market value, instead of just high yields...! A BIG mistake would be an incentive program for the managers (even consultants) based just on kilograms but not on quality, which translates into market value!
Looking forward to receiving the book I ordered.
Pieter's reply:
Hope you meanwhile received it. We were 5 days without Internet so I reply late...

If you scroll down on this blog, under labels: Mushroom Editorial Review you will find more posts with meaningful compliments!

As both of us always said:
It is not important what YOU say about YOURSELF — BUT WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT YOU...


Related links:
{Part XVI of Husband Pieter's Trip to East Asia - Taipei, Taiwan} | previous post by me with great complimentary letter at the end
1978 - P.J.C. Vedder's Modern Mushroom Growing Book Published in English | previous post by me and showing ALL LANGUAGES of Pieter's book!
1982 Sinden Award for Pieter at The Hotel Majestic, Harrogate, England | previous post by me about PRESTIGIOUS AWARD IN THE MUSHROOM INDUSTRY
SOME VIRUS FACTS AND QUESTIONS | previous post by me
Grateful to Friend Gil for Capturing Pieter's 93rd Birthday | previoius post by me about Pieter's 93rd B'day

Thursday, March 23, 2023

5th North American Mushroom Conference Pieter J.C. Vedder FROM CASE HOLD TO FIRST BREAK

 On March 10, 1985 after getting back from Tijuana, México we got ready for the reception of the 5th North American Mushroom Conference in San Diego, California
See below post about previous posts.
Reception where we met Pieter's Campbell Soup colleague Aron Kinrus (l) and his wife Shyfra (r).
The couple where both of us stayed for a couple of weeks before our Exodus from Pennsylvania, USA...
See post below.
Aron took this picture from the three of us...
On March 12 lectures about CROP MANAGEMENT
Pieter presented at 11:10 till 11:30—CROP MANAGEMENT FROM CASE HOLD TO FIRST BREAK
Pieter did very well and got lots of applaus and there were many in the audience.
Pieter to the left before being introduced as the next speaker by Jim Yeatman.
Jim Yeatman did visit us in Dublin, Georgia on August 10 the next year, with someone from South Africa, see post below.
Always a very interesting schedule...
On March 12 we woud end the day with DINNER AND DANCE in the Grand Ballroom
SPEAKERS & PARTICIPANTS
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Feeling relaxed after Pieter's presentation and enjoying the Dinner–Dance
Lots of glare and even Pieter's suit got totally affected...
Again lots of glare...
But Pieter sure felt happy and relaxed after having given his presentation in the morning...
Grateful to Chairman Geoff Price for providing us with this Mushroom News September 1985 publication!
Thank you letter to Pieter:
Your presentation, "Crop Management From Case Hold to First Break," was well received and certainly contributed to the success of the conference. Your personal time and effort in preparing your talk were evident and appreciated by the committee.
Again, thank you for your contribution.
Sincerely,
Edward A. Leo
Vice Chairman, 5th NAMC
~
Casing to First Break
Pieter J.C. Vedder, Camsco (Campbell Soup) Produce Co., Dudley, Georgia
Presented at the 5th N.A.M.C. in San Diego.
In a short time I just can give you some ideas about what I think is important to reach the goal (not an easy goal) of a high yield with a good quality. Whatever growing system you have, what we all need first at the moment of casing is a good full grown compost with a moisture content of 63–66%, a pH of around 6.5 and a total nitrogen of let's say 2.2%. Because of the variation in ash content we maybe better talk about a C/N ratio of about 16 at spawning.
The plastic which was protecting the surface of the compost during spawn run from drying out and from contamination, has to be removed one or two days prior to casing to give the condensation water the opportunity to disappear.
Green molds on the surface are a sign that the compost is not selective enough, they show us that there are more easily degradable carbohydrates available because of an improper Phase I and/or Phase II, or we brought them in with the spawn grains or supplement. For that reason I don't like a heavy surface spawning; that means more as 10%. In spite of the development of different so–called slow release supplements, I prefer supplementing at spawning (if possible, of course). It is also much easier to manage the compost temperature if there is a wet casing layer on top, because we can create evaporation, which means cooling. We know that the best protection against competitor molds is a strong antagonism, buit up by the mushroom mycelium during a vigorous spawn run. I suppose that for the same reason we will have less problems with nematodes, molds, etc. and the yield will be higher after a 14 day spawn run as compared with e.g. 10 or 11 days.
I prefer a not too fluffy, somewhat heavy, casing material with a certain "body," because that has, in my opinion, a positive effect on the quality of the mushrooms. Very important also is that the material has a good water holding capacity. A mixture of not too fine peat moss and e.g. 20–25% spent lime, a by–product of the sugar industry, gives nice casing material. We prefer a pH in the 7.2–7.3 range for our casing material. It is much easier to maintain the right, high moisture content if the casing layer has a depth of at least 1 ½ inch (3.8 cm) or even better 1 ¾ of an inch (4.5 cm).
To produce a good quality mushroom with a better shelf life and also to avoid blotch, etc., we don't like to water the beds for a certain period of time prior to harvesting. That means that we need a moisture reserve in the casing layer, especially for a heavy first break. Growers often talk about the need for material with a better water holding capacity. The easiest way to increase the water holding capacity is to make the casing layer somewhat thicker. (This will change maybe with the new synthetic polymers recently available on the market).
Although it is known that the mushrooms take most of the water out of the compost, a firm casing layer with a good water holding capacity is very important.

In my opinion, in most of the cases the disadvantages of steaming the casing material are still bigger than the advantages. Steaming makes the casing material more sensitive for a new contamination; is affecting the water holding capacity and structure negatively and cost a lot of money on top of that. If the casing material is heavily contaminated with bubble, nematodes, or something like that, we should search for another source or revise the farm hygiene. With a good sanitation program and a vigorous spawn run there is most times no need for this costly technique.
The consequence of filling the trays or beds with fully grown compost or supplementing at casing is that we disturb and damage the mycelium in the compost. We have to give the mycelium some time to recover and re–colonize the compost surface, so better we don't water heavily just after casing. I prefer therefore a casing material with a moisture content of at east 75% or even more. (Of course if we are able to handle such a wet material).
The objective for the first couple of days after casing is to get a good inter–connecting mycelial growth between the compost and casing. As long as the casing material is not really saturated we have to water the beds several times in the days after casing. It is very important however that excessive water is not added which will run through the casing and rest on top of the compost, thereby causing a delay in mycelial growth and creating a somewhat greasy layer ideal for e.g. nematodes. This is possibly the main reason for a well wetted material at the time of application to the beds.
A somewhat sealed surface the first week after casing seems to be preferable. A high level of metabolics, produced by the growing mycelium, seems to stimulate the micro–organisms in the casing layer, which have a positive effect on fructification. After casing, we should manage the air temperature that way that the main part of the compost and casing material is in the 76–80°F (24.4–26.6°C) area. For the vegetative stage, we prefer a high relative humidity and also a high carbon dioxide concentration; high means above 3000–4000 PPM or even higher. Ventilation, that means supplying fresh air, is therefore only necessary if the compost temperature is rising too high. 
This sometimes creates a problem. If the temperature, for whatever reason, is rising too high 6–7 days after casing, one has to open the vents to bring the bed temperature in line. This however often is initiating fructification rather deep in the casing layer. If we flush again, then we initiate a second layer of pins over the deeper formed first layer, thus the so–called double pinning. To avoid this problem we should have the opportunity for internal cooling without using fresh air. What we can do if we do not have that possibility is cool down the beds till e.g. 70°F (21°C) at day 5–6 so that we have some extra time to keep the room closed prior to flushing.
Very important in relation to this problem is a good selective compost and spawn run of at least 14–15 days. For this reason, it possibly will be better to stay away from supplementing during the summer. High temperature spots are normally not the result of the growth of the mushroom mycelium but are most times showing the activity of competitor molds, indicating a lack of selectivity as the result of an improper Phase I and Phase II.
We all are looking for a good first break, say around 2.5–3.0 lbs per square foot, and at the same time, a good quality mushroom.  You can only have this if the mushrooms are spread very even over the bed surface; no clumps, or heavy clusters and no bare spots. With traditional casing methods, the arrival of the mycelium at the surface 6–7 days after casing tends to be uneven, and a compromise between advanced and backward parts must be reached. Shallow patches will show mycelium at the surface well in advance of deep areas.
In relation to this problem, we have good experience with the deep scratching or ruffling technique. As soon as the mycelium has developed about three quarters of the way into the casing layer, which is most times the case 5–7 days after casing, we mix in the mycelium and by doing so, simultaneously break up the surface compaction. An equal distribution of mycelium throughout the casing layer ensures that all mycelium at the bed surface is at the same stage of development. As a result, competition among mushroom initials is equalized, allowing even development without clumping or under pinning.
We have to realize that deep scratching or ruffling cannot compensate for an uneven compost and/or casing layer. Lack of evenness at the bed surface is most times created at filling or spawning. Patching or dust–covering is in my opinion not a good solution for this problem.
The modern shelf beds with metal side boards give of course the best opportunity for leveling and deep scratching and as the result of that, an even break. Even watering can be mechanized then.
After scratching, we have to give the mycelium the opportunity to restore and come up to the surface of the casing layer. To reach that goal, we maintain the optimum climate for the vegetative growth, so high CO₂ level, high relative humidity, and temperature in the mid 70's (24°C) for another 24 or more hours.
Fructification is the result of a combination of different factors as there are; temperature, CO₂–concentration, relative humidity (that means evaporation rate), micro–organisms, etc.

To ensure the occurrence of clean mushrooms, initiating of fruit bodies should occur on or near the surface of the casing layer. The flushing technique depends not only on the strain, but also on the ability to control the environment. With the strain we grow, we prefer a somewhat soft flush.
We don't like over pinning, 66 pieces per pound instead of 30, but on the other hand, to get the necessary quantity in the first break, let's say between 2.5 and 3.0 lbs., we need a certain number of fruit bodies. As a rule of thumb, we can say that lower temperatures and lower CO₂ concentrations give more fruit bodies. Stroma is most times the result of high CO₂ concentrations, high relative humidity, and too late flushing.


Related links:
Part III - Highveld Mushrooms in Bryanston, South Africa | previous post by me with photo of Jim Yeatman visiting us at our home...

Copyright:

MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS © 2009. All rights reserved - Text and images may not be copied for distribution or sale.

213 Countries visited with 277 flags since:

free counters

Total Pageviews

Blog Archive

Google Analytics

Labels

4th of July (8) Accordion (7) Advent (24) ALL SAINTS DAY | ALL SOULS DAY (2) Aluminum Roofing (11) Amaretti cookies (15) American Airlines (4) American Mushroom Institute (2) Angels (123) Angels We Know By Name (12) Archiving (29) Arizona (19) Australia (25) Auto Immune Disease (12) Ava Grace's closet (10) Baccarat Crystal (65) Backyard Wildlife HABITAT Certificate (8) Barlow Tyrie Capri Lounger (2) Bathing Suits (10) BB and L (4) Belgium (2) Benjamin Moore (14) Biking (33) Birthdays (38) Blissful Relationship (113) Blog Award (20) Blog Pageviews (14) Blogger I Admire (33) Blogger Tips (27) Bobèches (6) Bok Tower (3) Bridal Gowns (6) Britex Fabrics (12) Britex Notions (10) Bulgaria (3) Burberry (31) Burberry Tuxedo (5) Bypass Surgery (8) Cable Car (5) Camille Tharaud (9) Campbell Soup (42) Canada (31) Canada Rail Vacations (4) Candles (40) Carbon Footprint (10) Carillon (2) Cat Nurse (1) Cathedral/Basilica/Church (88) Ceramic Chandelier (6) Certified Podologist (2) Chanel (20) Chaperon (5) Cherubs (20) Childhood (19) Chile (7) China (15) Chocolate (33) Christie's (28) Christmas (63) Christofle (28) Christofle (Memoire) David Rosenberg (11) Chronic Kidney Disease (15) Citizen Journalism (8) CitizenM (2) Coffee Cup (5) Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass (8) Communism (14) Conference (35) Congress (29) Consulting (152) Costco (2) Countries visited (38) Courtesy (1) Croatia (1) Curaçao (14) D.S. Mullis (Author) (1) Dad (115) Damixa (7) Danish (6) Daughter (69) De Gaerde (1) Declaration of Independence (5) Delft Polychrome (1) Delftware houses (10) Delta Airlines (11) Denmark (2) Dessert (10) Diabetes (13) Diabetes type 2 (22) Diabetes type 2 Recipe (10) Dialysis (12) Dieng Plateau (2) Dining with Royalty (1) DMC (28) DNA (6) Doensen Sfeerhaarden (2) Domain Name (1) Door Décor (1) Doris Plaster (1) Down Duvets (6) Dupuytren's Contracture (3) Dutch American Heritage Day (5) Dutch King's Day (5) Dutch Queen's Day (4) Dweilen (3) Easter (25) Eco Friendly (31) Eco Storage (4) Edible flowers (11) Education (79) Edward Bok (5) Energy Star (10) England (16) Escada (138) Etiquette Training (5) Fairmont Hotels (16) Family (166) Family Memories (117) Filet Lace (12) Filet Lace Embroidered (4) First Lady Melania Trump (2) Fleur de Lys (11) France (6) FREEDOM (11) French (72) French Country Style (55) French Lavender Sachets (5) Friendship (273) From Pilgrim to President (2) Genocide (2) Georgia (36) Georgia State Flag (4) Germany (12) Gero Zilmeta 528 Menuet (17) Gevaphone (4) Gift from Blogger Friend (36) Gillis Video (7) Giovanni Raspini Charms and Co (42) Giovanni Raspini Silver Desk Items (11) Giovanni Raspini Silver Frames (11) Giovanni Raspini Silver Gifts (17) GIVEAWAY (23) Going Green (36) Graham H. Boonzaaier (5) Grand Canyon (4) Graze Picking (1) Hand Crocheted (105) Hand Embroidered (28) Hand Knitted (29) Hand made Lace (23) Happy New Year (10) Hawaii (5) Healthy Heart (20) Healthy heart recipe (27) Healthy Living (73) Heart Attack (19) Heeroom (13) Helicopter (2) Hermès (2) High Tea (8) Highlights of the Mississippi Cruise (8) Holocaust (1) Hong Kong (7) House Blessing (2) Hungary (16) Hurricane (4) Hyatt (117) I Will Follow Him (1) India (44) Indonesia (23) Interlock Metal Roofing (15) International Workshop & Seminar (2) Irok gallery (13) ISMS (34) Italy (58) Japan (7) Kashmir (9) Kichler Xenon Under Counter Lights (2) KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (57) Kruisherenhotel (1) Lace (6) Lacquered Brass Window Decorations (14) Lampe Berger (11) Lampes Berger A Century of History by Gérald Vilcocq (10) Language (67) Last Call by Neiman Marcus (24) Lavender Sachet (4) Le Chameau (2) Le Jacquard Français (37) Leather Coat (3) Leather Garments Factory (12) Leather Shorts (2) Leather Skirt (3) Leather Vest (5) Leprosy Infection (5) Leprosy Project (10) Leprosy STIGMA (8) Limburg (48) Limoges (18) Limoges Table Lamp (7) Log Cabin (6) Logee's (12) Maharaja Amarinder Singh of Patiala (1) Mainstream Media (1) Margraten (6) Marl Caves (12) Mason's Patent Ironstone Mandalay (18) Maximum Baggage Weight (10) Meeting Blogger Friend (9) Mega Task (33) Memorial Day (8) Mexico (22) Miele (18) Millinery (13) Mom (129) Montblanc pens (1) Moral Compass (19) Mushroom Cultivation (73) Mushroom Editorial Review (24) Mushroom Quality Criteria (23) Mushroom Technology Transfer Seminar (10) Mushrooms Canada (4) Mushrooms in our Garden (19) My Boots (26) My French Connection (2) My Hats (18) My Publications (7) My Sewing Creation (54) Nativity Scene (6) New Netherland (2) New Orleans (11) New Orleans School of Cooking (2) New York City (28) Organ (15) Original Content (30) Ormolu (6) Our Balcony (17) Our Bathroom (8) Our Bird Feeders (10) Our Bird Houses (16) Our Bridges and Wood Trail (58) Our Canine (31) Our Dutch Clock (3) Our Felines (160) Our Fiberglass Window Boxes (34) Our Flower Bulbs (67) Our Flowering Shrubs (134) Our Flowering Trees (29) Our Flowering Vines (37) Our Flowers (63) Our Fragrant Flowers (172) Our Garden (59) Our Garden Critters (78) Our Gazebo (57) Our Greenhouse (22) Our Home (163) Our Life in Indonesia (76) Our Life in Italy (36) Our Magnolias (55) Our Palm Trees (20) Our Pet Squirrel (1) Our Pond (28) Our Pot Plants (52) Our Rose Arbor (5) Our Rose Suite (16) Our Roses (61) Our Shrubs (7) Our Trees (53) P.J.C. Vedder's Memoirs (183) P.J.C. Vedder's Publications (84) Patio (35) Pearls (27) People to People Citizen Ambassador Program (28) Plagiarism (6) Poem (1) Poinsettia (7) Poland (1) Pond's India (23) Pre-Diabetes (9) Prednisone (9) Princess Diana (10) Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold (32) Quotes (61) Religious Paper Lace (2) Relive (54) Replacements Ltd. (19) REPOUSSE Silver (10) Resilientista (31) Ristorante da Maria (35) Romania (5) Romantic Boxes with Pansies (2) Romantic Rose Boxes (7) Rose Jewelry (10) Rose silverware (65) Rose Stepping Stones (5) Roses (6) Rösle (7) Rotary International (5) Royal Mail (1) Saint Nicholas (13) Saint Valentine's Day (14) Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th (12) Santa Barbara Plantation (3) Santa Claus (12) Saving Energy (18) Scraped Content (9) Serbia (2) Servitude (1) Silver Knife Rests (19) Sinden Award (13) Singapore Airlines (1) Singing (35) Sinterklaas (10) Skiing (5) Socialism (7) South Africa (20) Spain (1) SPAWN MATE SYMPOSIUM (2) Spectrenoir (95) Storage and Organizing (6) Super Power Readers (4) Sweden (2) Switzerland (13) Table Setting (32) Taiwan (3) Tanner Krolle (4) Tavel (1) Tea (25) Tea Cup (15) Thailand (2) Thanksgiving (11) The Bridge (13) The Netherlands (22) Theodore Haviland France (2) Toile de Jouy (5) Tornado (3) Toyota RAV4 (14) Transparent Acrylic Bolts and Nuts (3) Travel (436) Travel by Rail (25) Tropical Thunderstorms (4) Uncle Bo Whaley (17) UNESCO World Heritage Site (22) United States Citizenship (10) United States Flag (12) Vases (100) Viking River Cruise (10) Vintage Lampe Berger (13) Vintage Woodworks (33) Vinyl Picket Fence (22) Water Control (20) Wedding (13) Wedding Anniversary (20) WeFie (14) WGXA.TV (3) Wolford (22) Wool Fedora Hat (8) World Bank (2) World Leprosy Day (4) World Polio Day (3) Writing (92) Yves Delorme (8) Yves Saint Laurent (3) Zegna (12)