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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 Commercial 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 Resilientista. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resilientista. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

{Make Friends - Live Longer}

Already in 2005, I read about: 'Make Friends - Live Longer'
On our way to Curaçao, at Miami Airport I met with Friend Natacha who's my New World Sister!
Vrienden
Een uitgebreide kring van goede vrienden en bekenden bevordert bij ouderen een lang en gelukkig leven. Zo'n stevig sociaal netwerk draagt hieraan zelfs meer bij dan het hebben van familie, constateert L. Giles (Flinders University, Adelaide) in het vakblad Journal of Epimediological and Community Health op grond van een onderzoek onder 1500 zeventigplussers.
~
Friends
comprehensive circle of good friends and acquaintances in the elderly promotes a long and happy life. Such a solid social network carries this even more than having family, notes L. Giles (Flinders University, Adelaide) in the Journal of Epimediology and Community Health on the basis of a survey of 1500 people over seventy.
Make friends, live longer ←click for Pdf
So let's continue to cultivate our Friendships for Longevity!
The Mayo clinic also writes -- Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health ←click it.
Old friends and mentors -- Costco Connection June 2012 ←click it and see page 13
Quote by Walter Scheel:
English: Friendship is not inherited
Dutch: Vriendschap kan men niet erven
German: Freundschaft wird nicht vererbt

Related links:
The Role People Play in Our Lives ... | post by friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista, about  Toxic People ~ when people really aren't your friends...
When Good Friends Happen ... part II | post by friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista  'As we get older mature...'


Sunday, March 16, 2014

{Fleur de Lys Cushions}

Via German blogger friend Claudia from Nu-Nu's Garn-und Stofflabor I did obtain these lovely cotton Fleur de Lys print covers for the cushions in our Veranda.
Matching the cotton/viscose upholstery and also the Fleur de Lys wall hanging with Angels...


When I did see this lovely Fleur de Lys fabric on Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista's blog: Precious Blessings in Our Family, I started searching for it...


Dolcedreams did no longer have any of it in stock... so I went across the ocean for locating any of this 'Vive La France Fleur De Lis' in navy by Monaluna.
Sure enough Claudia from Nunu's Garn-und Stofflabor Die Fleur de Lis found some fabric in Europe and she created the pillows and a table runner as well. You just click on the link to her blog.

Thank you very much Claudia, you made it work!
She posted about it on November 25, but I got way behind with my surgery and all our water control projects and right after that, the trip to The Netherlands.
Never got to posting about it and when the days are so dark, photos are very hard to capture...
And YES, in yesterday's post you already did get to see a glimpse of them with those Bunnies posing for you.
Frankly, I call them always Fleur de Lys; guess I'm a Francophile that LOVES French Country Style!

Related links:
{Our Veranda} | previous post showing you the Fleur de Lys influence in our Veranda
{Fleur de Lys in our Veranda} | previous post showing our Fleur de Lys in detail
{March 2, 1809 and My French Connection} | previous post about my heritage



Thursday, February 6, 2014

{Angels Birthdates & Fortunes}

All of us know that there are often ANGELS among us, they can be two- or four-legged.
They know when we need them MOST...
This gorgeous 'Fashionista' bouquet got delivered while I was in the hospital for major surgery on October 7. Dear friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista proved to be one of those Angels among us. Thanks again dear! Flowers do always pick us up in a special way...


This photo is made by Pieter at 3:50 AM when I just was one day out of the hospital and look...
Cat Nurse Barty is nursing me back to health... Barty is almost 10, on March 17 we celebrate his would be birthday; guessing from the Humane Society's adoption papers.
What a difference a down duvet bed makes compared to a hospital bed!
Love my Yves Delorme US cotton duvet cover with roses woven into it...
Drinking lots of water and using on and off my Spirometer (to the left of Barty).

This is the 2nd time Barty did care for me in a very special and soft way. When I got home from the hospital in January of 2010, after being almost completely paralyzed, Barty was there with me as a Cat Nurse...

When husband Pieter delivered a kidney stone some 13 years ago, our than feline girl Spooky sat next to him, keeping him comfort while pressing herself against him. They sense that their human is in great pain.

Guess that animals have a very special 6th sense and they can read our body language far better than humans can.
Barty knew that I had not been taking pain medication the entire time; due to my chronic kidney disease.


Sure it does help for getting human love and pet love. Such flowers do send a very strong message.


Like these gorgeous sunflowers that came from our Church Women.
Very sweet and they sure do help you mend...

Time heals and time also is passing very fast. Birthdays hit us at a much faster pace than it used to be!
Does any of you have the same problem?
But there is so much to be grateful for; for being healthy, for having a loving husband and loving pets.
For having numerous friends that lovingly bridge the gap between the ocean for being far away from family.

It is said about my Birthday that I have this Fortune:

Feb.6 ----You have a keen sense of humor, are witty, fond of fun, economical and prudent. You are inclined toward sensitivity which worries and annoys you. You should practice poise. You are demonstrative and loving, and should have a very happy marriage.

Husband Pieter's:

April.29 ----You live within yourself. Rather than make any of those you love unhappy, you keep your troubles and worries to yourself. You have determination of purpose and always do what you plan.
Pieter sure does what he plans!
Related links:
{Our Felines - Sweet Barty...} | previous post by me
{Our Felines - Sweet Spooky I...} | previous post by me

Monday, January 27, 2014

{SOULFUL RELATIONSHIPS - Celia M. High Heeled Life's Contribution}

What a joy to receive this excellent short stories book: ADVENTURES IN MANIFESTING about SOULFUL RELATIONSHIPS! Even more so since dear blogger friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista wrote her story in it as well. She sure is and remains a Blogger I Admire! So glad I took advantage of the pre-ordering in September before it got published...
Indeed; Featuring Celia M.
You can read about her fatal accident and her story in my post: {"A Blogger I Admire" - Celia from High Heeled Life}
Celia knows a thing or two about wrapping things in a very special and meaningful way.
Peace and Joy it did bring to our home!
Thank you again dear Friend!
Here it is on page 137...
Had to put a rose birdie paperweight on top for making the page lay 'still'...
Love her enclosure card too! 
Very stylish, the way she is; a true Fashionista.
For anyone wanting to obtain this lovely book, you can still order it!
Just go to the link: Resilientista


Saturday, January 11, 2014

{ANGELS We Know By Name}

We all do know one or more ANGELS By Name... A LOVED ONE that has taken up residence in heaven and is no longer walking with us on earth. But those are the ANGELS that are still walking on our side; ANGELS We Know By Name.
Just like dear friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista wrote about a special Angel:  Tribute to an Angel in her post before...
Guess all of us have one or more special ANGELS that we know by name!
In my case it is my sister Mariet, the one that was still born on January 11, the year before I got born. Her life on earth did not even start, only in the womb she lived for 9 months.
Such a tragedy for my Parents, especially Mom for loosing her baby after all the pain and labor.
They took it away from her, without letting her cuddle it and all baby clothes were hidden.
Such was the advice at that time.
It makes me cringe when I think about it even now!
But the next baby that came into their lives was me, and I got my older sister's name Mariet.
In honor of {My Angel Sister & Mariette's Back to Basics Explained} I have added 'te' to my name as to try and live life for her as well.

My sweet ANGEL sister Mariet for sure is walking alongside and who knows when one of us will join her on the other side...?
Like ABBA sang: I Have A Dream, (click for video and the lyrics follow under post) I believe in Angels and so do I, our home is full of beautiful hand carved wooden angels from Italy as you can find from the links below. They always have been part of my life!

Related links:
{Our 'GREEN' Bedroom} | previous post by me
{6 Antique & Vintage Italian Angels, Cherubs Putti} previous post by me
{Our Living Room ANGELS - CHERUBS} previous post by me
{Our Living Room} previous post by me
{5 Angels - Putti from Italy & Germany} previous post by me
{Angels & Cross Stitch for Christmas}| previous post by me


Songwriters: ANDERSSON, BENNY GORAN BROR / ULVAEUS, BJOERN K.
I Have A Dream
I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

{Meaningful GIFT from The Fairmont Empress Victoria}

Certain days sometimes are full of surprises, such as the mailman delivering an unexpected package. This time it came from dear FRIEND Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista, author and speaker... Carefully unwrapping and finding a very Meaningful gift from the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, Canada. What a joy! Both of us have stayed at two of the Fairmont hotels, the Fairmont Château Frontenac in Québec City on August 13 till 16 of 1998 and the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa from 18 till 20 August of 1998. 
Voilà... A beautiful cobalt blue with gold tin 'TEA at THE EMPRESS with 10 tea bags!
A lovely golden pouch holding this precious tea.
THE FAIRMONT EMPRESS Victoria...
From the Province of British Columbia, Canada where our daughter Liz is born!
THANKS a MILLION Celia for this precious gift and all the fond memories that it did evoke!
We used to live on 304 Fairmont Drive...
As said above, our daughter Liz is born in British Columbia, Canada...
Top seasonal quality tea from e.g. South India... where we have worked!
On our way to work we drove past those tea plantations.
TEA at THE EMPRESS
The South Indian component (Nilgiri mountains)... where we have worked!
So often we passed those tea plantations on our way to work high in the mountains when doing consulting in India for Pond's India for about a decade.
There is one more GIFT from another Canadian blogger FRIEND.
Susan from Ava Grace's Closet sent me this incredibly fine hand crocheted lace table topper; made by her Mama!
So here I did pair it with some fresh Gardenias from our garden on June 22, in our front porch since it was not light enough inside the home. I just finished my photo shoot before another tropical thunderstorm came up!
Using the 1930s teacup and saucer from my dear Mother in Law; blue transferware from Société Céramique Blue Boerenhoeve
Here it is: TEA at THE EMPRESS...
Hope you enjoyed this Meaningful gift of delicious tea!
THANKS again dear Celia and thanks dear Susan!

Related link:

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

{TEA = Superb Fat Fighter}

Already in a previous post I did write about a USEFUL TEA REGIME FOR A SLIMMER YOU. See link below. It is a fact that TEA does have lots of ANTIOXIDANTS that are very beneficial for our health. Drinking tea may help prevent chronic illnesses according to a USA Today article. 13 Reasons Tea is Good for You is another great article. Number 1. is about the antioxidants in green tea with an ability to burn fat as fuel. 
This is Dutch Mango Tea from Douwe Egberts Pickwick. 
I used my Japanese Kyusu teapot, a gift from my 2007 trip to Japan as a chaperone with 6 teenagers.
The round wooden tray  was another gift from my host family.
The table runner is also from Japan.
The silver rose spoon is one of my favorites and it would be a great addition to Silber-und-Rosen-Shop or for the book: Rosen-Bestecke by this specialty shop's owner Johanna, as the author.
In the back you see the book Tea with a Twist by Lisa Boalt Richardson who is also from Georgia.
The teacup is Japanese, husband Pieter did bring it home from an antique shop in London.
Dear friend Celia from Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista wrote some excellent posts about taking out time for an afternoon tea. Just check her Google+ page and scroll down to her delightful posts about it.
9 Reasons to Drink Green Tea Daily with number 1. stating it is a SUPERB FAT FIGHTER.
number 2. stating it TARGETS BELLY FAT!
10 Life-Sustaining Reasons to Drink Green Tea with slide number 4 showing that Green Tea helps to 
manage weight. 
Green Tea could be among the superfoods you want to include for our diet!
Slide number 6 shows that Green Tea Boosts Oral Health.
My dental hygienist noticed last week that my tartar build up was a lot less. 
That adds up to another bonus.
Do you have any experience with some of the above mentioned pluses of Tea and/or Green Tea?


Related links:
{USEFUL TEA REGIME FOR A SLIMMER YOU} | previous post by me
{Our last Datura Angel's Trumpets and TEA with a Twist} | previous post by me
{Lisa Boalt Richardson another Georgia Tea Aficionado!} | previous post by me about my High Tea

Sunday, March 3, 2013

{Please Join HighHeeledLife.com & Celebrate LOVE}


  • Just a couple of days ago I did quickly read dear friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista's post from the blog: HighHeeledLife ~ Invitation to a Special Tea... 
  • Due to our water problem I had to wait before using it into a post for helping her out. 
  • Celia did spend some of her childhood years in Portugal and thus knows the language. 
  • Naturally she is very familiar with Portuguese and this is what Celebrate LOVE is all about.

  • Postmarked as late as April 1, you can send you cards to the above address in Tennessee, USA.
  • They will forward them to Brazil to young girls that got abandoned and abused.
  • Sending them some love from far away, make them feel special and cared for.
  • To help you out with Portuguese sentences to write on your card look below:

  • Trusting that you will look for cards that you maybe already have, or creating your very own, let us reach out by sending some warm thoughts across the ocean.

THANK YOU!



Thursday, February 14, 2013

{HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY | ALWAYS}


TOI & MOI
French for YOU & ME...

Related link:
{CUPID} | previous post by me


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

{My 6th Most Popular Post | Giovanni Raspini Silver Christmas Balls}

Thought it is interesting for posting here My 6th Most Popular Post | Giovanni Raspini Silver Christmas Balls. It is at least MY most favorite Christmas decoration and we treasure them.
To continue reading and viewing more pictures click: {Giovanni Raspini Silver Christmas Balls} and let's see if we get more visits than the present 1283 
Being viewed 2352 times...
Please do visit dear friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista with Family Christmas Lunch and My Birthday as today, the 19th, is her Birthday! 

Related link: 
Mariette's Back to Basics My Zen Cart powered on line boutique for Giovanni Raspini, Italy Christmas balls
Mariette's Back to Basics My Zen Cart powered on line boutique for 925 Sterling Silver Cherub Angel

Sunday, October 21, 2012

{Vintage Silver Tea Strainer with Cherubs}

For the cozy winter season coming up, what a joy for serving some hot tea for friends. In order to do this in a traditional and romantic style, I found for you a Vintage Silver-Tea-Strainer with Cherubs. Very unique piece and it will be hard for finding a second one. As usual, available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics.
Shown here, resting atop a teacup & saucer.
You can see the cherubs around this solid silver-tea-strainer.
Closeup of the cherubs from the handle down...
Closeup of the cherubs on the side.
The four silver hallmarks.
This tea strainer came from Germany but I need some help with the markings.
Does anybody have an idea which silver maker had these marks? 
Any help is greatly appreciated!
A big thank you to Johanna Gehrlein, author of the book: Rosen-Bestecke and expert in rose silver.
According to her it is: German silver from Hanau by silversmith J.L. Schlingloff. The 4th hallmark clearly does show the initials J L with the S over them.
Check my comments for Johanna's reaction.
Johanna did cleverly point out in her comment that such a strainer can be used as a sugar sifter for decorating cake, pancakes or waffles. Many uses in the kitchen.
Sold out...

Are you using loose tea at home?
Do you own a tea strainer?
Love to know...

Related link:
Silver-Sunday/Tea Accessories by Johanna's blog Silber+Rosen showing Tea Boxes by J.L. Schlingloff
Palazzo Falson information about J.L. Schlingloff early 20th Century
Tea with Kate Spade  from High Heeled Life in the Country; showing off this very tea strainer...

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

{Our Veranda}

As promised yesterday, where I did show you our Phalaenopsis orchid, I will show you Our Veranda. Please come inside and make yourself comfortable in our most sunny room of the house. We did buy our property by driving around one afternoon to see where the sun would be... We planned it very thoroughly. This is indeed the brightest and prettiest room in the house. The hand crocheted filet lace curtains are done by me. They hung in several homes before finally 'retiring' here. They only need to hang in there... 
We do have a house full of memories. We both did not let our house being decorated by an interior designer, as we think a HOME should reflect our walk of life, our heritage. Adding some heirlooms and photos and that truly creates the soul of a home. Would love to hear your opinion or idea about the soul of your home; please leave me a comment and if you have more questions, I will reply. For generating an email reply please click 'subscribe by email' below the comment box. That will generate the email whenever I reply to any comment! 
French Country Style solid oak furniture with Fleur de Lys cotton and viscose fabric.
Even the wool rug shows Fleur de Lys...
Below this post you can read about My French Connection!
That door to the left leads to our kitchen.
Another lovely orchid...
Many sandel wood carvings that we received from Pond's India Ltd. while working for them as consultants. 
Our window sills we had custom made from white Corian.
The door leads to the steps and the tiled walk way to our gazebo...
We got all 92 Delft blue Dutch houses from Royal Dutch Airlines.
Each year they add another one for their anniversary of years they've been in the air.
We got very often an upgrade into business class; with house!
The last Delftware houses I bought on eBay since we retired from consulting.
This Hindu statue is from Bali, Indonesia and made of ebony wood.
A view from the other  side...
You also see the brass laser cut, polished and lacquered window decorations.
In the door are the four seasons of a tree...
To the right is my own design of a brass mushroom family, see below post under related links.
My private collection vintage Lampe Berger, rose vases and pill boxes...
Blue is the color for our veranda.
The bird cage hanging is from Yogjakarta, Indonesia...
Detail of the crocheted filet lace curtain, the Delft blue houses and my own design of a brass happy mushroom family. See link below.
Why don't you have a seat and have a tea with us?
Overlooking the pond area...
The huge evergreen oak tree provides nice shade.
Now you look at the living room door...
The large framed blue silk batik birds are from Indonesia, see link below.
Above the blue silk batik is a bird done on rice paper, from India. 
You can read about it in a link below post as well.
Another Balinese ebony wood Hindu statue.
Also a vintage Lampe Berger with Angel Cameo.
Blogger Friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista does have the other one... 
She loves angels as much as I  do!
Healthy house plant in solid French oak planter box.
That makes the exotic and tropical look more complete with all our memories from countries we worked in.
The leather deer was a gift from India.
The huge iron wood statue is Hanoman from the Hindu Ramayana play.
This was given to husband Pieter for his first consulting work in Indonesia.
Framed silk embroidered birds from husband Pieter's trip to China with People to People Citizen Ambassador Program. 
Solid French oak corner cabinet with beveled glass.
Rayon fleur de lys tassel...
Fleur de Lys vintage Lampe Berger and angel frame, see link below post about more details.
We almost came full circle.
More blue and here you see the first and original map of New Netherland as Dutch Colony with New Amsterdam, now New York.
Full circle...
Have a seat...
A peak through the door into our kitchen...
Hope you enjoyed our veranda.
Any questions are welcome and I will reply.
Click below the comment box on 'subscribe by email' and you get the reply also emailed to you.
Provided you have your email setting such that you do receive mail...
It was a pleasure showing you some more about our walk of life.
A warm welcome also to all my new readers!

Related links:
{My Own Design of Brass Mushrooms} | previous post by me
{Birds as Artwork, we bought in India} | previous post by me
{Silk embroidered Birds from China Trip} | previous post by me
{Batik Birds from Indonesia on Silk and Cotton} | previous post by me
{Fleur de Lys in our Veranda} | previous post by me
{March 2, 1809 and My French Connection} | previous post by me
{Tuesday May 4, dinner with friends} | previous post by me
My 2nd Fleur de Lys Crocheted Curtain is Hanging | updated veranda with new curtains

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