May 10, 2024 Pieter J C Vedder's Memorial Service

 On exactly the day that WWII started in The Netherlands—May 10 of 1945—we held a meaningful Memorial Service for my Pieter.

Most has been chosen by Pieter himself and got listed in his Last Will as such.

Shortly before the service started...

Fresh white fragrant stock got delivered as they were Pieter's favorite flower.

He told me of growing them with his Dad in the greenhouse for use at the annual Sacraments Procession. 

I've used the fine silk batik tablecloths, gift from Indonesia in 2004.

Center cloth covers the cremated remains.

Turned out they fit perfectly with the chairs in the loft and with the carpet.

Indonesia meant so much for both of us so this was Perfect!

Left photo shows brother Toon, me and Pieter in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Toon's daughter Myriam was here with me and helping me set up everything...

Myriam was Pieter's only Goddaughter!

Christy's from East Dublin did such an excellent job in arranging these white stock or Matthiola incana inside a white vase.

Pieter J.C. Vedder

April 29, 1929 – April 30, 2024

Don't forget to turn on CC = Closed Captions!
Pieter's Requiem Choice
Pieter had requested in his Last Will specific music to be played at his Memorial Service.That also included a request of participation from my former chancel choir music director, Michael Dwain Little and our former Pastor Keith Goodlett.Catering a full luncheon would be done by Roy Grenade.The usual technician handling the two big video cameras and the sound board with different microphones to be turned on during Michael Dwain Little's organ play and chanting... was not present during the Memorial Service.We can never go back and do it over again and it sure was painful! We had it so well planned, set up and worked out. Oh, the book for registering names was not at the entrance of the Church but on a side table in the fellowship hall where the lunch was served.She never used the cameras the way she was supposed to do. Only showing the front pews on the right side of the Church...But after cutting out the spots without image or sound, I got this.Dear long–time friend of both of us, Gil Gillis, who used to run the local TV station agreed to use the photos that I'd prepared for showing. That too was NOT done, only a few during the luncheon.Pieter's favorite piece of music Adagio (Albinoni) that strikes a chord...Also, Mozart's Lacrimosa (Tearful) was one of Pieter's favorites and he himself sang often DIES IRAE A Capella with some other boys from the impressive 100–member choir in Groessen, The Netherlands.It just is SAD, that some insignificant people abused their power for denying my very humble, but larger than life Pieter, his final wishes.Knowing that from Heaven, Pieter still is pleased with Keith Goodlett and Michael Dwain Little's efforts to adhere to his Last Will.Kathy Jones as soprano, as requested by Pieter.Also dear friend Mary Louise Goodie McRae added to that in a touching way.

Mozart's Lacrimosa (Tearful) was not audible...

It has such a depth of human emotions and thus transcends all languages and cultures!

See link below post.

I Believe, Mark A Miller

I believe in the sun, I believe in the sun, even when, even when it's not shining.

I believe in love, even when, even when I don't feel it.

I believe in God, I believe in God, even when, even when God is silent.

Indeed, the final Musical Moment – Hungarian Dance #4, Johannes Brams very much reflected the way we both lived...

Music is the shorthand of emotion~Leo Tolstoy quote

Thank you

Words cannot express how grateful our family is for your generous support, encouraging words, and thoughts and prayers. Your kindness will always be remembered with deep gratitude.

The Family of 

Pieter J.C. Vedder

If you would like to provide a memorial donation,

checks can be made out to Mariette Vedder for 

the Leprosy Project in Indonesia which was near to his heart.

Related links:Lovely White Stock & Baby's Breath from Trader Joe's | previous post by meMozart – Lacrimosa | YouTube videoGregorian Chant : Dies Irae (Lyric Video) | YouTube video as the microphone was OFF when Michael Dwain Little played it on the organ and chanted it...I Believe SATB – Mark Miller – CGA1310 | YouTube video and SATB = Soprano, Alto, Tenor, BassMy Pieter went to Heaven on April 30 | previous post by me and THANKS for your replies!!!Our Final Easter Together | Previous post with link to Father Seán Coyle from Dublin, IrelandHusband Pieter was the 3rd VEDDER Ensign Bearer in Groessen, The Netherlands | This shows another image of Pieter in his historic uniform, tailor made for him in Amsterdam. Gil Gillis found it the most impressive photo...Pieter a Former Motorcycle Guy ALWAYS Remained one at Heart! | previous post by me1958 Tragedy for Pieter's Mushroom Friends in Zichen-Zussen-Bolder in Belgium | United Again!

Feeling carried by LOVE from around the world and countless private messages 💞

Since Pieter's passing I have regained 2 kg or 4.4 pounds — weighing now 45.3 kg or 99.8 pounds.

In the end of March I was 45.9 kg or 101 pounds

A True Love Story NEVER ENDS | previous post by me...

Happy Easter

 Wishing you all a Happy Easter!

Love those Easter lambs and also the 'Rosebud' Pelargonium

Lovely 'Appleblossom' Rosebud Pelargonium

Polished and lacquered brass ornaments...

Polished and lacquered laser cut brass window decorations from Ulm, Germany.

My hand made organdy beribboned eggs

Villeroy & Boch porcelain egg vases that my sister Diny did carry in her carry on luggage, September 12, 2007 when they stayed with us for a full month.

More Easter window decorations

Circle Vase with Leonardo figurine bunny from Germany

A very special vase for displaying your daffodils...

Easter Table Setting...

Easter lamb place card holder and Villeroy & Boch porcelain egg vases.

More Easter bunnies...

My favorite Easter bunnies on bicycle!

ENJOY this special time of the year!  

Exotic Flowering Vines—Bird Poop Gifts

 On March 19, Blogger friend Martha Jane posted about some Trillium that showed up in their garden in her Spring! post ←click it.

In my comment I stated that birds eat seeds and then they 'poop'... We got lots of such bird gifts! ♻️

Really an Exotic looking—Bird Poop Gift! 

Already for 6 years we see this exotic Clematis Josephine... see posts below.

Sitting in a small Baccarat crystal vase

And another Bird Poop Gift—Clematis Silver Moon a lilac beauty.

Our golden pansies look happy in our bay window boxes and make a nice contrast to the lilac.

Beautiful in the sunshine...

Do you have any Bird Poop Gifts?

Related links:

{Our Lovely Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'} | previous post by me from 2013

{Our Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'} | previous post by me from 2014

{Life is Paradise, and we ALL are IN Paradise, but REFUSE to SEE it} | previous post by me from 2016

Surprise Clematis Josephine - Bird Poop GIFT | previous post by me from 2017

And Another Birthday with Pearls

 On Monday, January 9, I would make my rounds to Atlanta and to Marietta also for having my Rado watch's battery replaced.

BUT on Sunday evening when brushing my hair and removing the Chanel barrette I noticed that its spring got half broken away...

So, we made another stop at Neiman Marcus at their Chanel Boutique for having it repaired.

Will be so happy when it will be ready with a new spring.

It was right there at the store on the counter, that I noticed some earrings, longer model and with a pearl...

SO... Pieter bought those for me as an early Birthday gift—and I did NOT object 😉

They got nicely gift wrapped with the famous white Chanel Camélia...

Our white hyacinths from Trader Joe's were blooming nicely in our bay window area.

Lovely white Camélia and ribbon...

A card with embossed white camélia and gift box...

Inside the gift box...

Tada...! 

Nice Strass Crystals and the CC logo with pearls.

Photo taken outside in bright sunlight on Sunday, February 5.

Metal & Strass

Gold, Pink & Iridescent Crystals and Pearl

I'm very happy with those earrings as a gift from my Pieter—even though they're not of gold...

Chanel manages to make very elegant costume jewelry as well!

Wearing my Escada silk and cashmere twinset and when looking back, this is what I wore to Mom & Dad's 55th Wedding Anniversary 19 years ago...

Now you also can see my Escada jeans and our Japanese magnolias that are almost open.

Pieter's shade as the sun was really strong with a temperature of 19°C or 66°F.

Both of us are grateful that the –2°C or 28°F last week did not make them turn brown!

Usually these would bloom on Mom's Birthday—February 12, but now she's in heaven, they seem to bloom earlier on my Birthday. 

You can see the white vinyl picket fence in the background...

And the green tree on the left is the Southern Magnolia.

Here I wear the very same Escada twinset on February 15, 2004 when I am happy to see and greet my 2nd brother Piet at the restaurant where we all met for Mom & Dad's 55th Wedding Anniversary.

Wearing also the same Escada jeans...

Piet's kids and wife in the background.

Of course having phone calls on my Birthday and then late breakfast while observing our birds from our bay window.

Here the Eastern Phoebe on the bird bath.

Pieter just added meal worms inside the feeder for them and the Carolina wrens to snack on...

Temperature in the SUN!

40°C or 104°F...

We got this 6" Conant Custom Brass Thermometer from Monticello but now Amazon still has it.

You can see our vinyl picket fence in the back with the blooming magnolias.

Nothing more enjoyable than having breakfast in the sun!

We selected our lot for having our kitchen facing east—for that purpose.

Ending this post with some REAL white camellias that Pieter brought me for breakfast...

Using one of my creamware cachepot, as a vase for them.

Related links:

Meaning of my name — Pearl and Desired Child | previous post by me

Eastern Phoebe Reside in Front Porch with Babies | previous post by me

Those who feel Happy with the HAPPINESS of OTHERS | previous post by me showing creamware cachepot

Those who feel Happy with the HAPPINESS of OTHERS

 Just a short post with a great quote as moral compass...

Our Gardenia inside a creamware cachepot from Wedgwood Cream Color on Cream Color

~

Those who feel happy with the happiness of others, possess a wealth without borders.

Prof. Dr. Frans Daels

Flemish physician and politician 1882–1974

Related links:

{Gardenia Dream} | previous post by me with more photos, also from the crocheted lace table topper

{GARDENIA PASSION} | previous post by me showing also the cachepot in detail

{Gardenia by Royal Albert and our Garden Gardenias} | previous post by me

{Our Gardenias in the June Rain} | previous post by me

{Our Gardenias} | previous post by me

{My Towels with Knitted Lace} | previous post by me

{May 22 Gardenia by Royal Albert and blooming Gardenias in Baccarat vase} | previous post by me

{Floating Candles with Jasmines and Roses} | previous post by me

{The Boston Tea Company} | previous post by me

Our Autumn Garden Blooms & HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 The 2022 Autumn has been very brief...

On October 9, our Hydrangea paniculata, Limelight still blooming like it would not end!

More in detail with perfect sunlight.

This was already blooming on September 8—the longest lasting blooms we've ever seen!

Check post below about 'Our Garden Blooms in Summer

On October 21, Pieter did bring in a giant red Hibiscus bloom.

Placed it in our Repoussé Silver Rose vase...

Showing here its proportion a little better...

On October 30 when we left for North Carolina and Tennessee it was very dark and drizzling so I could not capture our Sugar Maple.

Photo got taken on November 4, day after our return and as you see—most leaves are already down and not even turned completely golden yet.

Pieter's open hand gives you a good idea about the size of yet another red Hibiscus bloom on November 7.

Love this red Hibiscus with its very special center.

A detail of its fabulous center—too bad our hummingbirds are already gone to the Caribbean.

Not the best photo taken on November 13—that late into the season.

But what I wanted to show here is that these petunias, the Blanket® Double Chardonnay in our Fiberglass Window Boxes remained like miniature plants...

Very disappointing!

Blanket® Double Chardonnay Petunia Plant ←click link

GrowJoy claims that one plant grows to mature size of 10–inches tall x 24–inches wide or 

25 cm x 60 cm.

Our plants sure did NOT do that, they remained very miniature as you can see by my hand as comparison.

In post below you can see them also

On November 19, our Hydrangea paniculata Limelight had turned pinkish from some near frost nights...

There were more buds but they did not turn out the way the first two did!

On our patio the summer blooming azalea still performs well as a pot plant!

Another great performer on the patio as a pot plant is the Rosemary—they bloom year round!

On Sunday, November 20 I captured our regal Camellia Japonica Debutante.

You can clearly see the now raised wooden walkway that Pieter finished in June while I was in Europe solo...

Holding one regal Camellia Japonica Debutante in my hand...

Mariette's Back to Basics wishes you and your loved ones a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING

And all those that reside outside of the USA, THANKS for your VISITS over the years!

Black Friday is always on with FREE SHIPPING at Spectrenoir on line ←click link.

Related link:

{Our Fiberglass Window Boxes & Double Cascade Pink Petunias} | previous post by me

Our Garden Blooms in Summer | previous post by me

{Camellia Debutante & Chocolate} | previous post by me

{Let It Be A Happy New Year} | previous post by me

{Our Camellia Japonica Debutante} | previous post by me

Espresso with French Macarons | previous post by me

Our Camellia Japonica Debutante in Winter | previous post by me

Pieter Captured our Estate + Progress for me to View While in Limburg | previous post with Petunias