MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS

Thursday, January 19, 2012

{Wedding Elvira & Bob - Michelin Star Top Restaurant Brienen aan de Maas}

As promised yesterday, we continue with the Wedding of Elvira & Bob. We did go from Castle Well to Michelin Star Restaurant Brienen aan de Maas. Chef Rene Brienen did earn his Michelin Star again and also received 16 points (out of 20) in the Gault Millau and is listed nationally as # 73 in the Dutch Top Restaurants in 'Lekker' (meaning Delicious). Just click on the two hyperlinks with the name Brienen, to see. Before we had our delicious 8-course dinner (sorry, I could not manage to eat it all...) we all did step into 'Het Huwelijksbootje' or boarding the boat to cruise along for two hours with champagne and Wedding Cake.

The Bride & Groom arrived in the Jaguar in front of Top Restaurant Brienen aan de Maas in Well. All in the Burgundian Province of Limburg, The Netherlands.

With 'Het Huwelijksbootje' in the back, here are two very special guests with Elvira & Bob.

This was a wedding with guests coming from 3 continents. To the right is Elvira's dear friend Nina who just got married in May with David who is on the left in this photo. Elvira was their wedding witness in Queensland, Australia. Nina, came all the way to The Netherlands with David so she could be Elvira's wedding witness as well.

Elvira pondering during her vacation in Queensland, Australia - prior to her friend's wedding...

Can you believe that her Mama, my dear friend Ellie and I are separated by different continents and now Elvira and her dear friend Nina are also being separated by different continents.

But, here we are enjoying such a wonderful, almost fairy tale-like wedding day of Goddaughter Elvira.

My husband Pieter next to the beautiful bride and I'm next to the handsome groom on the River Meuse.

On the left of bride Elvira is her Mom Ellie (my dear friend) and Pieter peaking in-between Ellie and me... Chef Rene Brienen is on the far left and his wife is squatted down in the white jacket. They are the team that run Brienen aan de Maas with Elvira as their Maître d'. But today, she had a day off!

Here we board the boat with champagne in our hand. From the left: Father of the bride, me, Pieter etc.

View of Top Restaurant Brienen aan de Maas. Later we will be served our 'amuses' on the patio before going inside for the 8-course dinner.

On the River Meuse with the Dutch flag and champagne... with 28°C or 82.4°F on September 2.

Here I admire Elvira's wedding band on her elegant hand...

Pure Romance

Wedding Cake...

Two hours on the boat, amuses on the patio and now into this elegant Top Restaurant Brienen aan de Maas for the 8-course wedding dinner...

Table Setting...

All happy faces, even on the menu-cards.

MENU D'AMOUR

Believe me, this 8-course wedding dinner at Top Restaurant Brienen aan de Maas was so delicious...

But it would be too much to show it all here in this post!

Happy days DO end too... Here we are on our way home, being safely chauffeured.

Tomorrow part III of the wedding celebration on September 3, with all the friends and family at another location... See you than!

Photos courtesy of Ton Smolders Photography

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

{Wedding Elvira & Bob in 14th Century Castle}

As promised on January 15, in my post about Elvira my 1st and only Goddaughter here the promised post about the wedding of Elvira & Bob. That is part I of III, as the wedding lasted for two days... Today we take you to the Tiendschuur in Well. That is in Limburg, The Netherlands and it is a restored 14th-century medieval castle, which is in Well, The Netherlands. It also once used to be a Church. Tiendschuur in Well is only in Dutch but you can see the photos for getting an idea. Tithe Barn. That's what it was, to Pay Taxes, a Tenth Part! Okay, history explained, let's go to the WEDDING OF ELVIRA & BOB...

Elvira was a gorgeous looking bride and Bob a very handsome groom...

Today we get to view 'Het Huwelijk' The Marriage...

There will be 2 more posts with the rest of their wedding.

A Lovely Couple in front of the home where Elvira grew up.

Bob did officially arrive at the front door for the traditional 'aanbel moment'...

Elvira being escorted by a proud Dad...

The groom with his Mom...

From left to right: Elvira's sister-in-law (with me behind her); Pieter my husband; Elvira's maternal Grandma; Elvira's Mom (my dear Friend) Ellie; Elvira's Dad Mathieu.

On this side of the aisle Bob's Mom and his Dad with two sister-in-laws from Bob.

This gives also an overview of the Tiendschuur or Tithe Barn from Castle Well.

Exchange of rings...

Releasing of the white doves...

Making bubbles...

The Jaguar from Bob's boss...

Romantic setting at Castle Well...

Oh, the weather was perfect for both days; low 80s! This is Castle Well in the back of the driveway that does cross the moat. To the right is the Tiendschuur.

Happy and dreamy Elvira & Bob on the lawn of Castle Well...

Tomorrow we will continue!

Hope you enjoyed it.

Photos courtesy of Ton Smolders Photography

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

{Our Golden Live Oak has LOTS of Acorns!}

Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' has Lots of Acorns!

Live oak means EVERGREEN! Look at these photos. Anyone out there interested in some, for growing such a Golden Live Oak out of them, please contact me as we have several available. They are very rare and we did pay for this tree in January of 1996, $ 150.00 + $ 30.00 shipping & handling from Louisiana. This is the 1st year ever, that yielded so many... We do have already several young trees and don't need any more.