{Giovanni Raspini 925/000 Silver Oval Frame with Two Angels from Italy}

This is the ultimate, romantic silver oval frame with two angels from Giovanni Raspini, Italy. Just one of the vast frame collection of Giovanni Raspini Frames. For more details about this item # 1816 please visit Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics. This lovely frame is also protected against oxidation.

As usual this unique piece of silver comes in a beautiful gift box, with satin lining and certificate.

Sorry Sold out...

{Lisa Boalt Richardson another Georgia Tea Aficionado!}

Today I want to share with you a special lady that lives only a couple of hours away; therefore it is close to HOME! Lisa Boalt Richardson  is as much a Tea Aficionado as I am.  Please read about her new book and her being featured in nwi times: Author celebrates tea in charming books!

This is one of my favorite desserts. Romantic Rose Petals and Strawberry slices in home baked shells; using won-ton-wrappers and brushing them with melted butter; than dusting with a mixture of sugar with cinnamon. Only about 5 min. in the oven and voilà. Next you whip up some whipped cream and add a few drops of Rose Water (Eau de Rose) and add carefully the pesticide free Rose Petals and sliced Strawberries... Dust with powdered sugar.
Oh, from the same won-ton-wrappers I'd cut out hearts for decoration...
Silver is Alvin Bridal Rose, available at Replacements Ltd.
China is Royal Albert Princess Anne also available at Replacements Ltd.

Just a yummy High Tea that I did from my home...

Tea cups from Mason Chartreuse with golden 4" paper doilies.

Another Tea for Friends...

Using a lace doily as invitation. (click to enlarge)
And YES, Tea goes very well with Chocolates too!

{White Indian Jasmine the Queen of Flowers}

After some much needed rain, the white Indian Jasmine is looking very happy!

Blossoms of this variety look like mini-orchids... They bloom but one day and fall off, hence the frilly parts you're looking at. To the right is a bud that yet has to open up.
Our most romantic experience ever, is that of a dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia on December 27 of 1986. They had not only the most delicious pepper-steak (steak au poivre) we had in our life but the setting was SO ROMANTIC! On the pink damask tablecloth they had Arabian Jasmine buds strewn around. Together with the candle lights, that was so special. One of those cherished moments of the heavenly scent of those highly fragrant buds... delicious dinner and both of us very much being in LOVE - as always! An experience to never forget; one of those golden moments in life. It was at the end of our work period in Indonesia for that time. Great before flying home again on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines... You feel like you fed your body and soul. That is the mystic of the Orient.
No wonder that the Jasmine is one of Indonesia's national flowers...

This is the corner, near the entrance to our Rose Suite, where all the different Jasmine varieties are during summer, inside their planters. We need to move them into the greenhouse by November/December, depending on the weather forecast.

This is a view to the other side, the walk way goes to the driveway.

The jasmines are inside nice rose-planters:

Now you turned around the corner where the private entrance to the Rose Suite is.
This is a special apartment for our guests.

You see the red rose spinner hanging from the live oak tree?

This 304 grade stainless steel red rose wind spinner is 11" tall (28 cm).
It hangs in front of the entrance to the Rose Suite.
In the back you see our gazebo.

When we arrived for the very first time in South India for our work with Pond's India, we were greeted with a special Jasmine garland. That was a heavenly experience, with such highly fragrant flowers. 

Above you see a Hindu marriage ritual. The son of our dear friends got married and the bride and groom each wore such a garland of Jasmine flowers... The meaning of the Jasmine flower is Grace and Elegance!

Both of us feel rich for having witnessed this. It really does lift up your spirits, from the day–to–day routine.

In Persian language Jasmine means: Gift from God