{Royal Dutch Airlines 91 years on October 7}

Today is the KLM Royal Dutch Airline's 91st anniversary as they started on October 7, 1919.

Just by coincidence did I take today a photo of this special edition house that friend Ellie carried in her luggage for me. She arrived on September 2nd with KLM Dutch house # 90 and its special book. I'd purchased that on line, as we no longer are in the air as Royal Wing members... We've done our share!

Not all Delftware houses from KLM were filled with Dutch gin...

They do line the windows in our veranda; all 90 of them since Ellie got me the latest.

That is, today house # 91 was added to the collection and I will certainly add that one too.

At the last window there still is some space left...

Beautiful gift box with House No. 90 and the special book.

Hardcover with cloth and with a special ribbon you can lift the book out of its box; very clever design!

 On the cloth cover, there is a raised house in a kind of vinyl; so beautifully done.

How unique...

Some history, written on October 7, 2009.

Husband Pieter's total miles of 1,262,856 on NWA; partner of KLM at that time. That is a LOT of hours/months in the air with only ONE airline! So we got to know KLM very well in the skies, being International Consultants.

Pieter's travel map on TravBuddy. He got to see 19% of the countries of the world! Click on the hyperlink to see it on his Facebook page, there you can view the actual countries being listed below the map.

My 1,133,546 total miles on NWA. A little bit less, as Pieter did travel for Campbell Soup, being their VP Training and Development for the Mushroom Division. He went by himself to New Zealand and also on a trip to China, via Japan as a delegate from People to People Citizen Ambassador Program.
For the rest I joined him, as Pieter had requested that he could take his wife along on any trip longer than 8 hours. Thereby declining his right to travel first class on flights longer than 8 hours.
Thus I got to visit my parents quite often in those five years, because of this smart clause in his contract. For Campbell it even saved them money as economy class was far cheaper, even for the two of us.

For me it yielded no more than 15% of the countries of the world. See my TravBuddy travel map to view the actual countries listed below this map. These are countries where we actual traveled to; not just landed at the airport...
That was the 91th birthday of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and we owe them a lot of gratitude!

{Rare Antique Léonard Bernardaud (1856-1923) Limoges Lamp}

A very rare and unique find from France... being only available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique.

• This is a beautiful, fine white porcelain Limoges lamp with high glaze from the famous Léonard Bernardaud who lived from 1856-1923. 
• In EXCELLENT condition and it has been wired by my husband and handyman Pieter. 
• This in order to change it from French to American wiring. 
• An Energy Saving light bulb, for going green, has been placed in it, together with a brand new white fabric lamp shade with harp.
• Undoubtedly you all know the modern day Bernardaud Lithopane: {French Bernardaud Votive Roses} <(click) lamps.
• 
• The porcelain pattern is called 'VINCENNES' and Replacements Ltd. <(click) does have this in the color purple in their china listing. Vincennes is a beautiful Château in Paris, France. 
• A blogger friend Chantal, just happened to write a blog about Château Vincennes <(click)

Showing you the lovely cobalt blue pattern. At my on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics <(click it) you can find the measurements of this beauty. 
FREE SHIPPING within the USA: spectrenoir just click link.
A true French Country Style TREASURE!

For the info about these Bernardaud Limoges Porcelain Marks click on the hyperlink.

See above Théodore Bernardaud porcelain B & Cie marks sale from Christie's <(click it) and check the value. 

Bernardaud marks

History link

On page 96 in the Collectors Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain you will find all the info, history and marks of Bernardaud.

Sold out...

{Do YOU all know Our Nations Oldest City - St. Augustine, Florida?}

Have you ever read about St. Augustine, Florida? 
That is our nation's oldest city!
On September 8, 1565 Menéndez set foot ashore of Florida...
Since then, Pieter and I have visited St. Augustine numerous times!
Just want to show you here some precious photos from Old Tyme Photo, taken in October a decade ago.
On the left: Toon (Anthony) Vedder, myself and Pieter Vedder my husband.  The photographer made us look the part and no glasses were allowed.

It was so hilarious the way they fit you into these costumes. The men were wearing their shorts and sandals but these pants had NO backs; they're just half pieces that are strapped around the waist. 
I laughed my head off, as it was no sight from behind!
The owner did not let me take this humor in with my video camera...
But it is forever etched onto my retina.
The hats were for real though.

My skirt was another genius garment. It was just a wide piece of never-ending cloth with a waistband at the top; no seems! 
It would fit from a size 4 (34) to size 24 (64) and close with some velcro.
Toon Vedder invented that we all were the wealthy owners of the Magnolia Plantation.
I can tell you that looks can be very deceiving...

These photos are treasures now, as Toon did go to heaven in September of 2006