{Today I turned 17!}

On this day in 1993 I got my United States Citizenship!
So this is my 17th birthday... as a proud American.

We got up very early at 4:15 AM that day and left after breakfast by 5:30 AM to be in time for the ceremony in Atlanta at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building. At 8:30 AM the ceremony started for 257 people from 60 nations. By 9:55 AM it was over and we rushed back, to make it to Rotary lunch. Pieter introduced me as his guest with the following words: 'May I introduce my NEW American wife...'  That was well received, with laughter and happiness!

This is a picture of some of the poinsettia plants and flowers I received.

My Dublin Mom has passed away on June 25, 2009. She did adopt me as her daughter when I came here in 1983; very sweet and she's been such a help over the years whenever I faced something new or unknown.

Dear friends!

This photo was taken on December 31 of 1993 by photographer Lee Wilson. That was during an interview for Threads of Life: International Women's Textile Art by Deborah A. Duchon of Georgia State University.

For that program I had donated several of my hand made lace pieces.

This is an excerpt from my LinkedIn profile.

{Our new IKEA Nordmyra Chairs}

Finally I got the photos made of our four new IKEA Nordmyra chairs.

Several years we were looking for WHITE chairs that had a low back, like the previous ones from Italy. 

We don't want to obstruct the view from our bay window with having such 'high-rise' chair backs towering above the table in front of the window. 

Not an easy task!

My hand crocheted curtains with the white ceramic chandelier from Italy... with the solid silver Giovanni Raspini Christmas balls from Italy in a moss wreath: there are a few left at my on line Zen cart boutique Mariette's Back to Basics

IKEA Nordmyra!

Solid Birch beauty from this Swedish company...

Glad we found them in Atlanta!

Happy end...

{Giovanni Raspini Silver Christmas Balls}

Today I'm proud to show you the wreath that I made for Christmas, using life moss.

From the upscale Giovanni Raspini ←(click it) Silver from Italy, I got some Christmas Ornaments for you, I used a large and a small ball, plus a silver angel, cherub.

All three items were for sale at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics  

The Angel, Cherub is lovely too and is in solid silver as well.

Christmas balls and ornaments come with red satin ribbons and through the pale of the balls I did pull another long red satin ribbon for hanging it inside the with life moss clad wreath.

This Eco friendly life moss clad wreath I received timely from our local Bella Flowers and Gifts.

For wrapping the wreath I used a grosgrain ribbon in antique white and an organdy ribbon with wired edge for the bow, also in antique white.

Just lovely for hanging from red ribbons...

Here it is hanging in our bay window under the handmade crocheted filet lace curtains.

Now an evening view with our Dutch linen shades pulled down.

This is from the hardcover book of Argenterie Giovanni Raspini where I got the idea...

Those type of wooden shutters we used to have in the home I grew up.

Sold out...

This are the small size solid silver Christmas balls with a 2" diameter. I only have the # 1984 left for sale. By the way, those are not the years but the item numbers!

Sold out...

Above are the large 2½" solid silver balls and I do have # 1857 and # 1859 available.

These fine pieces will undoubtedly become a family heirloom for generations to pass on.

Sold out...

Sold out...

Number 20 shows the Giovanni Raspini Christmas decorations in silver.

For me there is absolutely no comparison with other ornaments that are on the market in the US. Not even Tiffany and Co comes close, let alone the Wallace ornament. Look for yourself...

Strange that they omit completely the size of the ornament... not important for that amount of money?

Tiffany's Elsa Peretti Star ornament.

Tiffany Notes Merry Christmas ornament.

Tiffany Paloma's Dove ornament.

Tiffany Santa key ornament