{Sad that ONLY on June 10 we had some 'Oma Roses'...}

In a previous blog of Saturday, May 8, 2010: 3 Most Prized Roses; from my Paternal Grandmother I did introduce you to this very special rose. This year however, due to extreme heat and drought, we lost most of our fragrant roses. For the first time ever; no vases with flowers from the garden... Let's hope that next year will be better, even if we have to start all over with our roses. I've been looking already for a replacement of our roses: Jardins de Bagatelle but no luck. If anyone knows where they would be available in the USA or Canada, please let me know! So here are this year's early roses from my Paternal Grandmother or 'Oma Roses' as we call them. You can click on the above blog link to learn more. Those treasured roses are planted where I keep my ROSE STEPPING STONES as an honor.

Even though those perfect roses have been nibbled on by some insect it looks like...

Would anyone know the name of these 'old' roses? They are not fragrant but rather large blooming.

Guess it was not the Bee that made those holes...

Whatever; Bee Happy!

{French Brocante Louis XV Style Inkwells & Letter Holder}

Last night after having finished my blog round, I spotted in my sidebar a photo on Mimi Blue's blog of Bonjour Romance with the title Inkwells.  I had to open my eyes wide in disbelief. The very same Inkwells and Letter Holder that I have at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics. What a chance for finding in France two alike! And even more so, for spotting them on Blogger... Have a look at mine below and get inspired for your own personalized writing.

Two ink wells, one on each side. Pen tray below and letter holder above.

Time to get out the ink and fountain pen and write a letter on cotton stationery from Crane & Co, Pineider Firenze 1774 or G. Lalo.

Sold out...

{Black Mission Figs in our Food Dehydrator}

With the downfall of the economy, we ought to preserve in a smarter way. When fruits and veggies are on sale, or if they are yielding in your garden. We have done so for several years, using our 9-Tray Large-Excalibur with 26 hour Timer. Look here: 9-tray Excalibur. Not only available for the USA but also International. I can only highly recommend this as it works great. Let me show you ours with the Black Mission figs. Pieter has cut them in half and than just filled up the racks and put the timer on. Easy job! I made some fig cakes in the kitchen meanwhile...

Due to the drought this year, our Black Mission figs were rather small, compared to previous years.

Very easy system and depending on how much you want to dehydrate, you get 9 drawers in total.

Some fresh Black Mission figs and already dehydrated ones.

This year did not yield enough for filling up my large Italian canning jar...

I've made some special fig cakes too; will show you that later.

Did transfer them to this round Italian jar from Firenze and it filled up!

Are you also preserving some of your fruits this way? Apples, pears or e.g. mangoes that are on sale?

In the afternoon we usually have our tea with some dried fruits and nuts as a healthy snack.