{Our Leatherleaf Mahonia Berberidaceae (barberry Family)}

• On December 19, my husband Pieter took these sunny pictures from our Leatherleaf Mahonia Berberidaceae (barberry Family).  
• We did receive this once as a little plant, from a dear friend in Atlanta, and it has thrived near our creek. A very nice ornamental evergreen shrub. Click on the above hyperlink for more info.

• Leatherleaf is a perfect name for this evergreen shrub!

• Zooming out to give you the total picture of the shrub...

• That was our Leatherleaf Mahonia Berberidaceae...

{GIVEAWAY = YOUR Choice of 925 silver Giovanni Raspini Letter!}

Because I got some reader remarks, as to the photographed 925 silver Giovanni Raspini 'M' would be perfect for them, I want to state the following: This Worldwide GIVEAWAY is about a 925 silver Giovanni Raspini Alphabet Letter of CHOICE! If you look at my Zen Cart powered Mariette's Back to Basics Boutique you can select the one you would want to win. Hope this did clarify any doubts. Wishing you GOOD LUCK! And if you don't win by February 4... you can always order one at my Boutique! Hoover over the red words with your mouse; they are hyperlinks. Right click on them for opening in a new tab. 

P.S. the Dutch chocolate Alphabet Letter is NOT included...

You can order yours at Vander Veen's the Dutch Store or at The Dutch Market.

<center> <a href="http://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2012/01/worldwide-giveaway-925-silver-giovanni.html"><img border="0" src="http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae37/MariettesBacktoBasics/INTERNATIONALGIVEAWAYMariettesBacktoBasics500Pixels.jpg"/></a></center> Copy and paste onto your post. Thanks for all that already participated!

{Our Narcissus Cragford blooms EARLY!}

• Already on January 13, I took this photo from our fragrant Narcissus Cragford.  
• It sure is a daring daffodil for emerging this early. There are a few more varieties blooming right now but the weather is too dark and dreary for making any photos. 
• The forecast is not much better for the coming days. We all long for those light days with some sunshine! But enjoy this early spring bode with me...

Plenty of rain and very mild weather, close to 20°C or 68°F is encouraging of course!