{Our Speckie girl with Snake}

On October 11, we did spot our youngest feline, Speckie girl, playing with a small snake. Anxious to see what she got, we ran out to capture it with my iPhone. In our reptile book we could not find anything like it for identification. Obviously this was not a dangerous one, the way Spicy girl played with it. Any help in identification of this one is appreciated! The last photos show it clearly, a very pretty one I must say. 

It is a tiny snake...

Speckie girl is not even 3 years old but she's not afraid of anything.

If it would bite she would not be tail–gating it here...

She was very proud that we came to look!

Very nice patterns...

Belly up to show that part too. 

Does any of you know what this tiny snake is called? 

We have no idea if it is a small species or just a juvenile snaky...

As mentioned before; any help is appreciated!

Related links:
{Our Garden Critters} previous post about a skink and a swamp snake.
{Southern Ringneck Snake} previous post about snake.

{Since 1896 Dutch CHOCOLATE LETTERS - Have YOU Tried Them?}

Hah, today I managed to get my order for Dutch CHOCOLATE LETTERS placed on line with Vander Veen's, The Dutch Store in Michigan, USA. For decades we've been ordering them as a gift to our friends. Or bringing them home with us, in the suitcase at the time we were able to buy them in The Netherlands. In 2008 we did so when we were in The Netherlands with our foster daughter Anita from Indonesia. She got so excited, searching for each letter on my shopping list! Everybody loves them and they are SPECIAL! Look at the great design on the box they come in, that looks so different from any other chocolate. It is a fine Dutch lifestyle tradition since 1896 and fond childhood memories for me. For my Canadian readers, I too have an address for getting those CHOCOLATE LETTERS: at The Dutch Market Ltd. Sorry for all other countries, they might be able to obtain them from The Netherlands and there could be some Dutch import into Australia as well... You let me know.

Not only for the traditional Dutch St. Nicholas or SINTERKLAAS, on December 6, but they make fine gifts for the Christmas season or for Santa Claus. As a matter of fact I would enjoy them year round with a cup of coffee... How about you?

Sure, I do LOVE dark chocolate! It is said that: A Dark Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!

Click on the link (all colored ones are links) to find out more... I surely live by it.

Those silver Giovanni Raspini Charms & Co alphabet angels from Italy are available on my Zen Cart powered boutique on line: Mariette's Back to Basics - worldwide shipping. 

Below post is a link where you find them.

If you want to order CHOCOLATE LETTERS for the USA or Canada, you better do so early, as later on maybe not all Letters will be available... First come; first serve!

Today I got all mine secured; all 41 that is. Yes, my orders have been growing steadily as they are so much LOVED. That brings JOY to the giver as well.

Only 3 out of 41 are dark chocolate letters; including mine. 

What is your preference? Milk or Dark...? 

You might have gotten an idea.

Oh, we gave two years ago a package with the word LOVE to a very special extended family member... It meant so much to him. And there was not much more we could give him, other than true LOVE and this symbol written out in CHOCOLATE...

Related link:

{Chocolate and Silver Alphabet Letters for Saint Nicholas} a previous post by me 

{Chocolate Letter LOVE} | post by me

{ALL SAINTS DAY | ALL SOULS DAY}

November 1st is ALL SAINTS DAY for the Catholic Church. November 2nd is ALL SOULS DAY... We remember our loved ones that have passed on and our thoughts are with them. Because of hurricane Sandy, we lost many more lives here in the USA. Our sunny days from last week have vanished as it is windy and nippy now. So many people are still without power... We need to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

This is a very peaceful French etching done on silver plated metal by L. Bottini after a tableau of the famous Murillo.

We keep this in our living room on the windowsill of the arched window.

Above is a photo I took and below you find a scan...

It represents the Immaculate Conception.

Let us pray to our Heavenly Mother for guidance during difficult times.

Related link:

L. Bottini Silverplate Box This is another etching that I found on the Internet

A French Silverplate Dresser Box by L. Bottini | another etching by him

The link to this fruit bowl, also done by L. Bottini, in São Paulo, Brazil is no longer working...