{Hot Chocolate Tastes Better From an Orange Cup}

• On January 8 of 2013, I came across the following article: Drinking hot chocolate from an orange or creme colored cup makes it taste better...
• So I had to check it out if: Hot Chocolate Tastes Better From an Orange Cup! 
• Out came our vintage Dutch cups & saucers from Potterie de Driehoek and together with our FIRST fragrant daffodils and some DARK CHOCOLATE I made the test, together with husband Pieter. 

• Yes, I did make Hot Chocolate from Dutch processed Droste Cocoa, using Half & Half  (half milk and half cream). No sugar added...
• Indeed, my very first vase with fragrant Sweetness Daffodils. See more about them in links below post.

• Friend Barbara from Switzerland made the brown mug...
• Dark Chocolate is healthy too, so we had to have some!
• The tablecloth has been hand embroidered by my Mother-in-law.
• She made probably hundreds of those on request; she still had a long list when she died at almost 95...

• Sure, some Rose Silverware has to go with this setting as well... that will also add to the taste!
• Silver plate with silver mark: E ST 925 and repoussé roses.
• I placed a crystal bowl on top for the chocolates...

• Alvin Bridal Rose demitasse spoons...
• Okay, go ahead and take some dark chocolate!

• What is your idea about WHAT will make Hot Chocolate Taste Better?

Related link:

{Our 1939 Sweetness Daffodils} previous post by me

{Ehrlicheer & Sweetness Daffodils on my Birthday} previous post by me

{WONDERFULLY FRAGRANT SWEETNESS DAFFODILS} previous post by me

{Camellia Japonica White by the Gate}

On January 24, I did take some photos from our blooming Camellias. So here are our Camellia Japonica White by the Gate that I would love to show to you. These particular Camellias we do have now for 12 years. They are blooming very heavily each year but for cutting flower they are a bit tricky as they don't have a real stem and often bloom back to back, like a Siamese twin...

Perfect bloom and perfectly white is this one...

They do resemble a rose, don't you think so?

And no, they are NOT fragrant!

Something must have been eating on the lower one...

This is what I mean with growing back to back. Also on one branch there is a bud together with two that are already fully opened up.

For a bowl with some floating candles however, you always find some perfect ones.

They are lovely and the shrubs are evergreen so that is a bonus for winter too.

Does anyone have this variety of Camellia Japonica White by the Gate?

Related links:

{Camellia Debutante & Chocolate} previous post by me

{Our Camellia Sinensis Tea Plant and Japanese Magnolia} previous post by me

{Our Camellia Nuccio's Gem & Christmas Angel Gift} previous post by me

{Our Camellia Sinensis | Tea Plant} previous post by me

{Vintage Silver Rose Brooch}

Another treasure for offering to my clients. This time I found an Old World Vintage Silver Rose Brooch and it is in excellent shape, pin and all. Just have a look at this lovely piece. Some artistic silver smith did an excellent job. This gem is available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics.

More and more I do admire those professionals that make photos for magazines or books.

It is awfully hard to capture anything in silver! Even my French ombré silk velvet is shiny...

But you do get an idea how lovely this rose is.

This is taken on our balcony and you can see the trees reflected in the silver...

The silver mark, an 800 content of silver. The back is smooth with only the needle and lock.

Sorry Sold out...