{Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' with Catkins}

In previous posts, I have shown you our special Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' but never did I show you the incredible Catkins. Just before going on vacation to Curaçao, on April 15, I made these photos for sharing here with you.

• Whatever stage of the year, this tree is a show case! Look at those Catkins...
• No wonder that we got a visitor from the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville, Florida for some cuttings in order to propagate it. We seem to be the only one with this species and we are very proud of it!
• You can also find Kanapaha Botanical Gardens on FB.
• Below post is also a link from a discussion on GardenWeb about this tree.

• An almost 24 K Golden Dream...

• All those Catkins hanging downward...

• Green leaves and new golden ones...

• Striking contrast with the new and old leaves...

• Stepping back a bit...

• To the right you can see our driveway...
• Old brown leaves fall off as even evergreen trees DO shed!

• Several brown leaves on the ground already...

• This photo is taken from the balcony down... 
• Quite striking for having such a golden touch in our garden!
• Our bridge across the creek you can see in the back.

• The tall tree to the right behind the Golden Oak is also an oak tree with young green leaves.

• Photos taken on a dark and dreary day before we left for the tropics.

The exact same weather, including some rain, we have had seen since we returned from Curaçao...

Enjoy your weekend!

Related links where this stunning Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold, can be seen:
Wow...I think this deserves a thread! Golden live oak! | GardenWeb discussion...

{Lush Green Garden} |previous post by me
{# 1111 - Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' changing color} | previous post by me
{Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' in Sunshine at its BEST} | previous post by me
{Our Mrs. G. G. GERBING Azaleas} | previous post by me
{Our Patio Tiles in the Front} | previous post by me
{RARE Icicles in Our Garden} | previous post by me
{Energy Efficient GREEN Roofing Arrived} | previous post by me
{My Powder Blue Escada Jeans Suit} | previous post by me showing me in front of Grand View Gold
{Our Lovely Lilac Clematis 'Silver Moon'} | previous post by me showing young Grand View Gold

{Cloudy Day versus Sunny Day}| Previous post by me
{Blooms on our Windmill Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei} | previoius post by me 

{Our Golden Live Oak has LOTS of Acorns!} | previous post by me

{Our Different Oaks} | previous post by me

{My Silk Quilted Vest Creation and YOUR Opinion Requested...} | previous post by me showing golden oak

{Our Live Oak got a Haircut}| previous post by me

{Blog Award & Update}

On April 15, I did receive an award from Laura, from the blog: Casita By The Lake. Thanks again Laura! 

I have written to her that I would mention this after our vacation on the Island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. 

So here it is; finally posted.

Gracias por formar parte de mi mundo: link photo.

Funny that this is in Spanish but it says: Thank you for being part of my world.

That's exactly what I like to say to all my loyal readers that leave comments for me; even when I can't get to my PC at times for visiting them. 

We are a special world and there is a lot of bonding going on.

Together we try to exist in an economy that is not the same as in the 80s.

But I do admire the thousands of women, world wide, that create the most beautiful things for their home, for themselves or for others. So many talents about!
For that very reason I will not pass it on to others as all of you are very deserving of an award!
Welcome to my newest followers and I hope you find something of your interest here.

In Curaçao I did do some cross stitching but being there, together as a family, there was not that much time for doing so. My special +6.00 reading glasses did help me tremendously though, considering that I have to always work with only one eye. One day I will be able to show you the results. Last year in Curaçao I did finish the edging around the Antique French Knotted Filet Lace.
Wishing you all a happy weekend and thanks for visiting!

Related articles:

{TIP for Fine Needlework SUPER POWER READERS} | previous post by me

{Crochet Edging on Antique French Knotted Filet Lace} | previous post by me

{Curaçao Airport on Coronation Day King Willem-Alexander}

On Tuesday, April 30 was the Coronation Day of the Dutch King Willem-Alexander. We were lucky for being still on the Island of Curaçao, for our family vacation of 10 days at the Santa Barbara Resort. Enjoying our tropical environment, together with daughter Liz and husband Hans, who flew in from The Netherlands to be with us for celebrating Pieter's Birthdays on April 23 and 29. THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the comments on Pieter's Birthday! It meant a lot to all of us and I will be back soon at your blogs.

• By the way, on April 23, Pieter turned 20, as a USA citizen!

• We could watch the Coronation ceremonies from our hotel room via Live TV stream of NOS Journaal; Dutch broadcasting. When we did arrive at 1:00 PM at the airport we were in for a Royal Treat in honor of King Willem-Alexander's Coronation Day.

• Cupcakes with an orange crown made for some great treats to all passengers willing to take one!

Image by Vogue on my Pinterest

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima in her elegant royal blue gown by Dutch designer Jan Taminiau.

The Dutch have a new Queen of Fashion by the Argentine blonde, Máxima!

• Husband Pieter enjoyed it very much. He ate already an orange glazed Tompouce (Napoleon) pastry and now the cupcake goes down as sweet lunch food! Just click the link above for recipe and historical information...

• The colors of the Dutch flag: Red - White - Blue were shown as well as tiny flags on each cupcake.
• There were two flights going to Amsterdam but the one showing at gate 3 was not the one for Liz & Hans... 
• We got so lucky for arriving almost at the same time; only 15 minutes after KLM landed, we got there on our American Airlines flight for frequent flyer miles. Great service by that airline we must say!
• Our departure was also 20 minutes apart from each other. We departed from gate 4 and Liz & Hans from gate 1...

• Orange balloons on the floor; it looked very festive!

• Very nice presentation...

• At another table, ladies in orange shirts were offering the typical Dutch 'Bitter Ballen' from which I did taste one. Long ago that I had one, typically being served at weddings during reception and at parties.
• Customary these Bitter Balls were being served alongside Bitters such as Dutch Gin or in this case, Dutch Oranje Bitter (Orange Bitter). Click the above link for Dutch Beef Bitterballen recipe and info.

• Another Dutch treat are Poffertjes or Pancake Puffs.
• Click above link again, for recipe of Classic Poffertjes.

So that's why I have been missing several blog posts... We're back home since yesterday morning at 2:30 AM. It took us about as long as it took Liz & Hans for flying home to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. For us with a stop in Miami for going through immigration, re-check of luggage and on to Atlanta.

A very happy Daddy Pieter, who was feeling great for having gifted his girl this nice vacation, together with her husband.

Related articles:
Curaçao Airport | Find out more about this great tropical destination.
Willem-Alexander sworn in as king of the Netherlands after his mother abdicates | Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal
King Willem-Alexander will be inaugurated, not crowned | Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal
Maxima's parents will watch Dutch coronation on TV | Hello Magazine - Royalty
Queen Maxima gives nod to Dutch flag with cobalt blue gown | Hello Magazine - Royalty
Willem-Alexander Becomes New Dutch King After Queen Beatrix Abdicates The Throne (VIDEO, PHOTOS) | Huffington Post
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort Curaçao | Where we were last year and again this year (formerly Hyatt)