{How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats}

Just have to share this great find with you around the very popular Dutch Saint Nicholas or 'SINTERKLAAS' celebration.
On December 5th, for the adults and December 6th, for the little children the Dutch celebrate their gift giving.

How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats by Peter G. Rose. 
She did an excellent job!

How many of you did know about this historical fact?

Now you can read Peter G. Rose's excellent book: Delicious December: How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats: A Holiday Cookbook ←click it to have some page insight at Barnes & Noble.

Also available at Amazon.com where I got mine...

Treats for the Saint Nicholas season, as shown here in a 1995 Dutch Nouveau magazine.

You can read about and even find RECIPES for making your own Saint Nicholas or SINTERKLAAS treats! Many of which are already very popular here in the USA!
Shown above is Black Pete, Saint Nicholas' helper and there has been a tremendous outpour against the 'few' that wanted to do away with him.
Dutch court rules in favor of 'Black Pete' ←click link.
It is obvious that this AGE OLD tradition has to STAY!

To the left is shown a Dutch book about the festive finale, the way December is being celebrated in my birth country The Netherlands.

It was a special gift from dear Dutch friends and is an exclusive edition by De Bijenkorf.nl, 1981.

Writer Peter G. Rose did a fabulous job in listing all the Treats, just like being found in this Dutch version.

My Sewing Creation napkin with gold DMC thread done on my serger.

I've also quilted (by machine) placemats to go with them.

Shown is a scented French candle from Point A La Ligne and the Mason's Mandalay Chartreuse tea cup & saucer with cigarette holder in which I keep demitasse spoons.
If you still need to find out for the coming Christmas Season about: {Difference Between Coffee & Tea Cups} you can read my MOST popular all time post.
Next post will also be about 'Of Sint and Santa'...
Such an important historic tradition!

Related link:
{TIP New Purpose for Cigarette Holder} | previous post by me

{Merry Christmas 2014} | later post by me showing my sewing creation 

{925 Sterling Silver Cherub Angel}

Well, it is not yet Christmas but I would love to show you this unique solid 925 Sterling Silver Cherub Angel. You don't have to use it as a Christmas angel of course.

Lovely silver cherub angel!

Beautiful Cherub Angel in solid 925 Sterling Silver

Backside...

Silver marks

This is how I have used mine.

Together with my Giovanni Raspini silver Christmas balls hanging from red ribbons.

My moss wrapped wreath.

Don't you love this angel?

Related links:
925 Sterling Silver Cherub Angel Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics
{925 Sterling Silver Cherub Angel} | Original post
{Giovanni Raspini Silver Christmas Balls + 500 Posts} 925 Sterling Silver Cherub Angel
{Giovanni Raspini Silver Christmas Balls} 925 Sterling Silver Cherub Angel is shown here as well, with silver Christmas Balls from Giovanni Raspini, Italy.

{My Very 1st Blogpost: Romancing the Home}

As usual, I forget my Blog Anniversary!
Maybe it is because of such a sad period in my life, you can read more below blog post from previous links...
Anyway, now in 2014 on November 23, I had a total of 1,205 blog posts written.
So let's go Back to Basics and show the beginning.
On November 23, 2009 I started blogging and here is my very first post:

Autumn is the time of year to turn inward again, for making the home into a warm nest where we savor the memories of summer and sunshine. All about Romancing the Home...

A few last Midas Touch roses from the garden in a lovely silver vase adorned with a silver rosebud (that will at least last all winter long!) while indulging in a cup of hot chocolate with a Bon-bon, while reading an invitation to a winter wedding on February 13th... How romantic the outlook; just a day before Valentine's Day!

After all, these special moments will pull us through the dreary winter. With the memories of warm sun rays kept alive inside our hearts, we will get to springtime again.

Romancing the Home... Indeed, trying to extend the season of roses all year long!
The yellow roses on the tablecloth are hand embroidered by me...

Detail of the silver rosebud vase with rose...

{Post # 484 and my blog is 2 years old today!} | previous post by me with the sad story...