{HM King Willem Alexander by Elske Wilton, Portrait Artist}

While at the beautiful Naylor Hall for the Dutch King's Birthday Celebration (see link below post) we both had the pleasure of personally meeting Elske Wilton, Portrait Artist who recently created HM King Willem Alexander's portrait.

HM King Willem Alexander - King of The Netherlands

Feeling honored for having received this card format from Elske, for using on my blog!

She told me that the King really liked this portrait... Who would not?!

Elske is a member of the Portrait Society of America and the Cecilia Beaux Forum

It was such a beautiful addition to this splendid evening, sponsored by so many great companies.

Husband Pieter, talking with Portrait Artist Elske Wilton...

Look at her stunning work!

Elske's drawings follow the technique of the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael (1483 - 1520), and are done with red Sienna colored pencil on cream olive green Canson paper with white charcoal on the highlights.

Such a beautiful display of her perfect portraits...

One can only admire her meticulous work!

Sorry for the glare of lights but it still gives you an impression of how exact her work looks like!

Of course HM King Willem Alexander got displayed on his Birthday Celebration!

This was such a pleasant encounter and I feel humbled for being allowed to share Elske's work with you!

Related link:
{Dutch King's Birthday Celebration in Atlanta, Georgia} | previous post by me

{Dutch King's Birthday Celebration in Atlanta, Georgia}

Okay, let's sum up what happened since our trip to Arizona... Husband Pieter had another Birthday on April 29. Next day we drove to Atlanta, to celebrate Dutch King's Birthday with a reception at Naylor Hall in Roswell. Spending one night at the +Hyatt Place Atlanta/Perimeter Center. Only to drive back next day, to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport picking up a dear friend from The Netherlands, who stayed with us for one week.

Here you see the Dutch Honorary Consul, Ewoud N. Swaak (l) with my husband Pieter.

A nice wooden floor was placed on the lawn.

Pieter wore his Agave denim Fit Classic Rocker, in an orange charcoal pinstripe and orange cotton pique Ralph Lauren polo.

The event was being held at the Historic Naylor Hall, an 1840 mansion.

Weather was cooperating very well; far better than the previous day on husband Pieter's birthday when it rained cats and dogs...

For the event I did wear my orange Escada stretch jeans with blouse.

Lovely costumes worn by charming Dutch girls!

The Honorary Consul did speak to the crowd and we sang the national American and Dutch Anthems.

The American Anthem at the top and in Dutch, the Wilhelmus and also translated into English.

My hands holding the iPhone with which I did tape the typical Dutch Klompen Dancing.

Not such perfect ending but still okay...

Yes, I enjoyed this evening tremendously!

In the outside 'tents' they were serving typical Dutch fare... Bitterballen, (click link for recipe!) patatje met mayonaise.

Bitterballen duo...

Kroketten ←click the link. In the past, I loved a Kalfskroket between a whole wheat bun... So yummy!

Inside Naylor Hall there was a buffet with delicious food. Vine ripe tomato and mozzarella salad Field greens with strawberries, pralines, goat cheese & sweet peppercorn vinaigrette

Say CHEESE...!

And more CHEESE...

Are you getting hungry yet?

Very much I enjoyed this Wild mushroom risotto with white wine & fontina cheese...

Thanks to many generous sponsors! Hope you enjoyed it...

{Palo Verde Tree blooming in Scottsdale Arizona}

On March 24, we were at the Costco Wholesale Gas Station Airpark in Scottsdale, Arizona.

We already had admired the masses of yellow blooms alongside the highway and now we saw one nearby. It is the beautiful Palo Verde Tree!

Such bright yellow everywhere you turned...

The Palo Verde seems to be the State Tree!

Arizona in general is such a well maintained State, everywhere you turn.

It makes for feeling happy, to see such trees!

Very friendly people too!

And a happy me!
Filling up the rental car, our Toyota Corolla...