Our Japanese Magnolias got Twice New Leaves

We all know how strong Mother Nature can be...

But this is the very first time that we see Our Japanese Magnolias,  Magnolia x soulangeana, getting TWICE New Leaves!

Such a dreary sight on March 31; ALL leaves turned brown...
That is after the frost on March 16.
They were blooming already on January 27, extremely early.

We both were hoping that the entire tree would not die...

No hope, all are brown and wilting away!

Strange enough, there are even some flower buds on this branch below.

SURPRISE!
On April 18, you can see all new leaves, still some of the frozen brown ones hanging on.
In a bit more than one month since the frost damage!
That looks like a miracle.

We are very happy with this sight; a gift from our Creator!

Happy Spring.

Thank you for your visit.

Related link:

Our Japanese Magnolias in Full Bloom | previous post by me

Table Setting With Picture Frame Vases and Place Cards

Still regret for not having kept more than 6 of those Delft White Picture Frame Vases... They sold like hot cakes! BUT, I sure love to use them with my Table Setting, together with our silver Place Cards.

It was once again Pieter's turn for hosting a 3–course dinner at our home for his Monday Night Club.

We happened to have still some of our white azaleas and together with a sprig of Rosemary, they worked perfect.

Also my French Christofle silver knife rests were put to use.

I've almost sold out on my Spectrenoir... (click the hyperlink).

My extra long French Le Jacquard damask tablecloth with napkins work fine with the additional small oak table added on in the back.

Chargers are French Pillivuyt Sancerre, also available at Replacements.

Our dining room set is solid French oak and also the floor is solid oak planks.

But instead of the Delft White Picture Frame Vase I used a little perfume bottle with silver embellishment, a dear gift from our boss in Italy.

The soup spoons, as well as the dessert spoon are Alvin Bridal Rose (Sterling, 1903) and by now you all know that I love ROSES. Clicking the link you find more pieces by Replacements Ltd.

Our solid silver napkin rings we had made in Indonesia while we lived and worked there.

This Picture Frame Vase is holding 2 Ice Wing Narcissus.

Hope you enjoyed my Table Setting and thanks for your visit.

Related links:
{Large Delft White Picture Frame Vase} | previous post by me
{Delft White Picture Frame Vase} | previous post by me
{Cooking Dinner for Twelve at Our Home} | previous post by me
{Tuesday May 4, dinner with friends} | previous post by me
{Table Setting for Friends} | previous post by me
{Mother-in-law's 1930s Société Céramique Blue Boerenhoeve Transferware} | previous post by me

2017 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION will I-85 Collapsed Bridge be Repaired?

On Monday, April 17, we did drive again to Atlanta, for dropping off some more 8 mm movie film reels at Costco for conversion to DVD. You can click the pink link.
The thing is that they do not let you mail them in, nor mail them out to you, once converted. 
Guess they don't take any risk for getting precious memories lost in the mail!
So we're almost completing this project of digitizing as well.

On the way back, Pieter did take some good photos from Piedmont Road, showing the Collapsed Bridge Repair on Interstate 85 well on its way.

Since the fire destroyed the Bridge on Friday, March 31, the Marietta firm to tackle I-85 bridge’s repair worked 24/7!

GDOT estimates 10 weeks for I-85 repair after collapse

Just click on pink links...

The estimate is for June 15 but another HUGE traffic input will be on June 10-14 for the Rotary INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION in Atlanta!

So we have to keep our fingers crossed that it might be possible to finish in time for that.

Here you can see the activity of the repair.

On the car's GPS you clearly see the Interstate lines...

Wishing those workers Godspeed and may all go well, as planned!
C.W. Matthews Contracting Company Inc. managed to complete this in only 44 days; click to also view the video in time lapse!

Thank you for your visit!

Related link:

Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta, Georgia - Worst Truck Bottleneck in America | previous post with info about collapse of bridge.
I-85 northbound lanes reopen | WOW, on May 13 they opened up! Only 6 weeks later... ahead of schedule!!! Southbound lanes also to be opened this weekend, before Monday.