{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE}

It has been quite a while since I did have the time to knit. But one of the most intricate knitting I've ever finished, was this short sleeved ajour jacket. My niece Maartje was the lucky recipient. 

My brother Martin is a great photographer!

From a May 1981 Anna Burda magazine.

However I never musterd enough patience to finish the embroidery too...

Instead, I added some nice antique brass buttons!

Maartje has added a few years since this photo was taken...

Our friend Johnny from Dublin, took this picture of the two of us in 2005 when we did tour with him and his wife Hannah through the Netherlands.

Sweet Maartje...
I'm wearing my Escada Sport trench coat.

For someone who gives a lot and never asked for anything, the best will not be enough...

For such a beautiful handwritten card with kisses from Maartje, it was worth it for every stitch of intricate ajour...

Labour of love!

♥

{MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS LLC's RIBBON CUTTING}

FINALLY it got published yesterday in our local news paper! My official ribbon cutting that had been postponed so many times. In 2008 when I started my business we first went to The Netherlands for a wedding. Returning home from the wedding, we joined with Anita, our foster daughter, at the airport and flew back with her to the USA. She stayed with us and went back on a trip to The Netherlands again for the 50th wedding anniversary of Pieter's eldest, and now only brother. We also celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. In February of 2009 we flew once again back to The Netherlands for my parents' 60th wedding anniversary; our 61st trip to visit family and friends. In October of 2009 we flew once more to The Netherlands for the first reunion of the Practical Training College about Mushroom Growing, that husband Pieter had founded. It was fun to see former colleagues once again... When we got back home I became sicker and sicker with excruciating pain. My severe health problems and weight loss, resulted in being completely paralyzed on January 9 of 2010. That set me back so much that we had to work hard in order to catch up on everything. Again we discussed a ribbon cutting with our Dublin Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. Now it was Pieter who made us have to postpone everything again; he had his quadruple bypass on September 3rd. So the year was ending fast again but we decided to have it done on November 30 of 2010.

Here it is; the huge scissor for the ceremony done by the City Mayor and County and Chamber Officials.

Green is the color for Dublin and the Mayor also is wearing a green shamrock, the symbol for Dublin. See my blog post from December 30 for the symbol ← click it.

♣

The news paper article from our local Courier Herald, February 17 of 2011.

Pieter giving a little speech... one of hundreds that he gave over his life time.

Some snappy remarks and laughter!

A happy gathering!

With our dear friends Maria Runggaldier and Heinz Krassnig from Ristorante da Maria and Dublin Farm "Come Home To The Country". See my earlier blog post about {AGRITURISMO & GERANIUMS - PELARGONIUM} ← click it.

In the living room explaining about my classes Learn from Mariette
and showing also some vintage Lampe Berger alongside the Giovanni Raspini silver gifts (← click it) from Italy.

Down stairs in our Rose Suite showing them more items like hand carved wooden cherubs and angel heads from South Tirol, Italy; antique Delft Velsen table lamp; antique Limoges table lamps (← click it);

 high end French antiques and French Country Style (← click it).

It also was dear friend Maria, Lady Chef from Italy, who helped me out with the refreshments for that day.

Using my Cottimaryanne table linens, in a rose damask, from Italy; see earlier post: {Camellia Debutante & Chocolate} ← click it.

Dublin Mayor and Ms. Willie from the local Chamber of Commerce, lead us to the refreshments...

♣

{My ROZALEA® CORAL PINK birthday gift}

For creating a feeling of spring, inside your home, there is nothing better than live plants! So glad we got windowsills installed in our kitchen and veranda. They're made out of white Corian. In Europe it is quite common to have wide windowsills installed.

From Maria Runggaldier, Lady Chef at Ristorante da Maria ← (click it)  and her husband Heinz, I received this beauty for my birthday. Having had a delicious five course authentic Italian dinner at their restaurant first, made me feel like being pampered by dear friends.

Today I captured the full blooms of this incredible Rozalea® in Coral Pink.

Don't you agree that it is a BEAUTY?

Sunshine does even add to this Rozalea® Coral Pink; it makes one's mood so happy!

Thank you Heinz & Maria for such a perfect gift; the planter is gorgeous too!

Grazie Mille!!! As they would say in Italy...

They do resemble real roses...