{Romantic French Rose Wall Hanging}

Very beautiful small composition in collage and painting technique; unique romantic French rose wall hanging with a classical frame. Signed creation of a pink rose on foliage with little golden brush strokes that are not visible in this photo. On my Spectrenoir on line you can find this little treasure. 

Unique French Country Style gifts!

French Basics...

Sorry Sold Out...

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Don't forget my Worldwide GIVEAWAY of Giovanni Raspini silver angel charm.
See details to the right of my blog, at the top!
GOOD LUCK ♥


Also I'd like to welcome all my new followers!

{Elvira my 1st and only Goddaughter}

Okay, back to the subject Goddaughter... here is my 1st and only Goddaughter, Elvira, of whom I am very fond and proud! She is the daughter of my almost life-long friend Ellie. We did pass our Ruby friendship-anniversary a couple of years ago. That is loyalty at its very best; through thick and thin and without borders!

Above you see little Elvira, biding us farewell with her Mom Ellie, prior to our departure for Georgia/USA... at my Dad's garden in The Netherlands.
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We did come to Elvira's First Communion on May 4th of 1989, all the way from Cornuda, province of Treviso in Italy. 
For one year we only lived 12 hours driving away... Instead of having to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

I'd made her a beautiful handkerchief with crocheted lace edging in pink.
Will show you my hand crocheted items in a later post...

Elvira meanwhile has developed into a charming and energetic Maître d' who is welcoming you at the romantic restaurant of René Brienen, Brienen aan de Maas, on the river Meuse in Middle Limburg, The Netherlands. Indeed, the word charming in the text of this former ferrymen's café, converted into a delicious up-to-date restaurant with lovely neo-retro dining rooms and terrace facing the river, is referring to Elvira! She also successfully finished her study of vinology at the wine academy, so she can help you out as a sommelier, for making decisions at table!

We were lucky to have her as our personal guide, with our American friends touring Maastricht the old capital of my birth Province Limburg, in The Netherlands, and birthplace of the EURO. Elvira, lived and worked there, so she knew its gastronomical highlights thoroughly.

Here we are for a break at the Kruisherenhotel in Maastricht. From left: Pieter; friends Johnny and Hannah; Ellie (Elvira's Mom); Elvira; Mathieu (her Dad) and me...

We were very lucky for having the perfect weather on October 10 of 2005. This picture is taken at one of the Vrijthof square's terraces. In his younger days, Pieter used to conduct courses there at Restaurant Grandcafé Momus about Mushroom Growing. Our Georgia lawyer friend Johnny, and his wife Hannah, did enjoy this day in Maastricht but I must admit that it barely scratches all of the Burgundian culture...

In 2009, early March, we were able to visit Elvira and Bob in their lovely apartment. They do (did) live in the center of Venray, Limburg in The Netherlands. Plans are in the making for building or buying a home and having their wedding* subsequently. That of course would be another reason for us to cross the Atlantic Ocean!
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*Editor's note: that very wedding took place on September 2 and 3 of 2011...
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A baby is due in August of 2012...
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And they did move into their new home; lots of milestones reached.

These two lovebirds were ready to move into their new nest. They live near the romantic river Meuse, that offers tranquil scenic boat trips, near the Interstate and near the beautiful forests of the river Meuse valley. In the Burgundian province of Limburg, things sound more French then elsewhere!

Both of us have been looking forward to the day that these two love-birds would have their big day and we certainly were part of it on September 2 + 3, of 2011! Will show photos soon...

Wishing you lots of love and the best of luck for accomplishing all of your dreams!

♥

Your far away, but nearby Godmother.

PS: Talking about The Netherlands; Limburg is by far the best piece of the cake!

{Goddaughter Myriam, whose 2nd child Lotte, is born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia}

Perfect weekend to let you in on some more of our family. Pieter has a Goddaughter, Myriam Vedder, daughter of his middle brother Toon. He married Edith, the sister of Pieter's first wife Thea.

During the years before Lizzy got adopted, see {Our Daughter Liz}, it was Myriam, who spent lots of time with Pieter, and Thea; like their own daughter. Naturally, he became very fond of her. After Lizzy, came to live with them, Myriam, was still included in trips and vacations.

On the left is Myriam, and next to her is her cousin (actually her second cousin by blood) Lizzy, and two more friends that went on vacation together with Pieter and Thea (who is seen in the back). Myriam's parents were the Godparents of Lizzy, so they got embraced with love, from both sides.

Here they are in Switzerland on a vacation in 1972; Myriam, Lizzy and Thea.

Of course time went by and Myriam, got married and started her own life. That took her with her husband to Saudi Arabia, with Royal Dutch Shell, right after their first daughter Sanne, was born in The Kingdom of The Netherlands. Their second daughter Lotte, is born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

When the Gulf War started they of course had to leave. During one of their visits to The Netherlands we happened to be there as well, so the above picture shows a happy Pieter with his two great-nieces as a pink bundle of joy! Sanne, on the left and Lotte, on the right. Sanne, with her curls had an almost angelic face! They both looked precious and still do!

Their work took them also to New Zealand, where they lived and worked. Meanwhile with three children, as Auke, had come along as well.

Auke, is Sanne, and Lotte's, baby brother and he's a handsome young man meanwhile.

Above is Sanne, at her Gandpa's garden under the wrought iron arbor that he'd welded for his roses... This photo is taken four years before Toon passed away. Myriam has transplanted this arbor, a labor of love by her Dad.

This is Lotte, surrounded by sunflowers!

This picture shows all of us, with our lawyer friend Johnny Warren (l) and his wife Hannah, who visited their daughter Michelle, in Brussels, Belgium at that time and did tour with us. We got to visit Toine's De Gaerde, that is very close to Belgium in the province of Brabant, The Netherlands. Pieter, is the 3rd from the left, Toine from De Gaerde, Myriam, and me. They actually do serve coffee, tea and other refreshments and it is a great place to shop for lots of unique gifts, aside from the plants and professional garden design by Toine.
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Three years ago Myriam, did surprise Pieter, for his birthday with a special visit, together with Toine. We started off with the Dutch Queen's birthday reception at Naylor Hall in Atlanta with the Dutch Honorary Consul.

Obviously very happy times and Myriam, did even bring for both of us an orange feather boa!

Here we are at Ristorante da Maria for the special birthday party with most of our friends; about 16.

But happy times do end...

Pieter took this photo from Sunday Brunch after the birthday dinner evening, at the Page House Bed & Breakfast. This is a home in the style of Gone with the Wind.

Toine and Myriam already having their last breakfast, special with popover pancakes and fresh fruits. Served in bowls from English Rose by Royal Doulton. Strawberry drainer is from Pillivuyt as well as the Sancerre underplates.

Serving Italian Prosecco in Baccarat crystal fluted champagne, with spicy Thai cashews from Trader Joe's.

One last supper with our Thai friend and her American husband. Since Myriam, and Toine, also love spicy food, I did make the special Thai Tom Yam Koeng soup. For the table setting I used the placemats with rose pattern from Le Jacquard Française with matching napkins. Had just the perfect roses to go with that; Royal Bonica. I used the Alvin Bridal Rose round silver soup spoons and for the Chicken Satay with Rice and Asparagus I used the Gero Zilmeta Menuet 528. Chargers are French Pillivuyt Sancerre and the soup bowls and dinner plates are the Rose pattern from Gien, again both available from Replacements Ltd.

Pieter with Goddaughter Myriam...

Crystal is Baccarat Piccadilly  from France.

Cheers!