{GIVEAWAY = YOUR Choice of 925 silver Giovanni Raspini Letter!}

Because I got some reader remarks, as to the photographed 925 silver Giovanni Raspini 'M' would be perfect for them, I want to state the following: This Worldwide GIVEAWAY is about a 925 silver Giovanni Raspini Alphabet Letter of CHOICE! If you look at my Zen Cart powered Mariette's Back to Basics Boutique you can select the one you would want to win. Hope this did clarify any doubts. Wishing you GOOD LUCK! And if you don't win by February 4... you can always order one at my Boutique! Hoover over the red words with your mouse; they are hyperlinks. Right click on them for opening in a new tab. 

P.S. the Dutch chocolate Alphabet Letter is NOT included...

You can order yours at Vander Veen's the Dutch Store or at The Dutch Market.

<center> <a href="http://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2012/01/worldwide-giveaway-925-silver-giovanni.html"><img border="0" src="http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae37/MariettesBacktoBasics/INTERNATIONALGIVEAWAYMariettesBacktoBasics500Pixels.jpg"/></a></center> Copy and paste onto your post. Thanks for all that already participated!

{Our Narcissus Cragford blooms EARLY!}

• Already on January 13, I took this photo from our fragrant Narcissus Cragford.  
• It sure is a daring daffodil for emerging this early. There are a few more varieties blooming right now but the weather is too dark and dreary for making any photos. 
• The forecast is not much better for the coming days. We all long for those light days with some sunshine! But enjoy this early spring bode with me...

Plenty of rain and very mild weather, close to 20°C or 68°F is encouraging of course!

{Birdie Berries in our Wood Garden}

• In our Wood Garden it is hard to keep invasive weeds at bay. We never knew this type of berries till this winter. Turns out they are the Chinese privet Ligustrum sinense Lour and this one obviously escaped its death penalty... 
• They are also labeled as a Southeast Exotic Pest Plant. Nevertheless, I'd like to show you the dark purple to black berries which are resembling little grape bunches in mid-winter. 
• Photos are taken on January 13. We love having them for our Backyard Wildlife HABITAT as food for the birds!

• Chinese privet was introduced into the United States in early 1852 as an ornamental...
• Now an invasive weed! BUT; heaven to the birds! Look here at: Cedar Waxwing Privet Berries where Cedar waxwings feast on them!

• Even the leaves of the Chinese privet remain green in winter...

• Don't you think they look like grape bunches?

• As it was rather windy and difficult to photograph on the shrub, my husband Pieter held this up for me against the wall to show you the leaves and the berries.

• Yummy Birdie Berries...

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{Our Backyard Wildlife HABITAT Certificate from August 1997} previous post by me