{Tea Rose Jardins de Bagatelle}

On September 10, we happened to have a perfect single (!) Tea Rose Jardins de Bagatelle!

Yes, we are already very pleased with having ONE-SINGLE rose at the time...

Here she is!

Displayed on a Rose Silver Tray on top of my Tea Box

A REAL Tea Rose and very beautiful!

Fragrant too...

Happy Weekend 

Related links:

{Heavenly Jardins de Bagatelle Rose} | previous post by me
{New Rose Arbor on High Heels} | previous post by me

{My French Ormolu Jewelry Box got new Bottom}

For several years I'd been looking for 5mm gold nails with claws, for replacing the bad looking old ones in the worn velvet of my French Ormolu Jewelry Box's Bottom...

So finally I found them in France and Claudia from NuNu's Garn-und Stofflabor did put the new bottom together for me.

You can click the above link for reading her post about this job.

This is my Antique French Ormolu Jewelry Box...
It was again a very sunny day and I loved to fill this tiny white vase with fragrant Ginger Lilies.

It does have a beveled glass top and four side panels.

Here is the new Bottom, made by Claudia...

She did replace this stained and worn velvet bottom...

That fabric could not be salvaged...

So we found the 5mm Gold nails with claws and Claudia used some Suedine, that she uses for her Bear making, creating the foot soles.

This is the end result.

My silver Angels feel very much at home for the time being, as long as they reside at: Mariette's Back to Basics my boutique on line.

Once they all get adopted, I can fill it with my own jewelry.

Photo taken with the lid opened for a better color.

Thank you Claudia!

Related link:
{My French Ormolu Jewelry Box & Silver Angels} | previous post by me
A Little Mercerie | French on line store for all kind of craft items

{Tea Cup Gift from Blogger Friend Susan & Ava Grace}

It seems unreal when thinking about our lovely June Brunch in Toronto with e.g. sweet blogger Friend Susan...
BUT already 4 months have passed!
Time for finally showing Susan from Ava Grace's Closet's lovely gift...

Look what an adorable Box with fabulous afternoon Tea Cup & Saucer by Indigo!

With a sweet note from Susan and Ava Grace, her cute little daughter.
Ava Grace could not join us however, she was sick...

My home baked Almond Amaretti cookies are great with tea on the balcony!
The weather did brighten up this afternoon.
Hope it will soon look better in South Carolina where people suffer from so much flooding.

Love the poppies with butterflies!

sincèrement
Tu es tout ce que j'aime...
You are all that I love...

Seriously
you give me butterflies
You sure DID sweet Susan and THANK YOU SO MUCH!
The Box is a Gift in itself; so pretty! Glad it did fit into our carry on for flying home with it.

One day, we will get to see your cute daughter Ava Grace - PROMISE!
Fond memories, every time I sip tea from this cup ❤

Related link:

{Brunch in Toronto with Blogger Friends I Admire} | previous post by me

{Fragrant Orange Jasmine or Murraya Paniculata}

Since we are getting rain and more rain and rather cool weather because of Hurricane Joaquin, I better show you some of our blooming flowers.

Our Fragrant Orange Jasmine or Murraya Paniculata

It is one of those tropic delights that we purchased from Logee's Greenhouses in Connecticut.

Orange Jasmine (Murraya Paniculata)←click it to go to Logee's website.

Let's hope that by Wednesday the weather has warmed up and the sun will be back!

{Princess Diana's Elephant Tie just like Pieter's}

Sometimes it is funny what you might come across in this world!

So it is for this silk Escada Elephant Tie, that I got for husband Pieter.

Husband Pieter showing his silk Escada Elephant tie...

Princess Diana wearing it with her Escada Elephant suit.

Princess Diana's Escada tie set to fetch £3,000 ←click on link from Fashion Telegraph UK

Closeup of Pieter's Escada tie...

Princess Diana gift tie makes £3,800 in Essex auction ←click on link.

Even though I never wore a silk tie, I have to admit that Princess Diana looked stunning wearing one!

Princess Diana's Escada tie expected to fetch £3000  ←click on link

Princess Diana’s silk Escada tie set to smash £3,000 estimate as it goes under the hammer ←click link to Daily Mail UK

This is me in May 2000, in Maastricht, Netherlands, wearing my Escada jeans suit with gold embroidered Elephants...

Not wearing a silk tie but a silk scarf with Elephants!

That's me, in May of 2000 after the International Mushroom Science Congress and after a hair cut!

Both of us, LOVE elephants, those intelligent and gentle giants...

Via FB's: What Animal Will You Be Reincarnated As? Pieter would be an Elephant as shown above!

{Hibiscus Blue Chiffon on Patio}

Our Blue Hibiscus on the Patio has been performing very well this summer.

Such a lovely color this Blue Chiffon Hibiscus and it is in its pot, right next to the kitchen bay window, within view!

Depending on the light, their color does change somewhat.

Also the time of the day makes a difference.

Hummingbirds frequently visit for the nectar.

One could just sit here and  admire their beauty!

Wish we could keep such blossoms year round!

Related links:

{Hibiscus Blue Chiffon} | previous post by me

{Sautéed Kale with Balsamic Reduction}

When I read this recipe of Sautéed Kale with Balsamic Reduction (click it) by Kristianne, of My San Francisco Kitchen, I loved it right away!

So that made for a simple and quick Superfood meal with some brown rice and chicken nuggets.

Related links:
{Tuscan Red Quinoa Salad - Whole Foods Sarasota FL} | previous post by me, using ribbon kale.
{10 Best Foods for Diabetes and Blood Sugar} | previous post by me also mentioning leafy greens like kale

{Light Mauve Double Rose of Sharon Hibiscus in our Wood Garden}

In our Wood Garden, Pieter did plant several of the young Rose of Sharon Hibiscus plants that we'd ordered, as a hedge on the border with our neighbors.

But only ONE did show blossoms, this was a light mauve color.

Quite a beauty and some critter has been snacking on its leaves!

We look forward to next year as the others will show some blossoms as well.

{The Kiss of the Sun for Pardon}

While at the Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida, we did buy another sweet gift at the giftshop.
This also resides in our veranda...

 Such a lovely quote by Dorothy Frances Gurney 1858 - 1932

The kiss of the sun
for pardon,
The song of the birds
for mirth,
One is nearer God's 
heart in a garden
Than anywhere else 
on earth.

Related link:
{Edward Bok Quote} | previous post by me

{Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida} | previous post by me
{1903 Ladies Home Journal by Edward Bok - The Mother of America & Dutch American Heritage Day} | previous post by me with more information about Edward Bok

{Mauve Double Rose of Sharon Hibiscus Behind Our Pond}

This year we have extended our collection of Hibiscus by lots of little plants.

Not all of these young plants did bloom this summer but one Mauve Double Rose of Sharon Hibiscus behind our Pond put on quite a show.

At least, it is my guess of being this a mauve color... I am not an expert!

Don't you love this fully double version?

Just a perfect blossom!

How beautiful such a double Rose of Sharon Hibiscus can be; just for one day...

                                                

{Agave Syrup Glycemic Index 15}

For the longest time, since 2007, I am also using Agave Syrup with a Glycemic Index of only 15, compared to refined sugar that has a GI of 80. That does make a huge difference for the body.

                                                                                     

At Costco Wholesale we always buy these twin-bottles of Agave Syrup.

Agave with a Glycemic Index: 15 just click on the link.

A Low-Glycemic sweetener bursting with flavor

For 7 years this fall, I have been eating sweeteners with a low Glycemic Index!

Very happy with a blood sugar level that has been in check.

Are you cutting down on your sugar intake as well?

Related links:
{Brown Rice Syrup Glycemic Index 25} | previous post by me

{Coconut Palm Sugar with Glycemic Index 35} | previous post by me with added video link to bottom

{10 Best Foods for Diabetes and Blood Sugar} | previous post by me

{Diabetes Type 2, & Iranian Medicine about Sesame Seed Paste or Tahini} | previous post by me

{Belgian Endive Salad with Chia Seeds} | previous post by me

{CHIA for Iron Boost and Good for Blood Sugar Level} | previous post by me
{Tuscan Red Quinoa Salad - Whole Foods Sarasota FL}  | previous post by me
Sugar: The Bitter Truth | A very informative video with LOTS of information

     

{Our Apple Blossom Rosebud Pelargonium}

Once more I'd like to show you our precious tiny Apple Blossom Rosebud Pelargonium.

Are those tiny Rosebuds not a DREAM?
They truly do resemble Apple Blossom

Tiny buds and they become more pinkish when fully opened up.
Hope you loved seeing these romantic Victorian hybrid Pelargonium Rosebuds!

Related links:
{Apple Blossom Rosebud Pelargonium} | previous post by me showing the Apple Blossom
{Tiny Silver Vase with Rosebud Pelargonium} | previous post by me showing the Apple Blossom  Rosebud Pelargonium

{Our Victorian hybrid Pelargonium Rosebuds} | previous post by me

{Tiny Silver Vase with Rosebud Pelargonium} | previous post by me

                                                  

{Carolina Wren on Nest}

You have seen photos before from a Carolina Wren on a Nest, in the greenhouse and such.

This time it had her nest in one of our fiberglass window boxes from Flower Framers of Cincinnati, on our kitchen bay window.
In my header, above, you can see the bay window... this nest was to the right.

When I walked around the bay window, with my camera, I could just capture her on the nest.

Our White  Verbena are not looking happy here; they actually died off.

But how clever to build against the corner, under the protection of the roof extension!

Related links:

{Wren's Nest} | previous post by me

{Wren Nest in Our Greenhouse} | previous post by me
{Our Backyard Wildlife HABITAT Certificate from August 1997} | previous post by me

{205 Countries Visited - Welcome Mayotte & Message to Incognito Relatives}

Already on September 13, the 205th Country Visited my humble blog - Welcome Mayotte!

Mayotte is a little Island, West of Madagascar and belongs to FRANCE.

My Dutch relatives, that visit me Incognito, I do wish PEACE!

Mom is in heaven... please find solace by her last words: 'Oh wàt zijn ze lief allemaal!' or 'Oh what are they all sweet!' 
Such a blessing to have this on video...

No, we were not crazy for toting cans with dinosaur soup & cast iron muffin pans for our nephews. We loved them and still do!

Related link:

{Mom Lived 16 Days Short of Her 91st Birthday} | Previous post by me with added message to my relatives...
{Airline Baggage Weight and Campbell Dinosaur Soup} | Previous post by me about carrying cans of dinosaur soup and heavy cast iron gifts for our nephews.