~~~Let's Go Downstairs, shall we???!!!~~~

I have shown you many of the spaces here at DBP, so I thought today we would go downstairs. I can't show you ALL around right now because the dogs have kinda taken over this area:):) BUT, I thought I would show you some of the things I love down here. Many years ago I decided I wanted to start collecting things that had a "south western" look and feel. I went to MANY good, juried craft fairs to collect alot of the items I will show you. This is the hallway when you come down the stairs and turn right.

 This is the back of the hallway, behind the fireplace in the family room. I will show you the vignette on the table and the things that hang on the walls.

 I actully found these ceramic pieces in 2 different shops! I added the cacti to the one pot.

 This is one of two tables that Joe made for me! The other one is behind the loveseat in the family room. He did SUCH a good job on these. Thanks, honey!!!!

 You don't see any nails or screws when he makes a piece of furniture.

 He routed out all the lines in the design.

 This is one of the art pieces I found.

 This is made out of pottery and a craft fair find. I am glad I collected these things YEARS ago because to get them now would be quite pricey!!!

 This is one of a pair of pictures that I love. They are made of handmade paper that is raised. I also love how they are matted and framed.

 I am sorry for the glare from the doors.

 These 2 framed pieces are actually note paper that I framed myself.

 This mask is made of ceramic and the pouch is wool and other yarn, bought at a craft fair.

 This is another pottery piece. The colors are so pretty!

 I think this one may be my favorite. It is pottery also and inlaid with other materials. I just love it.

 I wish I had the 3 pots in this picture:)

 This piece is made of wood. It is a shadow box and has interesting levels.

So that is a PARTIAL tour of the downstairs. I have alot more to show you but it will have to wait a bit. Thanks for stopping by. I SOOOOOOO appreciate all my loyal followers and supporters. You are all a blessing to me. I will join in these parties too:

 Kristen's Creations for Share Your Creations Party,

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home,

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday,

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Motivated Monday at Be Colorful

Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter

More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home Project

Savvy Homemade Monday at Home Savvy A to Z

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess

Show and Share on Thursday at Southern Lovely

Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Share Your Creations on Thursday at Kristen's Creations

Hookin’ Up on Thursday with House of Hepworths

Addicts (not so) Anonymous on Friday at Addicted 2 Decorating

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Feather Nest Friday
Inspiration Friday
2805 potpourri Friday
Share your creations
Grits and Glamour
Show and Tell
Miss Mustard Seed
Catch as catch can
Show off your stuff
Flaunt it Friday

~~~Remember Your A,B,C's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~~

Good Sunday mornig everyone. Since it is Sunday I thought I would share with you something I keep on my fridge and try to remember. I received this several years ago and really thought it was wonderful advice. So here it is, I hope you like  it.
 To Achieve Your Dreams.............
 Remember Your A,B,C's

Avoid negative sources, people places, things and habits.
Believe in yourself.
Consider things from every angle
Don't give up, and don't give in.
Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come.
Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their treasures.
Give MORE than you planned to.
Hang onto your dreams.
Ignore those who try to discourage you.
Just do it.
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
Love yourself first, and most.
Make it happen.
Never lie, cheat or stael;always strike a fair deal.
Open your eyes and see things as they really are.
Practice makes perfect.
Quitters never win and winners never quit.
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life!
Stop procrastinating!!!!!
Take control of your own destiny.
Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
Visualize it.
Want it more than anything.
Xcellerate your efforts.
You are unique of all God's creations-nothing can replace YOU!
Zero in on your targetand go for it!!!



Those are your A,B,C's. I hope you like them. Have a wonderful day my friends. JOe and I went to breakfast with 2 of his cousins this morning and later I am going with T and D on their" lot walk"....whatever that is:):) for the new house. Thanks for stopping by. XO, Pinky

~~~ A Tropical Luncheon~~~

HI everyone! It is so good to be back. I thought I would set a table to show you our everyday dishes that we use during the cold dreary days of winter. I LONG for tropical skies and surroundings during the winter so surround myself with items that bring that feeling to mind. I got these new rattan chargers on our recent trip to Fl. My sister took me to a World Market near her. We used to have a World Market up here  but they closed???? I love that store!  So I grabbed these cahrgers when I saw them. I decided to use them on this table because I love the dark contrast with the lighter hues of the table setting. As you can see the dinner plate has tropical leaves around the edge and the salad plates have 4 different palm trees depicted.

 I used my centerpiece that is so natural looking. And the tiki S and P stay on the table all the time.

 I found the palm tree juice glasses at CTS a few years ago. Love their shape and size. They are hand painted though and have to be hand washed.

 At first I used a tan napkin paired with the leaf one but liked the crisp white one to go better with the tablecloth. The leaves on the napkin closely resemble the leaves on the edge of the dinner plate.

 They are gathered simply with a green napkin ring. The different SHADES of green blend nicely, I think.

 Here is another of the salad plates.

 I love this little votive holder. I found it years ago before tablescaping, so only have ONE:( So, the guest of honor will get it at their place:):)

 Another salad plate. This is the banana palm.

 I also have this pretty platter. I placed it on a palte holder for you to see.

 Here are some details of the tablecloth. I love the bamboo and the palm trees.

 Maybe someday I will get to live in a warm climate.....but I doubt it. So, I just dream.

I will be linking up with these great parties:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Motivated Monday at Be Colorful

Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter

More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home Project

Savvy Homemade Monday at Home Savvy A to Z

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess

Show and Share on Thursday at Southern Lovely

Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Share Your Creations on Thursday at Kristen's Creations

Hookin’ Up on Thursday with House of Hepworths

Addicts (not so) Anonymous on Friday at Addicted 2 Decorating

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming There is so much inspiration at all these parties, I hope you will visit some. Thanks so much for stopping by. I truly appreciate all of your support. Leave me a comment to let me know you were here, they really make my day!!!! XO, Pinky

~~~Afternoon Shadows~~~

Good Sunday afternoon! I hope everyone has had a great weekend. Joe and I got home from Fl. on Thurs. afternoon and I have been trying to get "back to normal" ever since You know the drill; unpacking, laundry, groceries, etc. I slipped out to Walmart earlier and when I got home noticed the beautiful shadows in the living room, so thought I would share some pics with you. I have missed blogging! While we were away, we were in "technology prison"!!!! No internet access, no TV, no radio. It was HARD. I wouldn't have even known that Whitney died if my sister hadn't called me. Anyway, back to pretty shadows. These are the pillows I currently have on the living room sectional. You all know I have a "pillow thing" and change them out alot.:):) The elephant you see on the left on the floor is one of 2 that my FIL brought back from Vietnam. I TREASURE them!!!!!!!

 These are in the center of the sofa. The 2 in the back have animals on them and the front one is a touch asian.

 The hibiscus tree in the background lives out on the deck in the summer but I bring it in for the winter and IT BLOOMS!!!!! I have kept it alive for 2 winters now and am thrilled!!! It looked like it had DIED this fall after we brought it in but I cut it back and it is thriving and it bloomed again! As you can see, I collect blue and white porcelains. I LOOOOOVE them!!!!!

 This large jar I found at Cape May , NJ one year and lugged it around all day because I wanted it so badly.

 This is over the oriental screen. We have such high celings in here that I place a tree in the corner (on top of the stereo speaker).

 The hearth.

 I LOVE this guy. Inherited him from my in-laws.

 The coffee table in winter. I like to use things with alot of texture and presence. I love this elephant.

 The tray is a hammered metal and I filled it with different spheres, antlers and some turtle shells.

 This is ONE of the Hummels we brought back from Fl. It won't stay here but I wanted to show you. It is an ashtray and nobody smokes anymore (thank goodness). So, it will be purely decorative. I have alot of Hummels in the curio cabinet so will probably put it in there.

I hope you are all having a great afternoon. We are dogsitting this weekend. Our daughter and SIL had to fly to Texas for a wedding but should be home any minute now. We are making a pork loin for dinner, a recipe Joe came up with. So, I will share that later this week. I am happy to be back!!! XO, Pinky
I will join these parties:

 Kristen's Creations for Share Your Creations Party,

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home,

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday,

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Motivated Monday at Be Colorful

Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter

More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home Project

Savvy Homemade Monday at Home Savvy A to Z

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess

Show and Share on Thursday at Southern Lovely

Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Share Your Creations on Thursday at Kristen's Creations

Hookin’ Up on Thursday with House of Hepworths

Addicts (not so) Anonymous on Friday at Addicted 2 Decorating

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming