~~~Letting the House Take a Deep Breath!!!~~~

Hello my friends! I have been VERY busy since returning from Fl. on Sat. night taking Christmas down.....finally!!! Joe didn't want me to do it before I left so I came home to all of it. Plus he hurt his backl so I have been carrying all the bins up the stairs and then back down after packing them. Let me tell you going up and down the steps about a bazillion times is GREAT exercise for your butt:):):) So, I wanted to share the morning room as that is where I start. The tree was in here so I am showing you how I put it away and then the morning room dressed down for Winter. Here is a good tip for you. I keep the very top section of the tree decorated and next year I just have to fluff the bows and the berries and sticks and it's good to go!!!

 I also fold the tree skirt and tulle and place it in the box too.

 There you go, all closed up and ready to store til next year!

 Now here are the "bare bones" of the room all cleaned and vacummed.

 I have set a "Winter White" table with touches of greens that I will share tomorrow.

 I have chosen to concentrate on a soothing green color palette for Winter. I feel it is very calming. Today the sun is shing BRIGHTLY after we got 11 inches of snow yesterday!!!

 The plants and plant shelf were in the master bedroom for Christmas and have been brought back out here.

 I have had this large fish basket for MANY years. It holds large pieces of bamboo.

 I have had this bakers rack in here since we moved in but am going to make a change. I have decided I want to put the hutch that Joe made me in here. I think it will be a better fit for the room.

 I love the 2 faux topiaries that I found in the Fall at Tuesday Morning. The green, pagoda shaped lantern holds a candle on a timer. It gives off a beautiful, soft glow in the evening.

Thanks so much for your visit. Now that I am home and getting organized I will be able to blog again!! I hope you are all staying warm: it was 3 degrees when I got up with wind chills between minus 15-20!!! BRRRRR.  XO, Pinky

I am linking to:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Judy @ DIY by Design for Sizzle Into Summer Wednesday

The Dedicated House – Make it Pretty Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict - The Scoop
 A Stroll Thru Life – Inspire Me Tuesday

TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME

Happy List Tuesdays~
Worthing Court - Home(work) Wednesday

Kim's Place: Savvy Southern Style

Ivy @ Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

Let’s Dish!, 

Fluster Creative Muster Party, Wed.

Katherine @ Katherines Corner for Favorite Things Thursday Hop

THURSDAY’S INSPIRATION

Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

All Things Thursday Blog Hop

Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage for A Favorite Thing.
Between Naps on the Porch – Tablescape Thursday

Treasure Hunt Thursdays

Create It Thursday

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits, Home and Garden Thursday, Be Inspired Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Be Inspired Friday

Dakota Creek Chic for Weekend Beautiful Blog Party

Fabulously Creative Friday Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday, Seasonal Sundays

~~~Santa is HERE!!!!~~~

Santa has arrived and WELCOMES you to our Foyer! He stands life sized at the front door and says, "please, come on in!!!! He is holding a lit tree and lit bag of goodies! He has such a beautiful, kind face!

 Isn't he so life like!!!????

 On the other side of the Foyer is this Santa. We found him several years ago at a HARDWARE store!!! he was just plain with the bark coat and moss covering it. SOOOO, you know I had to "embellish" him a bit!

 Some birds are perched in hs arms and on his shoulders

 he carries a wooden reindeer.

 Joe made his glasses for him, we do NOT want him to get lost!

 This cute guy is on the back of the front door.

 When you open the front door this bakers rack is against the back of the stone fireplace that is in the living room.

 I have alot of my Santas on it and 2 stand on each side too.

 WELCOME!!!!

 These 2 in the plaid coats were purchased at a craft fair many years ago. I love the bald guy and...

 his Mrs.! I sat her on a mini chair since I had placed him on a decorated sled.

 These 3 are made of pottery and were made by a local artist. The center one holds a Christmas tree.

 A few more shots of my very FAVORITE Santa in my collection! He is made by Joyce Ditz if any of you are interested, you can find them online too.

 This is the life sized Santa's bag.

 and his pocket watch to tell what time it is!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you all a joyous, blessed Christmas. Thanks so much for stopping by. I will join these parties again. XO, Pinky

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

~~~The Tour continues....into the Dining Room~~~

HI! Come on into the dining room. There have been alot of fun gatherings in this room over the years and lots of memories made! For many years we hosted a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner of 7 courses, for small groups and LARGE groups! It was alot of work but alot of fun! We have celebrated birthdays, graduations and every holiday. So look around and I will tell you a little about some of the things in here. This is taken from in the living room.

On the table right now are an arrangement I made, 2 bamboo tea light holders and 2 taller candlesticks with white pillars. They all sit on an oriental letter runner....that I LOOOVE!!!!

 close up of the runner. The arrangement is one that I made using artichokes and white tiny flowers in a black pot with 3 sticks of green bamboo running through it all. It is low enough to keep on the table to eat.

The server. The oriental screen above it was given to us by my sister-in-law, thanks Janie!!!! It is flanked by 2 narrow mirrors.

 2 red pots on the server.

 detail of the screen.

 Taken looking through on e of the mirrors...

A round table in the corner with a gold skirt and a leopard overlay. I love a touch of leopard in inexpected places:) The lamp was a gift from my son, thanks Brian! The covered jar I found at....you guessed it, Home Goods!

 I love the bird on the top of the jar! Matches the birds on the lamp.

 One of the 2 pictures on each side of the hutch.

The floor lamp was another gift from my son. Brass base and detail with mahogany pole.

 I have my bamboo dishes displayed in the hutch.

 Pagoda S and P!

 The bakers rack is rattan. I got this MANY years ago but still like it. On each side I took 2 shelf things and Joe attached them together to make these pieces.

 Top shelf: I got the little lamp in Fl., the man from a gift shop and I forget where I got the jar.

 Middle shelf: 2 warrior guys, covered jar in the center and in front is a tea light holder.

 Bottom shelf.

 A tray table in another corner.

 I removed one of the men to show you the top of the tray. Sorry aboput the glare from the sun. I moved in every direction but couldn't get away from the glare.

 This piece is like a ceramic tile on a board. It is RAISED and I just love it. It was my in-laws too. I am so fortunate to have inherited all these beautiful pieces!!!!

 I also love my rug. So that's it, hope you have enjoyed a peek into the dining room. Thanks so much for stopping by! I read every comment and appreciate every one!!!!! XO, Pinky