Baby it's Cold Outside in NC & Alaska

Oh, boy...."Baby it's Cold Outside" 

And that's a fact!

An older shot of our Venetian mirrior from an older post

 flashback to 2013 

Winter is hitting the entire east coast and really cold weather, with some sleet and snow, is in our forecast for today and tomorrow. Not the norm for coastal Carolina and I'll be happy when it warms back up next week. I'll be burning some winter calories doing some yardwork and putting the remainder of outside Christmas decorations away....hopefully, back in flip-flops again!

In the mean time, this past weekend, I got most of our Christmas decor put away, but left out some to keep the look of winter around for a tad bit longer.

The bay window was the first to get done by nesting all of the owls together in my little antique wheelbarrow.

The tree and sled are packed away along with all of the red ornaments that were on the mantel.

The entry, now, with my beautuful new canvas print.

Here it was with our Christmas decor.

The beautiful canvas was a gift from one of my "besties" who's young enough to be my daughter....I'll treasure it and our friendship forever!

This is DeeAnn and me from our lunch date a few years ago.....just look at her smile!

The majestic mountains of Alaska is one of many of her incredible images from her recent trip there to "practice" her photography.

Lots of gorgeous icebergs are among the many in her vast collection.

This one blew (blue) my mind!!!

Not sure if this was a fishing, tour or a rescue boat, but what a wonderful pic.

Another great shot from way up in the air.

I'm pretty sure she was hanging out the window or (knowing her) holding on to the tail bar of the last car...LOL!

Alaskan bears were all around her. She got many great pics of them!

This was one of the cutest bear shots.....love, love, love it!

How often does one get to see a bald eagle, let alone snap a shot like this? 

It's from her portfolio of nature.

This is one of my favorite action shots that she nabbed, not far from her home.....what luck she has!

Here's my girl, in Alaska, in action...just look at that amazing lens!!!

  DeeAnn's incredible work is available 

@

 deeanndonovanphotography

and click on her portfolio's to see more. 

Now, leaving you with a cell phone snap, through my car window, of our entrance waterfall frozen solid....I expect to see it flowing again next week...

'til then I hope that if the cold, ice and snow is in your forecast that you will stay safe and warm!

Love, Hugs, and Kisses,

JP

and Gucci, too!

  

Sharing this post at these parties

staceyembracingchange

Our Christmas Eve Tablescape 2017 and Centerpieces

Celebrating, this Christmas, was a difficult time for my husband with the loss of his only daughter, to cancer, last March and for my daughters who lost their dad a year ago, last November. We, also lost all contact with my daughter's twins who are being kept from seeing us....no legit reason, just child brainwashing and our side of the family has been erased. Sorry, for the little "downer", but not mentioning their losses would be like erasing them all from our lives....we are heartbroken and we miss them terribly!

Now, on to a happier note.....my oldest daughter and her husband were able to be with us so, of course I had to make it nice and pretty.

 A cranberry and white theme carried over from the living room and into the kitchen.

 Mini mason jars were filled with olive oil, pomegranate seeds and cranberries and topped off with a floating candle wick. A wrap of red and white baker's twine and a snip of evergreen completed the votives for a simple addition to the table.

 I tried them out on ourlazy susan a few days before the tablescape was made.

 Naturally, I went with a red, and white theme for the night.

 This view shows our window view.

 Name tags were made last minute...lucky I had them in my stash!

 Tanya got to take home the vase and flowers....

 so, I had to make a quick replacement for the table.

  A candid pic of me with my constant companions ...my shadow and the love of my life!

 Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Love, Hugs and Kisses,

JP

and Gucci, too!

                                              
                                                     Sharing this post at these great parties

  staceyembracingchange

  adelightsomelife

Winter Window Candlescape with a little bit of Love!

Christmas may be over but it's still winter so I changed our bay window to a winter candlescape theme.

My, little, white sled, an assortment of votives and some shiny green leaves, from our camellia tree, were the beginnings of the creation for the new look. 

Red and white are almost always my go to colors. 

Our, old, white painted, fireplace screen adds an interesting depth to the background in the window.

I love a red berry wreath especially when adorned with hearts.

The owl that was on display as a part of the window's Christmas decor is sticking around for the rest of winter. He's just too cute to put away!

An inverted ironstone compote with a red transferware plate created an interesting base for the vignette on top.

Red transferware saucers are placed underneath  many of the votives.

Candles are always just so romantic any ole time of the year.

Epsom salt covers the outside of this votive jar.

A canvas banner of love made it's debut again for Valentine's day.

I think the white rustic crate really makes a great impact to the overall setting.

Another piece of transferware is tucked inside the hanging lantern for a little surprise.

A bouquet of miniature silk roses hangs in a spot that needed just a little something.

 The Waterford heart came from one of my sweet girls for Christmas several years ago. It always makes me sigh when I come across it every year!

I'm looking forward to creating a new tablescape and celebrating an extra special day of  "Love" this year.

 Love, Hugs and Kisses,

JP

and Gucci, too!

Woo-hoo! This post got featured @ staceyembracingchange 
and @  adelightsomelife

 Sharing this post at these great parties

rustic-refined  
mypinterventures
lifeonlakeshoredrive  
frenchcountrycottage
rootedinthyme  
staceyembracingchange  
adelightsomelife  
ivyandelephants
thededicatedhouse  
kathewithane
astrollthrulife  

  dwellings-theheartofyourhome