Monday, January 7, 2013

'Winter' Decor in the dining room

Winter centerpiece on the dining table. Window box with a candle, dried magnolia branches, pine cones, red winter berries and dried hydrangeas .
Winter... by definition :  the coldest season of the year in  temperate climates, between autumn and spring. December 21st to March 19th.
That being said, I want to say on this January 7th 2013, I am enjoying a sweet 63degrees F. in North Central Florida. 
Traded out the decor in the niche. Tarnished silver tea set, canisters form Grandma, wine bottle , painted tin and a red candle. On the China cabinet, the window stayed but the hydrangeas were placed in a wicker basket , candles were traded for red ones, and a wooden box and trio of bronze crosses added for a darker colour scheme.


I have had the pleasure of experiencing Winter in a few places....

Belize in Central America. Hot and Humid. 
Mexico, pretty much the same.
 Some of the the Caribbean Islands... more hot and humid!
Colorado... a white wonderland, and  dry cold.
New York City... cold and windy
Virginia and Washington DC.
Ohio
All very nice.. beautiful.

But my favourite place to be at in the wintertime... Home.
Good old North Central Florida.
I get it all... Cold temperatures with frost on the lawn and roof tops, and nice warm balmy days in the 70's. 
Iron chandelier wearing a wreath of red winter berries.
How lucky are we?
The only thing we do not see ( twice in my 26 years) is snow.... But that's alright by me.

Tank top and jeans one day, sweater the next.
A/C during the day, heat at night.

Aha.. winter in Florida :-)
This little sideboard got a new look over the Holidays. It went from medium wood tone to a nice fresh shade of white.

We have entered January and the heating system in our home still has not clicked on.

Even when it was in the high 20's outside in December, it was a nice toasty 70 inside.
Hurrah for good insulation.
We have turned on the fireplace however. More for ambiance than warmth.
Got us in the 'winter' feel of things :-)

I am sitting here enjoying the quiet ( Master Vic is alseep at my feet) and the men are all out...
I have some windows opened and  there is a cool, sweet, soft breeze blowing the drapes.
Bright sunshine in abundance.
Yes, my winter....
Cool enough for jeans, yet warm enough for a short sleeved top.

 Presently I am looking at the brilliant Florida sunshine bounce and glimmer on the hardwood floors.
Casting a wavering pattern as it reflects off the large birdbath in the front garden.
Pretty!!
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Winter's Day where ever you are ....

I am .


Wishing you abundant sunshine!!!

Cheers, Gee


 


One More Time EventsMakeitPrettyMonday




38 comments:

  1. I think we are having a Florida winter also Gee! It certainly seems warmer than usual, and not more than a dusting of snow.

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    1. That is one thing I do miss Anita, the beauty of waking up to a white world. But... nay.... I'll take my 60 degrees :-)
      Lets enjoy the warmer winter while we can.
      HUGS, Gee

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  2. Oh Gee you are very lucky! My family lives in South Florida and I hear all the time how beautiful it is! I wish we could visit them more often and this time of the year.But my daughter is in school and the summer is the best time for us.Not so much for the Florida heat!
    Your home is so beautiful! Always enjoy photos :-)
    xx
    Anne

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    1. Oh Anne... I wish you could come up sometime. Agreed summer in Florida can be a bit much. This summer wasn't so bad for us though.
      Thanks so much. It's home :-)
      Hugs, Gee. x

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  3. Hi Gee! I enjoyed seeing the photos of your pretty home and your winter decor. I live in Alabama and our winter weather is similar to yours....I just don't know how folks up North survive the winters. Hey, I love "new" white sideboard...looks so fresh. I saw your post over at the "Cowgirl Up" blog party.

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    1. Hello Miss Kitty :-)
      Thanks for stopping in for a visit. I know.. brrr... been there done that. Paid my snow dues. Now I am all about the sunshine and the cool nights.
      Been toying with the idea to paint if for a few years, but was 'living' with it. I luv the mix of painted pieces with tradition dark stained ones.
      Here's to a wonderfully mild winter for us both!
      Cheers, Gee

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  4. Texas has its share of cold days in the winter, but rarely snow and ice. Fine with me. ;-)
    Enjoy your sunny winter.........sarah

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    1. Thanks Sarah.. all about the lack of snow and ice :-) Bring on the sunny days!!
      Thanks for coming over.
      Cheers, Gee

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  5. You are just really rubbing it in , aren't you, Gee? :-) :-) :-) We are shivering and our teeth are chattering, and it's just downright cold here!!! I will say we "warmed up" into the 40s today. Big whoop! The wind was blowing enough to still make it feel like it was in the 30s. We have only had 2 significant snow events this winter so far. It's always such a mess!!! We almost ended up in a city called Sebring, Florida a couple of years ago. My husband wanted to go work there, but I resisted. Sometimes when I'm huddled under a blanket trying to keep warm here in Missouri, I think back and wonder if I should have given in! :-) Your house has really taken on a nice winter look, especially with the new side board. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

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    1. OOOhhhh!!!! Brrrrrr. I am not inclined to do the snow and ice part of winter anymore. I remember having to shovel the snow and ice the walk, no joy!
      2 years ago, we were in Haiti for the week preceding Christmas. It was beach weather. I was enjoying the summer clothing and the sun in my face, but the thought of it being so hot for Christmas was so, well, unChristmaslike :-/
      I think I still need that bit of crisp winterlike feel :-) Just not the ice and snow.
      Happy New Year .
      Sending you some warm NCF luv.
      ((HUGS)) Gee

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  6. I can't even imagine basking in the sun right now - we had record breaking snow here in Montreal this winter - and though it's beautiful, I'd rather be walking on a beach!
    Lucky you :)

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    1. :-) Oh Suzyq.. if you can see it now. My brilliant blue skies and bright sunshine just got obliterated by fat clouds.It is a wonderful 72 degrees F as I type however. The beach... 1 to 2 hours from me east,west and south :-) Easy to get to .
      Sending you some Florida warmth and luv!!
      Gee

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  7. Oh I love your colors scheme and your dining room is so lovely. Thanks so much for your gracious comment and for the visit. I am your newest follower. Hugs, Marty

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    1. Thanks Marty. You are most welcome. It really was my pleasure to visit your blog.
      Glad you stopped by for a visit. Come back often and bask in the Florida sunshine :-)
      ((HUGS)) Gee

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  8. Your winter decor is so pretty, Gee! I love your attention to detail! Enjoy your wonderful winter!

    blessings,
    karianne

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    1. Thanks Karianne. You are sweet.
      My winter... today the A/C kicked on.More like spring ,but I am NOT complaining. This is me with a satisfied grin on my face.
      Glad you stopped by.
      Hugs, Gee

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  9. Hey Gee. I love your color scheme and all the little touches. Looks like it is a perfect fit for your Florida winters!

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    1. Hello Shari. Glad you came by.
      I am feeling rather guilty as I am enjoying 79* temperatures as I type. Perfect for making some paper flowers as I am doing right now. Little bits of paper swirling around making Master Vic all excited ( he's our 2.5 yr old chocolate lab).
      Come back anytime for some sweet Florida weather.
      hugs, Gee

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  10. Your winterscape looks lovely even though you don't have the winter temperatures. We're actually having warmer temps this week which I'm not crazy about this time of year. I do like the seasons.
    Mary Alice

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    1. Hello Mary Alice. You would not have been happy with my temps today. Definitely summer like.
      Thanks for you sweet compliments. I have to keep it seasonal even if the weather is a mite confused :-)
      Glad you came by.
      hugs, Gee

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  11. No wonder you home is toasty and warm... look at the rich and very pretty decor!!! It has been rather pleasant here in Pa today... a balmy 57 degrees!~

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    1. A balmy 57 :-) I was in the 70's today. YIKES.. summer like for sure. Master Vic ( our 2.5 yr old chocolate lab) was happy. He was sitting in front of the open windows letting his ears flap in the breeze. I was laughing at how silly he looked.
      Thanks for coming by Yvonne, such a sweet compliment. Follow and be a part of the warm Florida fun.
      Hugs , Gee

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  12. Hi Gee ... Love your dining room and your decorations are lovely. You have some fun places to decorate, especially the niche.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z.
    Timeless Treasures

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    1. Hello Audry Z,
      You know, when the builder added those, I was so unsure. They struck me as being too contemporary. But in the long run, they have been very sweet to decorate over the last few years.
      Thank you for coming by for a visit.
      Cheers, Gee

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  13. Hi Gee...you are one busy lady. Your home looks so warm and cozy for the winter months. THanks for sharing.

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    1. :-) Thanks Debbie. Glad you came by for a peek.
      hugs, Gee

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  14. Everything looks so beautiful! You've done a fabulous job decorating! We are pretty warm where I live, too! I would love to see some snow!! LOL Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent last week. I am sorry I'm just now visiting. I was so busy last week! Enjoy your warm weather!! :)
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you.. thank you. Glad you were able to come by. Today was downright summer like. I promise you it made it to 80 at one point today. A definite iced tea and lemonade weather. As a matter of fact my eldest grilled some chicken for the evening meal, and we ate int he sun room with the windows opened to the music of chirping crickets. As I said summer like.
      Snow... been awhile for me. I am used to this now :-)
      Here's to a wonderful Sunday Kathy.
      Cheers, Gee

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  15. It was eighty here in Louisiana yesterday and today it is in the forties! No wonder there are so many sick people! Now if we can just get rid of this rain, it just will NOT go away! Thanks for the visit! Blessings, Tammy

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    1. Going to be 80 here today. But I am enjoying blue skies. Can't remember the last time we had rain really. But I do know, rainy day after rainy day can be a bit much.
      Here's hoping for a peek of sunshine to brighten your day.
      Cheers, Gee

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  16. Gee everything looks lovely! Thanx for partying.

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    1. It was my pleasure Pamela. Thanks.
      Be seeing you soon..
      Cheers, Gee

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  17. Hi Gee, Just stopping by and letting you know you were featured over at One More Time Events. Share it one more Time #2 linky party is open hope you can join us.http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2013/01/share-it-one-more-time-linky-party-and.html

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    1. **Excited squeal** Ohmygoodness. Thank you so much. Working on another post to take to the pasty ...
      HUGS, Gee

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  18. That sounds so nice! I think a lot of us are experiencing a milder winter so far this year, but you get to experience it every year! Last night I went to pick up a pizza and actually drove with my window down while wearing short sleeves. It was such a quiet night that I almost thought I heard crickets (a typical summer sound). LOL! I still would like some cold weather though so we could use our fireplace. Glad that you're enjoying your mild winter weather.

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    1. Hello Kelly,
      Yes, very warm again today. Tank top and a mini kinda day for me. Spent most of my day in the sun room painting. In the low 80's it was.
      Funny we were remarking on the crickets over the weekend as well. Typically a summer sound ( along with the cicadas) . Even the plants are confused.. hahahahha.
      Enjoy your warmth... it will be colder again I am sure, for us as well. That wa the fire place can be enjoyed.
      Just put up another post..
      Cheers, Gee

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  19. Hi, Great post. I found you through the blog hop. Now following you.Please stop by and say hi when you get a chance.
    Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that we just started, It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Here's the link in case you want to check it out. Thanks again.http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup-html

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    1. Thank you Lenetta ( what a pretty name) . Just finished and posted another one. Will be linking up.
      Hopping over to your in a few... thanks for the visit and for following.
      Enjoying a sweet breeze and coffee as I type... really unseasonably warm this last few days. But I am NOT complaining .
      Cheers, Gee

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