My Heart is Broken

It is with a heavy heart and a lump in my throat that I share the news that my beautiful Duchess passed away last night.

She gave us so much joy in her 13 years of life, we loved her like a baby and we will never be the same without her.

My hope is that she is in doggy heaven, sassy and happy, as she was here with us before her blindness.

My house is so empty and silent now.

She left a huge hole in my heart.

I miss her so much.

She packed a huge personality in her tiny 4lb. body.

Always ready to go for a ride and greet the people at the Starbucks drive thru...

A huge treat was the Mc Donalds drive thru, when she would get a half of a french fry...

We always thought she was half cat, since she loved to get on the top of the furniture to soak up the sun....

Two years ago I had this portrait painted of her, and will always cherish it.








She hated to wear sweaters, but in the winter she would shiver so much, I made her wear one on especially cold days.

Friends thought she was part of the decorations.....

We love you , Duchie




Rest In Peace

A Santamaker's Christmas Tour

Hi Friends,

So nice of you to join me for a little tour of my home at Christmas.

I have so much fun playing with my Father Christmases, both old favorites and brand new ones just created weeks ago.





This one is one of my all time favorites. He is dressed in brown velvet and from the minute our eyes met, I knew I would not be able to part with him.

Today, I had my Christmas lunch, just a small group of my neighbors and friends...


The salad plates are old world Father Christmases that I bought 6 years ago.




All together, there are 4 different designs, these are my two favorites:



The dinner plates are a red transferware that I bought at the Charlotte antique show several years ago. I was told they came from a convent. I wish I knew a little more about their history.
They must have a fascinating story to tell....




Step in to the family room...
I love taking pictures without flash at night. They are so much softer and romantic.


This was a vignette that I created this Christmas with one of my "new guys"... another of those who whispered in my ear, " please let me stay, don't take me to market"...


Here's the same picture taken with flash. While everything is much more visible, some of the ambiance is lost...






Another new creation for the 2010 collection: Simply Elegant, wears a mink trimmed animal print coat with pheasant feathers and offers many beautiful gifts.




Some of my favorite blown glass ornaments that adorn my tree...



A charming "In the Garden" Father Christmas is decked in denim and antique coat. He carries bounties from the farm as well as a feathered friend...




My dining room is always done in reds, blues and golds. I love playing up my blue and white plates with the blue ornaments on the feather tree.




My living room was a nice backdrop for this Winter White Father Christmas. So soft and regal, he is striking in his vintage surroundings.






This year I got a special order from a lady in Texas for a "western Santa". He wears suede coat and badge that reads, "Texas" over his heart. Between the lasso and the flag, I believe he fits in just fine in his new home in the Lone Star state.



This French Country Father Christmas is as charming as they get. He got a new home in Arkansas.




He pulled on my heart strings and was a hard one to let go of. This Father Christmas of the Seas was one of my all time favorites. He went home with someone at Scott's Antique Market here in Atlanta.


Be still my heart...how could I have let you go?....






Thanks for dropping by.






Meeeeeeeeeeery Christmas!

Hey there!!! Happy Fall Y'all.....



Please come visit me on my front porch.

I had no idea that I'd be taking such a looooong break! You know, sometimes you just have to shift gears. I had a wonderful summer, one I'll have to share in a future post.





Fall is my favorite time, I just LOVE the colors, the crispness in the air and the anticipation of the holidays around the corner.



Did I say I love the COLORS?






This is the little red wagon I picked up at a yard sale and used as a planter...








I hope you all are enjoying the season...








Another yard sale item, the old chair with a big pot of white mums...




Please come back soon and I'll give you a little tour inside...









Thanks for stopping by!