Florida pictures

Its "Snowbird Season" in Florida!
We gladly joined the flock & spent 6 wonderful weeks
in the warm sunshine.

I'd like to share some photos of our vacation with you.

Just look at that sky!
So different from the cold, grey of Ohio's winter.

This is where we spent MOST of our time,
outside on the lanai, relaxing by the pool & hot tub.
It felt so good to just bask in the sun!

We stayed in this lovely home,
which belonged to friends of ours
that have, sadly, passed away.
Their children graciously allow us to use it each year.



I'll take you on a little tour of the main parts of the home,
saving the bedrooms for another day.

The is the living room you enter into from the front door.
She loved anything Oriental & her home is
filled with beautiful objects from all over the world.

This china cabinet is just full of Meisen porcelain, Llradros & Imari pieces.

Check out the leopard chair....don't you just ♥ it?!

This darling little 3 tiered shelf held a collection
of beautiful teacups.
I was afraid to even touch them,
for fear of breaking one.

This is the family room & adjacent kitchen,
where most of our time was
spent, when we were indoors.




Lots of vibrant, strong colors...so different from my home
with its cream & beige & pale blues.






The huge Oriental chest, below
is FULL of Waterford crystal,
candlesticks & vases.




This little seating area off the kitchen was ideal
for breakfast & lunch.
The wrap around bench on one side
will accommodate several people.








We had good friends join us for supper
shortly after arriving.
I used a tall apothecary jar, full of seashells
as my centerpiece, in lieu of flowers.



The everyday china is Franciscan Desert Rose pattern.
I loved the big PINK flower salad plates!!



She has a wonderful assortment of all the pieces.
Look at that darling coffee & tea set below.






These are just one of her MANY sets of dishes.
(I think I counted 6, total)
She was a true dishaholic!

I'll show you more in my next post,
as well as some shots of the bedrooms.
Now, lets sit down & eat!


I'm joining The Tablescaper for her weekly meme,




I hope you'll visit her & all the other participants to see some lovely seasonal displays.

Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House.
Our doors are always open for you,
no matter where we are!

fondly,



EDIT: After publishing this post, I learned that Sunday, March 27th is Shell May's (The Raspberry Rabbits) birthday & Donna (Brynwood Needleworks) & Jillayne of A Fine Seam are hosting a virtual cyber birthday party for her! What nice bloggy friends!

All they ask is that you include a bunny rabbit somewhere in your post, link up to the party & then go wish Shell May a very "Happy Birthday" on her fun blog, The Raspberry Rabbits.



Here is my bunny picture for her!