Almost four years ago, we downsized to a much smaller house and got rid of lots of stuff that we didn't use and certainly didn't need. One of the pluses of downsizing is getting to keep only what I really love...things that are meaningful because of where they came from or because I love the person that gave the item to me. Today in my blog, I thought I share some of those things with you.
My Fiestaware Dishes. I first began collecting fiestware because I wanted the 
burgundy Cinnabar set. Red being my favorite color, I just fell for cinnabar. Then I decided I needed to add some color to my red kitchen and decided to collect several colors to go on the china hutch. Now, I'd love to have a place setting of each color that The Homer Laughlin China Company makes.
Our Kinkade Prints. I have never been one who wants original paintings or even prints of famous artists until Thomas Kinkade came along. We purchased our first, Blessings of Christmas and had it highlighted by a master highlighter. It is gorgeous with the art light so that it can be dimmed or brightened as the light changes. It actually looks like a bright sunny snow day or a snowy day when the sun is setting. Our second is a larger print of a scene in in the mountains, A Peaceful Retreat. 
We also had it highlighted; it makes the print come alive. The third is a Charleston scene of 
Rainbow Row at sunset and is appropriately called Charleston Rainbow at Sunset. Love, love, love it! The fourth and probably last one is Mountain Retreat and
is a peaceful cabin scene with Mt. LeConte (Gatlinburg) in the background. We love our prints.
Our Fireplace. I don't think there is anything more calming than sitting by a 
roaring fire. The only thing better than a roaring wood fire is a set of gas logs. I can sit watching the flickering flames all day long.
My Angels. How it all began I don't remember, but somewhere along the line, someone gave me my first Willowtree angel. I was immediately hooked and have collected them since. My favorite Willowtree is the Nativity that my family gave me for Christmas several years ago. 
Along the way, the angel 
collection evolved to include Jim Shore angels also. Being a country girl at heart, I love the quilted look and colors of the Jim Shore angels.
Pure Shea Butter. I have written about pure shea before but I can't say enough about it. From childhood, I have the most horrible heels, rough, cracked, peeling and at times even bleeding and sore. At a street fair in Hendersonville, I bought my first pound of pure shea with the guarantee that it would heal my heels. At that point, after having spent tons of money on creams and even prescription drugs for my heels, I would have tried anything. But to have a GUARANTEE, I couldn't pass it up. My heels today are as soft as a baby's bottom. I will never be without my shea again.
Mosaic painted glass. When we were last in Brazil, Kristy took me to an art studio where various and sundry types of art are taught and sold. We were most interested in the painted glass mosaics. We bought one of my favorite pieces and since then I've been toying with learning the art. I've done several pieces and want to do lots more.
This is the piece we bought in Brazil.This is a piece I made.
My Tea Cabinets. Several years ago, Maggie gave me a little tea cabinet to hold tea 
bags. The small drawers are just tea bag size and are made from painted porcelain while the cabinet itself is wood. When she came to live with us, she brought hers with her, so now I have two on my cabinet. I love the designs and colors of the drawers and it adds so much to my kitchen.
Our Desert Rose China. When Tim's mother and aunt died, he inherited their Desert Rose by Fransican china set. For years, Aunt Flo had worked at a department store in Union and along the way she had bought many many of the serving pieces. Especially serving pieces that are odd or rare. We rarely use it but are so glad to have it because of whose it was and what it meant to them.
Antique Old English Candle Stand. My first husband's mother became friends with an antique
dealer who gave her a candle stand that had been brought from England. I have no idea how old it is although it is definitely an antique. I would imagine it was made in the 1800s. Again, I love it because Azalee loved it and wanted me to have it.If you know me well, you know that earthly treasures mean very little to me. I'd rather store my treasures where moth and rust can't decay; however, I love these treasures because of the love the person who gave it to me has/had for me or the precious memories I have of places visited.
