Thursday, September 3, 2020

Welcome! Come on IN!


Growing up in the South, when we visited a neighbor or friend, we always opened the door and said 'YOOHOO'! I don't ever remember knocking or ringing a door bell. If it was at a relatives' house, I just opened the door and said their name....with a question mark on the end! So open the door, say Diane, are you there? And come on in! Or a simple 'Yoohoo' will get you in!


We're coming in the front door but the first thing we'll do is go close the drapes in the back. We leave them open most of the time but they let in too much Florida sunshine for our photos. We've put some sheers up to help with glare but we pull them back most of the time too. We love our sunshine and this big window looks out into the courtyard where the bird feeders are and our beloved birds!


A couple of you wanted to see my 2 red sofas but I know most of you have seen them over the years.


You'll notice I put red throws on the back of this sofa to keep the sun from fading the fabric. 


So for those that have seen the living room many times before, you can go on into the lanai and have a glass of Iced Tea. I'll meet you there in a bit! 


(art by local Florida artists)


And we'll look back at what you'll see at the entrance.


Make yourself at home!


We have 2 big dark brown leather recliners for comfort and a big screen TV for movie watching.


And you know I'm a firm believer of surrounding yourself with things you love.


So there are a few dolls here and there and children's books.


OLD books that I cherish.


And large bookcases filled with favorite books and some pottery we've collected over the years.

(and beautiful hand made baskets on top of the bookcases)


I change the throw pillow covers out pretty often.


We designated a library area at one end of our living room and that's where our piano is (my husband and I both play) and a table that can be used to play games or cards....or to read a book! I try to keep it simple so that it can be used and not just for show.


Wendy said she's enjoyed having you stop by. It's been pretty quiet here this summer! 


I'm thankful for a nice place to live and favorite things to enjoy
....and for friends that stop by to visit!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!


36 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Diane

You have a beautiful home, I love that big window. I love letting the light/sunshine in too. Your sea shells collection and beach art work is pretty, the beach theme is my favorite. Take care, enjoy your day!

Sandy said...

I love all the books. I would want to just stop and browse all of them. Very pretty and I think I would feel right at home.

MadSnapper said...

Your home is truly beautiful and I love everything I see there's nothing that I wouldn't enjoy having of course I wouldn't have a doll collection but yours is really beautiful. I love the way you have your living room setup and most of all I love the big windows that let in the Florida Sunshine. The first thing we do in the morning is open all the blinds so that the Florida Sunshine comes in all day

Ella said...

Hello Diane,
You have a very beautiful house!
Your collection of toys is gorgeous! Priceless!!
I also have dolls and cars for my daughter and the boys. They are truly "sweet memories"!
Enjoy your day!

Maggie said...

Yoohoo, Diane,
Loved the house tour I always enjoying seeing inside other homes, you can get some good ideas by being nosy, you know!

Susie said...

Yoohoo Diane?? Oh my gosh your post took me back in time. We never locked our doors or cars . We even left the windows down on the car if it was nice out. My parents parked on the street too. Yes, we did just open doors and yell in. So funny. So simple and now it seems so wonderful. I love the windows at your house for the sunshine too. We want to see outside, so I never place our sofa or chairs at the windows. The blinds and curtains are wide open here too. LOL Blessings to you and thanks for letting us visit. xoxo,love, Susie

Vee said...

What a fun greeting! Don't you keep your doors locked? I do, all the time. I'd keel over if I heard a "YooHoo." Hahahahahaha...


Loved visiting your beautiful home. Now I know right where you and your beloved will be this evening. In those fabulous recliners!

Debbie said...

this post had me thinking...it has been a long time since i have visited anyone or anyone has visited me. with my family, we definitely just walk in. with friends, i usually knock but they usually know i'm coming, i usually call first!!

this room is sweet, comfortable and very inviting!! in the 4th picture, i see "the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse"...a book i recommended a few months back!! it made me smile to see it on your end table!!

it's nice to have art by local artists, i have the same here in my home but mostly i have my own pictures in groupings hanging on the walls!!

Martha said...

I remember the days of just opening the door and shouting out a yoohoo - friends, family neighbors, it didn't matter. It's a shame how much things have changed. Thank you for taking us on a tour of your home, it's beautiful and very inviting. Have a great Thursday :)

Tom said...

...dang, you sure have a lot of stuff to dust!!!

Lorrie said...

Yoohoo, Diane! Your cozy home is pretty and practical and just the way you like it! Love all the books and baskets. Have a great day!

Ricki Treleaven said...

I would love to pilfer through your old books! Thanks for the invite inside your delightful home!

The Feminine Energy said...

Oh-oh-oh..... what an absolutely beeee-utiful home!!! I love your decorations and furniture. Now I'll be able to picture "where you are" when I read your blog posts. Thank you for the wonderful tour! Love, Andrea xoxo

Inger said...

Thanks for the tour and so nice to see Wendy again. Your home looks welcoming and well-lived in. I love the table by the piano for games, cards, puzzles, and so on. Will we get to see the outside some time too?

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I love your beautiful home and living room! I would feel right at home in your home...you love so many of the same things that I love. Old books, dolls, sunshine, and I see lovely sea shell collections. I don't collect those, but I do love them. Did I see teacups and saucers as we came in the door? You know I love those. I love your red sofas! And I also love that you change the covers on the throw pillows. I need to do that. My throw pillows match the fabric on our sofas, which is flowered. I would love to change the sofa to a solid cover and then use different pillow covers. I may have to think on this. Our sofa is in need of a new cover...but I'm not sure about using slip covers. They never seem to stay in place. Well, anyway, sorry, I'm rambling, but you invited me in, so let's chat! LOL. Enjoyed my visit very much, and thank you for the iced tea! Have a blessed day my friend. It's definitely too hot/humid for hiking, although we did take our early walk. Bye for now.

Edna B said...

Your home is beautiful. I remember the days of "YouHoo" too. Those were gentler times. Books and dolls are my idea of happiness. Add crafts to that and I'd never leave. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful decor.
I like the little shell display.

Terri D said...

You have a lovely home full of so many beautiful things!! Thanks for the tour!

Beside a babbling brook... said...

YOOHOOOOOO... And thank you Ma'am, very much!!! Oh mercy, yes, thank you! I love, love, love home tours!!!! (As I said... ~grin)

And you did this, so perfectly. We entered, and I can easily see, which view I am having, in each photo. Not everyone is does this, sooooooo welllllllllll. ~smile~

Love your red sofas of course. And your comfy recliners. What a comfortable room! And let's face it, comfort is the first thing to arrange for. ~smile~

You both play the piano! And who plays the other instruments? Oh my husband would just love this area. He has a beautiful baritone voice. And *works at* piano and guitar and ukulele. His mother was a fantastic pianist. And he wishes he could play better. But I say... "You got the voice!"

This was a lovely tour of your front room. Thank you again.

Now, of course, I do hope you will continue with the tour. Lot's more to see, I'm sure. ~smile~

🍁✨🍂✨🍁

Red Rose Alley said...

Thanks for showing us bits of your home, Diane. Wow, you have so many books! I love the children's book section. I see you like the ocean, as you have ocean pics and sea shells. The big ones are fantastic, and that photo above is delightful. I have one small sea shell that I've had since I was little, but when you put it up to your ear, you can still hear whispers of the ocean. : )

Wishing you happy September days, Diane.

~Sheri

Home Sewn By Us said...

Good afternoon! It's so fun getting to see your living room. It looks so nice and comfy and I adore the red couches. I would love to curl up with a good book and chat. ~smile~ Roseanne

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Oh I love your red sofas. Your home is so inviting and makes you want to sit and stay. Visit, read, and just be. Love your dolls they are gorgeous. Did you make them? So many awesome things.

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

YOu have a lovely home and I love the red sofas. WE used to have the same "yoohoo" up north. No one locked their doors in the town where I lived so that was a common greeting when you walked in.
DO have a cleaning person? How do you keep it so nice?

Ann said...

Love your living room. It looks very comfortable and inviting

HappyK said...

Enjoyed seeing inside your home. Nice that both of you play the piano. Now I'm sorry I didn't stick with my lessons when I was a kid!!

Lowcarb team member said...

Thank you for making me feel so welcome in your home - it's lovely.

All the best Jan

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Thank you for inviting me inside to see your lovely home, Diane. I love seeing all of your favorites. Your dolls, books, seashells and artwork are displayed so nicely. I love red, so your red sofas would make me happy. Now I can picture you enjoying resting after a hike. Have a great evening.

Jeanie said...

Oh, how I love a home with books. one of my favorite things to do on news programs is try to find the titles on the books behind the people being interviewed. I just love zoom interviews much more than talking heads.

Your red couches are great!

Jenn Jilks said...

What a lovely space you have! I enjoyed the tour.

PaintedThread said...

So. Many. Books!!! Love all the artwork on your walls. Looks like a comfy, happy place.

Becki said...

I'm (unfashionably) late, but want to let you know I love seeing your living room, Diane. And those beautiful red couches! I am most charmed by that corner where you have a round game table - and those comfy chairs on wheels. I've often thought I'd like to have a table like this reserved for games, puzzles, whatever. I don't have the table (or the space to plop one), but you've certainly given me a vision for something to plan for.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Such a lovely and welcoming post! You have some very lovely art and my what a collection of books. It truly is a beautiful home! Wishing you well! Have a grand weekend!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Yoohoo!! We always yelled that out when we opened the side door to my grandparent's home. I miss that. Thanks for letting us yoohoo our way into your home. xo Laura

Crafty in the Med said...

How wonderful Diane!! First of all thank you for this delightful tour of your home. Everything looks fabulous and coincidentally I have a red couch too in my living room. I just love that red brighness that cheers up the room.Your comments on leaving your front door open reminds me of my childhood in the UK. My mother always left the back door open in fact she hardly ever used the front door and people were always popping in. I wish I could still do that now but it is out of the question. Keep well Amanda x

Teresa said...

Muchas gracias por la invitación, me encantó conocer parte de tu casa veo que es muy bonita. Lo que más me gusta son tus libros y todo lo que tiene que ver con el mar. Besos.

Jeannie said...

I really, really enjoyed the tour of your home. It is lovely and shows you are a creative person. I wish I had an eye for decoration like you do.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry