Spring is in the Air!

Any one who knows me, knows I do not like cold weather.  I guess growing up in Southern California has made a bit wimpy when it comes to low temperatures!  So once Christmas is over, I'm ready for Spring!!! And it's coming!!!!   I love seeing the signs of Spring.

The first sign was my little Christmas Cactus in my kitchen window! Isn't she pretty!!!

The second sign of Spring...my Saucer Magnolia tree in my front yard started blooming! 

And then the third sign... Down Home's Spring Open House!  We're getting ready!!! We've been cleaning and tagging, and putting aside some fun garden and spring related treasures!

 Just cleaned all these latest finds from the weekend!  I love this old galvanized metal washing machine!

 Can't wait to get these piles of treasures off my driveway and into the store!!!

Lots of metal and iron pieces!

Love these chicken feeders and canvas carts with wheels!

A few Easter Chocolate molds and Candy containers we just found!

We hope you all have a wonderful Spring and we look forward to seeing you at our 

Spring Open House on March 9, 2013!  

xo, Peggy

On the Road!

I have a goal to take more pictures of antiques and antique shows, while I'm on the road. The problem is I have a one track mind when I'm shopping!  I shop!  I often call my shopping technique "the scan and grab." When I get in my shopping frenzy at flea markets and antique shows, I'm terrible at taking pictures!  I just don't take the time to aim and shoot while shopping.  I try, but I find I take more pictures of the scenery on the highway and in nature, then I do of antiques and shows! I love old buildings and old barns and gardens!  Here are some photos of things I like to take pictures of when I'm  supposed to be taking pictures of antiques.  I love living in California, but it's so fun to see our beautiful country! These were taken on our way home from New York!  I can't wait until our next buying trip!  We leave in March!!!

It's a little hard to see, but this fence is so cute with hoes and shovels used as fence posts!

Nothing more beautiful than a field full of sunflowers!  A very happy moment!!!

Tomatoes out of our friends' garden in Ohio!  Good job Rick and Karen!

Saw this beautiful field of flowers from the truck!

How beautiful is this - look at the clouds reflecting in the lake!

Nothing more charming than stone buildings!!!!

Love this old barn and lots of old windows in New York!

Who doesn't love a silo?

A little garden with MORE sunflowers and the cutest twig fence!

Nothing like a road trip!

xo, Peggy

Winter Antiques

We had so much fun last weekend up in the mountains!  Love spending time with our family! We did some sledding and took a walk to the lake.  It was the coldest weekend we've ever spent up there. One night,  it was 3 degrees!!!  Born and raised in Southern California, that is just not a comfortable temperature!  We bundled up and enjoyed the beautiful snow, but it was nice to come back inside and stay warm!  We  played games, did puzzles, colored, watched football, and ate!!!

At Down Home, we have lots of fun things to decorate your cabin or lake house with!  And, while we love going up the mountains, you can create a "lodge" look no matter where you live!

Have a cozy winter!

xo~Peggy

Merry Christmas!

I know Christmas is over, but Merry Christmas anyway!!!  And happy 2013!!! It's been a while since I've posted anything, but we've been very busy here at Down Home, and it just didn't seem to happen. I hope you all had wonderful holiday moments, with lots of time spent with family and friends.  I know I sound like a Hallmark Christmas movie, but I love the spirit of Christmas! I love the true meaning of Christmas and that's what gives me true joy in my heart. But, I love all the festivities of Christmas too!  I love Christmas cookies, Christmas cheer, Christmas music, and Christmas decorations!  I absolutely love decorating for Christmas!  I tear down all my Thanksgiving and Fall stuff at home as soon as the last person leaves on Thanksgiving night. Then,  I spend the whole weekend decorating!  I put on my Christmas music and by Sunday, it's Christmas at the Arbenz Home!

Welcome!

A 19th century sled with it's original red paint and straw stuffed upholstery!

My red transfer ware collection and the Santa photos of my grand kids. 

All except two pictures have at least one child crying!

I had fun finding different sizes of these tindeco Santa tins!

               
 

I collect little stray sheep!

One of my favorite Christmas collections is my "Creepy Santa" collection, as my children call it.

Ok, it's creepy, but I love them!

I  love collecting vintage ornaments,

 especially small feather tree ornaments and early glass bead garlands.

Of course, my vintage grape ornaments are on a little tree on our wine rack!

I've collected elephants since I was a kid!

A wooden bowl full of antique Christmas books and sleigh bells!

I love collecting editions of my favorite Christmas story, "The Night Before Christmas."

These gold angels were my Mom's, and they remind me of my three daughters. 

A set of paper mache Canadian Geese decoys!

Love this early rocking horse!

I think American Country antiques look their best at Christmas time!

I collect early hog scraper candlesticks!

Some of my early lanterns!

This cupboard has old wooden buckets, as well as bird nests from my back yard!

A perfect place for a little tree full of vintage bird ornaments!

This tree in my dining room is full of vintage ornaments, some from my childhood.

Aren't these hand carved "coots" fun!

I love candles and Christmas lights, and usually those are the only lights on in my home at Christmas time - nothing cozier than the warm glow of Christmas!!!

My cat, Liberty!

We had a wonderful time with our family and friends and 

I'm always a bit sad to see it all end for another year.  

We wish you all a wonderful 2013 and guess what?... it's only 344 days till Christmas!  I can't wait!!!!  Blessings to you and yours.

xo, Peggy