I loved surprising my mom for her birthday! We are an emotional couple of gals. She has been known to cry dramatically when her children come to visit, and also when they leave. She does not mask her feelings in any way. She lets it all out. Ask anyone in the airport! While coming down the escalator, sobbing, I'm certain several people had to assume either I was dying, or she was. No... (thank goodness) just a daughter coming to visit her mom! I tend to cry for things like the National Anthem, Pomp and Circumstance, or for strangers in commercials, but my mom cries for her children.

Anyway, let's go inside...

Majolica, boxes and shells, oh my!

This is my mom's newest piece of majolica... and my favorite!

Perfectly displayed in her living room...

This fabulous vitrine travelled from The Gables in Atlanta to St. Louis, lived there for several years, then moved back to the south and currently resides in sunny Florida! 

More majolica inside!

The dining room display is really spectacular!

 Her tea caddy collection continues to grow... We bought the finial shaped one last week... an exquisite addition!

You know I love those orange drapes! These french doors off the dining room open to the front of the house to reveal a charming fountain and wrought iron gate... 

Look at that shell box!

 Boxes are everywhere and I love them mixed with the majolica...

Love this box... and look at those books! The speakers signed each book with a special birthday message at the Lauritzen Gardens Antique Show luncheons!

This tortoise box is from Zane Moss from the Lauritzen Gardens Antique Show!

This is my favorite of her several majolica garden seats... is that green not to die for?

In the kitchen cabinets, more majolica is displayed.

Another majolica garden seat...

My fascination/obsession with globes is catching... perfect for the office!

We all love carpet balls thanks to Nancy and Stacey!

Gorgeous greens abound... especially in the family room.

My mom has always been a lover of shells... must be her Florida roots... They look gorgeous in her home!

My parents treat their dogs, Pearl and Pajame (pronounced Pa-ja-may) like favorite relatives. Seriously. Steak for dinner? Definitely a possibility... "The girls" go to camp and school, and are on a strict schedule. They are absolutely precious... 

Here, you can see the gorgeous Jerusalem stone used throughout the first floor... absolutely stunning!

Pearl

Pearl

Pajamae

The kitchen is a great space and opens to the family room and living room/dining room... I promised my mom I wouldn't get our "stuff" on the counters in the photos... whoopsie!

Lots of darling vignettes that my mom changes daily...

The kitchen is equipped like a five star restaurant. They eat out every meal, but just in case, you know, they are prepared.

I adore this bed in the master... I picked out the twin beds in an antique store years ago and said they would make a gorgeous king... I was right!

The master bath is fabulous... I love the chandelier!

I had to close the shutters to get the photo, but the arched doorway with the intense greenery is just outside this window and offers a beautiful view.

This is the gorgeous floor in the powder bath... a bathroom that has a separate door to the pool area... so smart!

 Everyone in my family is obsessed with french olive jars... my mom is no exception.

I wish I had that sisal going up my stairs... So smart and handsome! Upstairs there are three comfortable bedrooms... 

 My favorite is the Lilly themed...

Beautiful french doors in the living room, across from the front doors, open up to the pool... dramatic and spectacular!

I love that smart landscaping!

Oh how i would die for all those layers of green! Definitely beats the brown fence look...

Retirement basically rocks... It's like being on vacation everyday! Picturesque surroundings, gorgeous weather, and a beautiful home put together and kept with such love and care... doesn't get much better than that!

Love you, Mom and Dad!