Every year I spruce up the deck a bit for the spring/summer season. I've delayed this year because I've been getting estimates for having the porch and decks pressure washed and painted and it didn't make sense to buy plants and fill up all the pots if they were all going to have to be moved, come painting time. Once plans for a Memorial Day cookout got underway, I threw caution to the wind and started … [Read more...]
In The BNOTP Library: Southern Cocktails
May 27, 2014 by 17 Comments
After Linda and I finished touring Stanton Hall in Natchez, Mississippi a few weeks ago, we headed for the gift shop. Almost all the homes we toured had gift shops and visiting those was so much fun because so many of the items in the shops were home and entertaining related. Several of the gift shops had a nice selection of books. I loved looking at the titles and jotted down bunches I wanted to … [Read more...]
Refreshing Sangria, Perfect Beverage For A Summer Party
May 27, 2014 by 29 Comments
I LOVED all the stories you shared in the comments of yesterday's post. They were awesome and some had me laughing! Thanks so much for those! Yesterday I shared some pics of a yummy party beverage I made on Sunday for a porch party with friends. Today I'm sharing the recipe, including a printable copy below. Note: The Sangria looks a little darker in this picture than it does once it's served because just … [Read more...]
After The Party
May 26, 2014 by 72 Comments
Welcome to the 278th Metamorphosis Monday! It's 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon. Three friends will be arriving for a cookout in one hour. Everything is ready. Somehow the party faeries have all conspired in my favor and I'm actually running ahead of schedule. There may even be time for a few minutes on the porch alone before the guests arrive. I open the refrigerator to pour myself a cold drink and OMG, I … [Read more...]
Greenwood Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana: Part II
May 23, 2014 by 18 Comments
Earlier this week we toured the downstairs rooms in Greenwood Plantation, a plantation home located in St. Francisville Louisiana. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Greenwood Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana: Part I. You may want to read that post first and then come back to this one. You'll find a link to this post at the end of that first post about Greenwood. Greenwood saw a … [Read more...]
In The BNOTP Library: Southern Lady Gracious Tables
May 22, 2014 by 17 Comments
While we continue visiting and enjoying all the wonderful tables linked for Tablescape Thursday today, here's a great book from my library, filled with lots of inspiration for setting beautiful tables. You may recognize the author, Phyllis Hoffman; she's the President of Hoffman Media which produces so many great lifestyle magazines including Southern Lady, The Cottage Journal, Tea Time, Bliss … [Read more...]
Celebrate Spring With A Beach Themed Table Setting For Two
May 22, 2014 by 56 Comments
Welcome to the 297th Tablescape Thursday! It's been a while since I created a setting for two and a really long time since I put together a tablescape on this little oval table here on the porch. You may remember the lantern from a previous beach themed table setting here: Beachy Tablescape With Lighthouse Lantern Glassware for this table setting is from Pier 1. It's … [Read more...]
Greenwood Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana: Part I
May 20, 2014 by 33 Comments
Greenwood Plantation, A Greek Revival Home in St. Francisville, Louisiana Greenwood Plantation, a Greek Revival home in St. Francisville, Louisiana, was one of my favorite homes of all the homes my friend, Linda and I toured on our trip to Louisiana. Greenwood is located in West Feliciana Parish which is about an hour's drive north of Baton Rouge. In 1960, something terrible happened to … [Read more...]
Lewis’s Woodpecker & Rose-Breasted Grosbeak In A Spring Garden
May 19, 2014 by 68 Comments
Welcome to the 277th Metamorphosis Monday! Recently my friend, Bonnie, who lives in the beautiful state of Oregon, shared a few pics with me via e-mail of the wonderful view from her deck. I don't have any "Before" winter pics to share but the "After" is stunning! Is this not gorgeous?! Spring has sprung in the state of Oregon and it's absolutely beautiful! The wisteria running along the fence in … [Read more...]
Faerie Houses in the Garden, A Sunday Garden Tour
May 18, 2014 by 13 Comments
Sharing a few more pics from a garden tour I took recently in my home town. Look! A garden seat that's actually in the garden! :) I'm so used to seeing them used inside in all the decor magazines and ads, I was actually surprised to see one out in a garden. The bench with the built in birdhouse is just so cute! Did you know there's a climbing hydrangea? I did not know … [Read more...]
