Beautiful Camellias

March 5, 2011 by 51 Comments

My camellia bush was positively covered in buds before the week-long winter storm hit in January. It made me sad to see them all ruined. This past week we had some warmer than normal temps and once again the camellia is covered in buds...some just beginning to open. Camellias look as if they should have a scent, but they do not...or at least the camellias I've seen do not. They come in quite an array … [Read more...]

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A Dovecote in the Garden

February 25, 2011 by 32 Comments

A Dovecote in the Garden Landscape Recently, I posted about a kind soul who came to my "rescue." That post contained lots of photos of the large dovecote in my perennial garden that runs along my driveway. I received several e-mails from readers asking for more information about this bird house and where I found it. My interest in a dovecote for my garden came from years of going on garden tours. Often, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Garden, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,



Knights in Shining Armor…They Do Still Exist

February 18, 2011 by 52 Comments

The ground had been covered with snow and ice for four long days. At last it had melted...just enough for her to leave her home for a quick trip out. Upon returning, as she pulled into the driveway, she noticed a little fluff of orange feathers protruding from one of the entrances to the dove cote, the same cavity where the bluebirds had nested every year for the past three years. The thought came to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Growing Orchids

January 21, 2011 by 42 Comments

My sweet son sent me this beautiful orchid for my birthday last week. The enclosed card said he thought I would enjoy having it near my computer during the day while I work. He knows me well. I've never had much luck keeping orchids alive. All you fabulous orchid growers out there...anything special I should know? I'm a little worried about it being inside a container that doesn't have a drainage … [Read more...]

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Moss Garden Table Setting

January 6, 2011 by 65 Comments

Welcome to the 124th Tablescape Thursday! Hi Everyone! Hope your week is going great! Recently, for our Blogging Bloopers 2010 Party, I shared some of the gaffes I've made this past year, including a tablescape that didn't quite turn out the way I had planned. Since I let that cat out the infamous bag by sharing a few pics, I thought I'd share the rest of the info about how I put that table together, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: ,



Rosehill Cottage from "The Holiday" Movie Comes to Life Once More

December 22, 2010 by 27 Comments

Hi Everyone! Are you busy, busy, busy preparing for the holidays? Are you making grocery lists, doing last minute shopping and wrapping gifts? I hope you are having fun and enjoying these last minute preparations for family and friends. Recently, I took you on a tour of wonderful Rosehill Cottage in the movie, The Holiday. If you missed it, you'll find it HERE. This is a view of Rosehill Cottage … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Movie Houses, Nature, TV & Movie House Fun Tagged With: , , , ,



15 Minute Holiday Centerpiece

November 19, 2010 by 58 Comments

Beautiful Christmas Centerpiece or Table Decoration, Ready in 15 Minutes: To get you in the mood for a little holiday decorating, I'm sharing a super easy and inexpensive decorating idea. In fact, this is so simple and easy to do, you could create it the day of your holiday party or family gathering in just 15 minutes using a few items available at the grocery store and from your yard. Ya gotta love … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Christmas Table Settings, Christmas Tablescapes, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



Natural Greenery Christmas Mantel in Southern Living Idea House

November 16, 2010 by 56 Comments

Recently a friend and I toured the Southern Living Idea House in Senoia, Georgia. Senoia is a very small town about an hours drive from Atlanta. We were allowed to take pics inside since the home had already been published. :) I took a bunch of pics but I wasn't able to get full views of many rooms because there were always a gazillion people around. I have too many pics to share them all in one post … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, Nature, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , ,



Beautiful, Vintage, Copeland Spode Tower in a Springtime Tablescape

September 2, 2010 by 105 Comments

Welcome to the 106th Tablescape Thursday! How was your day? Are you looking forward to a nice long Labor Day weekend? Any cookouts planned? I hope whatever you do...it's fun and relaxing. Enjoy these last treasured days of summer. I'm almost in the mood for fall...but not quite. With temps still in the 90s in Georgia and the blessing of low humidity, I'm still tablescaping out on the porch. This week I'm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , ,



When Life Gives You Lemons…

August 28, 2010 by 50 Comments

What do you do? I'm a firm believer in just digging in my heels and pushing forward. Don't waste time asking why... Or, why me? Listen to your heart and find your strength from within... How's that old saying go? "If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." Be sure to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Inspire, Nature Tagged With: , ,



A Backyard Renovation

August 8, 2010 by 45 Comments

Welcome to the 82nd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I spent my Saturday at Vision Computers in Norcross, Georgia...drooling over their awesome computers. I have computer fever something terrible.   Next, a friend and I headed to dinner at Six Feet Under in the Grant Park area of Atlanta. Six Feet Under is located across the street from Historic Oakland Cemetery, thus its … [Read more...]

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Knockout Rose Trees Knock Out Squirrels

August 7, 2010 by 60 Comments

In early spring, April to be exact, I went in search of "something" to fill the two tall urns that stand on one of my decks. The past two springs I had purchased tall hibiscus, but Mr. Squirrel, who lives in my backyard, tip-toed onto my deck every. single. day. and stole almost all the leaves off the two hibiscus, one leaf at the time.   I was not amused!   So, this year I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, For the Love of Birds, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature



A Shade Garden with Waterfalls and Ponds

June 30, 2010 by 32 Comments

Hi Everyone! I've been enjoying all the wonderful "Before and Afters" linked for Met Monday! Did you get a chance to check some of them out? There are lots of amazingly creative and talented bloggers in Blogland who are making their homes more beautiful by the minute! How is your summer going? Is it as hot where you are as it's been here in Georgia? We've been having August temps all month long. Wonder … [Read more...]

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Foxgloves in the Garden

June 26, 2010 by 43 Comments

A few days ago, I shared some pics of the beautiful gardens around the home of Arthur Blank, a co-founder of The Home Depot and the owner of the Atlanta Falcons. One of the things I especially love about this tour, Gardens for the Connoisseur, is it always takes place on Mother's Day weekend and the foxgloves, my very favorite flower, are always in bloom. These pics were taken in another garden on the … [Read more...]

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Arthur Blank’s Garden, Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour

June 19, 2010 by 40 Comments

Almost every year, I go on a garden tour sponsored by The Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The tour is called, Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour, and this was it's 26th year. The tour always includes around 12 gardens, and occasionally, a well-known/famous person's garden will be on the tour. This year, we had the pleasure of touring the garden of Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot and the current owner of … [Read more...]

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Barnsley Gardens, A Bittersweet Love Story

June 12, 2010 by 42 Comments

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Adairsville, Georgia and toured the hauntingly beautiful, Barnsley Gardens with two good friends. I'd been there before, but it was many, years ago. The story of Barnsley Gardens is a bittersweet one. From the Barnsley website online: "Behind Barnsley Gardens Resort's storybook setting is a true story filled with as many twists and turns as a work of fiction. The original … [Read more...]

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A Whimsical Idea for a Garden Bench

June 5, 2010 by 50 Comments

This was just outside a shop I was in recently...isn't it a hoot?! Someone has cut holes in the seat and sunk the pots down into it. So, don't throw out that old piece of furniture...just paint it with an outdoor grade paint and you'll have a delightful planter for your garden.  Love it! Visit How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday fun! A Classy Flea: A few weeks ago, my all time favorite … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Romantic Table for Two on the Deck

May 20, 2010 by 72 Comments

Welcome the 91st Tablescape Thursday! She Walks in Beauty Like the Night by Lord Byron She walks in beauty, like the night   Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, Romantic Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tables for Two, Tablescape Thursday, Valentine's Day Table Settings, Valentine's Day Tablescapes Tagged With: , , , ,



Knock-out Roses, Just in Time for Mother’s Day

May 8, 2010 by 41 Comments

I've planted pink Knock-out Roses in tall urns on my deck. I've been using hibiscus here for the past two summers, but the squirrels tip-toe onto the deck...yes, they tip-toe, they know they are doing a bad thing...and they completely strip off all the leaves on my hibiscus. After two summers in a row of that nonsense, it was time to try something new. So, this year, it's Knock-out Roses...and these … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With: ,



Bottle Tree Shopping at Trader Joe’s

April 18, 2010 by 52 Comments

So, here I am on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, and I'm bumping around inside of one of my most favorite stores ever, Trader Joe's. If you've never been in Trader Joe's you HAVE to go. It's that good! I was on a mission this day. I'm cruising the "beverage" isles, checking out all the goodies that come in colored bottles. If you are regular reader of BNOTP, you know where this is going.  I'm determined … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: ,



Bottle Tree Dreams

April 14, 2010 by 31 Comments

Hi Everyone! Bottle Trees...Give me some bottle suggestions! :-) A couple of weeks ago I shared these fab pics and the history behind bottle trees, HERE. (Image from Southern Style by Mark Mayfield) Several folks left comments naming some of the drinks you can purchase that just happen to come in nice, big, colorful bottles, perfect for creating your own bottle tree. The suggestions were … [Read more...]

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Make a Greenhouse from Old Windows for Holiday Displays

April 10, 2010 by 75 Comments

Remember back around Christmas time when I took you shopping at the Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta, Georgia? C'mon...sure you do. Remember, you kept begging on the drive over to stop by the Dairy Queen to get a milkshake and I told you that we had to hurry and get to the Queen of Hearts before all the good stuff was gone. Ahhh, now you remember! Well, while we were there, we saw this: Yep, it's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Easter Crafts, Easter Decorating, Easter Holiday Home, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Easter Tablescape with Daffodil & Camellia Centerpiece

April 8, 2010 by 97 Comments

Welcome to the 85th Tablescape Thursday! Easter is behind us for another year, but I thought I'd share one of the tablescapes I did this year.   Centerpiece is just a basket I've had for years...filled to overflowing with the last of the spring camillas and daffodils. I layered pretty salad plates I received as a gift this past Christmas with cabbage plates from HomeGoods. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Holiday Home, Easter Table Settings, Easter Tablescapes, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,



Bottle Trees: The Poor Man’s Stained Glass

March 28, 2010 by 48 Comments

Love this book...it's one of my favs. I look through it time and time again. Inside, I found this. Know what it is? (Image from Southern Style by Mark Mayfield) It's a bottle tree!  Most often you see them in gardens, although this one looks pretty awesome on this veranda. Bottle trees go way, way, way back. Some folks think the first bottle trees were created in Africa in the 9th … [Read more...]

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A Birding and Nature Themed Table Setting

February 25, 2010 by 68 Comments

Welcome to the 79th Tablescape Thursday! Hi Everyone! Hope your day was awesome! I had plans to share a new tablescape with you this evening, took pics this past weekend. But there were a few more things I wanted to include in the post, and unfortunately, I just don't have it quite ready. So, I've been perusing the archives this evening and found a tablescape I put together right after I started … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Nature, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , ,



Mother Swan Transporting her Babies

February 21, 2010 by 41 Comments

Something to make you smile this gorgeous Sunday afternoon...a Mama swan transporting her little ones to the other side of a pond.   I love the little guy who is trying to peek out...precious! You can read the full article HERE. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



The Tree That Owns Itself

January 30, 2010 by 50 Comments

Several years ago, when my son was attending the University of Georgia, I drove over for an afternoon visit and a little shopping. As we were driving around Athens, doing a little sightseeing in the historic neighborhoods, my son turns to me and says, "Do you want to see the tree that owns itself?" Huh? "What did you just say?" He looks at me and repeats, "Do you want to see the tree that owns itself?" … [Read more...]

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Roses for Mother’s Day

January 16, 2010 by 63 Comments

The beauty of that color, pink...it can take your breath away... It can make your heart sing... Especially, on your birthday...when a wonderful son sends his love. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature



Owls, Beautiful Owls

January 6, 2010 by 42 Comments

Wow, you guys are amazing! I'm soooo inspired after seeing so many creative "Before and Afters" this past Metamorphosis Monday! We had over 150 participants! If you haven't had a chance to check them all out, just scroll down to the post below this one and start clicking. There is so much talent and creativity in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Make a Greenhouse from Old Discarded Windows

November 30, 2009 by 89 Comments

Welcome to the 46th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I've been out of state visiting my son and his sweetie. It was a whirlwind trip and so much fun. My son gave me a tour of the law school he's attending, as well as a tour of the wonderful historic building where he works with a local firm. We did a little shopping on Black Friday and went to see A Christmas Carol on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home, DIY, DIY Crafts & Sewing, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, The Holiday Home Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Biltmore Estate

August 15, 2009 by 63 Comments

A while back, I had an opportunity to tour Biltmore in Asheville, NC. I'd been there many years before and really enjoyed the tour, but I remembered having been a little disappointed that so little of the upstairs was open for viewing. Well, all that's changed now and it's an awesome experience! They continue to restore more rooms each year, so more and more are opened up for tours. The tour took us 1 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, Historic Homes, In the Garden, Nature, Travel, United States Tagged With: , ,



Creating a Planter from a Chair

August 3, 2009 by 75 Comments

Welcome to the 29th Metamorphosis Monday! I don't have a before pic of this chair I found recently at A Classy Flea, but I was told the seat was in very bad condition and was not salvageable. So...what to do? Turn it into a lovely planter! The seller at A Classy Flea, attached a square wire planter container to the chair. I'm sorry, but I've forgotten where she said she found the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, DIY, DIY Decorating, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature Tagged With: , , , ,



Beautiful Topiaries

July 15, 2009 by 70 Comments

A few weeks ago, I spent the weekend in Greenwood, South Carolina attending the Festival of Flowers...a yearly event in Greenwood. You may remember the post I did last Wednesday about Park Seed, which is located in Greenwood. Park Seed also owns Wayside Gardens...and recently, Jackson & Perkins. If you are a gardener, you well know these companies. If you missed that post you may read all about it, … [Read more...]

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House Finches Nest in Door Basket

July 13, 2009 by 84 Comments

Welcome to the 26th Metamorphosis Monday! I am also participating this Monday in Price My Space, a blog party hosted by Nesting Place...that post immediately follows this Met Monday post. I have a special metamorphosis going on at my house this week...right here on the front porch. It's a little hard to see from there, so come on over here near the front door. You're getting warmer, just a little … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Festival of Flowers: Historic Home and Garden Tour

July 8, 2009 by 75 Comments

This post is picture intensive, but light on wording...so enjoy! I've been traveling a good bit this summer, so I'm sharing some pics from one of those trips. This post has something in it for everyone...gardening, a tablescape and even an historic home tour! How many of you gardeners out there have heard of Park Seed? Yep, I see all those heads nodding! If you garden, you know Park Seed. Did you know … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, Historic Homes, Home Tours, In the Garden, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



The Silver Comet Trail

June 3, 2009 by 72 Comments

The web site for The Silver Comet Trail describes it this way: Imagine gliding along on your bike through the north Georgia countryside, crossing a 500-foot-long trestle over a rushing river below, winding between rock cliffs and weaving among tall stately pines. Imagine doing this without having to worry about cars and trucks. Now imagine doing this for 60 miles on one trail! No, that's not a dream, it's … [Read more...]

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Deck Transformation, Winter to Spring

May 5, 2009 by 70 Comments

Since most everyone who visits Between Naps on the Porch has seen my two porches, I thought I'd share a different area today. There are decks off either side of my screened-in porch and one of those decks has a cozy little corner over near the grill. It's the perfect spot to sit if you want to be near the grill while you are cooking out. This is the winter view...pretty blah. And here's the summer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Porches, Porches & Decks Tagged With:



Flower Cubes For a Summer Party

May 3, 2009 by 48 Comments

Summer is waning and fall is just around the corner. I can feel it the air when I'm out on the porch during these late summer evenings. Before long, at least here in the south, gardeners will be pouring into the nurseries in search of pansies for their annual beds. Pansies enjoy the cooler weather and if planted in early fall, they will put down good roots that will carry them through the colder temps we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Easter Holiday Home, Easter Recipes, Easter Table Settings, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, Recipes, Valentine's Day Holiday Home, Valentine's Day Recipes, Valentine's Day Table Settings Tagged With: ,



A Garden Party Table Setting

April 30, 2009 by 175 Comments

Welcome to the 36th Tablescape Thursday! Let's have a Garden Party out on the porch!   Come on over and have a seat...so glad you're here.   Garfield says, "Life is short, eat dessert first." I like the way he thinks! We're having Oreo Dirt Cheesecake, complete with yummy worms.   I lit the candles in our little greenhouse. I know it's not dark out yet, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Recipes, Seasonal Tablescapes, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,



St. Patrick’s Day Tea Party

March 12, 2009 by 124 Comments

Welcome to the 29th Tablescape Thursday! St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner...let's celebrate with some tea out on the porch!   And of course, we must have green tea, since we are celebrating St. Paddy's Day. (The green tole tray was a wedding gift 30 years ago.)   I picked fresh flowers from the garden..  Ahhh...their sweet, sweet fragrance is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, Nature, Spring & Summer Tablescapes, St. Patrick's Day Holiday Home, St. Patrick's Day Table Settings, St. Patrick's Day Tablescapes, Tables for Two, Tablescape Thursday, Tablescapes Holiday Tablescapes, Tablescapes Occasion, Tea Party Tablescapes Tagged With: , , ,



Creating a Perennial Garden

February 23, 2009 by 113 Comments

Welcome to the 6th Metamorphosis Monday! My Metamorphosis for this Met Monday is a perennial garden I "built" many years ago.  I want to apologize in advance for the quality of these pics. They were taken many years ago, long before I'd ever heard of this thing called blogging. Plus, I had to take pictures of pictures to show you this transformation...but I think you will still be able to appreciate the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Garden, Gardening & Birding, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature Tagged With: , , ,



Herend, Rothschild Bird…My New Obsession

February 7, 2009 by 92 Comments

So, there I was, on yet another historic home tour, minding my own business when Herend's, Rothschild Bird bit me in the nether regions! It all started out innocently enough.  We (me and two friends) had made the trek to Newnan, Georgia for what The Georgia Trust calls a "Ramble." And ramble we did...in and out of some of the most beautiful historic homes and buildings you've ever seen, not to mention a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For the Love of Birds, Gardening & Birding, Nature Tagged With: , ,



Dreaming of the Outdoors

January 21, 2009 by 62 Comments

Ok, I know it's cold and you don't really want to venture outdoors a whole lot right now. After all, it's still January...or is it?  In Blogland it can be summer anytime we want. Just think of Blogland as a magical time machine. Ok, get your garden clogs or tennis shoes on...whatever you like to wear when you're out puttering around in the yard. Let's go see what's blooming in my garden on this Outdoor … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Garden, Gardening & Birding, Home Tours, In the Garden, My Nest, Nature Tagged With: ,



A Magnolia & Lemon Centerpiece

November 4, 2008 by 58 Comments

Welcome to the 11th Tablescape Tuesday! On one of my trips to A Classy Flea this past summer, I came across this happy daisy china.  It was love at first sight! I used place mats and matching napkins I already had. The faux bamboo flatware is from Big Lots...very inexpensive but I love it. This is an American made dishware and it dates back to the 1960s. It was made by Metlox Potteries out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening & Birding, In the Garden Tagged With: , , , , , ,



Bluebirds Nesting in Lazy Hill Dovecote

August 25, 2008 by 30 Comments

For many years I've attempted to attract bluebirds to my yard. My interest in bluebirds started when I worked as a volunteer with the Chattahoochee Nature Center. During that time I learned bluebirds had in years past, (1960's and 70's) dramatically decreased in number. (Image from Wikipedia) This decrease was found to be due to use of pesticides and a loss of their natural habitat (natural nesting … [Read more...]

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