Exploring Kittens & I Can’t Get Enough Of This Book Series

Welcome to the 894th Metamorphosis Monday! Oh my gosh, it's so good to be back in Georgia! I missed the daffodil blooms; they are completely done, not even a single flower is left. Even the Redbuds are finished. I did see some Redbuds blooming en route home, along with what appeared to be Bradford Pears that were already almost fully leafed out. The kittens have adjusted beautifully to their new digs! I … [Read more...]


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New Furnture For the Breakfast Room In Georgia

Back when I first moved into the Dollhouse almost two years ago, I was seriously thinking of ordering this table from Rooms To Go. It felt just right for a cottage-style home, and I thought it would be perfect for the dining room. I also loved that I could someday have the back and seats reupholstered in a beautiful fabric to coordinate with whatever drapes/curtains I would eventually add to that … [Read more...]


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12 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Tables & How’s The Great Pollinating Going?

Welcome to the 911th Tablescape Thursday! I am headed back to Georgia tomorrow. I bet the pollen is crazy there! This weekend I'll be working on cleaning the porches and setting a table for next week's Tablescape Thursday, hopefully out on the porch. I wonder if the trees have leafed out in the Atlanta area yet? Any metro-Atlantaians reading this post who can tell me how the "Great Pollinating" is going in … [Read more...]


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My Favorite Spring Styles Are On Sale & Stanley Is Tempting Me With New Designs

We've been having some really beautiful spring-like days this past week. Are you seeing signs of spring in your area, too? It makes me so happy to see the daylight staying with us a whole hour longer each day since the time change this past weekend. The little magnolia tree in the front yard of the Dollhouse is starting to flower, and shoots are popping up everywhere in the garden. What are you seeing in … [Read more...]


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Easiest & Fastest Way To Preserve A Puzzle For Framing Without Using Messy Glue

Welcome to the 893rd Metamorphosis Monday! Many years ago, when I first started doing puzzles, there were a few puzzles that I really wanted to save for possibly framing later. All the methods I came across online for saving a puzzle for framing involved smearing glue over the surface of the puzzle. In the videos I watched sharing this method, it was always mentioned that the glue would alter the look of … [Read more...]


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A Fun Roundup, Including a Whirlwind Staycation

Happy Weekend! If you're looking for a bit of weekend fun, here are 6 posts from the past that I think you'll enjoy. (Click any title link below to view that post in full.) The Week I Took A Non-Stop, Whirlwind Staycation.     A Shocking Garage Makeover/Renovation: New Paint, Flooring, Cabinets, and Lighting.   Tour A Beautiful Historic Home In Savannah, … [Read more...]


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Spring—Summer Finds For The Table, So Many Cute Designs At Reasonable Prices!

Welcome to the 910th Tablescape Thursday! This has been a busy week as I'm caring for my grandsons while their parents are vacationing with friends in a tropical location. I'm doing all the mom things again, making sure they have what they need for school each morning, and dropping them off on these rainy days. Unfortunately, it's been raining almost constantly this week. I am so over rain! Doesn't this … [Read more...]


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So Many Beautiful Old Homes—Let’s Go For A Drive!

It's been a long time since we went on a neighborhood home tour. The community in which I live has a tremendous variety of home styles, which is one of the things I love about this area. I wonder if back in the day (90-100+ years ago) if the neighborhood covenants here dictated that your home could not be too similar to another one in the community, or if that was just an understood rule. In any case, I … [Read more...]


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Training Cats To Wear A Harness/Leash & A Toy I Will Never Buy Again

Welcome to the 892nd Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever tried to walk a cat on a leash? I've always wanted to try this, especially after seeing cats doing this on social media. Last week, I ordered a harness and leash in the extra-small size for Agatha and Beatrice to see how they would take to this idea. Before I share photos of how that went, I want to share a warning about a cat toy I will never … [Read more...]


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St. Patrick’s Day Table & A Super Cute Idea For A Spring-Easter Table Centerpiece

Welcome to the 909th Tablescape Thursday! St. Patrick's Day is just a little more than two weeks away. Makes me so happy to say that because that means spring is almost here. I'm so excited for spring to get here, a few days ago, I went ahead and changed the BNOTP header to the spring banner. I don't think I've ever changed it this early before, but this has been a doozy of a winter, and in my mind, it's … [Read more...]


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Great Table-Desk For Working Puzzles While Sitting or Standing

Just a quick post to share how the new puzzle desk/table is working out. In a nutshell, it's working great! Please ignore all the wires—one is for the table, one goes from the modem to my computer, and one is for the power/surge protector for my computer, monitors, and speakers. If you look toward the bottom where the two legs of the table connect to the two feet of the table, you'll notice that the outer … [Read more...]


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A New Addition To The Movie Room

Welcome to the 891st Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a great weekend! Mine was busy but very productive. The rowing machine that I had ordered arrived on Friday, and I finally had the time to put it together on Sunday evening. The instructions were great, so it went together very easily. I used it briefly last night and was impressed with how quiet it is and how effortlessly it glides. It's virtually … [Read more...]


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Some Things Just Don’t Work Out, But Thankfully, I Found Something Much Better

So, remember that puzzle I mentioned that I had purchased? It arrived on Friday, and as I assembled it, I came across my first red flag: a packet covered with a sticker that said, "If you find the board cracked, please use this glue to fix it or contact us." If I'm paying over $200 for a puzzle board and it arrives cracked, I will not attempt to repair it with glue. It needs to arrive all in one piece, … [Read more...]


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3 Spring Table Settings, Plus A Fun Spring-Summer DIY Table-Themed Craft

Welcome to the 908th Tablescape Thursday! I am counting down the days until I am back in Georgia, where I have access to my dinnerware, flatware, etc, again. In the meantime, let's celebrate the coming of spring, which will soon be here—well, maybe not in Ohio, but definitely in Georgia. Over the years, I've learned that spring shows up about a month later here in Ohio than it does in Georgia. I wonder how … [Read more...]


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January Favorites: New Mattress & Puzzle Board, Kitty & Movie Room Finds, Plus, A Great Gift Idea For Any Age

My oldest grandson is currently skiing in Colorado with family, but just before he left, I gave him an early birthday gift, thinking he might enjoy having it with him during long airport waits and in the evenings after a fun day of skiing. My friend, Pam, told me about this game, The Genius Square, commenting how fun it is, and she was right! (Thanks, Pam!)     It only takes around 30 … [Read more...]


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Missing My Peloton Bike, So I Bought This!

Welcome to the 890th Metamorphosis Monday! I was supposed to be back in Georgia by now. The plan was to head back to Georgia right after New Year's, so I could spend the winter there. So why am I not there? Welllll, I ordered a dishwasher in December for installation before  Christmas. When the installation guys arrived, they informed me I needed an outlet installed underneath my kitchen sink cabinet. All … [Read more...]


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Amazing End-of-Winter Sale—You Won’t Believe These Prices

The end-of-winter sales have started, and Talbots has an amazing sale going on right now. All of their sale items are currently an additional 70% off.  New season items are 30% off. This is when I normally stock up on their jeggings that I love wearing throughout the year. Here are some examples of the amazing sales you'll find right now. This pretty snowflake sweateris 70%. It was originally 99.50 and now … [Read more...]


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The Plates Were A Bust, But That’s Not Stopping This Valentine’s Day Celebration!

Welcome to the 907th Tablescape Thursday!   Sadly, my plans to set a table this week using these plates that I recently ordered didn't work out. I ordered two sets, and each set arrived on a different day. The first set to arrive was defective: the writing on the plates was crooked/cockeyed. I knew that would drive me crazy, so I returned those and hoped the next set would arrive looking like … [Read more...]


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Puzzle Thieves, A New Murder Mystery To Solve & Making Special Memories

Ever since adopting sisters, Miss Agatha and Miss Beatrice, four months ago, trying to get any work done has been a challenge. As soon as I sit down at my desk, they race over to chase the bug that's always running across the monitor, aka the cursor. Anyone else have this issue with their kitties?   On this particular day, Beatrice was busy writing out a Post-it-Note list of treats that she … [Read more...]


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Getting Organized: No More Searching Through Drawers For Bandages & Ointments

Welcome to the 889th Metamorphosis Monday! Ever since moving to Ohio, I've had to step up my Band-Aid game. When you live near two active grandsons, and you're accident-prone yourself, you can never have too many Band-Aids on hand. A few days ago, my youngest grandson needed a bandage for a cut on the lower part of his finger. I knew I had the perfect Band-Aid for it, but I couldn't find it since it was … [Read more...]


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6 Favorite, High-End Shops I Was Surprised To Find On Amazon

Last summer, while shopping for sheets, I started noticing that so many of my favorite stores, stores I consider to be high-end, are now available on Amazon. One that I've known about for a while is Yeti. After verifying with Yeti that their Amazon store is the real thing, I've purchased many a Yeti item via Amazon. I saw this newly released tumbler today called Moon Dust, and it reminds me so much of … [Read more...]


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Spring Tablescape Shopping: So Many Great Finds & Here’s What I’ve Ordered

Welcome to the 906th Tablescape Thursday! Valentine's Day is just 9 days away, with Easter not too far behind, so I've been doing a bit of spring shopping. I just ordered two sets of these adorable "Conversation Hearts" salad/dessert plates. I've always had a hard time finding Valentine's Day salad plates that I really like, and these are too cute to pass up. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they are so … [Read more...]


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An End-of-Winter Sale, Adorable Spring Finds & A Book (Series) For Cold Winter Nights

We made it through January! Yay! February is officially here, and with just 45 days until the first day of spring, the end of winter sales are getting fired up. While scoping out the sales, I took a peek at some of the upcoming spring fashions, too. This beautiful sweater caught my eye. I love horses, and I think they are such beautiful animals. If you love a beautiful winter scene, this sweater is … [Read more...]


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Big Change To My Hair Routine, Plus, A Small Office Update

Welcome to the 888th Metamorphosis Monday! Happy Monday! Thank you so much for all your kind words and well-wishes for a speedy recovery from this awful flu that I've been fighting. Other than being tired (didn't get enough sleep last night), I am so much better. All the aches and pains are gone, and now I'm just fighting the lingering head-cold stuff that seems to be left from my battle with the … [Read more...]


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Reminiscent Of That Time I Caught Influenza-A While Traveling In Germany

Welcome to the 905th Tablescape Thursday! I don't have a tablescape to share, but please join the blog party if you do. I am sick with a really nasty flu. It's a doozy, reminiscent of the time I caught Influenza A while traveling in Germany. I've been running a fever—not sure what it was the first day since I didn't have a thermometer, but it was 102.4 after one was delivered yesterday. I will spare you … [Read more...]


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Making My Own Sunshine This Week!

Welcome to the 887th Metamorphosis Monday! These are my plans for later today. I bought this puzzle as soon as I heard a storm was headed our way. The nights have been dipping into the single digits, but as I type this, we are at a sunny 13 degrees. (Puzzle is available here: Puzzle for a Snow Day.)   This is what I saw when my Ring floodlight went off this morning at  3:40 this morning. … [Read more...]


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Snow For Days, A Heated Bed, & So Many Happy Cardinals

How is the weather in your area? I awoke to my lawn service doing their first snow removal process. It was snowing the whole time they were working, so within a few hours, it looked like they had never been here. I think they are coming back for a second time tomorrow.   The city snowplows came through, but the roads are all covered again.   My DIL texted me to let me know that … [Read more...]


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Cozy Tables For Winter Dining

Welcome to the 904th Tablescape Thursday! I will be heading back to Georgia before too long, and I'm looking forward to being reunited with my dishware so I can create some winter and spring table settings to share. I plan to stay there for a bit, at least until spring arrives. It should be an interesting trip with two meowing cats in the car with me. Ha! Hopefully, they won't do that all the way there, … [Read more...]


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Here’s How I’m Preparing For Challenging Weather

Winter is in full force here in Ohio right now, and I've been hearing that there's a big storm moving across the country this weekend. The weather experts on TV appear to be revising their predictions on where the storm will be most intense. In any case, I always like to have a few things on hand, just in case I lose power for a bit. Of course, when the weather is looking suspect, you definitely want to … [Read more...]


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Just Call Me Sherlock Holmes

Welcome to the 886th Metamorphosis Monday! If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you know I tend go from zero to 100 when I find something I really like.  That's pretty much what has happened to me since I discovered Bogg Bags. It all started when I gave one as a gift to my lovely DIL. After seeing her bag in person, I was so impressed with how well it was made, I decided I'd one day buy one for … [Read more...]


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Tour The Beautiful Library & Bedrooms Inside The Historic Tate House, aka, The Pink Palace.

Seems like I start every post lately with, "I know Christmas has passed now, but...."  There just weren't enough days in December to share everything with you that I thought you would enjoy. So, as we trudge our way through the cold weather of January (maybe I'm the only one trudging as I long for warmer days), I thought you would enjoy seeing more photos inside the beautiful Tate House, aka, The Pink … [Read more...]


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Cozy, Inviting Setting, Includes A Table Before & After, Too. Pssst: This Dinnerware Would Also Work For Valentine’s Day

Welcome to the 903rd Tablescape Thursday! Right around Christmas, I had several BNOTP readers share beautiful holiday tables with me. I couldn't get them all posted before Christmas, but they were too wonderful to wait a whole year to share. Jackie wrote, "So I had this wonderful table from when my girls were 8 and 11 (now 32 and 29). They loved gathering around it—we had many family memories/stories. This … [Read more...]


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New Dishwasher, A Solution To Scattered Litter & The Rtic Winter Collection Arrived

Yesterday afternoon, a replacement Fisher & Paykel dishwasher was installed in the Dollhouse kitchen. If you saw Monday's post, you know that the previous newly-purchased dishwasher was delivered with a defect: the drawers would not line up properly.   I later discovered paperwork attached to the unit indicating that it had previously been involved in a truck accident. Not sure if that … [Read more...]


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How Do I Like My 2-Drawer Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher + Updated Kitten Photos

Welcome to the 885th Metamorphosis Monday! A few weeks ago, I shared the dishwasher I had chosen for the Dollhouse kitchen: a 2-drawer, Fisher & Paykel dishwasher.   If you saw that post, you may remember the interior photos that I shared of how it looked with dishes loaded inside.   I had to have an electrician install an outlet underneath the sink before it could be … [Read more...]


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My December Favorites: 1 Fail, But Many Wins—Plus, A New Love That’s On Sale

We had lots of sunshine yesterday, but rainy and drizzly here today. Thankfully, it's been a bit warmer, which is weird for January in Ohio. I hope you are seeing some sunshine today! Before we get into my December favorites, I want to share something with you that I just bought and LOVE, and is currently on sale! I've never had an Rtic tumbler or one of their "road trip" tumblers, but when I saw their … [Read more...]


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2 Beautiful Table Settings For A Christmas Holiday Tea Party

Welcome to the 902nd Tablescape Thursday! There were a couple of table settings that I didn't get a chance to share before Christmas, and they are way too wonderful to wait another whole year! Selma often hosts fabulous tea parties, and just before Christmas, she hosted a Christmas tea party for the lovely staff who work at the cat clinic where Selma takes her sweet kitties. Selma wrote, "I hosted Christmas … [Read more...]


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Delicious, Cheesy Baked Potatoes: The Perfect Winter Comfort Food

I saw these cheesy baked potatoes being made recently on Instagram and thought they were the perfect comfort food for a cold winter's day. They are so easy to make that I didn't try to create a printable recipe; however, I'll link the Instagram video at the end of this post showing how to make them in detail in case you have any questions.   So, here's how they are made: Note: These will bake … [Read more...]


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Let’s Go Inside The Beautiful Tate House Conservatory!

Welcome to the 884th Metamorphosis Monday! Today, I'm taking you back to the beautiful Tate House, aka The Pink Palace, in Tate, Georgia. You may recall that a friend and I visited the Tate House in December, when it was decorated for Christmas.   The Tate House, built from a rare pink marble mined from a nearby quarry, is an iconic landmark in Tate, Georgia.   It really is a … [Read more...]


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Bogg Bag Fever: Bitten By The Bogg Bag Bug

Do you own a Bogg Bag? Have you ever heard of them? I didn't know they existed until last summer. I can't remember how they first came onto my radar, but once I saw one in person, I could see why they were so popular. They are super practical bags for busy moms who haul around a lot of kid stuff. They are also great for taking along to the pool or on a beach vacation since they are almost indestructible and … [Read more...]


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Elegant Table Setting For New Year’s Day with 2 Different Centerpiece Designs

Welcome to the 901st Tablescape Thursday! I have a wonderful tablescape to share with you today! Elena created a beautiful table setting for her family for Christmas that would also work wonderfully for a New Year's Day celebration. Elena wrote, "My whole life, I have always LOVED everything Victorian!! Back in the 1980s and into the 90s, there were Victorian influences in everything from art, architecture, … [Read more...]


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3 New Additions To The Movie Room, Plus, Washing Dishes By Hand For 10 Days

Welcome to the 883rd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you have had a fun, relaxing weekend! The past week around here has been a bit crazy. The Fisher and Paykal dishwasher I purchased a few weeks back was supposed to be installed on Friday, December 19. The installers arrived on time but were unable to complete the install, saying that I first needed to have an outlet installed under the … [Read more...]


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Feeling Nostalgic This Christmas Morning

Welcome to the 900th Tablescape Thursday! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!  I hope you are having a great one! I plan to celebrate into January because it feels like it has all gone by way too fast. For our Christmas Eve dinner last night, we used this table setting that I put together several weeks ago.   I couldn't bring myself to change it since it's a kitty-themed table, and this … [Read more...]


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Which Dishwasher Did I Choose For The Dollhouse Kitchen?

Welcome to the 882nd Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had an awesome weekend! As I type this, I'm awaiting the arrival of an electrician who will hopefully be installing an outlet in the cabinet that's just underneath the sink area in the kitchen. Why do I need an outlet in that location? Toward the end of November, I purchased a new dishwasher for the Dollhouse kitchen. It was just delivered last week, but … [Read more...]


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Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas & These Should All Arrive Before Christmas

It's down to crunch time for completing our Christmas shopping this year. Last night, I put together a list of gifts that were showing they would arrive before Christmas Day. Starting with my favorite winter slippers (actually, I wear them almost all year round) these slippers are incredibly warm and cozy. You'll find the men's slippers available here: Men's Tasman II Slipper, and the women's slippers are … [Read more...]


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The Beautiful Tate House Dining Room & A Fantasy Christmas Table Setting

Welcome to the 899th Tablescape Thursday! It was a long, long drive back from Georgia to the Dollhouse yesterday, and I had two rambunctious kittens who kept me awake half the night, so I'm running late this morning.  Last night was the first night that I've seriously attempted to let them sleep in my bed; before, they just wanted to play the entire time and always got booted out. It went very well for … [Read more...]


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November Favorites, Including A Few Of Beatrice & Agatha’s Faves

At the top of my November favorites list are these super warm gloves that I purchased last month. I would like to spend this winter doing more walking outside, so I've been working on ways to combat the cold this winter. I tested these out on a recent walk and found them to be very warm. I really liked that I could easily answer my phone while wearing them. I purchased mine in size Medium, but I probably … [Read more...]


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A $100,000 Christopher Radko Christmas Tree!

Welcome to the 881st Metamorphosis Monday! Before we get into today's post, in case you find it helpful, here's what my pest control company did last week to prevent any more squirrels from accidentally falling down my chimney in the future. (Ha! I can't believe I just wrote that sentence!) They added screening all around the opening, as seen in this photo below.   When the workman first … [Read more...]


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A Charming Retro-Style Heater, 9 Gift Ideas + 39 Games Rated 4.7 And Up

I just returned yesterday from a wonderful visit with friends who live in the beautiful community of Big Canoe. On Friday, we toured the Tate House in Tate, Georgia. I'm looking forward to sharing photos from that visit soon. If you live in Atlanta or the north Georgia area, it's definitely worth a trip for their holiday tour. They just added a stunning arboretum to the home. No rooms were off limits during … [Read more...]


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Whimsical Snowman-Themed Tablescape, Perfect For The Winter Months Ahead

Welcome to the 898th Tablescape Thursday! I'm posting Tablescape Thursday a little early this week since I'll be busy with some other holiday activities over the next few days. Several years ago, I came across a fun snowman, winter-themed table setting, and I filed it away in my brain as a fun table to create one day. I'm not sure where I first saw it; it may have been on Instagram. Finally, this year, I … [Read more...]


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Squirrels In The House & A Nostalgic Christmas

Welcome to the 880th Metamorphosis Monday! Yesterday was a crazy day around here. I wish I had taken some photos, but it never even crossed my mind. I had two squirrels running around inside my home—a Mom and her baby. Earlier that morning, I had come across small pellet-like droppings downstairs and had cleaned them up, wondering if I had a mouse in the house. Within a few minutes of cleaning them up, the … [Read more...]


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10 Gift Ideas For Christmas & The Holidays: Some Newly Discovered & A Few Favorites

I've been doing some gift shopping online today, and as often happens, I found a few things I couldn't resist for myself. Remember the plaid flannel sheets I ordered recently when they were on sale. They arrived a few days ago, and I love them! They washed beautifully and feel amazing to sleep on! Since they are still on sale, I'm thinking about ordering a second set for Georgia. You'll find these … [Read more...]


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Updated Thanksgiving Table & A Beautiful Way To Serve Butter For Holiday Dinners

Welcome to the 897th Tablescape Thursday! A couple of weeks back, I shared a 1940s-style, traditional Thanksgiving tablescape Elena created, inspired by a suggestion from her dear hubby. This was the table Elena shared with the dinner plates neatly stacked at the head of the table. In Elena's research on 1940s table, she learned that the turkey would have been served on a platter ready for carving. The … [Read more...]


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Snow Again, Brown Birds, Holes Are All Gone, Kitty Christmas Tree & Fairy Door Install

We had our second snow of the season, or maybe it was the third—I've lost count now. This one may stick around a bit since the temps are staying pretty low. Did you get any snow over the past few days?   I filled up the feeder that I currently have out; my other larger one needs cleaning. I placed a ton of seed in a trash can lid atop the snow for the squirrels and ground feeders. One thing … [Read more...]


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Another Beautiful Wreath From Lynch Creek Farms, This One May Be My Favorite

Welcome to the 879th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend! For this week's Met Monday, I'm sharing the wreath I ordered this year from Lynch Creek Farms. This will be my third year ordering from them. For reference, here are the Christmas wreaths that I've ordered from them for the previous two years.   Sorry about this terrible photo...note to self, don't take … [Read more...]


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Fave Black Friday-Cyber Monday Finds & Fun Stories From ‘Home But Alone No More’

How was your Thanksgiving? I hope you had a great one and got in some time to just relax. My son and DIL hosted this year; my son smoked a turkey, and my daughter-in-law prepared some amazing appetizers and side dishes. I contributed with a squash casserole.   The kittens have kept things interesting! I've lost count of how many times I've pulled them out of the Christmas tree. I also had to … [Read more...]


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BNOTP Readers Have Been Asking For This For Many Years, And I Finally Found It

Welcome to the 896th Tablescape Thursday! Several years ago, we had a very big snow event that came through Georgia. It later came to be known as Snowmageddon. It was a doozy! Just as the snow was starting to melt, I got a crazy idea and set a table out on the deck, taking advantage of the snowy tablecloth provided by Mother Nature.   The only centerpiece that seemed appropriate for that … [Read more...]


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Decorate Your Kitchen For Christmas With Festive Knob Covers & The Fairy Door Arrived

Welcome to the 878th Metamorphosis Monday! Yesterday, I shared a Before and After that I recently implemented in my kitchen to solve a problem I've been having ever since I bought a stainless steel refrigerator. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: How I Solved The Never-Ending Fridge Fingerprints Issue. In today's Met Monday post, I'm sharing a few ideas I'm considering for sprucing up the … [Read more...]


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Exciting Finds: Long Out-of-Print Book Is Back & I Solved The Fridge Fingerprint Issue

It's back in print! What am I talking about? In 1982, Martha Stewart released her very first book titled Entertaining. I'm not sure when Entertaining went out of print, but it's back in print now, and they have done their best to stay true to the original book, right down to the dedications, which even included Martha's ex-husband. I purchased Entertaining many years ago when I finally came to my senses … [Read more...]


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The Black Friday Sales Are On & Here Are Some Of My Favorites!

The Black Friday Deals are already underway, and some are way too good to resist! I've been itching to try this hair curler that I've seen people raving about on Instagram. I've never used a curler like this, but from listening to others, some curlers are terrible about trapping hair inside and not releasing it easily. This one is advertised as never doing that; it will literally reverse itself to release … [Read more...]


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Beautiful 1940s Style Thanksgiving Table With Enoch Woods and Sons, English Scenery

Welcome to the 895th Tablescape Thursday! Elena's husband was the inspiration for the table setting I'm sharing with you today. Elena said, "My husband thought this one up sometime ago. He looked at me and said, "Why don't you try setting a 1940s vintage Thanksgiving table? You have all the stuff for it!" Of course, I immediately thought about "A Christmas Story," but you never see a set table because the … [Read more...]


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Purchases For The Home Alone Movie Fan & The LEGO Life-Size Cat Is Complete

Some fun things to share...remember the Lego Tuxedo Cat I purchased recently?     Here's how he turned out. You may remember that he was designed so that he can be made with a closed mouth or an open mouth. Here's how the open mouth option looks, which is what I chose when building him. I went with the gold eyes option, but he can be made with blue eyes, too.   To … [Read more...]


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Incredible Kitchen Renovation: So Many Beautiful, Functional Designs & Features!

Welcome to the 877th Metamorphosis Monday! I am so excited about the wonderful kitchen renovation that I'm sharing with you in today's Before/After Metamorphosis Monday post! You may recall that a few weeks back, I shared Heather's beautiful guest bath renovation in this post: Beautiful Guest Bath Renovation.   Heather and her hubby just completed a major kitchen renovation that is both … [Read more...]


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Preparing For Christmas, Gift Ideas & A Present I Bought For Myself

I have resisted buying the adorable Lego Tuxedo Cat for a long time. Recently, I took the kitties to the vet, and I saw this cute guy tucked into a corner of their front office area. After seeing how cute he is, I had to order him! He was much larger than I had expected, pretty close to the size of a real cat! He's also much more detailed than I had expected!     His head rotates, and … [Read more...]


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My Favorite Holiday Centerpiece, Love It For Thanksgiving & Christmas

Welcome to the 894th Tablescape Thursday! One of my favorite centerpieces to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas is a Colonial Williamsburg-style Apple Tree.   They don't always have to be made with apples; you can use almost any kind of fruit, including small oranges, lemons, and limes. I really like how this tree turned out with lemons and limes. Magnolia leaves make a great base on which to … [Read more...]


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3 Gifts For The Home Alone Movie Fan, Plus An Adorable Christmas Decor Idea

I'm so looking forward to the Christmas movie-watching that I know will be taking place over the next few weeks. A couple of days ago, I was feeling Christmas-nostalgic and curled up in the movie room to watch Home Alone right by myself. There's something to be said for watching your favorite Christmas movie (or any movie) alone—like the ability to pause it as many times as you wish to enjoy the little … [Read more...]


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How Would You Fix This “Holey” Mess In The Butler’s Pantry & Upstairs Bath?

Welcome to the 876th Metamorphosis Monday! I awoke to this scene this morning. Thankfully, it should melt over the next day or two.   A previous owner of the Dollhouse shared with me that the bathrooms, kitchen, and Butler's Pantry were all renovated approximately 20 years ago. I love the renovations, especially the bath renovations that were done in a way that preserved the original 1938 … [Read more...]


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Shopping The Winter Sales Including One That 50% Off!

If you have Spode Woodland dinnerware and use it this time of year...     ...Spode has a charming woodland flatware set that's perfect with their Woodland pattern dinnerware.     The design is beautifully detailed and is currently available here: Spode Woodland Flatware. You'll find Spode Woodland dinnerware place settings on sale 10% off here: Spode Woodland … [Read more...]


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A Christmas Tablescape For Cat Lovers Of All Ages

Welcome to the 893rd Tablescape Thursday! I brought up more dishes with me on this past trip back from Georgia. Having just adopted two furbabies, I thought this would be a fun Christmas table to set for my grandsons.   Actually, my son and DIL are pretty smitten with the new furbabies, so I think they'll enjoy this table as much as the boys. These photos were taken early this morning, so the … [Read more...]


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My October Favorites, Plus How I Decorated The Front Porch For Halloween This Year

My trip to Georgia was a quick one. I was only there for a week, arriving a couple of days before Halloween. I completely forgot to take photos of how I decorated the porch for my trick-or-treaters, but here's a photo that I screen-captured via the Ring camera to share with a friend earlier that day. The wide-angle lens actually gives us a pretty good view. I should probably share this view whenever I share … [Read more...]


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Jackie Has Done It Again! She Transformed Her Home For A Murder Mystery Party!

Welcome to the 875th Metamorphosis Monday! Every year, Jackie hosts an exciting Halloween party for friends and family. Each year, she chooses a different theme. I am always excited to see what she has planned for her guests! Jackie wrote, "Just had my annual event at my home this past weekend. I changed it up a little. It was a Murder Mystery Party called Death of a Gangster. The invitations said: A … [Read more...]


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Come Join Us For A Whimsical, Cat-Themed Halloween Tea Party!

Welcome to the 892nd Tablescape Thursday! I have an absolutely delightful, fun Halloween table setting to share today! Selma, who throws the best tea parties I've ever seen, wrote to say, "I had a Halloween Tea for a friend's daughter yesterday. She graduated from high school, so the original plan was a June tea, but they were busy, and I was busy, so it ended up happening yesterday! Halloween is one of my … [Read more...]


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Stunningly Beautiful Rooms: This Book Would Make A Wonderful Christmas Gift

I have always been a fan of Ralph Lauren fashion. I used to regularly stalk the Ralph Lauren and Lauren Ralph Lauren section in Macy's and Dillard's back when shopping at the mall was a thing. Do people still shop in malls? I should do that one day for old times' sake. I loved the RL style, especially his fall/winter collections. I still have this tweed jacket that I purchased a gazillion years ago. RL … [Read more...]


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2 Updates: One For Halloween & One For The Sunroom

Welcome to the 874th Metamorphosis Monday! After a long, but thankfully uneventful, drive yesterday. I'm back in Georgia. The kitties are in good hands as family is checking in on them all throughout the day and spending time with them in the movie room during the evening. I can't wait to get back and see them again! I didn't do a lot of Halloween decorating at the Dollhouse this year, but I did add … [Read more...]


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My 2025 Winter Survival List

It's starting to get pretty cold here at night. Though spring and summer will always be my favorite seasons, as I've gotten older, I've begun to appreciate the fall and winter months more and more. My favorite part of winter, other than the holidays, is the much slower pace of the winter months. One thing I do not like is how dry my skin feels once the heat starts running. All my humidifiers are back in … [Read more...]


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No Fall Tablecloth, No Problem! Plus, The Charger Plates That I Use In Fall & Winter

Welcome to the 891st Tablescape Thursday! I will be back in Georgia next week and reunited with the majority of my dishes! Yipee! lol So hopefully, I will have a table set for you next week, although I may be spending all my time trying to clean the porch, which I'm sure is a mess by now. Yeah, I may be setting that table in the dining room instead. In the meantime, here are a few ideas that I hope you'll … [Read more...]


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Favorite Sweaters, Including One That Took A Full Year To Come Back In Stock

Before we get into today's post, I wanted to share the results of my recent appointment with an orthopedist who is a hand specialist. He took a look at the X-rays from the ER and said that the 4th metacarpal on my left hand is broken. I wasn't surprised since that's the area that is swollen and still hurts. Actually, several spots on that hand still hurt, but they are all gradually getting better. The … [Read more...]


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Decorating The Window Boxes For Autumn

Welcome to the 873rd Metamorphosis Monday! Toward the end of September, about a week before I fell and injured my hand, I redid the two window boxes on the front of the Dollhouse. It was time for some fall color!   These were the flowers that I purchased, a mix of orange and yellow florals. I wanted to mix in a few pumpkins, too. It took a bit of trial and error to find the right size … [Read more...]


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My September Favorites & A Not-So-Favorite Injury And Visit To The ER

This month is zooming by, can't believe it's already the middle of October! Are you feeling the cooler temps where you live? The leaves have really started changing color here in Ohio, and the temps have been all over the place. Definitely feeling like fall! Before we get any further into October, I wanted to share my September favorites. But first, a little explanation on why posts may have been short … [Read more...]


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Almost Trick-or-Treat Time!

Welcome to the 890th Tablescape Thursday! With Halloween just a couple of weeks away, I wanted to share a Halloween table. But I had one problem. Six ravens flew in and stole all the napkins. Yup, that's what happened. They made off with all of them!   Unfortunately, I didn't have any other napkins that would work with this table, not even some plain white ones. Hopefully, you'll enjoy this … [Read more...]


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Opening Up My Heart Again

Welcome to the 872nd Metamorphosis Monday! The day you adopt a pet is the day you set yourself up for one of the future worst times of your life. After losing Max over 12 years ago, the pain was so excruciating and lasted so long (really, it never ends), I couldn't bring myself to adopt another cat. As time passed, the pain became more tolerable, but never left.   During the time that Max was … [Read more...]


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Have You Ever Thought About Using Dry Ice In A Table Setting?

Welcome to the 889th Tablescape Thursday! For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I have three whimsical and beautiful tables to share that are perfect for the fall and Halloween seasons. Sue created a wonderful Halloween table for her son’s birthday using dry ice! Do you see the mist oozing its way out of the purple urns and down onto the surface of the table? Love this! See more of this table in this … [Read more...]


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Today’s The Last Day To Catch The Prime Day Deals & More Of My Favorites Are On Sale

The Prime Day sales end today, so I've been checking to see if any new things have been added to sale. I'm very tempted by these Skechers that are slip-ins. I recently badly injured my left hand, so trying to tie my sneakers is a challenge right now. They look incredibly comfortable and have great reviews. You'll find them available in a bunch of different colors here: Skechers Women's Slip-in … [Read more...]


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Here Are A Few Of My Favorites That Are Currently On Sale For Prime Day!

The Prime Day sales started today, so I've been scoping them out to see what's included in the sale. This is a great time to get a jump on Christmas shopping.  These beautiful solar lights that I have along my walkway in Georgia are currently on sale.   I love them so much, I added them alongside the steps that lead to my patio here at the Dollhouse. I'm amazed at how well they have held up … [Read more...]


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Beautiful Small Bath Renovation—You’re Going To Love This Before & After!

Welcome to the 871st Metamorphosis Monday! Recently, I was chatting via email with Heather, who just completed a wonderful guest bath renovation. Heather's bath is a small one, like the one I've been working on here in my home, so I couldn't wait to see photos of how it turned out. After seeing her photos, I am starting to think these smaller bathrooms are the most fun to renovate! Heather shared two … [Read more...]


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Spode Woodland For Thanksgiving & This Handsome Turkey Is The Star Of The Table

Welcome to the 888th Tablescape Thursday! It's been a busy week with the wallpaper installer arriving early each morning. He will be here again today, finishing up the prepping and painting of the guest bathroom walls. Then the waiting begins, as we'll need to wait a full month to give the walls time to fully dry before the actual hanging of the paper. I'm not a fan of Peel-and-Stick wallpaper with its long … [Read more...]


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Finally, Progress Has Been Made, Plus, Some Thoughts About Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

When I purchased the Dollhouse a little over a year ago, this is how the guest/half bath on the main floor looked. The red was striking and a fun look for a small guest bath, but not what I wanted for this space.   Updating this bath has been a slow process, as I've been working on other projects, plus I've encountered a couple of speed bumps along the way. I had an electrician remove the … [Read more...]


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Would You Turn Your Living Room Into A Dining Room?

Welcome to the 870th Metamorphosis Monday! Before we get into today's post, how about a little eye candy to start your week? Last week, I mentioned that I had once again stumbled across the sunroom where I first saw and fell in love with some pretty, scalloped-designed wicker furniture. I knew I had seen it on Instagram, but couldn't remember where until I came across the cover of this book by the talented … [Read more...]


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Shopping The Fall Clothing Sales & I Found Some Beautiful Pieces!

I've been waiting for this! Every autumn, Talbots comes out with a beautiful line of fall clothing, and it's usually in gorgeous traditional autumn colors and plaids that I find hard to resist. In today's post, I've gathered together a few of my favorites, along with some other great finds that caught my eye. Talbots is also having a fabulous sale. The sale will give you 40% off any regular-priced item … [Read more...]


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Your Favorite (And Most Asked About) Charger Plates Appear To Be Available!

Welcome to the 887th Tablescape Thursday! Recently, I had someone ask about these pierced charger plates that you've often seen me use in table settings over the years.   Of all the table-related items I've ever shared, I've received more questions about these charger plates over the years than about anything else I've used in a table setting.   I purchased these charger plates … [Read more...]


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It’s Officially Fall & I’ve Done Some Shopping For The Upcoming Holidays

Fall sneaked up on me this year. I just realized yesterday that the autumnal equinox officially arrived on Monday. With fall officially here, I've been thinking more and more about the upcoming holidays. In today's post, I have a mix of seasonal and holiday favorites to share. I also solved a mystery concerning the scallop-designed ottoman in my office—more on that toward the end of this post. Did you … [Read more...]


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